There is also the problem of fitting large tires on Cherokees without them rubbing on the body, control arms, rear sway bar, etc. Different offsets move the tire in or out of the wheel wells, but most off-the-shelf wheels are available with backspacing only at 3.5" or 5.5". Wheels that have a 5.5" backspacing are stock spec and work fine for smaller stock tires, but don't provide the clearance necessary for taller/wider tires to fit without rubbing suspension componentsd. A wider stance also gives you more stability. Another benefit of smaller backspacing is that the wheel offset puts the center of the steering axis at the inside edge of the tire. As a result, the front tires roll forward and backward as they steer, reducing steering effort substantially and adding longevity to your steering components.

On the flip side, 3.5" wheels push things out too far. The tires will get onto your sheet metal and seriously limit articulation. Backspacing under 4" can also put too much stress on the wheel bearing and cause premature failure. Finally, these wheels generally provide an unwanted super wide look reminiscent of the low-rider crowd.

Custom backspaced wheels provide the balance needed to get the perfect backspacing for your wheels. This is where Rocky Road comes in. Their custom backspaced wheels are available in offsets of 1/4" increments. The ideal setup for Jeeps is between 4-5". The experts at Rocky Road can help you determine what backspacing will best fit your tire size. The custom backspaced wheels from Rocky Road are available in several different models for your Cherokee and start at under $50 each!