The Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram 1500 are both popular off-road vehicles. With their rugged styling and off-road capabilities, many owners like to customize them with new wheels and tires.
A common question is whether Jeep Wrangler rims will fit on a Dodge Ram 1500. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at whether Wrangler wheels will fit the Ram 1500, things to consider when swapping wheels, wheel specs for both vehicles, and provide a table summarizing wheel compatibility.
Will Jeep Wrangler Rims Physically Fit on a Dodge Ram 1500?
The short answer is yes and no; Jeep Wrangler rims can physically fit on a Dodge Ram 1500 in rare cases. However, there are a few important factors to consider before swapping wheels between these vehicles.
Wheel Bolt Patterns Must Match
The most important factor is matching bolt patterns. The bolt pattern (sometimes called lug pattern) refers to the number of bolts and the diameter of the circle they are arranged in. If the bolt patterns don’t match between the wheels and vehicle, the wheels won’t mount securely.
Jeep Wrangler bolt patterns:
- TJ Wrangler (1997-2006): 5×4.5″
- JK Wrangler (2007-2018): 5×5″
- JL Wrangler (2018+): 5×5″
Dodge Ram 1500 bolt patterns:
- 1994-2001: 5×5.5″
- 2002-2008: 6×5.5″
- 2009-present: 6×5.5″
As you can see, the only Wrangler bolt pattern that matches the Ram 1500 is the JK/JL pattern of 5×5″. So JK or JL Wrangler wheels should bolt right up to a Ram 1500. But TJ wheels won’t work without bolt pattern adapters.
Wheel Center Bore Must Accommodate Ram’s Larger Hub
Another important fitment factor is the center bore. This is the large center hole in the wheel that fits over the vehicle’s hub.
Jeep Wrangler center bores:
- TJ: 71.5mm
- JK/JL: 63.4mm
Dodge Ram 1500 center bores are larger:
- 1994-2001: 84mm
- 2002-2008: 83mm
- 2009-present: 83mm
Ram’s larger hub diameter means a JK/JL Wrangler wheel’s center bore of 63.4mm will be too small. The wheel would fit loosely or not at all. Adapters can remedy this, which we’ll discuss later.
So while the 5×5″ bolt patterns will match up on JK/JL Wranglers and some Ram 1500s, the smaller center bore on Wrangler wheels creates an additional fitment issue.
Other Factors Like Offset and Backspacing
Bolt pattern and center bore are the two most critical factors determining compatibility. But other specifications like offset and backspacing also impact fitment:
Offset: This refers to how far in or out the wheels sit relative to the hub. Mismatched offset can lead to fitment issues with fenders and steering components.
Backspacing: This is the distance from the wheel’s hub mounting surface to the inside edge of the rim. It impacts clearance with brake calipers and suspension parts.
We’ll take a deeper look at these specs for both vehicles later in the guide. For now, just note that all specifications need to be checked when swapping wheels between different vehicles.
Wheel Adapters Can Resolve Fitment Issues
While JK/JL Wrangler wheels should bolt up to some Dodge Ram 1500s, problems arise due to differences in center bore, offset, and backspacing. Wheel adapters provide a solution when specifications don’t directly match between wheels and vehicle.
Popular adapters include:
Hub centric adapters: These feature different center bore sizes to adapt wheels with a smaller bore to fit larger vehicle hubs.
Wheel spacers: Spacers mount between the wheel and hub to adjust offset and backspacing as needed.
Bolt pattern adapters: Allow wheels with different bolt patterns to be mounted.
So in the case of mounting Wrangler wheels on a Ram 1500, hub-centric adapters can address the bore size mismatch. Wheel spacers can tweak offset and backspacing. And bolt pattern adapters can mount TJ’s 5×4.5″ pattern wheels to the Ram’s 5×5.5″ hubs.
With the right combination of adapters, almost any wheels can be made to fit almost any vehicle. But adapters also have drawbacks like added expense, weight, and failure points. So direct bolt-on wheel fitment is preferable when possible.
