Wrangler JK wheels for my Comanche

[JimiGibbs]

Have a chance for a set of JK wheels and tires at a good price...... Are they a direct fit to my 1989 Comanche? I've seen a lot of information but no definite YES or NO.

Thanks,Jimi

[Pete M]

you most definitely need wheel adapters to run JK rims.

[JimiGibbs]

Thanks.... I thought so and I found this great link with all Jeep bolt patterns. The cost of the spacers offset the good deal on the wheels.

 

https://www.quadratec.com/c/reference/wheel-bolt-patterns-typical-lug-nut-torque-specifications

 

[75sv1]

I run WJ/JK 5 on 5 on one of my XJs. I did the WJ Big Break upgrade. I used the hub bearing unit on the front D30. I still had/have to use spacer/adapters on the rear. I do have a Ford 8.8 on the rear. I do have a Yukon kit to 'upgrade' the Ford 8.8 to a floating axle. It does have the option of going to 5 on 5. Some states do not allow to use psacers. I think PA is one of them. 

[Billabob]

15 minutes ago, 75sv1 said:

I run WJ/JK 5 on 5 on one of my XJs. I did the WJ Big Break upgrade. I used the hub bearing unit on the front D30. I still had/have to use spacer/adapters on the rear. I do have a Ford 8.8 on the rear. I do have a Yukon kit to 'upgrade' the Ford 8.8 to a floating axle. It does have the option of going to 5 on 5. Some states do not allow to use psacers. I think PA is one of them. 

Which hub did you end up running to get a 5 on 5 pattern? I believe the WJ hub will not work since its for CV axles. Your Yukon kit will give you a 5 on 5.5 pattern by the way, not the 5 on 5 you desire.

[ghetdjc320]

2 hours ago, 75sv1 said:

I run WJ/JK 5 on 5 on one of my XJs. I did the WJ Big Break upgrade. I used the hub bearing unit on the front D30. I still had/have to use spacer/adapters on the rear. I do have a Ford 8.8 on the rear. I do have a Yukon kit to 'upgrade' the Ford 8.8 to a floating axle. It does have the option of going to 5 on 5. Some states do not allow to use psacers. I think PA is one of them. 

 

Interesting, I’ve seen a lot of different tech on this regarding the proper offset of the WJ unit bearings in the xj d30. So you’re running stock WJ unit bearings with the 5x5 pattern? Any issue running this? 

[DirtyComanche]

2 hours ago, Billabob said:

Which hub did you end up running to get a 5 on 5 pattern? I believe the WJ hub will not work since its for CV axles. Your Yukon kit will give you a 5 on 5.5 pattern by the way, not the 5 on 5 you desire.

 

The CV axle thing doesn't matter, or shouldn't.  You can run the ZJ CVs in an XJ/MJ axle.  The WJ ones should still fit either hub, just they're obviously not the right length (WJ axle is wider).

 

I'm guessing he probably used the whole knuckle out assembly...  At least that's likely what I would have done, assuming you wanted the steering option too.

[75sv1]

On 4/9/2022 at 4:57 PM, ghetdjc320 said:

 

Interesting, I’ve seen a lot of different tech on this regarding the proper offset of the WJ unit bearings in the xj d30. So you’re running stock WJ unit bearings with the 5x5 pattern? Any issue running this? 

No, issues. The main aspect if not doing the WJ setup, is you'd probably have to use the 2000-up rotors. I have not done that, so theory at this point.

 

'Which hub did you end up running to get a 5 on 5 pattern? I believe the WJ hub will not work since its for CV axles. Your Yukon kit will give you a 5 on 5.5 pattern by the way, not the 5 on 5 you desire.'

    I used the hub from a WJ. Its 5 on 5. It has the same height as a 2000-up XJ or TJ hub. It should bolt up to an XJ/ZJ D30 knuckle. As above you'd need to use a 2000+ XJ rotor. On a WJ Big Brake upgrade, and using the WJ knuckle, you have to weld on a 1/4 spacer. That will space the u-joint of the axle shaft in the proper axis. 

    Also, I will be trying to 'upgrade' the WJ BB upgrade, latter this year. Cobra Marty used a 13 inch rotor from a Mustang, and I remember a Dodge Dakota Caliper. I am looking at one of the New Cherokee or other Jeep for a rotor that spaces correctly and is 13 inches. With a 17 inch rim, it should clear. I do run a WJ with 16" rims from a 2000 XJ presently. Also, could do the same with 5 on 4.5 with Liberty part. Again, theoretical, as I have not done this yet. If anyone wants to try, I'll look at parts. 

[dasbulliwagen]

On 4/9/2022 at 5:32 PM, DirtyComanche said:

 

The CV axle thing doesn't matter, or shouldn't.  You can run the ZJ CVs in an XJ/MJ axle.  The WJ ones should still fit either hub, just they're obviously not the right length (WJ axle is wider).

 

I'm guessing he probably used the whole knuckle out assembly...  At least that's likely what I would have done, assuming you wanted the steering option too.

 

You need to look into the CV axle thing, because I'm pretty sure the WJ splines at the hub are larger than the XJ/ZJ ones and will not connect. This would require adapting the different hubs to make it work if keeping it 4wd. 

[DirtyComanche]

4 hours ago, dasbulliwagen said:

 

You need to look into the CV axle thing, because I'm pretty sure the WJ splines at the hub are larger than the XJ/ZJ ones and will not connect. This would require adapting the different hubs to make it work if keeping it 4wd. 

Personally I wouldn't bother to do it.  However, the book says they're both 27 spline, and Dana really only uses one spline profile* on anything modern, so there is a very high likelihood they're both the same size.  There is potential for other issues, such as the stub length being wrong, or the shoulder diameter being different, which isn't data that appears to be readily published.  JK axles went to a larger (30 spline) hub and outer, as I recall it, which would likely be the cause for confusion if nothing else is different.  Also, my source info can be wrong.

 

I had actually researched this to some extent as is was one of the ideas I'd had for the front axle for my current build, and there was some evidence that it had been done and worked.  Then I realized it was stupid idea anyway as I really wanted the increased width of the WJ axle.  Then I realized the WJ axles are low pinion and decided the whole thing was not worth pursuing, but there is WJ people that have swapped in HP center sections in what could only be described as pure insanity.

 

 

*I may eat that in that JL axles, along with the latest Superduty stuff, may not use the same spline profile as the standard Dana spline pressure angle isn't efficient and there was effectively free strength gains to be had by changing it, but they hadn't done this by the time of the WJ.  Dana tends to make only incremental changes and not redesign everything as a block, unless there is a distinct reason too.  The JL axles appear to have been a complete redesign, whereas the latest Superduty stuff has significant changes with Ford changing their requirements regularly.