20” Wheels - mistake?

[MaximusTX]

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.

Thanks. Here are visual differences of the two.

37x13.5R17

37x13.5R20

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[OVERLORD]

For moi, likey the 20" ..................

 

[JTGuy]

20s are easier to damage off road as there is less tire sidewall and you won't get as much ride benefit from airing down. I really don't know of any plus to going 20s on a jeep.

 

[Reddout99]

Get what you like and you'll be happy. Everyone has an opinion but it is only yours that counts.
What tire & wheel combo were you looking at?
A co-worker has a High-Altitude Edition JT that came with 20" wheels - doesn't look bad at all

 

[ScottBeach]

At 37 inch. You have plenty of side wall for light off roading. Do what works for you. I like the look of 17s. But that's my preference. The side wall difference is only about 7% at 37s tires between 17 and 20 inch rims. Doubt anyone other than hard core rock crawlers would ever take advantage of that difference
Below 37 I would suggest 17s but at this tire size you are fine.

 

[Mbryson]

I use my Gladiator in/around Utah. I run 17" wheels just for the sidewall flex with the 37" or 38" tires. If I were to go 40" or over, I'd consider a 20" wheel.


A 40"+ tire is not what I use my Gladiator for so mine will stick to 17" wheels.

 

[DirkG]

If you're like me and use your JT more like a truck in that you haul people and sh*t, then 20's will be fine. I have 20's with somewhat beefy 33's and they work great.

That being said, if you're running 37" tires, I'm going to assume you'll be wheeling more than I do. If I were running with 37's, I'd probably go 17" wheels. Off road you're going to want to air down and I would definitely go the 17" wheel route in that scenario.

Either way, pick what works for you and enjoy your Gladiator

 

[Alpine Warthog]

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

LOL, lots of wrangler guys saying Jeeps don't have beds either. They also hated square headlights, but I digress.

OP:

20s being bad is more of a principle or tradition. We Jeep guys don't like changes. And most guys running 20s (or larger) are city douche bags that put rubber bands on them. So that adds to the hate.

Personally, my rule of thumb is the tire should be very close to double the height of the rim... 17s should have 34s minimum. 20s should have 40s. But that's just my preference.

 

[Sweetums]

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!

More wheel means less sidewall. Less sidewall means you can't air down to get more compliance and comfort over rocky terrain and are more likely to damage the wheel. 20" wheels are for the street, even 17" is too big in my opinion; I prefer 15" wheels on my off roaders and 16" for combination of street and off road driving.

 

[CyberShanks]

Just throwing out there, not all 1-ton axles need 20" wheels. My solid manufactured crate axles are most definitely 1-ton, they're 40 spline axles, 8 lug and my 17" walker evans wheels fit just fine with the chevy brakes. Is it a frankenstein Jeep, absolutely, does it usually go where I ask it? Yep.

Jim

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

LOL, lots of wrangler guys saying Jeeps don't have beds either. They also hated square headlights, but I digress....

That was my point. Haters gonna hate.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

More wheel means less sidewall. Less sidewall means you can't air down to get more compliance and comfort over rocky terrain and are more likely to damage the wheel. 20" wheels are for the street, even 17" is too big in my opinion; I prefer 15" wheels on my off roaders and 16" for combination of street and off road driving.

You'd love my XJ. 16" Mickey Classic IIs wrapped in 35" BFG MT/Rs.

 

[HarrisonK]

Thanks everyone. Just to update this thread, my shop was able to accommodate. We cancelled the 20” wheel/tire order and replaced it with a 17” Fuel Vector wheel with 37” Mickey Thompson Baja Boss tires. The Jeep is currently in the shop getting lights and suspension upgrades but the wheels/tires wont be delivered to the shop until Thursday. I will be picking up Friday.

Pictures to come but rendering for the time being:

 

[Sweetums]

That's going to look and feel way better than Pavement Queen blingy rims.

 

[HarrisonK]

That's going to look and feel way better than Pavement Queen blingy rims.

Thank you! The best part is, the 17” wheels and tires were $600 cheaper so I got a nice credit!

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