Wheels for my WK2 Grand Cherokee: Rock Stars?

[DallasJKU]

I have the Jeep 20” wheels that came stock. I want strong wheels, strong for off-roading, but nice looking on the street. I’m considering Rock Stars — I’ve noticed them on the street and I like the star design on them, I like the way they look. Are they decently strong for trail use?

For reference my 20” Jeep wheels are these: https://goo.gl/images/UCZjoJ

I am considering Rock Star XD775, 17”: https://goo.gl/jWQyvD

For tires I am considering 32” Goodyear Wrangler MT/R® Kevlar: https://goo.gl/hLcuvV


So, are the Rock Star XD775s decently strong for the trail? Remember, I have a Grand Cherokee with the stock quadra lift suspension and rear ELSD. So I don’t rock crawl or Rubicon but I do explore and have had 1 front wheel up in the air, and then as I go over the obstacle the weight transfers and the heavy engine drops the front end (slowly!) to leave the opposite rear wheel up in the air. For a time, the Grand is supported by only 2 wheels.

That has never looked right. I'm wondering what it feels like to be teetter tottering?

 

[Cottontail]

I’ve never run anything but factory Jeep wheels on every Jeep (8 of them so far) I’ve ever owned. Hard core off roading in the XJ and never once had a concern or issue with strength or durability. Spend your money elsewhere.

 

[echo7tango]

You missed the point. I needed to downsize from 20 to 18 anyway, so the wheels had to go.

 

[Cottontail]

Plenty of Jeep factory 18” runs out there....

 

[TT-Tacoma]

Looks good. I like the white and black combo.

I had thought about going aftermarket when replacing my 20's. Just figured if save some dough and go with stock 18" JK Sahara wheels with tires. That way I could have a full size matching spare.

Sent from my XR6P10 using Tapatalk

 

[Weeds]

Looks good. I like the white and black combo.

I had thought about going aftermarket when replacing my 20's. Just figured if save some dough and go with stock 18" JK Sahara wheels with tires. That way I could have a full size matching spare.

Sent from my XR6P10 using Tapatalk

How did the Sahara wheels fit? There are conflicting opinions on the internet. Do they extend farther outside the body? I have a diesel with the large rotors, some people have had the Sahara wheels rub a caliper.

Any help would be appreciated and a picture would be great.

Thanks.

 

[TT-Tacoma]

Looks good. I like the white and black combo.

I had thought about going aftermarket when replacing my 20's. Just figured if save some dough and go with stock 18" JK Sahara wheels with tires. That way I could have a full size matching spare.

Sent from my XR6P10 using Tapatalk

How did the Sahara wheels fit? There are conflicting opinions on the internet. Do they extend farther outside the body? I have a diesel with the large rotors, some people have had the Sahara wheels rub a caliper.

Any help would be appreciated and a picture would be great.

Thanks.

Sent you a PM

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[sppotlight]

I got the Black Rhinos, and BFG KO2s in 255/70-18s. Thanks for your opinions, they helped.

Those look great! And I noticed the star pattern the spokes make, subtle but strong, much better than the other wheels.

I went with black 17" Mopar Rubicon wheels and love em on my WK2. Dark wheels are far superior to chrome.

 

[mmm...beer]

Looks good. I like the white and black combo.

I had thought about going aftermarket when replacing my 20's. Just figured if save some dough and go with stock 18" JK Sahara wheels with tires. That way I could have a full size matching spare.

Sent from my XR6P10 using Tapatalk

How did the Sahara wheels fit? There are conflicting opinions on the internet. Do they extend farther outside the body? I have a diesel with the large rotors, some people have had the Sahara wheels rub a caliper.

Any help would be appreciated and a picture would be great.

Thanks.

I ran Sahara takeoffs on my 16 Laredo for a minute. They rubbed the caliper slightly and I had to add 5/8” spacers, which I didn’t like. I ended up selling them back on CL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TT-Tacoma]

Looks good. I like the white and black combo.

I had thought about going aftermarket when replacing my 20's. Just figured if save some dough and go with stock 18" JK Sahara wheels with tires. That way I could have a full size matching spare.

Sent from my XR6P10 using Tapatalk

How did the Sahara wheels fit? There are conflicting opinions on the internet. Do they extend farther outside the body? I have a diesel with the large rotors, some people have had the Sahara wheels rub a caliper.

Any help would be appreciated and a picture would be great.

Thanks.

I ran Sahara takeoffs on my 16 Laredo for a minute. They rubbed the caliper slightly and I had to add 5/8” spacers, which I didn’t like. I ended up selling them back on CL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's interesting. I don't have any clearance issues with mine. And mine are on our 14 Overland Eco-D so mine has the bigger HD brakes.

Maybe the Laredo has a different backspace requirement. Or did you try the 17" Sahara wheels?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[mmm...beer]

That's interesting. I don't have any clearance issues with mine. And mine are on our 14 Overland Eco-D so mine has the bigger HD brakes.

Maybe the Laredo has a different backspace requirement. Or did you try the 17" Sahara wheels?

18" for sure. Only the front calipers rubbed. I heard a weird grinding noise coming from the front end of the Jeep right after install. I couldn't pinpoint until I took the wheels off and noticed about 1/8" of material cleared out of the wheel where a caliper clip sticks out. I honestly tried to run it at freeway speed for a minute thinking it might just rub clear. I also thought about grinding down the clip a little, but that didn't seem safe. Only option was to add spacers. I didn't want to go with 1 1/4" spacers and the 5/8" lug-centric options from the auto sports store felt sketchy. It took a minute to get them centered on the hub between the wheel.

Ultimately, I sold the takeoffs on CL and got my money back. Currently saving up to buy a combo that will fit clean without modifying or adding stress to crucial components.

Back on topic... that's my experience with JK Sahara Takeoffs and a +1 for finding an aftermarket or alternate OEM WK2 spec solution.