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Tech-1
Rock Crawler Black Wheels
If
you're upgrading your Jeep to bigger and wider tires, rubbing will
be an issue you will need to deal with. This is especially a problem
if you have a TJ and are still running factory wheels that only have
5.5" of backspacing. With a 32x11.50 tire or wider, you will
need at least 4.5" of backspacing or less, otherwise you will
rub your rear spring pearches and your lower control arms at a full
turn. There are two ways you can deal with this problem, one is to
install 1.25" wheelspacers
and the other is to buy new wheels with less backspacing.
I have to admit, for a long time I had a hard time parting with my
factory Canyon Wheels so I had run wheelspacers for about two years.
Wheelspacers are a great option and good ones only cost around $50
a pieces. Significantly cheaper than a set of new aluminum wheels
but if you are on a budget, a set of black RockCrawlers is the way
to go.
Looking much like the ever popular AR767s that everyone seems to have
these days, Tech-1 RockCrawlers (4wheelparts
brand) are black steel wheels that cost about $37 a piece and do not
have a red and blue stripe around the edge. 15x8 with 3.75" of
backspacing is the most common size purchased amongst Jeepers but
I chose to get them with 4.5" of backspacing so that they wouldn't
stick out too far beyond my fender flares. These wheels are also available
in a 15x10 size, but I would not recommend it if you take your rig
on the trails. A 15x10 just will not hold a bead the way a 15x8 can
when aired down.
Although it was not needed, I decided to buy new lug nuts for my wheels
and they came with chrome center caps all for $24. I had them mounted
and balanced (using tape-on weights) at Costco and paid only $40 for
all five wheels.
Although I really miss my old Canyon Wheels, I was able to sell them
for over $300 on ebay and this more than paid for my new wheels. I'll
let you know how I like them in about a year.
Rock
Crawler Wheel on My CJ
Well, I liked the
new Rock Crawlers on my TJ so much that I decided to get a set for
my 1981 CJ7. I still have narrow track axles and so I decided to get
15x8 wheels with 2.75" of backspacing. This is 1" less than
what came factory but I did it because I wanted to get a slightly
wider stance without hanging too far out beyond the fender flares.
Any less and I would be hanging out enough that the local law enforcment
would give me grief. Any less and I think my Jeep would just look
goofy. As you can see in the pics to the right, I think these wheels
make my CJ look real mean :)
FAQ
Q.
What is the bolt pattern on a TJ wheel?
A. 5 on 4.5 (5 bolts spaced 4.5" apart)
Q. What is the bolt pattern on a CJ wheel?
A. 5 on 5.5
Q. Do you have any rubbing issues with 4.5"
of back spacing?
A. Now that I am running TrXus
33x12.50s, I did have minor rubbing on the lower control arms at a
full turn. I have since fixed this by adding 2 washers to each steer
stop.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
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