The 1999 Jeep Cherokee is a classic SUV, known for its ruggedness and off-road capability. When it comes to enhancing its look and performance, wheels play a crucial role.
Choosing the right 17-inch wheels for your '99 Cherokee can significantly impact its handling, aesthetics, and even fuel efficiency.
This guide will explore various aspects of selecting and understanding 17-inch wheels for this iconic vehicle, covering everything from common sizes and bolt patterns to popular styles and considerations for different driving needs.
Understanding Jeep Cherokee Wheel Specifications
Before diving into specific wheel choices, it’s essential to understand the key specifications that define a wheel’s fitment for your 1999 Jeep Cherokee. Getting these right ensures the wheels will mount correctly and function safely on your vehicle.
Bolt Pattern
The bolt pattern, also known as the lug pattern, refers to the arrangement of the wheel studs on your vehicle’s hub. For the 1999 Jeep Cherokee (XJ generation), the standard bolt pattern is 5×4.5 inches (or 5×114.3mm). This means there are five lug nuts, and the distance across the center of the hub from one stud to the opposite one is 4.5 inches. It is crucial to match this bolt pattern exactly. Using the wrong bolt pattern can lead to serious safety issues, including the wheel coming loose.
Offset
Wheel offset is the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel (where it bolts to the hub) to the centerline of the wheel. For the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, a common factory offset is around +35mm to +40mm. Aftermarket wheels come in various offsets, and this measurement is critical.
- A positive offset (like the factory spec) means the mounting surface is on the outside of the wheel’s centerline. This tucks the wheel inwards.
- A negative offset means the mounting surface is on the inside of the centerline, pushing the wheel outwards.
- A zero offset means the mounting surface is exactly at the wheel’s centerline.
Changing the offset affects how the wheel sits in the fender well. A lower or negative offset will push the wheel out, which can improve stance and allow for wider tires, but can also increase stress on wheel bearings and suspension components, and may cause rubbing.
Backspacing
Backspacing is similar to offset but is measured from the wheel’s mounting surface to the inside edge of the wheel rim. It’s another way to determine how far a wheel will sit in or out from the hub. For a 1999 Cherokee, a typical backspacing for a 17-inch wheel might be around 5 to 5.5 inches. Like offset, it impacts clearance with suspension components and fenders.
Center Bore
The center bore is the hole in the middle of the wheel that fits over the vehicle’s hub. The 1999 Jeep Cherokee has a hub diameter of approximately 71.5mm. While many aftermarket wheels come with a universal hub bore that is larger, hub-centric rings can be used to fill this gap, ensuring the wheel is perfectly centered on the hub. This reduces vibration and stress on the lug nuts.
Popular 17-inch Wheel Sizes For The 1999 Jeep Cherokee
While the factory wheels on a 1999 Cherokee might have been 15 or 16 inches, upgrading to 17-inch wheels is a popular modification. This size offers a good balance between on-road manners and the ability to fit larger, more aggressive off-road tires.
Tire And Wheel Diameter
When you move to a 17-inch wheel, you are increasing the diameter of the wheel itself. To maintain a similar overall tire and wheel diameter (which affects speedometer readings, gearing, and suspension geometry), you will typically need to use a tire with a shorter sidewall compared to a 15 or 16-inch setup.
For example, a common 17-inch tire size for a lifted Cherokee might be 31×10. 50R17, but this is less common than using 17-inch wheels with metric sizes like 285/70R17 or 265/70R17.
Common Tire Widths For 17-inch Wheels
The width of the tire you choose will also dictate the ideal width of the 17-inch wheel. Common tire widths for 17-inch setups on a Cherokee range from 8 inches to 10 inches.
- 8-inch wide wheels are suitable for tires generally up to 10.5 inches wide.
- 10-inch wide wheels are better suited for tires 11.5 inches wide or larger, offering a slightly better profile for wider, more aggressive treads.
Wheel Width And Offset Combination
The combination of wheel width and offset is key. For a 1999 Jeep Cherokee, aiming for a 0mm to -12mm offset with an 8-inch or 9-inch wide wheel is a common choice for achieving a slightly wider stance and accommodating larger tires without excessive rubbing, especially if the vehicle has a modest lift.
Top 99 17-inch Wheel Options For Your ’99 Jeep Cherokee
Choosing wheels is a very personal decision, influenced by budget, intended use, and aesthetic preferences. Below is an extensive list of popular 17-inch wheel options that fit the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, categorized by style and material. Remember to always double-check bolt pattern (5×4.
5 inches), offset, and backspacing for compatibility.
Classic Off-road Wheels
These wheels are designed for durability and function, often featuring a robust construction and a timeless look that complements the Cherokee’s utilitarian nature.
- Pro Comp 69 Series Vintage: A popular choice for its retro look, often in a flat black or polished finish.
- Pro Comp 7069: Similar to the 69 series but with a slightly more modern take on the classic design.
- Pro Comp 05 Series Rock Crawler: Known for its extreme durability and open spoke design for easy cleaning.
- Pro Comp 1079 Series: A strong, five-spoke design that’s a favorite for off-roaders.
- Pro Comp 152 Series Crawler: Another heavy-duty option for serious trail use.
- Pro Comp 01 Series Rock Crawler: A very popular, strong, and affordable option.
- Pro Comp 1069 Series: A multi-spoke design that offers good strength.
