Rock n’ Roll: Put Your Best Foot Forward

What’s a quick way to increase the performance and capability of your vehicle? A robust set of wheels. What’s a quick way to change the look of your vehicle? A good-looking set of wheels. What part can instantly increase the safety of your vehicle? – I think you know where we’re going with this. A quality set of wheels does more than just make your ride look the part. They can get you over uneven rocks and out of the slippery gorge safer and easier than many of their factory counterparts. There are many options out there. Let’s take a look at some of the latest designs to hit the market.

Fuel Off-Road/Vector

Fuel Off-Road’s Vector series of wheels are manufactured as one-piece rims for rigidity and weight savings. They come in 17×8.5, 18×9, and 20×9-inch sizes in many different offsets and bolt patterns to fit your vehicle. The sample seen here boasts their new matte anthracite face with black ring colorway.

Black Rhino/Block

The Block features a beefy eight-window mesh pattern and a massive simulated bead lock lip that allows street legal application of an off-road style. Ruggedly finished, the Block comes in matt black and is tastefully accentuated with machined milling along the entire side of the spokes. This unique finish is the first of its kind and Black Rhino is proud to introduce it to the world. It is available in 17-, 18-, and 20-inch fitments.

Method Race Wheels/MR310 Con6

New from Method Race Wheels for 2017 is the MR310 Con6. Available finishes include bronze with a matte-black lip (shown), as well as an all-matte black variation. The wheel has a newly redesigned lip with removable zinc-plated bolts, and it is equipped with a removable center ring/cap, as well. Available in 17×8.5, 18×9 and 20×9 sizes, its available bolt patterns include most five, six and eight-lug applications.

Rotiform/SIX-OR

Rotiform cast wheels have been refined and redesigned in multiple widths, diameters and exclusive finishes for off-road applications. Innovative engineering and casting methods yield stronger, lighter wheels while retaining the signature Rotiform look. The SIX-OR is a one-piece, monoblock cast wheel that is available in multiple
variations, including a matte bronze face, as seen here.

Fuel Off-Road/Triton

If you’re looking for something that stands out of the crowd, look no further than Fuel Off-Road’s Triton. It is finished in black with milled accents and is available in 20×9, 20×10, 20×12, and 22×12 for multiple fitments.

American Expedition Vehicles/JK Salta

Inspired by the legendary Dakar Rally, and named after the Argentine city found along its route, the Salta adds rugged toughness and distinctive styling to any JK. The Salta is designed specifically for the JK, featuring a unique offset that provides the optimal balance of tire clearance (up to a 37-inch tire), scrub radius and handling. The Salta’s 10-spoke design provides additional strength for maximum durability, on and off road, while its recessed valve stems provide added protection from rocks on the trail. Available in matte-black, silver and onyx (shown here) finishes.

Stealth Custom Series/Ray10

Most of us can agree that the “bullet hole” wheel design is synonymous with off-roading. To fine-tune this notion, SCS included a steep break in the beveled holes to project a concave impression, and a thick simulated bead-lock style rim flange for strength. With the recessed valve stem hole for better protection from the terrain, there’s no need to play nice out there on the trails. With a load rating of 2,200 pounds, the Ray10 is the strongest wheel in the SCS lineup.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the winter 2016 print issue of Tread Magazine.