Custom Wheels 101: The Basics – Part 2
If you are just entering the world of custom off-road wheels, there are lots of things that you need to know before buying a set for your truck, SUV, Jeep, or 4x4 vehicle. This guide walks through the basic steps for selecting the right wheel for your vehicle.
Finish
Before you start looking through the thousands of custom-wheel styles available, narrow your choices by deciding which finish you prefer or which will work best for how you use your vehicle. There are many finishes available:
- Chrome – Bright and shining, but a pain to take care of if you live in an area that uses salt and chemicals on winter roads. In those areas, chrome wheels can rust or pit, and brake dust can also eat at the finish. If your vehicle is mostly used for shows or rarely driven in bad conditions and you like the brilliance of chrome, this could be the wheel for you if you do not mind a little polishing.
- Polished Aluminum – Everything said about chrome wheels applies here too: they are high-maintenance and very susceptible to salt, brine, and brake dust. Chemicals in a car wash can also spot and discolor the finish unless you dry them immediately. The advantage is that with aluminum polish and elbow grease, you can often bring a polished aluminum wheel back from the grave.
- Powder Coat – When you see a colored wheel — black, red, bronze, gold, blue, and more — chances are it is powder coated. Powder-coated wheels come in many colors, as well as color-and-machined or milled combinations that let the aluminum show through, creating two-tone finishes such as black and machined, black and milled, or red and milled. Powder-coated wheels are among the easiest to care for and the toughest against salt and chemicals. Wheels with machining or milling are normally clear-coated and can be washed like the rest of the vehicle. Anodized wheels also fall into this category.
- Painted – Steel wheels are about the only wheels left that are typically finished with automotive-type paint. They are susceptible to scratches and chips but are easier to touch up or repaint.
Wheel diameter
The next step in choosing a wheel is deciding on the size you want. The two parts of wheel size are diameter and width, both of which have advantages and disadvantages.
Diameter is the first part in a wheel size. It is basically the size of the hole in the tire. Vehicles come in a variety of OEM wheel sizes. You can stay with the size that came on the vehicle or go up in size. Going to a larger-diameter wheel is commonly called “plus sizing.”
Switching to a larger-diameter wheel can affect quite a few things and can also result in problems.
- Road Handling – The larger the wheel diameter, the smaller the tire sidewall. Shorter sidewalls can improve cornering because they do not roll as much as taller sidewalls, which can reduce sway during turns.
- Looks – Some people like to see more sidewall, while others like to see more wheel. The larger the wheel diameter, the shorter the sidewall becomes.
- Wheel Damage – One disadvantage of a larger-diameter wheel is that it becomes more susceptible to damage from potholes, rocks, and other impacts. A shorter tire sidewall offers less protection to the wheel.
- Stiffer Ride – A larger-diameter wheel can also result in a stiffer ride because there is less sidewall to absorb impacts. Less wheel and more tire sidewall generally result in a more comfortable ride.
- Weight – Larger wheels weigh more than smaller-diameter wheels. The heavier combination of a large wheel and tire can overpower an OEM suspension. The springs and shocks on the vehicle were designed for the wheel-and-tire combination installed from the factory, so you may need to upgrade shocks and suspension to accommodate the added weight.
Wheel width
The current trend is to use the widest wheel possible, resulting in the tire sticking far out past the fenders. While some love the look of wide wheels, there are disadvantages and safety concerns when going past reasonable limits. To keep tires under, or close to, the vehicle, an 8–9″ wheel is usually the best choice. These wheels are generally close to a neutral offset, meaning there is a similar amount of wheel sticking out as there is tucked under the vehicle.
Wheels that are 10″ wide or larger have deeper lips and more of the wheel begins hanging out past the fenders. The wider the wheel, the farther the wheel and tire will stick out. Here are some disadvantages to wider wheels:
- Handling – The wider the wheel, the more rotating mass is pushed away from the vehicle. This puts more stress on bearings, brakes, tie rods, and other suspension components than the manufacturer intended. It can result in shaking, vibrations, wandering, and other issues, especially on IFS (independent front suspension) vehicles.
- Clearance Issues – Wider wheels can cause clearance issues with bumpers, fenders, and suspension components. If you do not mind cutting bumpers and sheet metal, this may not be a concern.
- A Clean Truck – If you choose wide wheels, expect more road debris to be thrown up the sides of your truck unless you add fender flares that provide enough coverage.
- The Police – Many states have laws against tires sticking out past the fenders. Make sure you understand the requirements where you drive before investing in an aggressive setup.
Whether you are willing to make these sacrifices for the look of a wider wheel is a choice you will have to make.