New Wheel Options

[vangremlin]

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.

[Ohio AMX]

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.

[Prafeston]

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

[carnuck]

Wonder what it would look like with these wheels on? ('96 ZJ 16" dealer installed with 255/85R/16s)

[NYEagle]

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

[carnuck]

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

[GRONK]

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:


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

[Prafeston]

I've also been looking at these Cherokee Wheels.

[mudkicker715]

I have those. not happy with offset

[Ohio AMX]

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.

[captspillane]

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.

[carnuck]

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

[NYEagle]

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

[captspillane]

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.

[Prafeston]

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