One of the first upgrades that often happens for trucks and SUVs is to replace the stock tires and wheels with something that has a different look and function. I know when I bought my Tacoma, the truck didn’t even make it off the lot with the stock wheels or tires. Most stock tires and wheels are designed for one major purpose – Economy. Unless you’re buying a special edition vehicle, the tires that come on it are often designed to get the fuel economy that makes for a better selling point. The wheels are often designed for ease of production, and while the aluminum options you can get on a stock vehicle might look ok, there is still some room there for improvement. Let’s take a look at what wheel upgrades do for your truck, and along the way, I’ll share some of my favorite options available right now, as well as some tips on how to keep them looking good.
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Table of contents
- Style
- Method 312 Bronze / Black Wheels
- Pro Comp 40 Series Vertigo Matte Graphite Alloy Wheels
- Pro Comp 51 Series Rock Crawler Steel Wheels
- Strength
- FUEL Off-Road Recoil D584 Matte Black Wheels
- KMC KM719 Canyon Matte Bronze Wheels
- Beadlocks
- KMC KM236 Tank Beadlock Satin Black Wheels
- Method 101 Beadlock Machined Wheels
- How do you keep your wheels looking good?
Style
The number one reason people swap out the stock wheels for something aftermarket is style. Face it, who wants stock, when you can have a custom look for a little cha-ching? Going to an aftermarket wheel lets you have a little more say in how your ride looks, and let’s be real – stock wheels are often bland. Yes, the manufacturers are starting to catch on and some of the wheel options look better, but still… With aftermarket wheels offering style, color and size options, you can instantly make an impact upon how your truck or SUV looks. And the best part is, while you’re at it, there are some cool added bonuses that come along with that style, as you’ll read about here.
Method 312 Bronze / Black Wheels
One of the top style trends in wheels right now are bronze colored wheels, or in the case of these sweet wheels from Method, bronze with black. It is a classic look, and really pops on certain colors, like a deep red metallic truck or SUV. These wheels add a ton of style, as well as added strength. They have Method’s .3 Stree-Loc ring with removable stainless steel bolts around the lip that are protected from shearing. A concave split-six spoke design keeps things clean and simple with a subtle ‘Method’ embossed at the end of one spoke. The 312 includes a bolt-on center cap with hardware. Sizes offered are 17” and 18” with applications for most trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs.
Pro Comp 40 Series Vertigo Matte Graphite Alloy Wheels
One of my favorite looking wheels from Pro Comp, the 40 Series Vertigo wheel in the sweet Matte Graphite finish is a tough wheel that adds a lot of style and strength to your ride. These are available in 17, 18 and 20 inch diameter sizes with 5, 6 and 8 lugs in various bolt patterns. Pro Comp designs these wheels with some added offset for brake clearance, so you can upgrade the braking system in your truck or SUV and still be able to fit the wheels without having to go to a larger diameter. The finish is powder coated for durability and there are other color options available to help you get just the look you want.
Pro Comp 51 Series Rock Crawler Steel Wheels
Wait, they still make steel wheels? Yes, they do and you can even get a style upgrade from a truly boring stock steel wheel, without having to spend the bucks for aluminum. Pro Comp’s 51 Series Rock Crawlers are a performance steel option that come in 15,16 and 17-inch sizes and in 5, 6 and 8-lug bolt patterns. These are very tough wheels using high-grade steel and a durable powder-coated finish. They can handle lots of off-road abuse and still look great. The best part is, these wheels start around $66 a piece.
Strength
I’m not saying every stock factory wheel is weak, but I have seen a few fail and fail miserably. One of the biggest reasons you’ll find a factory wheel not being stronger than an aftermarket option is weight. The OEMs go for fuel economy, and wherever they can shave a little weight off, they do so. Aftermarket, custom wheels can add style and also shave weight, but for those of us who venture off the paved roads, we go for the wheels that not only look good, but also add strength and rigidity, especially for those times when we air down. We want to keep that tire bead on the rim. While fixing a puncture flat on the trail is one thing, having to pop a tire back on the rim can be dangerous, especially if you use the old brake cleaner and a lighter trick. You know who you are…
FUEL Off-Road Recoil D584 Matte Black Wheels
Fuel is one of the brand names often associated with strength when we’re talking about wheels. They build them tough to take on serious competition and off-road use. The Recoil is a tough wheel that combines great looks with performance. These come in 17, 18 and 20-inch diameters, and multiple bolt pattern options in 5 and 6-lug designs.
KMC KM719 Canyon Matte Bronze Wheels
These wheels from KMC not only look good, but are also tough. Really tough! For example, a 16×8 wheel weighs 23.4 lbs. and has a 2,500lb capacity.These wheels are good looking, especially the bronze finish version, but are designed to take the abuse you’re going to dish out on the trail.
Beadlocks
Beadlock rims have a bolt-on ring that clamps the tire to the rim. This lets you run lower tire pressures with less fear of rolling the tire off the rim. Beadlocks, when done right, also add strength to the wheel. True beadlocks add weight to the wheel, though, so keep that in mind when shopping.
KMC KM236 Tank Beadlock Satin Black Wheels
One of our favorite beadlocks from KMC. These are seriously tough wheels that come in 5,6 and 8 lug patterns and a max weight range of 2500-3700 lbs. These wheels run a dual valve stem system in case you want to flush the tire.
Method 101 Beadlock Machined Wheels
These wheels are designed for winning grueling, off-road races, and they have done so on many occasions. That means that they are seriously tough and can handle what you want to throw at them, regardless of the terrain. These wheels are machined from raw aluminum and are not finished. Anything to keep the weight down. These hard core beadlock rims are what helped define the Method brand and make them what they are today.
How do you keep your wheels looking good?
The best thing you can do to keep your wheels looking good is to keep them clean. If you live anywhere where they use salt on the roads to knock down ice, it is vital that you keep your wheels washed off frequently, as salt will tear at the finish. Most wheel companies use some kind of clear coat to help preserve the look of wheels, and salt will eat this up.
Aluminum oxidizes, too, so keep that in mind. To help preserve the look, use a wheel cleaner and protectant on a regular basis. Waxing is another way to help preserve the finish of the paint/clear-coat on the wheels. Due to all of the little spaces with the wheel’s construction, a spray wax might be the best bet.
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