Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Why are FUEL wheels popular in the jeep community?

45K views 194 replies 64 participants last post by  Casca 
#1 ·
I'm sorry, maybe i'm the only one that thinks they look "thuggish" and "non-offroad worthy". But, I have been 100% wrong before on things...No Offense

Explain.

Currently looking at pulling the trigger on a set of 5 AEV Black Pintlers..
 
#3 ·
I'm not sure they ARE popular in the subset of Jeepers called "Actually Takes Jeep Offroad Into Challenging Terrain", a group for whom wheel performance is something to take into consideration. And if that sounds snotty or elitist or something, please don't take it that way. I don't venerate that subset of Jeepers any higher than the subset that wants to build an awesome rolling SoundLab, or preserve their Jeep for the lawn at the 2040 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Or wants to ride around with theirs totally box-stock impressing the lassies at their high school. It's all good.

But I think most people who are building a tough off-road Jeep aren't looking that direction. But heck, I could be totally wrong about that.
 
#5 ·
Thuggish???? I bought mine strictly for looks with reasonably priced quality wheel , knowing that they're probably going to get scratched up, dinged and dented. I was going more for the tough and rugged look.

[
 
#8 ·
Fuel makes the best looking rims IMO and their selection is 2nd to none. No other company has 4 or 5 different rims I would want on my Jeep. Their new Fuel Recoils, Vectors, Summits, Rotors and Rippers all look awesome! Sure they're not for the hardcore off-roader rock climber type but they will be fine for 95% of the Jeeps out there.
 
#10 ·
speaking from experience be careful in the rocks with pintlers.
 
#13 ·
Love my Recoils.
Most definitely not "thuggish", unless maybe you're 90 years old. I actually find them to be nicely understated.
This model has the appropriate access to the valve stems.
And it's not a multi lug setup.
My only complaint is they are heavy, and the lug nut holes seem small, requiring a thin wall socket.



 
#25 ·
AEV wheels are bland as hell. Usually owned by people whom lack creativity and don't have the balls to choose something outside the box. IMO, wheels are a totally personal choice. But there a lot of folks who believe that unless you have the plain old crappy 3 styles of AEV wheels your rig is not fitting for the road. I went with XD misfits because I liked them and they were light and well made. But to each his own. And yes, I have aev lift, bumpers and more.
 

Attachments

#27 ·
I bought Fuel Vector D579 in 17x8.5 - matte black.
-Quality: Every aftermarket wheel is made in China and of similar quality.
-Affordability: When I've beaten a rim to hell on the trail it's cheap to replace.
-Variety: Fuel is one of the few companies I found that made wheels to almost any spec you could ask for. I found very few 17x8.5 wheels with the 4.5BS I was looking for. Everything was 9" or bigger in a lightweight aluminum wheel.
-Most of their wheels, not all, but most have the valve stem in a spot it's protected.
-They also include the plastic hubcentric rings which most companies don't and it's better than nothing even if you are like me and ordered custom aluminum one's. I have run into several jeepers (the one's who actually leave the pavement) that had the same reasons.
-Lightweight: Depending on the wheel. But my Vector's are right at 30lbs.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Yes, FUEL make rims from basic designs to very flashy for trucks. Silver, black, machined, and more combinations.

Not everyone wants a look of a spare tired or 5 hole rims from the 70's.

I dont find mine "thuggish" at all.




But hey, each to his own style.

Now that purple jeep....There is deep candy orange one near me like this that I see weekly. I hate it and want to take his "Jeep Card" away.


DIRT BOY
2015 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited - Hydro Blue Pearl * Dual Top * AEV 2.5 Dual Sport XT Lift * Old Man Emu OME-SD48 Steering Stabilizer * TOYO Open Country R/T 35x12.5R18LT * Fuel Anza D55 18 x 9 Wheels * BEST LED Headlights & Fogs * JWM 4x4 Billet Grill Insert, TeraFlex HD Carrier * Rugged Ridge Black Aluminum Hood Latches * AMI Stubbie 21" * PIAA Superior Bass Horn

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#43 ·
Yes, FUEL make rims from basic designs to very flashy for trucks. Silver, black, machined, and more combinations.

Not everyone wants a look of a spare tired or 5 hole rims from the 70's.

I dont find mine "thuggish" at all.

But hey, each to his own style.

Now that purple jeep....There is deep candy orange one near me like this that I see weekly. I hate it and want to take his "Jeep Card" away.

DIRT BOY
2015 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited - Hydro Blue Pearl * Dual Top * AEV 2.5 Dual Sport XT Lift * Old Man Emu OME-SD48 Steering Stabilizer * TOYO Open Country R/T 35x12.5R18LT * Fuel Anza D55 18 x 9 Wheels * BEST LED Headlights & Fogs * JWM 4x4 Billet Grill Insert, TeraFlex HD Carrier * Rugged Ridge Black Aluminum Hood Latches * AMI Stubbie 21" * PIAA Superior Bass Horn

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Man i wish they had that blue on 2017s...
Beautiful jeep!
 
#30 ·
Fuel Wheels are the best looking wheels available IMHO. I have 17x8.5 Vectors on my rig, and yes they have plenty of rock rash. The others I was looking at are the Recoils.

I'm not sure what the OP was talking about by "Not off-road worthy" but these work perfectly on a trail rig. Fuel is doing a better job than anyone else making wheels for Jeeps for several reasons:

1. They offer multiple backspacing choices for most 17x8.5's. You can get 5" or 4.5", depending on your needs. (I'm rocking 5" backspace with 35" tires. Works and looks great!)

2. They offer a range of sizes, 17's, 18's, 20's. I'm not a fan of larger wheels, but some people like that. (I'm rocking 17's.)

3. They offer a choice of colors for most wheels. (I got black)

4. The simulated beadlock uses actual bolt heads, not just molded into the wheel. It looks really good in person. True it's not a real beadlock, but real beadlocks are illegal in my state (PA).

5. They offer designs that range from mild (Ripper) to wild (Battle Axe). It's so nice to see a company that puts some thought into design instead of offering up the same old 5 spoke crappy design you see everywhere.

I'm throwing this out there because I've had Fuel wheels on all my Jeeps and I've never had a problem with them off-road or on-road.
 
#31 ·
I'm sorry, maybe i'm the only one that thinks they look "thuggish" and "non-offroad worthy". But, I have been 100% wrong before on things...No Offense Explain. Currently looking at pulling the trigger on a set of 5 AEV Black Pintlers..
Doesn't Fuel have store fronts in the local malls? ;). I went with TrailReady because I prefer rocks to asphalt.
 

Attachments

#36 ·
The 4x4 shop near me strongly recommends fuel wheels as well. I don't mind the look of them however I wonder how well they would last offloading.

I have been looking at Icon Alloys lately since I have an Icon lift in route...the downfall is that I can't find many reviews of these wheels from jeep owners.

I am not trying to start the debate around hub centric vs lug centric wheels, however it now seems very difficult to find a half way decent looking set of hub centric wheels.
 
#38 ·
 
#46 ·
I don't consider myself to be either a mall or rock crawler and I while I do like some of Fuel's offerings, I still run stock wheels.

I honestly dgaf what other people think of me or my Jeep. I was just taking offense to porterror's use of a pejorative to describe one class of jeepers and not another.
 
#49 ·
Why? IMO - Every shop around here that deals in wheels has about 50 of them up on the wall to look at which helps the decision process for many.

$$$ burning a pocket hole + wheels up on the wall = "Put those on!"
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top