20” Wheels - mistake?

[HarrisonK]

I bought 20” wheels with 37” tires. If I wanted to do some easier off roading (we don’t have much in New Jersey), did I make a mistake with the 20” wheels? Seems from everything I’ve read people really don’t like 20” wheels and like 17” in order to maximize tire side wall. However, all of these reviews are from people who do much more technical off roading than I have access to/will ever do.

Really appreciate your thoughts!

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[kevman65]

The main reason for 17" wheels is the huge selection and lower costs (none of the tires are cheap any more), if you want 20's then go with 20's.

But you will pay more and not have as many options.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

For light off-roading and with 37" tires, 20" wheels are fine.

You have 17" of total sidewall. Similiar to 15" wheels with 32" tires if you can remember 25 years ago when people were wheeling with these sizes.

 

[Crazy Wes]

I bought 20” wheels with 37” tires. If I wanted to do some easier off roading (we don’t have much in New Jersey), did I make a mistake with the 20” wheels? Seems from everything I’ve read people really don’t like 20” wheels and like 17” in order to maximize tire side wall. However, all of these reviews are from people who do much more technical off roading than I have access to/will ever do.

Really appreciate your thoughts!

While more side wall is great for offroading ( the reason we buy these jeeps ) the opposite is tru for street driving to a point. 20" will have way less sidewall flex making highway driving a pleasure , especially on windy days. If I ever get caught up on my boat spending and home projects I would like to have a second set that were 20's for road trips. The main thing to do is decide which characteristics are more important to you. You can do both with either tire but each tire will excell in different areas

 

[antwon412]

Yes, you made a mistake. 20 inch wheels do not belong on a Jeep.

 

[Badunit]

If you like 20" wheels and don't mind the higher cost of the tires then you did not make a mistake. It will be better on the highway and there's a lot of 4 wheeling that does not involve large rocks.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Yes, you made a mistake. 20 inch wheels do not belong on a Jeep.

Four doors don’t belong on a Jeep either, but here we are.

 

[OVERLORD]

Would like to see a picture of your rig.

Gladiators came from the factory with eighteens on some models.

 

[HarrisonK]

Thank for all the comments. I’ve asked my shop if they could return/replace the 20” wheels to Wheelpros. The wheels haven’t arrived at Wheelpros local location yet so hopefully telling them to hold the wheels there and replace with another set wont be too hard.

I’m hoping to replace with a set of 17” Fuel Vectors (ideally). Really hoping my shop accommodates as the 20” wheels and tires were very expensive and I’d hate to be out of luck.

 

[Flyin6]

Totally personal preference
However:
I do not think a 20" wheel belongs on a Jeep unless you plan to autocross it (Which nobody did ever)
The look is off in my view, and it is a departure from the "nature" of the Jeep, which is off-road adventure. Bigger wheels = less sidewall. So a 20" wheel suggests a mall crawler or a never-to-be-used-offroad jeep...Then what's the point
More expensive rubber with fewer choices.

 

[MaximusTX]

Yes, you made a mistake. 20 inch wheels do not belong on a Jeep.

I have 20's on mine and I think it looks good. I've never had anyone tell me otherwise. Besides that if you do a 1 ton axle swap you have to go to 20s to clear the larger brakes.

Thank for all the comments. I’ve asked my shop if they could return/replace the 20” wheels to Wheelpros. The wheels haven’t arrived at Wheelpros local location yet so hopefully telling them to hold the wheels there and replace with another set wont be too hard.

I’m hoping to replace with a set of 17” Fuel Vectors (ideally). Really hoping my shop accommodates as the 20” wheels and tires were very expensive and I’d hate to be out of luck.

I hope it works out for you. At the end of the day if you like the 20s go with it. I can say having 20s there are a limited number of tires but I am also running 42s so there are only a few tires that are 42x13.5R20. If you plan on building out your JT with axle swap, lift extra the 20s might be better as you will need them for the axle swap. If you aren't doing that then I would just get what you like whether it's the 20s or the 17s. Post some pics when you get them installed.

 

[HarrisonK]

Thank you! Your build looks incredible.

I am just doing 37” tires so on a 20” wheel I’ll have 8.5” of side wall or 0.5” more sidewall than my stock 17”/33” have. I would think 40” tires or bigger would make the 20” wheels look more proportional. I’d like to avoid doing any major axle swap or big break kits for the time being.

I have 20's on mine and I think it looks good. I've never had anyone tell me otherwise. Besides that if you do a 1 ton axle swap you have to go to 20s to clear the larger brakes.

I hope it works out for you. At the end of the day if you like the 20s go with it. I can say having 20s there are a limited number of tires but I am also running 42s so there are only a few tires that are 42x13.5R20. If you plan on building out your JT with axle swap, lift extra the 20s might be better as you will need them for the axle swap. If you aren't doing that then I would just get what you like whether it's the 20s or the 17s. Post some pics when you get them installed.

 

[OVERLORD]

As posted in the past, I'm olde, grumpy, and smell like overcooked, leftover, cauliflower.

Mine is mostly a maul crawler, the wurst I see is secondary fire roads.

To illustrate how bad a maul crawler I am, if I could have found a purty RWL twenty-inch tire, I would have gone with twenties.

Say Lah Vee, not available at the time in a quality tire.

Saw these today, seem cheesy, even to this olde maul crawler.

Did I tell you I'm olde, grumpy, and smell like that forgotten Brussel Sprout you found in the back of the ice box?

Gladiator X Comp A/T 275 /55 R20 117T XL RWL | Discount Tire

Would have looked snazzy with some twenties.

 

[Greg_L]

Do you like the 20s? Or are you worried about internet groupthink? If you can return them, return them if you want. If you can't return them then run 37s on them and have fun and don't worry about it.

 

[HarrisonK]

Do you like the 20s? Or are you worried about internet groupthink? If you can return them, return them if you want. If you can't return them then run 37s on them and have fun and don't worry about it.

Thank you! I’ve actually never seen 20s in person on a build like I’m building but it seems all my inspiration builds have 17s. Granted, they all do a lot more off-roading than I have access to.

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