AMC Eagle Den Forum

Considering getting some new wheels for TQ.

I've been looking into the Grand Cherokee Limited wheels. They are the tear drop style. Could be Gold, Silver, Silver with Black

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/EagleLimitedWheels.jpg)

These old Wagoneer/Early 90s Cherokee wheels that are a mesh/wire looking wheel. Could be Gold or Silver.

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/EagleWagoneerWheels.jpg)

What do you guys think? I think the Gold will look nice on the brown car.

Some additional options.

Old Hurricane/Turbine Wheels
(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/EagleHurricane.jpg)

The stock Eagle Aluminum Wheels
(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/EagleAluminum.jpg)

And the 10 Jeep Wheels
(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/Eagle10Hole.jpg)

Definitely the first option in my opinion.

Quote from: eaglefreek on January 30, 2012, 09:22:18 PM
Definitely the first option in my opinion.

X2

The tear drops were what I was really wanting to go for, but after doing the quick photoshop I kind of like the wire spoke looking ones. I do like both though and I have a neighbor who has the Grand Cherokee Limited wheels sitting on his Jeep that hasn't moved for like 4 months. One of the tires is even completely flat. I might see what he'd want for them, might even just buy some cheap steelies for him and trade him.

The AMC Eagle was never really a pretty car even when it was new. Those Wagoneer wheels make me want to blast Jay Z music down the highway because those wheels look so busy. Scrap that idea. The first choice follows the simple albeit rough aesthetics of the car. It draws away from the common SHINY OVERLOAD. :P

If I end up getting my neighbors limited wheels they will need to be refinished/repainted. The chrome part is flaking pretty bad.

Quote from: Prafeston on January 30, 2012, 09:52:25 PM
If I end up getting my neighbors limited wheels they will need to be refinished/repainted. The chrome part is flaking pretty bad.

Sounds like a lot of work. You should be able to find some at a decent price that are in good shape.

With some of the Jeep alloys on an Eagle the rear center caps wont fit. 

Quote from: eaglefreek on January 30, 2012, 10:01:28 PM

Quote from: Prafeston on January 30, 2012, 09:52:25 PM
If I end up getting my neighbors limited wheels they will need to be refinished/repainted. The chrome part is flaking pretty bad.

Sounds like a lot of work. You should be able to find some at a decent price that are in good shape.

If I could get my neighbors wheels really cheap then doing a decent rattle can job on them could be cheaper in the long run. I've been looking for these tear drop wheels for some time, can't find any for a decent price that are in good shape. I'll keep looking.

Quote from: Ohio AMX on January 30, 2012, 10:09:47 PM
With some of the Jeep alloys on an Eagle the rear center caps wont fit. 

Thanks for the heads up.

Don't forget to vote guys. This thread does have a poll and also if you think I should get a different wheel option let me know which ones and post some pics!

I like the 2nd set but not the gold, I don't think gold wheels look right on much.  Silver would make them stick out less.

Quote from: Ohio AMX on January 30, 2012, 10:09:47 PM
With some of the Jeep alloys on an Eagle the rear center caps wont fit. 

I have the first set on my Eagle.  If you add 1" spacers on the back the center caps will fit, and the rear width will then match the front.

Quote from: WoodenBirdOfPrey on January 30, 2012, 11:03:52 PM
I like the 2nd set but not the gold, I don't think gold wheels look right on much.  Silver would make them stick out less.

Yeah, both these sets come in just silver too. I just thought the subtle gold on the first set is nice. And, I just thought the gold would look alright with the brown. Gold and black seems to be a better look though. I'm still just trying to figure out what I want to do wheel wise.

Quote from: vangremlin on January 30, 2012, 11:24:29 PM

Quote from: Ohio AMX on January 30, 2012, 10:09:47 PM
With some of the Jeep alloys on an Eagle the rear center caps wont fit. 

I have the first set on my Eagle.  If you add 1" spacers on the back the center caps will fit, and the rear width will then match the front.

Where can I get these spacers and how much are there...just in case I go this route. Does this also mean the center caps fit with no adjustments on the front wheels?

I vote first set.

I have the second set in silver on my Spirit. They look great and I like them much better than the first option. I agree the first option looks cheesy. I hate gold in any capacity, especially for wheels, so I also urge you to consider the second option in silver.

