Scrapyard JK wheels?

[jpthing]

I would like to get a second set of wheels and tires for my wife's JK to use as dedicated winter tires. (my wife+BFG mud terrains+Icy roads=bad scene)

Obviously the easiest option would be to buy a take off set from someone who has lifted their jk and this is what I may end up doing but I'm also interested to find out if there are any suitable rims languishing (or being crushed) out there.

The ideal rim would be:
Aluminum
Proper bolt pattern and lug type
Proper offset (same as stock or very close)
Suitable for the weight of the vehicle
For a 16 or 17" Tire
Not butt ugly (I guess it's a matter of taste)
From a vehicle old enough and common enough to find easily
Suitable Centre opening

I've tried using some of the rim spec websites to compare and it seems like there are lots with the correct pattern but few with the correct offset. If anyone has any wisdom on this it would be appreciated.

[w squared]

Shop around for take-offs. I you're patient, you can probably get a set of five 16" or 17" JK wheels for about $300.

Just bear in mind that depending what size/type of winter tire you are looking at, the stock wheels may or may not have the appropriate backspacing - but that's not going to be an issue for you if you're running stock wheel on 35" rubber with spacers (which you might be from your original post).

[jpthing]

Shop around for take-offs. I you're patient, you can probably get a set of five 16" or 17" JK wheels for about $300.

Just bear in mind that depending what size/type of winter tire you are looking at, the stock wheels may or may not have the appropriate backspacing - but that's not going to be an issue for you if you're running stock wheel on 35" rubber with spacers (which you might be from your original post).

Yeah, I'll probably end up using take offs, but I just like to be different, so the idea of something that looked good and no one else had would appeal to me.

The Jeep is stock height with 32's (mountain pkg)...I would like to find winter tires in a similar height.

[w squared]

Sorry, I misread your original post. For some reason I thought that you were running bigger MT's than stock.

If you're looking to stick with a 32 inch, then a stock JK wheel should work like a charm - unless you want to run chains. If you want to put jewelery on, you'll need extra backspacing.

I think that some years of Grand wheels will fit on the JK's - but just be aware that anything with a 15 inch wheel may or may not cause you greif. Some people have had to grind their calipers to fit 15's onto JK's.

The upside to sticking with 32's is that you should still have some choice in getting into a dedicated winter tire. Once you start getting into larger sizes, there's not much out there for winter-specific tires. Of course...you could always go studded 

[JackstandJohnny]

99 and up WJ/ Grand Cherokees share the same wheel bolt pattern.  99 - 02s were 16s, and 02 and up were 17s (depending on model in 02)  backspacing i believe was close to 6" though, so might be a little tight on your JK. 

[w squared]

Johnny, you may have sold your Grand, but you'll always be a station wagon guy at heart   

6" backspacing should actually be fine on a JK. The factory wheels have 6.25".

[JackstandJohnny]

Johnny, you may have sold your Grand, but you'll always be a station wagon guy at heart   

   i know............ i need another unibody

[fug]

I just happen to have one for sale. 

[jpthing]

Johnny, you may have sold your Grand, but you'll always be a station wagon guy at heart   

6" backspacing should actually be fine on a JK. The factory wheels have 6.25".

So this means the rim is .25" closer to center or further out?

[JackstandJohnny]

So this means the rim is .25" closer to center or further out?

closer.

they'll work for a stock JK application, and there should be a bunch kickin round Kijiji