Rim cap replacement

['99WranglerSport]

Hi All,
FNG here. I'm looking to restore my '99 Wrangler Sport (it was put on its side during a black ice day). One of the caps to a rim is missing and I was looking to replace it but can't find a site online that has these rims. Does anyone know where I could find a new cap?

Eventually would like to get a lift kit and bigger tires on it, cosmetic work to restore it, and other misc stuff. It's a project and will take some time to save the $$$ to get the things I want done to it. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Chris]

Oh yeah, those rims are long out of production, I can guarantee that. I'm not even sure if those are factory Jeep wheels or not, but I don't think they are. Either way, you're going to have to look for markings or part numbers on the inside of the wheels, then look those part numbers up online to see what it gives you. Hopefully it will give you the name of the wheels, then you can search eBay for people who might have used spares. Other than auto wrecking yards, that's going to be your only hope.

As for a lift, it all depends on how you intend to use your Wrangler. The kind of lift you'll need for serious rock crawling will be a lot different than the kind of lift you'll need for just driving around town and looking good. What do you want to do with it?

 

[The Real Lxxtsy]

Use the one off your spare and get a spare tire cover and call it a day.

 

['99WranglerSport]

Hi Chris, the rims came with Jeep when I purchased it new in Dec 1998. It's been through hell and I didn't really take care of it during it's prime. But it's still clean and, with some work, can be awesome. As you can see, I kept it stock the whole time. I think I might use lxxtsy's idea and just take the cap off the spare and cover the spare up.

As for lift, driving around town and looking good, plus a functional lift for the trails here in Colorado when we go camping, Jeeping through the trails, rivers, etc. I don't see myself rock crawling.

 

['99WranglerSport]

lxxtsy, thank you for the simple solution....it'll probably save me time AND money.

 

['99WranglerSport]

For those 15' rims, is putting 33" tires on them to "beef them up" possible? Or wait and get the lift kit and get some new rims?

 

[Chris]

As for lift, driving around town and looking good, plus a functional lift for the trails here in Colorado when we go camping, Jeeping through the trails, rivers, etc. I don't see myself rock crawling.

My personal suggestion is to get a OME 2.5" suspension lift. That's an excellent lift (one of the best lifts you can get for our TJs) that won't break the bank and will ride better than stock!

 

[Chris]

For those 15' rims, is putting 33" tires on them to "beef them up" possible? Or wait and get the lift kit and get some new rims?

Putting 33" tires on them is often times done just for looks, but moreover the real reason behind it is because the bigger tire you have, the more clearance you'll have for off-roading. If all you plan on doing is driving it on-road, light trails, and stuff like that, I wouldn't go over 33" tires. 35" tires may look cool, but you're going to spend a ton of money to fit them properly, and they're 100% unnecessary unless you do some serious off-roading (i.e. rock crawling).

 

[UPJOHN]

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=372187601075

 

['99WranglerSport]

Thanks for the intel, Chris. When I was in the mountains, I bumped into a Jeep guy in a brewery and he suggested (I wrote it down to remember, lol) 4" lift, 33" tires, 456 gears and lockers. Does all that sound good, or some not necessary?

 

[Chris]

Thanks for the intel, Chris. When I was in the mountains, I bumped into a Jeep guy in a brewery and he suggested (I wrote it down to remember, lol) 4" lift, 33" tires, 456 gears and lockers. Does all that sound good, or some not necessary?

A 4" lift with 33" tires is one of the most common setups out there. However, the gear ratio (i.e. 4.56) depends on tire size, engine (i.e. 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder), and which transmission you have. However, based on the fact that you have a 99 TJ Sport, 4.56 sounds about right to me!

Be prepared though, if you want to run 33" tires and a 4" lift, you're going to spend several thousand dollars (probably upwards of $3000) to do it right. Add in another $1200+ to re-gear it.

These things aren't cheap, not by any stretch of the imagination.

 

['99WranglerSport]

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=372187601075

Thanks UPJOHN! Purchased.

 

['99WranglerSport]

Chris, is it something I could do in increments? (i.e. Get 33" tires on the current rims, then get a lift later, then change the gears next...) or does everything have to be done at once to work?

 

[dan lee]

I have those same rims on my 1998 TJ, there called a gambler rim, they have what your looking for on ebay, just make sure you measure them with some calipers before you order them. I have 33's on mine and love the look. 10.5" wide. A 2 inch lift and a 1.25 inch body lift

 

[Chris]

Chris, is it something I could do in increments? (i.e. Get 33" tires on the current rims, then get a lift later, then change the gears next...) or does everything have to be done at once to work?

Yes. You'd ideally want to get the lift first, then the tires, then the gears.

When you lift it 4" you'll either need a transfer case drop (the cheap method), or a SYE and DC driveshaft, which you can read more about here: The Official SYE (Slip Yoke Eliminator) Thread

 

['99WranglerSport]

I have those same rims on my 1998 TJ, there called a gambler rim, they have what your looking for on ebay, just make sure you measure them with some calipers before you order them. I have 33's on mine and love the look. 10.5" wide. A 2 inch lift and a 1.25 inch body lift

Hi Dan, that's awesome! Can you show a pic of what your Jeep looks like? I see you have the Chili Pepper Red as well. It's the best!

 

[dan lee]

Agree!

 

[The Real Lxxtsy]

lxxtsy, thank you for the simple solution....it'll probably save me time AND money.

You're welcome :beer-toast1:

 

[The Real Lxxtsy]

I'm running the same rims in black, love them.

 

['99WranglerSport]

Yes. You'd ideally want to get the lift first, then the tires, then the gears.

When you lift it 4" you'll either need a transfer case drop (the cheap method), or a SYE and DC driveshaft, which you can read more about here: The Official SYE (Slip Yoke Eliminator) Thread

Chris, any thoughts on the Teraflex lift?