Picking the right wheels for your truck is an important first step to any build. Bumpers, wheels, and suspension is the holy trinity for anyone going down this road. Looks are one thing but if you plan to put your truck to work, you need to know which ones to go for.
Are you just hittin’ up the mall every weekend or are you the type of person to go where others don’t? Do you like full parking lots with friends or are you more of a campfire in the wilderness kind? These are just some of the questions that need answering when deciding on the right kind of wheels.
In the aftermarket truck accessory game, rims and tires are a dime a dozen. Choosing the right combo may seem stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. We are going to show you some of the most important factors when choosing your new wheels.
What Are They Made From?
Back in the day, truck owners didn’t have much to choose from when it came to aftermarket wheels. That has all changed now. The sheer availability of wheels for you to choose from is simply amazing. Depending on what your plan is, the right wheel is bound to be out there somewhere.
The times of steelies being the only choice for true off-road enthusiasts just old school memories now. Alloy wheels have taken over the market and are far more superior than anything else offered in the past. Rust and weight are no longer an issue thanks to the mix of metals used on ally wheels.
Forged alloy wheels are the go-to wheels for those who want a durable, lightweight, and virtually rust-proof rim. On top of that, forged alloy wheels are much stronger than anything else that came before them.
Of course, price plays a big role in the material your rims are made from. If you are planning on swapping your truck or are constantly swapping out wheels, a cheaper set may make the most sense. But for those who want plan on keeping their rims for a while, a high-quality set of wheels are the only choice.
Where Are You Taking Your Truck?
The terrain you are going to be driving over will also play a big role in choosing the right wheels. Some trucks are literally “trailer queens” and will never see anything but a clean parking lot or the occasional Sunday drives. That is all fine and well, but when it comes time for your truck to put in work, those extremely wide rims with stretched tires are not doing you a favor.
Much like there is the right tool for the right job, having the right wheels can mean you can get out of trouble quickly and safely. Big rims and chunky tires are on everyone's list. But having an aggressive setup may not be ideal for those who do a lot of city driving.
Do you enjoy low MPG’s? How about high gas prices? If you’ve answered yes to any of those questions, fit the bigger wheels you possibly get on your truck. Joking aside, a huge rim and tire setup will seriously destroy your fuel economy, especially in the city or the highway. At the end of the day, you didn’t buy a truck for its fuel economy, so higher fewer miles-per-gallon are just a part of looking cool.
Another downside about aggressive wheels is that they will increase the center of gravity on an already high-centered truck. Granted, that is partially thanks to the lift kit that you might have to install to get those wheels to fit.
However, it is not all bad news. Aftermarket wheels and tires are basically a necessity if you plan on using your truck for off-roading. No matter how remote or populated the trail is, stock rims and tires will always fall short when it comes to going off the beaten path.
Bottom line is that you should know ahead of time what your plans for the truck are if you are thinking about upgrading the stock wheels. As a general rule of thumb, bigger is always better. Why? Because ‘Merica, that’s why!
What Tires Should I Choose?
This question is a little hard to answer as only you know what the plans for your truck are. Just like rims, tires are a dime a dozen nowadays. There is a certain tire for every application. From aggressive, mudding tires, to more sensible street tires that are designed to give you optimal fuel efficiency, the right tire is waiting for you.
The one thing we recommend is not getting “knock-off” tires. We’re talking about those cheaply made, cheap-looking, and poorly performing brands that are usually made in some far away, 3rd world country. There is a reason why brand names charge more than the other guys. Tires are the only thing that touches the road on your vehicle. Cheap, off-brand tires will significantly reduce braking distance, wear down quicker, and can even increase the chance of an accident or even blow out on the highway. Protect yourself, spend the extra cash on your tires.
Final Words
Getting new wheels and tires is more than just making your truck look better. It’s a right of passage when entering the world of custom vehicles. Your truck is just that, a truck when you leave it stock. Once you swap out those boring, stock wheels for new ones, it becomes a beast.
Getting your truck looking good and performing even better can be as simple as mounting on new wheels, swapping out the stock bumpers for aftermarket ones, adding a lift kit, and so on. With the sheer amount of styles currently available, the perfect combination is out there somewhere just waiting for you.
If you want to start your journey into customizing your vehicle, why not check out the bumpers we have at BumperStock.com? Our prices are some of the lowest in the industry. We also offer a variety of aftermarket truck accessories like winches and LED lightbars. Have a look for yourself!