Jeep Wrangler Wheel Offset Guide: Everything You Need to Know

You finally saved up and lifted your Jeep Wrangler, got some aggressive new tires, but something still seems…off.

The stance isn’t quite dialed. You’re scrubbing your tires on the control arms. Maybe the handling feels squirrelly at highway speeds.

What’s the missing piece to perfecting your Jeep’s stance and performance? Properly dialing in your wheel offset.

Getting the ideal offset is crucial for nailing that aggressive lifted look, improving high-speed stability, avoiding tire rub, and customizing your Wrangler’s handling characteristics.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

• What wheel offset is and how it impacts your Jeep
• How to accurately measure offset
• Stock Wrangler offset sizes
• How lift kits and bigger tires impact ideal offset
• Finding your perfect fitment using tire calculators
• Fixing common offset-related issues
• Wheel spacers vs. wheels with proper offset
• And much more!

By the end, your Jeep Wrangler will finally have its ideal stance dialed thanks to optimized wheel offset. Time to finish your build the right way!

What Is Wheel Offset and Why Does It Matter?

Before we get into the ideal Wrangler offsets, let’s define wheel offset in general and why it’s so important.

Wheel offset is the distance between your wheel’s centerline and the mounting surface that contacts the hub.

This offset can be positioned either inward towards the hub (positive offset) or outward away from the hub (negative offset).

Here’s a quick visual:

[Insert image showing positive vs negative offset]

The amount of offset impacts several key aspects of your Jeep:

• Handling characteristics and steering responsiveness
• High speed stability and control
• Overall ride quality and tire wear
• Stance, clearance, and potential rubbing issues
• Braking performance and ease of maintenance

In short, dialing in wheel offset is crucial for performance, safety, achieving your dream stance, and avoiding problems like scrubbing.

Now let’s get into properly measuring your Jeep’s current offset…

How to Accurately Measure Wheel Offset

Determining your Wrangler’s current offset is the first step towards optimizing it. Here are 3 ways:

1. Measure Mounting Surface Depth

With the wheels removed, simply measure from the inner rim edge to the hub mounting surface.

This measurement = your offset. Inward = positive offset, outward = negative offset.

2. Calculate Based on Backspacing

Use the backspacing measurement (inner rim to hub surface) along with wheel diameter to calculate offset.

3. Reference Manufacturer Specs

Offset will always be listed in the wheel specs from the manufacturer. Easy!

Now let’s get into the ideal offsets for your specific Jeep…

What’s the Stock Jeep Wrangler Wheel Offset?

Here are the stock offset sizes straight from the factory:

• Jeep Wrangler JK: +44mm offset (+1.75”)
• Jeep Wrangler JL: +55mm offset (+2.17”)
• Jeep Wrangler TJ: +50mm offset (+1.97”)

As you see, stock Wranglers run a moderately positive offset.

While these sizes work great in stock form, lifting and upgrading to larger tires requires adjusting offset for optimal performance, clearance, and achieving your dream stance.

What’s the Best Wheel Offset for a Lifted Jeep Wrangler?

Once you lift your Wrangler and upgrade your tire size, you’ll likely need to run more negative offset. Here are the ideal offset ranges:

Jeep Wrangler With No Lift

If you are still running the stock suspension with no lift, stick close to OEM offsets:

• JK: +40 to 50mm (+1.5” to 2”)
• JL: +50 to 60mm (+2” to 2.5”)
• TJ: +45 to 55mm (+1.75” to 2.25”)

This prevents rubbing and ensures proper geometry/handling.

Jeep Wrangler With a 2-3″ Lift

With a small 2-3” lift, you can safely go a bit more negative offset:

• JK: +25 to 38mm (+1” to 1.5”)
• JL: +35 to 50mm (+1.375” to 2”)
• TJ: +35 to 45mm (+1.375” to 1.75”)

This starts to widen your stance while preventing tire rub.

Jeep Wrangler With a 4-6” Lift

Time to get aggressive! With a 4-6” lift you can run significant negative offset:

• JK: +12 to 25mm (+0.5” to 1”)
• JL: +12 to 35mm (+0.5” to 1.375”)
• TJ: +20 to 35mm (+0.75” to 1.375”)

Just watch for control arm, frame, and inner fender clearance.

These ranges serve as an excellent starting point for dialing in offset on your lifted Wrangler.

