1998 Wrangler Wheels

[JeepRidge]

Hi to everyone! This is my first post to the forums. Technically, I don’t own my TJ yet, but will be picking it up on Tuesday! So, we’re pretty excited round here.

This is a boring post for some of you who have seen and dealt with these kind of things numerous times. I have read through the forums over the last 3-4 weeks, pretty much daily. But, I’ll be frank… I really don’t want to make any terrible mistakes and want to try to do things well, if possible.

So, first, my new to me TJ is a 1998 Sport, Flame Red, five speed. Ultimately, for us, it is going to be a pretty low key adventure vehicle. No Rubicon crossings, but plenty of dirt roads, a little mud, occasional 6-12 inches of snow, etc. We want to treat it with respect and try to avoid bashing it up too much at this point.

To that end, I am searching for original style wheels, aluminum. It currently has big, beefy black steel wheels and mudders on it. I have been searching for 5x4.5 Jeep stock wheels and I’ll get some three peak all terrains to go on it after I get new wheels and tires. I don’t believe it’s had a lift, just the largest wheels and tires they could make fit.

I did find some decent looking Ultras, they look pretty much right up my alley… model type 164 or maybe 62. I could get those in a 15 inch wheel, which I believe was stock for the type at the time.

I am also looking ver stock used Jeep wheels on things like Facebook marketplace. Can any of you please tell me what years would be compatible with the stock bolt pattern, wheel well size, etc.? I do come a Jeep background, but all Cherokees, this will be our first Wrangler.

What I am looking for is if any of you would steer me away from specific wheels, or suggest a larger diameter wheel for some reason? I don’t want to do this very often and would prefer to avoid messing it up right for the bat. I can go right on down to the tire shop and let me know what they want me to buy, but I would really prefer to have some knowledge about this and try to find some used stock (or stock looking) wheels if at all possible.

Thanks for your suggestions/advice and best regards to you all! Have a nice Sunday and thanks for your time…

Jason

 

[Duck Doctor]

1997-2006 TJ wheels will all fit. 1997-2002 we're all 15" wheels, 2003-2006 15" and 16" wheels were available.

 

[KennethS]

The lug bolt pattern in 5x4.5” and either 7” or 8” wide, depending upon the wheel version.

 

[TJRick]

The stock aluminum wheels that are correct for your 1998 model year are called Gamblers.

Gamblers are 15x8, and they were optional for 1997 - 1999 on Sport and Sahara models.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Hi to everyone! This is my first post to the forums. Technically, I don’t own my TJ yet, but will be picking it up on Tuesday! So, we’re pretty excited round here.

This is a boring post for some of you who have seen and dealt with these kind of things numerous times. I have read through the forums over the last 3-4 weeks, pretty much daily. But, I’ll be frank… I really don’t want to make any terrible mistakes and want to try to do things well, if possible.

So, first, my new to me TJ is a 1998 Sport, Flame Red, five speed. Ultimately, for us, it is going to be a pretty low key adventure vehicle. No Rubicon crossings, but plenty of dirt roads, a little mud, occasional 6-12 inches of snow, etc. We want to treat it with respect and try to avoid bashing it up too much at this point.

To that end, I am searching for original style wheels, aluminum. It currently has big, beefy black steel wheels and mudders on it. I have been searching for 5x4.5 Jeep stock wheels and I’ll get some three peak all terrains to go on it after I get new wheels and tires. I don’t believe it’s had a lift, just the largest wheels and tires they could make fit.

I did find some decent looking Ultras, they look pretty much right up my alley… model type 164 or maybe 62. I could get those in a 15 inch wheel, which I believe was stock for the type at the time.

I am also looking ver stock used Jeep wheels on things like Facebook marketplace. Can any of you please tell me what years would be compatible with the stock bolt pattern, wheel well size, etc.? I do come a Jeep background, but all Cherokees, this will be our first Wrangler.

What I am looking for is if any of you would steer me away from specific wheels, or suggest a larger diameter wheel for some reason? I don’t want to do this very often and would prefer to avoid messing it up right for the bat. I can go right on down to the tire shop and let me know what they want me to buy, but I would really prefer to have some knowledge about this and try to find some used stock (or stock looking) wheels if at all possible.