When I first installed them on the Spirit the car wouldn't move. Turns out those Jeep rims have a smaller backspacing than any other Jeep rim. The back of the rim was tight up against the ball joint on the front and tight against the leaf spring on the rear.

I haven't tried those rims on an Eagle yet, but you will likely need spacers both front and rear. I used 1.5 inches on the front and 2 inches on the rear of the Spirit. The last picture shows how I tightened the spacers down while the rear driveshaft wasn't in place to keep the wheel from spinning.

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/Eagleweb%20Postings/Oct20110570.jpg)

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/Eagleweb%20Postings/Oct20110575.jpg)

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/Eagleweb%20Postings/Oct20110568.jpg)

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/Eagleweb%20Postings/Oct20110562.jpg)

I recently just got turned on to the early-mid 80's cherokee rims after seeing recomers ride. There were alot of differnt wheel options over the years so theres a style to please every liking.

Quote from: Prafeston on January 31, 2012, 12:04:15 AM


Where can I get these spacers and how much are there...just in case I go this route. Does this also mean the center caps fit with no adjustments on the front wheels?

The front center caps fit fine without spacers.  You can get spacers on the Bay, PM me if you'd like the vendor I got mine from.

The first option (used on the GC and XJ) also came with charcoal grey and even dark green accents if you don't like gold. In fact an aluminum wheel refinisher like Transwheel can redo them in any color you want, they can even match your body color but that costs a bit more.

Took pics of the neighbors wheels this morning...they are pretty bad!

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/20120131_105638.jpg)

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/20120131_105648.jpg)

Wonder what it would look like with these wheels on? ('96 ZJ 16" dealer installed with 255/85R/16s)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/carnuck/Comanche/021805view2.jpg)

IMHO wheel spacers are not safe, especially on a 4WD vehicle, like an Eagle.

There are PLENTY of Jeep rims that are a direct bolt-on and are nice! The 5-spoke Wrangler rims I put on my Eagle look great and went right on with no modifications at all. I got the set of 5 rims from a tire shop for $100 !

Please consider going that route, for safety's sake.


~ Joe in NY

Keep in mind that while Liberty rims are the same bolt pattern, the offset is NOT the same!

Stick with wheels from a rear wheel drive vehicle and your back spacing should be just fine. If pulling from AWD or FWD vehicles, you will most likely need spacers added (not a big deal)

I still have a set of these:
(http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/ehrmannmp/Stuff/mazdawheels.jpg)

I'm looking at an orange Eagle Sport this weekend and might use these for it.  These are from an ISUZU truck.

I've also been looking at these Cherokee Wheels.

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/Wheel2.jpg)

I have those. not happy with offset

That 5-spoke (Hollander# 9010) should be the same offset as the original snowflake wheels shown (#9011) as they were both used on the 93-95 Grand Cherokee. The center caps on the 5-spoke wheel fit on an Eagle without using spacers.

I just put those rims from my Spirit unto my new Kammback. I can confirm that the Spirit has smaller brake drums and overall width of the axle, so the rims fit on the back of the Eagle without rubbing against the spring like the Spirit did. The nut of the axle sticks through the hole in the center, so its confirmed that the rims cannot be installed with the center cover unless you use a spacer. Without the spacer, the lug nuts only turn a few times before they are tight against the thickness of the aluminum. I do not consider them safe that way without longer wheel studs pressed into the axle.

On the front, however, the rims simply did not fit. They wedged against something, either the caliper or the raised edge around the CV shaft. I bolted it in place for a picture, then had to use a rubber mallet to remove the rim afterwards. It was wedged and slanted in place and wasn't actually bolted in where it belonged. On the Spirit the rims bind up against both the ball joint and the caliper.

I installed my 1.5 inch in the front and 2 inch spacers in the rear. They fit perfectly and look much better that way. In the front I suggest using 1 inch instead of 1.5 inch, but 1.5 inch is perfect for the front of a Spirit and still works great for an Eagle. I took pictures but can't post them today.