Now let’s break it down model by model…

JK Wrangler Offset Recommendations

Given the JK’s factory +44mm (+1.75″) offset, optimal sizes are:

• No Lift: Around +45 to 50mm (+1.75” to 2”)
• 2-3″ Lift: +30 to 40mm (+1.25” to 1.5”)
• 4-6″ Lift: +15 to 30mm (+0.5” to 1.25”)

Shoot for the higher end if running meaty tires versus large diameter wheels.

JL Wrangler Offset Recommendations

With the JL’s wider +55mm (+2.17″) stock offset, you’ll want:

• No Lift: +50 to 60mm (+2” to 2.5”)
• 2-3″ Lift: +35 to 45mm (+1.375” to 1.75”)
• 4-6″ Lift: +15 to 35mm (+0.5” to 1.375”)

The JL has great clearance for running wider negative offsets.

TJ Wrangler Offset Recommendations

For the TJ with its +50mm (+1.97″) factory offset:

• No Lift: +45 to 55mm (+1.75” to 2.25”)
• 2-3″ Lift: +35 to 45mm (+1.375” to 1.75”)
• 4-6″ Lift: +20 to 35mm (+0.75” to 1.375”)

The TJ has less wiggle room than newer models, so increment slowly.

Use these ranges as a starting point, then tweak as needed for your exact setup.

Next let’s go over how to achieve your ideal offset…

Spacers vs. Wheels With Correct Offset

Once you’ve determined your target wheel offset, there are two ways to achieve it:

1. Add Wheel Spacers

Spacers mount between your wheels and hubs to push them outward, increasing negative offset.

Pros:

• Cheaper than new wheels
• Allows keeping current wheels
• Quickly adjust offset in small increments

Cons:

• Can put more stress on components
• Requires retorquing lugs
• Extra failure point
• Needs spiked lugs

2. Get Wheels With Proper Offset

Wheels with your ideal offset built-in are the most durable, safe option.

Pros:

• Strongest and most reliable
• No added component stress
• Maintains OEM lug torque
• Clean look without visible spacers

Cons:

• More expensive than spacers
• Must sell old wheels if way off offset

For critical safety components like wheels, invest in the proper offset for best durability and performance when possible.

But budget-friendly spacers allow quickly dialling in fitment and stance.

Just take care to install them correctly without over-stressing components.

Now let’s discuss the interplay between tire size and wheel offset…

Tire Size and Offset – What’s the Relationship?

Your tire size also impacts optimal wheel offset. Some key points:

• Larger overall diameter tires require more negative offset to prevent rubbing.
• More sidewall provides more room to work with compared to low profiles.
• A big lift with small tires doesn’t need extreme negative offset.
• Minimal lift with huge tires needs aggressive offset to avoid issues.

Luckily, there are tire size calculators that make it easy to determine ideal offsets by inputting your exact Jeep setup. No more guessing!

Now let’s go over diagnosing and fixing common offset-related problems…

Troubleshooting Wheel Offset Issues

Here are some common offset-related problems and fixes:

Rubbing on Frame or Control Arms

• Less aggressive offset
• Add small spacers
• Carefully trim pinch welds

Tire Scrubbing on Inner Fender

• Needs more negative offset
• Gently roll or pull fenders
• Add spacer if minimal rub

Shoulder Wear on Tires

• Alignment needed
• Adjust camber
• Reduce positive offset

Jeep Wanders or Oversteers

• Decrease positive offset
• Wider track width improves stability

Weak Steering Response

• Increase positive offset
• Narrower track quickens turning

Dialling in offset along with proper alignment avoids these common issues.

Now let’s answer some FAQs…

Frequently Asked Wheel Offset Questions

What’s a good offset with a 2.5″ lift?

Around +30 to 40mm (+1.25″ to 1.5″) depending on your Jeep model.

How much spacer should I use?

Choose a thickness that gets you closest to your target ideal offset.

What offset for 37″ tires?

With 37s, around +25mm (+1″) of offset is usually ideal. The big tires need more room.

Do I need adjustable arms with more offset?

It depends on lift height, but adjustable control arms may be required to properly align the new geometry.

Will wheels with less offset fit without rubbing?

Test fit first. Minor rubbing can sometimes be fixed with small spacers or rolling fenders.

Conclusion – Get Out There and Dial In Your Jeep’s Offset!

Getting your Jeep Wrangler’s wheel offset properly dialed in is one of the final steps to achieving your dream stance and performance.

Use this guide to accurately measure your current offset, determine the ideal size for your specific setup, and safely achieve perfect fitment.

While each Jeep build is unique, follow the detailed recommendations above to get yourself in the ballpark. Then fine tune from there until your Wrangler is perfectly dialed!

Still have questions on determining the optimal wheel offset for your Jeep? Drop a comment below!