It’s a wonderful thing you’re carefully considering the wheel size you install on your 4×4 vehicle.
However, we understand how difficult it can be to identify if a 17-inch or 18-inch wheel would be ideal.
Many people discuss the differences between these two options, such as the “on-road” handling, changes related to more roll and less stability, etc.
It is clear you’re debating rims at this point. We’ve created this simple guide to explain 17” and 18” rims, how they work on most 4×4 vehicles, and their pros and cons. This should give you a clearer idea of which to choose.
Key Takeaways
This will be a concise guide because we are simply breaking down the two options to help you understand them better.
But if you’re short on time, you should at least know that:
- 17-inch rims and 18-inch rims refer to the diameter of the wheel, measured from one side to the other across the center, in inches.
- If the vehicle is primarily used for off-roading, 17-inch tires with larger tires will be a better choice.
- For a mix of on-road driving with occasional off-roading, 18-inch rims may balance aesthetics and functionality.
- Switching from your current 18-inch tires to 17-inch tires will give your vehicle about a 1/2-inch lift. However, because of the change in tire size, your speedometer may show 1-2 mph slower than your actual speed.
- Discounted Wheel Warehouse, one of America’s top online stores for tires and rims, offers affordable, high-quality 17-inch and 18-inch rims for 4×4 vehicles.
Before we continue into more detail, I have to quickly mention that the type of tire you choose will affect the smoothness of your ride and the handling of your vehicle more than the size of the rim.
Any difference in comfort or handling between 17-inch and 18-inch rims with the same tires will be tiny and hardly noticeable.
However, if you upgrade to 20-inch rims with thinner sidewalls and performance tires, you’ll feel a bigger difference in ride quality and handling.
That said, even with 18-inch rims and tires with a 60-aspect ratio, you’ll still have enough sidewall to handle big bumps comfortably.
There are many ways to approach this, so in the following sections, we’ll consider the two options and compare them based on off-road performance, comfort, style, and even fuel efficiency.
Understanding 17-inch rims for 4×4
The diameter of a 17-inch wheel is 17 inches wide across. The sidewall (the part of the tire between the rim and the road) tends to be thicker.
This gives the tire more cushion to absorb bumps and impacts, especially for off-road or rough roads.
These rims may look smaller than 18-inch ones, but the tires can look bigger and chunkier. So, most 17-inch rims have an element of rugged appearance.
Understanding the 18-inch Wheel for 4×4
The wheel is 18 inches wide across, as it implies. The sidewall is usually thinner compared to 17-inch tires. This can make the tire stiffer, meaning it doesn’t absorb bumps and the thicker sidewalls on 17-inch rims.
But since the sidewall is thinner, you might feel more of the road, especially on rough surfaces. However, on smooth roads, the ride is generally fine.
Many 18-inch rims are often stylish and modern because they fill up more space in the wheel well. This design gives vehicles a sportier, more aggressive look.
Tires for 18-inch rims are usually more expensive because of their size and performance characteristics.
Comparing 17-inch and 18-inch rims
When deciding between 17-inch and 18-inch rims for a 4×4 vehicle, you’ll have to consider these factors:
1. Off-Road Capability
17-inch rims typically allow for more tire sidewall (since the overall tire diameter can remain the same with a larger tire profile). This can and will improve off-road performance.
A larger sidewall helps absorb impacts from rough terrain. In other words, there’s better traction and a reduced risk of tire or rim damage when off-roading.
On the other hand, most 18-inch rims provide a lower profile tire that reduces the sidewall height.
The reduced height will indeed have a positive impact on steering responsiveness and on-road handling.
However, it now compromises off-road capability as there is less sidewall to absorb shocks from uneven surfaces.
2. Ride Comfort
You can focus on 17-inch rims if you want an option that can absorb more bumps.
The large sidewall makes the vehicle more comfortable on rough terrain by absorbing more bumps.
With less sidewall, rides on the 18-inch rim can be a bit stiffer since there’s less material to absorb shocks, especially noticeable on rougher roads.
3. Tire Options and Availability
17-inch rims generally offer a wider range of off-road tire options, often larger with deeper tread patterns, suited for rough terrain.
However, 18-inch rims are more common for all-terrain or highway-focused tires, although some off-road options are available.
4. Aesthetics
17-inch rims can give the vehicle a more rugged, utilitarian look, especially with large, knobby off-road tires.
For example, options like the Black Rhino Armory and Method MR315 have aggressive looks and different tread profile grooves typical for 17-inch rims.
18-inch rims are often seen as more stylish, so they tend to give 4×4 vehicles a sleeker appearance—think of models like the Platinum 459 Retribution and even cheaper options like the Mazzi 371 Stilts.
This is very common when you fit with low-profile tires, but this comes at the cost of off-road capability.
5. Fuel Efficiency
Larger sidewalls in 17-inch rims can sometimes increase rolling resistance.
We’re not saying this translates to fuel economy, but it can slightly reduce fuel efficiency compared to lower-profile tires on 18-inch rims.
Due to less rolling resistance, 18-inch rims will offer marginal improvements in fuel efficiency, though the difference isn’t that significant.
Which Wheel Size Should I Choose for My 4×4?
With the same overall tire size, a 17-inch wheel gives you more rubber between the road and the rim than an 18-inch wheel.
This is useful for off-road driving because it provides a softer ride but may cause more body lean when taking sharp turns.
On the other hand, 18-inch rims have less rubber between the road and rim, giving you less body lean and a sportier feel when driving aggressively.
For trucks and off-road use, 16-inch rims are actually better, while 17-inch rims offer a middle ground. In general, 18-inch rims are a better choice for on-road driving unless you’re increasing tire size.
You can also use larger tires on 18-inch or 20-inch rims to get more rubber between the rim and the ground.
Quick Tips:
- You can keep the same overall tire height and width with rims as small as 15 inches or as large as 20 inches by choosing the right tire size.
- The main differences are the amount of rubber between the road and the rim and the size of the hole in the middle.
Finally…
It’s really about the thickness of the sidewall.
Thinner for handling and thicker for ride quality. Some prefer smaller rims to reduce weight and rotational inertia for better acceleration and braking.
Going with 17s will provide much more available tire size choices and pricing.
Going from your current 18-inch tire size to the 17-inch tire size will net you 1/2″ lift, but due to the tire diameter increase, the speed will read 1-2 mph slower than the actual speed.
Overall, you want to be sure you’re buying a high-quality wheel, no matter the size you choose.
Where to Buy an Affordable 17-inch and 18-inch Wheel?
At Discounted Wheel Warehouse, we’re proud to be America’s go-to online shop for tires and rims.
You can browse through our collection of affordable, high-quality 17-inch rims and 18-inch rims for 4×4 vehicles to make your choices.
With over 850+ brands to choose from, there’s more than enough variety to meet any budget. We guarantee the lowest prices + fast shipping on top-quality, authentic rims and tires.
While our aftermarket truck rims are available in various styles, our built-in search tool can help you find the right wheel for your truck’s specifications and model.
