If you are looking for 17″ steel wheels for Jeep, we have researched and analyzed various 17” steel wheels available in the market today, the main reason for analyzing specifically 17” steel wheels for Jeep, is because they are very common in modern Jeeps including the Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, and the Jeep Gladiator among others.
We wanted to write a report that will guide you on selecting steel wheels, specifically for those who want 17-inch steel wheels Jeeps, as an upgrade or to replace their factory wheels which came with older versions of Jeeps. Our Tire Size Conversion Chart & Tool is the ultimate resource for tire size conversions for Jeepers upgrading their tires or wheels – check it out!
There are five types of materials used to make wheels for Jeeps and SUVs, Steel, Aluminium, chrome, and magnesium alloy wheels. When it comes to off-roading Jeeps or any other vehicle that will find itself in rugged terrains more frequently, their owners prefer steel wheels over other materials due to their affordability, and durability since they are easily repaired, and have the ability to withstand harsh conditions.
17-inch steel wheels are very common in factory Jeeps designed for off-roading, and all-terrain driving, such as Jeep Wranglers, also individuals with smaller wheels such as 16 inches upgrade to 17-inch steel wheels to increase their Jeep’s ground clearance, provide a sportier and more rugged look, fit larger suspension systems, and overall improve the handling of their Jeeps.
Read more to learn about 17 Inch steel wheels, including the benefits of steel wheels, the best 17-inch steel wheels for Jeep, installation and maintenance considerations, including lift kits options for Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, and the Jeep Cherokee for Jeepers installing 17-inch steel wheels.
Why you should consider installing 17-inch steel wheels!
If your Jeep wheels have other types of materials such as Steel, Aluminium, chrome, and magnesium alloy wheels, and you intend to use your Jeep for off-roading, Overlanding, camping, and other rugged driving conditions, you should consider upgrading to steel wheels, because they can withstand heavy use, and are more suitable for rugged conditions.
17-inch wheels are better than 16, and 15, however, 18 higher are better, but most Jeepers prefer 17-inch rims when upgrading from 16 or 15, rarely will you find a Jeepers installing 17-inch steel wheels from 18 inches, this is because will lower their ground clearance, which is not ideal for off-roading, Overlanding, camping, and rugged driving.
There are also other benefits from upgrading from 15- or 16-inches wheels to 17 inches wheels, Jeepers who upgrade find improvements in the handling of their Jeeps, this is because the 17 inches will improve their cornering and stability compared to 15 or 16 inches. We don’t recommend decreasing your wheels if you have 18 inches installed, this is because 18 inches steel wheels are better than 17 inches wheels in terms of handling especially when off-roading.
Now that you have learned the benefits of steel wheels and why you should consider upgrading to 17-inch steel wheels, we have compiled some of the best 17-inch steel wheels available for your Jeep.
How do I choose the right Jeep rim?
Now that you understand you need a 17-inch rim size, you will need to consider other factors to choose the right 17-inch rim for your Jeep, factors to consider include making sure your rim will fit in your Jeep based on the rim’s bolt pattern, width, offset, load capacity, design such as bead locks and spooks, stud size, hub center bore.
The table below will summarize what you will need to choose the right rim for your Jeep. Especially, wheel diameter, wheel width, wheel offset, and Bolt pattern.
| Jeep | Wheel Diameter | Wheel Width | Wheel Offset | Bolt Pattern |
| Jeep Wrangler | 16” to 20” | 7.5” to 9” | 25 to 50 | 5×5 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 17” to 19” | 6” to 9” | 35 to 41 | 5×110 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17” to 22” | 6” to 9” | 44 to 53 | 5×127 |
| Jeep Compass | 16” to 18” | 6” to 9” | 44 to 53 | 5×110 |
| Jeep Renegade | 16” to 18” | 6” to 9” | 35 to 48 | 5×110 |
| Jeep Wagoneer | 15” to 17” | 5.5 to 8” | +30 | 6×139.7 |
| Jeep Gladiator | 17” to 20” | 7” to 10” | – | 5×127 |
Will steel rims rust?
Yes, Steel rims will rust, steel rims are protected by a protective coating, and when this coating wears out, the bare steel becomes exposed to air and moisture and a process called corrosion occurs, forming rust.
How do you make steel wheels not rust?
We use rim coatings such as Dupli-Color Wheel Paint or Rust-Oleum Wheel Spray, the coating will prevent the bare steel from being exposed to elements such as air and moisture preventing your steel wheels from getting rust.
Using Dupli-Color Wheel Paint or Rust-Oleum Wheel Spray not only to have we found they prevent rust from forming on our Jeeps, but they also improve the look of the wheels, prevents the steel rim from being scratched by elements when off-roading, and also improves the performance of the Jeep by reducing friction and heat from the steel’s wheels.
We recommend checking out, Dupli-Color Wheel Paint or Rust-Oleum Wheel Spray and using them to protect your steel wheels from getting rust.
We also recommend regularly cleaning your Jeep steel wheels after off-roading and using oil or wax to protect the wheels, we use Chemical Guys Wheel Coat which we have found prevents dirt from sticking on our steel Jeep wheels when off-roading in dirty places.
After cleaning, and waxing your steel Jeep rims, we advise you to store your Jeep or if have removed your steel wheels, store them in a dry and well-ventilated place. If you have a spare tire with steel wheels, we would advise you to use a spare cover to protect the tire and rim from weather elements that might cause corrosion.
How do you fix rust on steel rims?
We use Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter to fix our rusted steel Jeep rims, it restores steel rims and also protects them from future corrosion.
How Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter works, is that it will convert the rust on your Jeep steel wheel into a stable compound, that will not spread on your Jeep rim.
Conclusion.
We recommend upgrading to 17-inch steel rims if you have 15- or 16-inches wheels, or if you have rims made from other materials such as aluminum, this is because steel wheels will offer more benefits, and it’s more durable than aluminum wheels if you normally use your Jeep for off-roading, we highly suggest upgrading to 17-inch steel rims from 15 or 16 inches.
Off-roading Jeeps will need stronger and more durable wheels that will withstand the stressful conditions of off-road driving in your favorite Jeep trails, Rock crawlers will also love Jeep Steel rims because they are easy to repair after being damaged by obstacles when rock crawling since we normally air down our tires exposing our wheels to potential damage.
Tricks to choosing the right rim are knowing your rim requirements such as Wheel Diameter, Wheel Width, Wheel Offset, and Bolt pattern.
It’s worth noting, that steel rims have one disadvantage compared to other materials, they rust. However, you can use rust coatings such as Chemical Guys Wheel Coat to protect your steel rims from rusting, if you already have rusted steel rims you can use a rust converter such as Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter to restore them, however, we recommend preventing your steel rims from rusting by washing, drying and storing them in a dry and well-ventilated place.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
