When you need a new rim or want to upgrade your wheels, it's important to understand bolt patterns. A bolt pattern is the measurement of a circle that's formed by the lug holes in the wheel. An example of a bolt pattern would be a 5-5" bolt pattern. In this scenario, the wheel has five lug holes that form an imaginary circle with a diameter of five inches.
When upgrading the wheels on a Jeep Cherokee XJ, it's important to know this bolt pattern. Wheels with an incompatible lug pattern can't be put on the vehicle.
What are the Different Bolt Patterns?
Every vehicle has a unique bolt pattern and the Jeep Cherokee XJ is no exception. Beginning production in 1983, it was manufactured for one generation until 2001. While there are many trim levels to choose from, the wheel bolt pattern never changed throughout its production.
The Jeep Cherokee XJ typically has a 5-4.5" wheel bolt pattern. This means that the Jeep Cherokee XJ has five lug nuts and the diameter of the imaginary circle is 4.5 inches. In millimeters, the Jeep Cherokee XJ has a wheel bolt pattern diameter of 114.3 millimeters.
Keep in mind that aftermarket wheels will also have different wheel patterns than OEM wheels. Jeep Cherokee XJs are also older Jeeps, so there might be suspension or wheel upgrades that alter the wheel bolt pattern. In these cases, it's wise to count the lug nuts and measure the diameter of the circle to be sure.
It's also important to note that dual bolt pattern wheels are another option for Jeep Cherokee XJs. Dual bolt patterns are unique when compared to the other patterns. What makes these patterns unique is their design. A dual bolt pattern wheel will have holes drilled for multiple lug patterns. Therefore, these wheels will fit on more than one vehicle.
Many aftermarket manufacturers make dual bolt patterns because they fit more vehicles. Plus, the other holes can be filled to give the wheel a flush appearance.
Are the Bolt Pattern Grades for Specific Use?
Yes, bolt pattern grades are for specific use. Bolt grades come from the material a bolt is made of and the load the bolt can handle. For example, a bolt grade of eight is better than a bolt grade of five. While bolt grades with lower numbers are fine for some applications, they're not useful for automotive components.
Automotive applications require durable bolts and strong lug nuts because of the force produced by the wheels. When wheels are rotating they generate a lot of energy, so lug nuts need to be strong enough to remain in place. Loose lug nuts are a liability that may result in an accident or damage to a vehicle's axle and suspension.
The most common bolt grades for automotive lug nuts are 8 and 10. However, some aftermarket lug nuts will have grades of 12.9 (metric). The material also matters here. Aluminum bolts have been shown to perform better than some other materials like stainless steel or chrome-plated steel.
How to Choose Rims Based on Bolt Pattern
When choosing new wheels for your Jeep Cherokee XJ you need to know the bolt pattern first. The bolt pattern determines what wheel will fit. The good news is that it's not hard to find your vehicle's lug nut pattern.
To begin, take a look at the wheel of your Jeep Cherokee XJ and count how many lug nuts it has. Typically, a Jeep Cherokee XJ will have a bolt pattern of 5-4.5" (5-114.3 mm) but this depends on the year, make, model, and engine size.
Once you've counted the lug nuts it's time to measure the diameter. Depending on the bolt pattern there are different ways to measure the diameter. For Jeep Cherokee XJs, you'll have to measure five lug nut bolt patterns but it's helpful to know the process for each type in case you have aftermarket components.
On vehicles with four lug nuts, you measure in a straight line from one lug nut to another. However, for five lug nuts, you need to measure from the back of one hole to the center of the hole across from it. Six-lug bolt patterns and eight-lug bolt patterns have the same measuring process. Simply measure the two lug nuts that are across from each other to calculate the diameter.
After measuring the lug pattern you can start to shop for wheels. Make sure you only shop for wheels that fit your vehicle's lug pattern. Still, you may have luck with dual bolt pattern wheels that are designed to match your vehicle's bolt pattern. An example would be a dual bolt pattern of 5-115/130mm. It fits on wheels with bolt patterns of 5-115mm through 5-130mm.
At Morris 4x4 Center, you’ll find a fantastic selection of wheels to choose from that fit your Cherokee XJ exactly. Need advice on fitment or style? Our experts are always willing to help.
