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New wheel designs

7K views 48 replies 17 participants last post by  jadmt 
#1 ·
As the wheel designer for Interco tire company and a very avid hunter and wheeler I always place function before beauty. The Birddog wheel is a testament to that. But JK's are not YJ or CJ's. Each is unique to itself. There for the Birddog JSE or Jeep special edition. Am in the finishing stages before molds are cut.
Proposed changes are 5" backspace, 17x8.5, and 17x9 with 3.5" backspace. Both hubcentric, accept OE jeep center cap, redesigned low pressure retention bead, much stronger inner bead with low retention feature added, better cooling and enhanced self cleaning abilities. and last more protection for dual valvestems
Did I leave anything out that you as Jk drivers want in a wheel?
 
#2 ·
I would like to see a 16 inch option with 4.75-4.5 backspace. Maybe 8.5 or 9 inches wide. I run 16's and the selection is limited IMO. Tires are cheaper too. As well as the size addition it would be nice to see another wheel protect the valve stem like the AEV pintler does. I have personally bent 2 stems over the years.
 
#3 ·
In the birddog LT there will be a 16 and a 15". Ya 15 too. The15" will have a 3.25" back space. 8" wide. So a 35/1250r 15/C will work on lighter lifted jk. The tall sidewalls really allow for super ride and flotation, super affordable too. 16" will be 4.5" backspace with 8.5" wide. Might take your suggestions to make it 4.75" back. Think of anything else let me know... what finish.... and don't say chrome.
 
#5 ·
One of key features in any Birddog wheel is valvestem placement and angle.
I too have torn off stems. But no more. All dogs have two stems 180 degrees apart and placed as far to inside as possible. Out of more then a thousand jeep wheels sold no one has been able to snag a stem...so be at peace, got you back on that
 
#6 ·
Looked at Teflon as well as other finishes and desired on an incredible hard corrosion resistant finish. The black on the current dog is a special super hard composition, the clear coat is the same patented finish used on ranger boat wheels. Every wheel is coated inside and out and including the inside of the caps to resist corrosion. Current birddog is designed to clean itself and it does so.
Teflon itself isn't expensive its the application of it that cost. So it all boils down to cost benefits. Teflon cleans very easy but lacks the durability in other areas.
But grey? Never looked at that. May have to. Thanks for input.
 
#8 ·
please make a 17X8 with 5" backspacing. Keep the weight under 28lbs or so. Price them decently and I will buy them.

Look at the finish of the Raceline Raptor in is a matte black like tefelon finish not sure what it actually was but it was extremely durable and shed mud pretty well considering all the nooks and crannies.
 
#9 ·
Sir Ricky dog, I think I know what your talking about. But can you send picture? If it checks out to ne a very durable finish... ya never know. The birddog LT is designed but finish and color is the only hold up. And I never thought of black chrome, thanks.
 
#12 ·
I never thought of black chrome, thanks.
+1

Not all of us want a military-style look, with flat finishes. I would do a black chrome in a heartbeat. It would allow me to put a brighter finish on the bumpers and sliders. Many of the JK owners want a look, but no intention of going crawling.
 
#10 ·
Current17x9 comes in at 27 pounds. Everything possible was done to keep unsprung weight down. The geometry of the wheel gives it the highest load and tire size capacity in industry. 3000 lbs at 37" tall tire.
The 17x8 would come in a lighter but drop down to 3000 lb load 35" tire.
17x9 3.5" back will remain the same.
 
#11 ·
that is great. I think most rims are rated at 2200-2500 so at 27lbs or lighter it would be great. Can you post or even pm me a possible ~price range? Seems like in 17X8 with 5" bs the perfect rim to run 285/75-17's on.
 
#18 ·
A couple of things I hate about some wheel designs are sharp edges, decorative crevices without purpose, and fake bolt heads. These things are a bitch to clean around and are a collection point for road salts and other corrosives. If a wheel is easy to clean, its finish will last a lot longer than a wheel with a lot of superfluous decorative touches.
 
