Why does the Gladiator not have a steel wheel option?

[Wageslave]

With the knowledge that a significant percentage of all new Jeeps get aftermarket wheels and tires either before delivery or not long after delivery, why do they not have a steel wheel option to keep the cost down for those that are just going to put bigger wheels and tires on anyways?

Sponsored

 

[Hootbro]

I have brought up this subject before and in theory I am with you that a set of cheap bare minimum roller wheel/tire would be great.

I just think the buisness case for Jeep, the juice would not be worth the squeeze for them. It basically would have to be a customer order only option as most dealers would not want to have a bunch odd ball tire/wheel sets on lot vehicles, especially with the higher end Rubicon and Sahara models.

Lastly, Jeep just wants to make more money upfront and force you to take what you get with the higher end models and not worried about saving you money upfront.

 

[Munkey Boy]

Base model Sport comes with steel wheels.

There might be a weight consideration for mileage numbers, they tend to count every ounce when calculating.

I would have preferred steel too, but mainly for the abuse they can take. Not that aluminum is flimsy by any stretch, I just know if I doink a steel rim I can doink it back.

In the end, Jeep like all manufacturers count beans. Having specific models with specific options maximizes the price per unit by minimizing the cost in production. Ideally we want a vehicle like the Gladiator and Wrangler to be built from an a la carte menu to suit our own needs; however, it'll never be that way.

At least the aluminum rims look good and aren't some weird size that can't wear a 35" tire.

 

[spectre6000]

Munkey Boy is on the nose. MPG. If they sell a car (or certain percentage of cars) with steel wheels and their attendant heavier unsprung weight, it counts against fleet mpg for regulatory compliance purposes. Same reason you can't get a soft top without a tonneau; soft top drops mpg, tonneau brings it back up and keeps them in compliance.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

There is literally zero reason to business wise.

It won't change a persons decision to buy the Gladiator or not, so collect your money on the alloys up front. Markup. It's also another part to source, stock, warranty, deal with suppliers on.

It's a 0 win issue for Jeep.

 

[awraynor]

Man, I love the TFL Gladiator in Gobi with black steel wheels.

 

[Wageslave]

Man, I love the TFL Gladiator in Gobi with black steel wheels.

This jeep was part of the reason I asked the question. Imagine those wheels with a matte black powder coated finish (or even color matched). Rugged as all get out and cheap.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Man, I love the TFL Gladiator in Gobi with black steel wheels.

I’m really glad you brought up TFL’s Gladiator.....are their steelies just 7.5” wide?I didn’t know you could run 35s on 7.5” wide wheels.

I’ve been looking for 8” or wider black steelies but I can’t find anything.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

This jeep was part of the reason I asked the question. Imagine those wheels with a matte black powder coated finish (or even color matched). Rugged as all get out and cheap.

I wouldn’t want my Jeep wheels any other way.

 

[iammacey]

I’m really glad you brought up TFL’s Gladiator.....are their steelies just 7.5” wide?I didn’t know you could run 35s on 7.5” wide wheels.

I’ve been looking for 8” or wider black steelies but I can’t find anything.

Aren't the factory Rubi wheels 7.5" and people have no problem running 35s on them.

TFLs steel wheels are a set of OEM spares. I'm sure if someone wants to pull that together it shouldn't be too hard. When I went to Methods I did all 5, so my spare is I'm storage.

 

[Wageslave]

I’m really glad you brought up TFL’s Gladiator.....are their steelies just 7.5” wide?I didn’t know you could run 35s on 7.5” wide wheels.

I’ve been looking for 8” or wider black steelies but I can’t find anything.

Would something like this work?

Look at this on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-17x9...-/191667978094?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

Would something like this work?

Look at this on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-17x9...-/191667978094?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

If I decide not put the 35s on the 7.5” steelies then a wheel like this one on eBay would be perfect. Thanks for sharing the link!

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I got black stock steel wheels on my max tow and I love them. They currently have 37's wrapped around them. One of the things that attracted me to the truck honestly.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I’m really glad you brought up TFL’s Gladiator.....are their steelies just 7.5” wide?I didn’t know you could run 35s on 7.5” wide wheels.

I’ve been looking for 8” or wider black steelies but I can’t find anything.

I'm running 37 12.5 17 on my 17X7.5 stock steelies. Also here is a guide that discount tire uses to determine what they will and won't mount.

 

[Terminus33]

I'm running 37 12.5 17 on my 17X7.5 stock steelies. Also here is a guide that discount tire uses to determine what they will and won't mount.

You can really confuse Discount Tire as I did when I went in to Mount my 35x10.5 tires on my stock 17 inch wheels.

They don't even have that size on their chart.

Sponsored