Do not install them without spacers. Even if the front didn't bind up the way it does, the wheel studs are too short to use with aluminum rims safely. The spacers come with much longer studs built in, so they are much safer to use than without them. Do not listen to those who say otherwise. The spacers are stronger than the axle. I've had 3 axles break and no spacers break. If you really want a strong axle, you need a Cherokee Dana35 which happens to be wider and with longer studs to accept the rims perfectly.

the 2wd and 4wd rims are different offset. fwd is different again

Quote from: captspillane on February 06, 2012, 12:06:01 PM
I installed my 1.5 inch in the front and 2 inch spacers in the rear. They fit perfectly and look much better that way. In the front I suggest using 1 inch instead of 1.5 inch, but 1.5 inch is perfect for the front of a Spirit and still works great for an Eagle. I took pictures but can't post them today.

Do not install them without spacers. Even if the front didn't bind up the way it does, the wheel studs are too short to use with aluminum rims safely. The spacers come with much longer studs built in, so they are much safer to use than without them. Do not listen to those who say otherwise. The spacers are stronger than the axle. I've had 3 axles break and no spacers break. If you really want a strong axle, you need a Cherokee Dana35 which happens to be wider and with longer studs to accept the rims perfectly.

I think you're talking about Wheel Adapters NOT Spacers. Wheel Adapters are the ones that come with the studs built-in, while Spacers are just flat discs that slip over the existing studs on your car. Spacers are illegal in some states, and rightfully so. I have friends who have used them and had studs snap off and even a wheel come off while driving, in one case! I don't know anyone, personally, who has used Wheel Adapters.

But I wouldn't use EITHER method. There are plenty of Jeep rims to choose from with the proper spacing. Why add a measure of additional mechanical complexity, weight, and failure points to an area that's already a very dynamic point?


~ Joe in NY

You're exactly right. I purchased spacers initially and they were downright shady. They don't have holes drilled properly and they hang off center, plus the Eagle axles have very short studs so it just doesn't work. The thin wheel adaptors are also shady because there isn't enough room for the inner lugnut, so they make the metal very thin. The two inch and 1.5" adaptors have alot of metal below the lugnut and strong, very long lugs.

I think they are stronger than the two piece stock axle, and for an original 2.5L or even a stock 258 that is plenty strong for conservative driving. My family is fond of turning the car on two wheels and driving aggressively, so we've broken 3 axles already. I also get annoyed at having to remove twice the lugs to get to the brakes. I would not use them for most of my Eagles. Only the Spirit and this Iron Duke Kammback is getting them.

I usually go straight to the stronger and wider Cherokee axles and the holed style Cherokee rims that have the perfect backspacing for the front. I do not use the wheel adaptors with the holed style. The holed style does not bind up in the front like those wire rims did. This picture shows my Red SX4 without wheel adaptors sporting my all time favorite holed rims and 235/75R15 tires.

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/11-15-09_1344.jpg)

I added some new photos with additional options and reset the poll. What do you guys think of the additions.

I would go with the hurricane wheels but drop the whitewalls. Just my 2 cents.

If I get new wheels I'll be getting new tires and probably dropping the white walls and get a little bit bigger tire. I think I have like 195/70s on there now.

I like the Hurricane wheels too.
I'd agree with no whitewall either.

Wish I would have made a mock up of the Jeep Canyon rims...what do you guys think about those?

(http://cdn.wranglerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76216&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1320624771)

I voted for the turbines, but I really like those Canyons.  I have a set of Grizzlies going on, myself.

I found someone kind of local selling the canyons for 200 and they have some Michelin's on them that have 75% tread. 215/75s That seems a lot smaller than most of the tires found on these jeep wheels I've been looking at so they might actually fit on the Eagle.

Mocked up the Canyons.

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/EagleCanyons.jpg)

You'll definitely need spacers out back to clear the nut on the axle in order to put the center cap on with the Canyons and you most likely will have to do a little trimming up front for the tires. But they will look great. 

Yes I said spacers. I'm referring to the ones that have lugs attached to them. An adapter changes bolt pattern and a spacer just spaces the wheels out further while using the same bolt pattern.  :P

Those ones you have "mocked up" aren't really Canyons, they're off a Grand Cherokee(ZJ) kinda similar unless you've had 3-4 sets of each. The ZJ rims you have shown area a 15"x7" rim, the Canyons that you previously showed (as well as the Gamblers, 5 hole, and Ravines, similar to the Canyons) are a 15"x8" Rim, I tried a pair of canyons on the front of the Eagle , don't see that woring with out some major trimming.  The scrub radius is to large when you get that wide unless you had a way to take out some backspace.  Even the set of Ecco's(off a cherokee) (http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0143.jpg) I have on mine rub right now, but I figure that once I put the new springs in I should be ok(fingers crossed)...

