Broken wheel, fender damage, which option would you choose?

[BlackRuby23]

I hit an object in the road and destroyed a wheel, tire and my rear driver side fender. All tires have 28,000 miles on them. Should I buy a used wheel and a new Falken matching tire, then put the new spare tire on the other rear rim so the two rear tires are new, then put the used one on the steelie and use it as a spare? Should I do that but put the 2 new tires on front and move the fronts to the rear? Should I buy 4 new tires even though they have 50% tread on remaining 3? I don't think I should run one brand new one because the tread does not match at all. Should I buy all new aftermarket wheels and tires (35")? Should I trade the Jeep in on a brand new 2026 Rubicon JT? All options are on the table right now. Cast your votes!

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[Supazuk]

I would buy a new wheel and put 2 new tires in the rear, but that because I live in the land of the ice and snow ..... your location says west coast so i assume you don't deal with needing rear traction

 

[Zachanadandy]

Have you had the alignment checked? Hitting something big enough to destroy a wheel is pretty extreme. If the axle is bent I'd trade it in. If the axle is OK 35s are always the answer... unless you want 37s.

 

[bleda2002]

Id measure how much tread you actually have left and if it's >60% just replace one tire and toss it in the back. Else replace 2 of them.

 

[Supazuk]

Have you had the alignment checked? Hitting something big enough to destroy a wheel is pretty extreme. If the axle is bent I'd trade it in. If the axle is OK 35s are always the answer... unless you want 37s.

You are right he needs Dana 60's bead locks and 40's !

 

[Zachanadandy]

You are right he needs Dana 60's bead locks and 40's !

I mean if he can document the bent axle and get the insurance to pay out dealer prices to replace it and the wheel and tire that would go a long way towards the swap...

 

[Supazuk]

I mean if he can document the bent axle and get the insurance to pay out dealer prices to replace it and the wheel and tire that would go a long way towards the swap...

Its all about how you document and articulate it!

 

[BlackRuby23]

I thank everybody who voted. I went with option 1. I found a new take-off wheel on ebay, with sensor, and bought a brand new tire at Discount Tire. It's all mounted and I am back in business.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I thank everybody who voted. I went with option 1. I found a new take-off wheel on ebay, with sensor, and bought a brand new tire at Discount Tire. It's all mounted and I am back in business.

Did you put it on an alignment rack? I can't imagine hitting anything hard enough to destroy the wheel without a really good chance of a bent axle.

 

[BlackRuby23]

Did you put it on an alignment rack? I can't imagine hitting anything hard enough to destroy the wheel without a really good chance of a bent axle.

Nah, I think it's all good. There are no vibrations and it tracks straight on the highway. I was mostly concerned with steering components after the front took that hit.

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