Wheel Specifications for Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram 1500
To determine whether Wrangler wheels will directly fit your Dodge Ram 1500, you need to look at the following wheel specifications for both vehicles:
Jeep Wrangler Wheels
Here are some key specs for factory and popular aftermarket Wrangler wheels:
| Generation | Bolt Pattern | Center Bore | Wheel Size | Offset | Backspacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TJ Wrangler | 5×4.5″ | 71.5mm | 15-inch | 3.75″ | 5.6″ |
| 16-inch | 3.75-4.5″ | 5.25-6.0″ | |||
| JK/JL Wrangler | 5×5″ | 63.4mm | 16-inch | 3.75″ | 6.0″ |
| 17-inch | 4.5″ | 5.2″ | |||
| 18-inch | 5.0″ | 6.2″ |
Popular aftermarket sizes
- 15×8 with 4″ backspacing
- 17×8 with 4.5″ backspacing
Dodge Ram 1500 Wheels
Here are the wheel specifications for different Ram 1500 models and trims:
| Year | Bolt Pattern | Center Bore | Wheel Size | Offset | Backspacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-2001 | 5×5.5″ | 84mm | 15-inch | 4″ | 6.3″ |
| 16-inch | 4″ | 6.3″ | |||
| 17-inch | 4″ | 6.3″ | |||
| 2002-2008 | 6×5.5″ | 83mm | 16-inch | 4.5″ | 6.3″ |
| 17-inch | 5″ | 6.3″ | |||
| 20-inch | 4.5″ | 5.2″ | |||
| 2009-Present | 6×5.5″ | 83mm | 17-inch | 4.5″ | 6.3″ |
| 20-inch | 4.5″ | 5.2″ | |||
| 22-inch | 5″ | 5.2″ |
Popular aftermarket sizes
- 17×9 with 5″ backspacing
- 20×9 with 5″ backspacing
Will Wrangler Rims Fit Ram 1500 by Generation
Now that we’ve looked at key wheel specifications, we can compare Jeep and Ram wheels side-by-side to see if they’ll directly interchange. Here’s a summary by Ram 1500 generation:
1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500
- Bolt Pattern: Matches JK/JL Wrangler
- Center Bore: Too large for direct fit
- Wheel Size: Similar 15-17″ sizes
- Offset: Fairly close
- Backspacing:** Similar
Verdict: JK/JL wheels should bolt up due to matching 5×5″ pattern. Adapters needed to address bore size mismatch. TJ wheels won’t work without bolt pattern adapters.
2002-2008 Dodge Ram 1500
- Bolt Pattern: Does NOT match Wrangler
- Center Bore: Too large
- Wheel Size: Some shared sizes
- Offset: Fairly close
- Backspacing: Similar
Verdict: No direct fit due to different bolt patterns. Bolt adapters required along with hub centric adapters to address bore size.
2009-Present Ram 1500
- Bolt Pattern: Does NOT match Wrangler
- Center Bore: Too large
- Wheel Size: Some shared sizes
- Offset: Fairly close
- Backspacing: Similar
Verdict: No direct fit due to bolt pattern mismatch. Requires bolt pattern and hub centric adapters.
Tire Considerations
If you do get Wrangler rims to fit your Ram 1500, the next piece of the puzzle is tire fitment. Some important considerations:
Tire diameter:
You’ll want to match the OEM tire diameter closely to avoid speedometer errors and clearance issues.
Tire width:
Make sure replacement tires don’t rub at full lock or under suspension compression.
Load range:
Choose an adequate load range for the Ram 1500’s payload and towing capacity.
Summary
To summarize whether Jeep Wrangler wheels will work on a Dodge Ram 1500:
- JK/JL 5×5″ Wrangler wheels should bolt up to 1994-2001 Rams with hub adapters
- No direct bolt-on fit for 2002+ Ram 1500 due to bolt patterns
- Adapters can make any wheels fit but direct fit is better when possible
- Must match tire diameter and capacities for safe use
- Have modifications done professionally and take proper safety precautions
Hopefully this guide provides the information you need to decide if swapping Jeep wheels onto your Dodge truck is feasible. Always carefully check fitment specs and perform test fits before hitting the road with modified wheels. With proper care you can bolt Wrangler rims onto certain Ram 1500s for added style and function.
References:
https://www.quadratec.com/c/reference/wheel-bolt-patterns-typical-lug-nut-torque-specifications