The ones I mocked up are still the canyons, they are just from the ZJ, the deeper canyons were off the TJ. Found this very handy site.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f15/all-jeep-factory-wheels-names-pictures-1151525/

Also, the ones I mocked up were the actual wheels for sale locally and they are 15x7 and should fit better than the deep dish canyons.

You/They may be right, but I'm not aware of the ZJ rims having had the same name(the ones that were used on the ZJ were in the same time frame that the Gamblers were the Optional Aluminum Wheels on TJ's, the Canyons on TJ's came later, there might however have been an overlap, I had a 97 with factory Gamblers, and ZJ's were only made thru 98).  Regardless if they are actually the 15"x7" off a ZJ they will fit much better than the 15x8 canyons off a TJ(though I really like the looks of the TJ ones)  the ZJ rims are the same size & offset as these Eccos I have as well as the XJ Steelies I have as well.  They don't clear the 225x70/15's I have on it, yet... but I like the stance of these tires in this size, just gotta get them to clear.

As you can see from this pic they are pretty much the exact same except the deeper canyons have the Jeep lettering on the Center caps.

(http://home.earthlink.net/~jeepzz/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/xj_wheel_canyon_vs_zj_sport_alum.jpg)

Yeah, I'm curious to see how they would fit as the seller has them already equipped with 215/75/15s.

I'm also wanting to give my ride a subtle lift...so if they don't clear I'm hoping and 2-3 inch lift would help.

Yeah, they're similar, and they may have been called Canyon's on the ZJ, not really sure about that, but in the Jeep world which I'm pretty familiar with, if someone references Canyon's they mean the TJ style at least 99 of 100 times, anyway if you like the ZJ rims that's what mattters, I just never really did, I really like the TJ version, I have them on the black XJ(Bought cheap to fix a few things & sell but had those rims on it) and my ZJ which isn't here at the house right now, had them on the prior XJ as well, I have Ravines on the DD XJ(Green Ex-USFS jeep) because I got the Rims & tires very reasonable & almost new,  Just for more reference here are a few pics of some of the Jeep rims that are around the house here:
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0147.jpg)
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0148.jpg)
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0149.jpg)
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0151.jpg)
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0152.jpg)
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j412/drbauer65/IMAG0153.jpg)

What's on the Forest Service XJ, those are sharp looking wheels.

Those are the Ravines.

Those are called Ravines, they came off 2005-2006 TJ & LJ(Wrangler unlimited) There was another set of them for sale on the local KSL online classifieds for a few days, no one was buying them cuz he had the bolt circle listed wrong(5x5.5" instead of 5x4.5").  I was going to buy them $180 with decent 235x75's,but got busy for a few days and then when I did get back to it someone else that recognized them and knew the bolt circle in the add was wrong beat me to it...

Was wondering if you could post a picture of your eagle with the hurricane wheels with blackwalls?

Here ya go.

(http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/Prafeston/EagleHurricaneBW.jpg)

Wow, this actually looks pretty cool with the wide stance and black wheels!

(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4056/4516400448_f4424ebce3_z.jpg)

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2721/4515763659_bcdea9476b_z.jpg)

They stick out a little to far for my taste. Not to mention you wouldn't have much suspension travel before it hit the flares.
Here's one with one letter tires:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/2011%20Southeast%20Regional%20AMC%20Show/IMG_0782.jpg)

I definitely couldn't do this with those wide wheels and tires:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5240/5894993799_947a2de36a_b.jpg)

I like the wide stance:
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4056/4516400448_f4424ebce3_z.jpg)
But it needs to go up a bit further and definitely need to make some stoppers for the travel on the suspension so they don't rip up the flares.

The rear needs some 1" spacers too but I like it myself.  This is the look I'll be going for with Bouquet bit with a few more inches of lift.

I agree on more lift, but it looks like a bad mammerjammer that way. The IH 2wd rims I have are similarly outward offset.

Yeah, I'm digging the wide stance, but I agree with GRONK, you can definitely see that the rear wheels are in more than the fronts. Needs some spacers...and obviously some UPs! :)