#19 ·
As I listen to conversation it seems clear that the use and needs of one is not for another.
T
Interco has built its reputation by building to the needs with a little flair now and then. The Birddog wheel is no exception. 100 percent functional with a little looks thrown in. But the JSE wheel is slightly different it has to meet the wants, as stated, and desires as well as functional. As far as finish, titty pink would work for me.....if that is what the masses want. (I draw the line on chrome). Fitment s not a issue, got you all covered there. If you recall the Birddog is designed in two different backspace instead of two different finishes. Function before beauty. JSE designed to fit an function. LT series to have some fitment compromise some functional qualities of the JSE but looks and price will drive it. I'm not even going to mention the HC or hard core. Radical and powerful for the 5 percenters.
 
#24 ·
As I listen to conversation it seems clear that the use and needs of one is not for another.
T
Interco has built its reputation by building to the needs with a little flair now and then. The Birddog wheel is no exception. 100 percent functional with a little looks thrown in. But the JSE wheel is slightly different it has to meet the wants, as stated, and desires as well as functional. As far as finish, titty pink would work for me.....if that is what the masses want. (I draw the line on chrome). Fitment s not a issue, got you all covered there. If you recall the Birddog is designed in two different backspace instead of two different finishes. Function before beauty. JSE designed to fit an function. LT series to have some fitment compromise some functional qualities of the JSE but looks and price will drive it. I'm not even going to mention the HC or hard core. Radical and powerful for the 5 percenters.
Ok so I don't understand. The JSE will be a hubcentric wheel for jk? What are the HC line? I don't even see that one your website. And I will take them in titty pink please.
 
#20 ·
can you give us a hint at prices?
 
#25 ·
Might I recommend opening the holes a bit? They appear too small in scale to the wheel. Additionally, I'd recommend a cast or machined guard around the valve stem. The way the wheel is depicted, with such a wide, smooth surface around the stem placement hole, it is just ripe for being peeled off of there by a rock, branch, whatever.
 
#26 ·
Valvestem location on all but the 17" are placed and recessed inboard by almost2" more. The JSE will have larger tear dropped holes with stems recessed and angled in the bottom of tear drop. Design of holes and angles are to facilitate air flow for brake cooling.
 
#28 ·
Well I already commented, but I'd just like to say thanks for actually coming on here and taking suggestions, and trying to please most wants. I am a fan of function over form, so I can appreciate where you're coming from. I don't like the fake beadlock look and fake rivets, but if the wheel is pretty light, strong, looks good, and is fairly reasonable in price I can live with a few.

I guess when you mention "cost cutting" I can assume they're not made in the US :lmao:
 
#33 ·
Well I already commented, but I'd just like to say thanks for actually coming on here and taking suggestions, and trying to please most wants. I am a fan of function over form, so I can appreciate where you're coming from. I don't like the fake beadlock look and fake rivets, but if the wheel is pretty light, strong, looks good, and is fairly reasonable in price I can live with a few.
+1

I applaud your efforts to get real-world potential customer feedback. As you already know, you are not going to please everyone. That is why there are so many wheel companies to begin with. Everyone has their niche.

I get tired of looking at basically the same wheel look from 10 different companies. Give me something that is functional for my particular use, appeals to my design style and comes in at a reasonable price point, and I am a buyer. Of course, that is based on my own metrics. YMMV. I suspect that many will buy, as Interco has built a great reputation for quality products for those who want to color outside the lines a bit.

Again, thanks for taking the time and effort.
 
#29 ·
Yes, the JSE will be made by americans for the world. New foundry in US is planned to produce them.
The world hasn't learned that true Americans don't take the word "can't " as absolute but as a challenge. They underestimate our tenacity.
Just so you know. The current birddog wheel has no fake bolts or rings. The holes you see are "gauge" holes. If you manage to chunk out the outer ring deeper then holes.you might effect structure strength. The outer ring is smoothly tapered on inside to allow logs and rocks to slip off and not hang up. The outer edge has a.recess to allow RIM protectors on tires to flex around RIM edge. Total function, no looks.
 
#34 ·
Will you release pics of the proposed new wheels anytime soon?

What is the ETA for the wheel availability?

SUGGESTION: One color that seems to be universally liked, but produced only by AEV, is a true Argent silver/grey. This color accents beautifully on a number of Jeep colors, and allows for something other than black body armour on a JK.
 
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