Black Rhino Abrams, 18" Questions, Wheel Radius, Offset with Gladiator Rubicon

[ChimeraJT]

Hi all, looking at doing the big wheel/tire upgrade soon, and I have really zeroed in on the Black Rhino Abrams in Olive Drab Green to fit my Sarge Green Rubi. I am looking to go 37" tires, probably Falken WIldpeak AT3Ws.

I have a couple questions about offset, wheel size, and lugs on a Diesel Gladiator Rubicon.

Will both 17 and 18" wheels (on 37" tires) fit fine without rubbing? I think the 17" looks a little small on 37's, and would prefer to go 18", especially ones with as much sidewall as the Falken Wildpeaks have. Some sites tell me that 18"s will fit a Gladiator Rubicon, others say they won't, so it's confusing. I am planning to get the AEV 2.5" DualSport RT Diesel suspension in the next month or two when it is available. Until then I will be rolling without a lift.

The offset for nearly all of these wheels is -18mm. I noticed they also sell in 17x8.5 with 0 offset, but it is rare. I don't mind a little poke, but for off-roading reasons I would prefer to keep it as much in the wheel well as possible. Has anyone found the offset, in this case around 2" out of each wheel well, an issue on trails? I am planning mainly for overlanding and long distance highway travel, but I still want to be able to take on tight and technical trails. If I could get the 17R wheel with 0 offset, would it be recommended over 18" w/ -18mm offset for off-roading?

Lastly, it appears these wheels need aftermarket spline lugs. I hear Gorilla is a highly recommended brand. Can anyone recommend some good locking spline lugs?

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[sass JT]

If you want the least amount of poke and less crap on your vehicle while driving on normal roads do the 0. Personally I say 17’s are great off road cause you have more tire in between you and rocks but have seen people with 20’s do just fine. The -18 offset is gonna make them stick out… I have -12 and they are more than a inch out and yes … I have rock chips everywhere. And… I don’t have issues on trails due to how wide the vehicle plus tires is.

As for lug nuts, yes gorillas are great but one thing to know is not to loose your key… it’s a nightmare to get another. I have basic spline nuts and they do fine… also… if the rims have a cap, you will have to maybe even use open lugs… consult a dealer first to know 100%

 

[ChimeraJT]

If you want the least amount of poke and less crap on your vehicle while driving on normal roads do the 0. Personally I say 17’s are great off road cause you have more tire in between you and rocks but have seen people with 20’s do just fine. The -18 offset is gonna make them stick out… I have -12 and they are more than a inch out and yes … I have rock chips everywhere. And… I don’t have issues on trails due to how wide the vehicle plus tires is.

As for lug nuts, yes gorillas are great but one thing to know is not to loose your key… it’s a nightmare to get another. I have basic spline nuts and they do fine… also… if the rims have a cap, you will have to maybe even use open lugs… consult a dealer first to know 100%

Nice... thanks for the info. Looking again at the wheel specs, the wheel with 0 offset is a 6 bolt pattern, so the only option we Jeepers have for this wheel is (17/18/20)x9.5 with -18 offset. Glad to hear your -12 has not been an issue on trails. I am also looking into mud flaps to help with the rock chips.

From your picture that almost looks like more poke than the 2 inches i've heard for this wheel, but it could just be the angle?

I am using @Bulldog10 and @kbros builds for inspiration, I don't know how to tag here, but hopefully quoting will do it. 2" seems like a lot of poke... but I LOVE the wheels. I'm just a little concerned about getting into a situation where, if I was just a couple inches narrower, I could have cleared the obstacle.

OK Dude!

I spent the 3d round of stimulus payments (and then some) on Mopar's 2" lift (diesel p/n 77072469AC) and 315/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTechs mounted on Black Rhino Abams in OD Green. With an -.18 backset on the Abrams, these 35's have a serious amount of poke. All of the guys at the tire shop were salivating. A dude driving by in a Pontiac Sunfire was staring so hard he ran a red light and T-boned a Tesla Model S. Now I know how a blond cheerleader feels...

 

[sass JT]

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