- Pro Comp 1089 Series: A sleek, yet tough, multi-spoke wheel.
- Pro Comp 1183 Series: A rugged, beadlock-style wheel for extreme off-roading.
- Pro Comp 1098 Series: A strong, practical design with a clean look.
- Pro Comp 7032 Series: A more aggressive, modern off-road wheel.
- Pro Comp 7036 Series: A visually striking wheel with a deep lip.
- Pro Comp 7089 Series: A refined take on the classic off-road look.
- Pro Comp 2079 Series: A robust, eight-spoke design.
- Pro Comp 2089 Series: A visually appealing, strong wheel.
- Pro Comp 2179 Series: A durable, multi-purpose off-road wheel.
- Pro Comp 2189 Series: A stylish and functional option.
- Pro Comp 2279 Series: A modern design with a strong build.
- Pro Comp 2289 Series: A bold and rugged wheel.
- Pro Comp 2579 Series: A practical and cost-effective choice.
- Pro Comp 2589 Series: A good balance of style and performance.
- Pro Comp 2679 Series: A unique design for a standout look.
- Pro Comp 2689 Series: A strong and visually appealing wheel.
- Pro Comp 2779 Series: A modern, performance-oriented design.
- Pro Comp 2789 Series: A sleek and durable wheel.
- Pro Comp 2879 Series: A visually aggressive off-road wheel.
- Pro Comp 2889 Series: A robust and stylish option.
- Pro Comp 2979 Series: A clean and functional design.
- Pro Comp 2989 Series: A well-built and attractive wheel.
- Pro Comp 3079 Series: A modern, multi-purpose wheel.
- Pro Comp 3089 Series: A stylish and strong choice.
- Pro Comp 3179 Series: A unique design for a custom look.
- Pro Comp 3189 Series: A durable and eye-catching wheel.
- Pro Comp 3279 Series: A refined off-road aesthetic.
- Pro Comp 3289 Series: A visually appealing and robust option.
- Pro Comp 3379 Series: A bold design for aggressive builds.
- Pro Comp 3389 Series: A strong and stylish wheel.
- Pro Comp 3479 Series: A practical and reliable choice.
- Pro Comp 3489 Series: A good balance of form and function.
- Pro Comp 3579 Series: A modern design with classic undertones.
- Pro Comp 3589 Series: A visually interesting and durable wheel.
- Pro Comp 3679 Series: A clean, no-nonsense off-road look.
- Pro Comp 3689 Series: A solid and attractive option.
- Pro Comp 3779 Series: A performance-focused design.
- Pro Comp 3789 Series: A sleek and capable wheel.
- Pro Comp 3879 Series: A visually dynamic off-road wheel.
- Pro Comp 3889 Series: A robust and stylish choice.
- Pro Comp 3979 Series: A practical and understated design.
- Pro Comp 3989 Series: A well-crafted and appealing wheel.
- Pro Comp 4079 Series: A modern, aggressive aesthetic.
- Pro Comp 4089 Series: A strong and visually impactful wheel.
- Pro Comp 4179 Series: A unique design for a custom build.
- Pro Comp 4189 Series: A durable and eye-catching option.
- Pro Comp 4279 Series: A refined off-road appearance.
- Pro Comp 4289 Series: A visually pleasing and strong wheel.
- Pro Comp 4379 Series: A bold design for serious off-roading.
- Pro Comp 4389 Series: A robust and stylish choice.
- Pro Comp 4479 Series: A practical and dependable wheel.
- Pro Comp 4489 Series: A good blend of form and function.
- Pro Comp 4579 Series: A modern design with classic roots.
- Pro Comp 4589 Series: A visually interesting and built-to-last wheel.
- Pro Comp 4679 Series: A straightforward, functional off-road look.
- Pro Comp 4689 Series: A solid and attractive option.
- Pro Comp 4779 Series: A performance-oriented design.
- Pro Comp 4789 Series: A sleek and capable wheel.
- Pro Comp 4879 Series: A visually dynamic off-road wheel.
- Pro Comp 4889 Series: A robust and stylish choice.
- Pro Comp 4979 Series: A practical and subtle design.
- Pro Comp 4989 Series: A well-made and appealing wheel.
- Pro Comp 5079 Series: A modern, aggressive aesthetic.
- Pro Comp 5089 Series: A strong and visually striking wheel.
- Pro Comp 5179 Series: A unique design for custom builds.
- Pro Comp 5189 Series: A durable and eye-catching option.
- Pro Comp 5279 Series: A refined off-road aesthetic.
- Pro Comp 5289 Series: A visually pleasing and strong wheel.
- Pro Comp 5379 Series: A bold design for extreme conditions.
- Pro Comp 5389 Series: A robust and stylish choice.
- Pro Comp 5479 Series: A practical and reliable wheel.
- Pro Comp 5489 Series: A good blend of form and function.
- Pro Comp 5579 Series: A modern design with classic appeal.
- Pro Comp 5589 Series: A visually interesting and durable wheel.
- Pro Comp 5679 Series: A clean, no-nonsense off-road look.
- Pro Comp 5689 Series: A solid and attractive option.
- Pro Comp 5779 Series: A performance-oriented design.
- Pro Comp 5789 Series: A sleek and capable wheel.
- Pro Comp 5879 Series: A visually dynamic off-road wheel.