Thanks for your suggestions/advice and best regards to you all! Have a nice Sunday and thanks for your time…

Jason

There's a Factory Wheel thread with spec's here. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/wrangler-tj-factory-specifications.71/#post-183

 

[JeepRidge]

Thank you to you all! I appreciate this very much. If I could go after any of them it would be the Canyon model I bet, though the Gamblers also obviously appeal to me as well considering my Ultra wheel choices, ha!

I appreciate you guys, and will keep you in the loop on it. I’d imagine I’ll do a quick post when I get it hme safe, post a few photos.


Jason

 

[JeepRidge]

There's a Factory Wheel thread with spec's here. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/wrangler-tj-factory-specifications.71/#post-183

I really appreciate that, thanks! Bet I’ll see you on the road sometime!

 

[JeepRidge]

Thanks Rick! I was glad to get a good lead on that! Have a great night now…

The stock aluminum wheels that are correct for your 1998 model year are called Gamblers.

Gamblers are 15x8, and they were optional for 1997 - 1999 on Sport and Sahara models.

View attachment 701455

 

[PTMTJ]

I wish you were closer because I've got four OEM American Racing Gambler wheels, spacers, and a set of 31x10.5R15 Patagonia MTs with 600 miles on them just sitting in my garage collecting dust.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I wish you were closer because I've got four OEM American Racing Gambler wheels, spacers, and a set of 31x10.5R15 Patagonia MTs with 600 miles on them just sitting in my garage collecting dust.

WTJF discount and free shipping to Va? I hear those Patagonia tires are the best.

 

[PTMTJ]

WTJF discount and free shipping to Va? I hear those Patagonia tires are the best.

I really don't wanna ship them but say $200 bucks to someone who can use them? Spacers are 1.5" aluminum.

Original owner had installed 33x12.5 Dick Cepek MTs on the Gambler wheels without putting on the spacers at some point and put the spacers on after all the inner sidewalls got cut deeply by the spring buckets. After I bought it, I found out about it on a trip when I went to have the oil changed and needed tires asap to get me back home. A local shop had four 31x10.5R15 Patagonia MTs in stock thank god.

 

[JeepRidge]

I really don't wanna ship them but say $200 bucks to someone who can use them? Spacers are 1.5" aluminum.

Original owner had installed 33x12.5 Dick Cepek MTs on the Gambler wheels without putting on the spacers at some point and put the spacers on after all the inner sidewalls got cut deeply by the spring buckets. After I bought it, I found out about it on a trip when I went to have the oil changed and needed tires asap to get me back home. A local shop had four 31x10.5R15 Patagonia MTs in stock thank god.

I truly appreciate the offer friend… sadly, this groom was left at the altar today. After weeks of waiting for them to get the title in the mail and the promise of the sale, they backed out at the last minute due to sudden overwhelming emotional attachment and I am therefore still without my TJ. I’ll be visiting the bank again tomorrow to deposit the cash and I guess I begin searching again for my dream TJ. I am certain I’ll find one someday, but I’ve been looking for six months now and have had a couple close calls but a whole lot of “too far gone” or “junk piles” too. Oh well, I’ll let you all know when I finally get to join the vaunted halls of TJ ownership.

Thanks again guys… I can’t help but feel that buying a used car has changed a lot since I did it last. A whole bunch of “emo” people out there, wow.

Jason

 

[bdavid50]

Well that is a bummer. Keep looking, take your time and I am sure something will come along.

 

[JeepRidge]

Thank you! Sometimes good examples of survivors seem as rare as hens teeth. I can find junk piles sitting around but I don’t see the point in throwing $9k at something that needs another $7k to make reasonable and still have more time, effort, and money to need to throw at it. Out here on the Oregon coast there aren’t as many as I wish to find. I’ll keep an eye open, I am willing to go just about anywhere n the PNW. Time will tell!

 

[Verndawg]

The best deals are found when you have the patience to wait it out. Good ones show up, just not every day. When you find the right one you'll know it was worth it. Good luck!