I bought a set of Raceline Raptor 981's and the hub bore is 78.3mm and the stock wrangler hub on my 2013 jku is 71.5mm one of the Vendors Motorsport tech makes custom hub rings but they are $25 a piece so seems kind of high and they are made from aluminum and I know aluminum has a tendancy to gall onto steel so I am worried that they would not hold up. Are they necessary or not? I am running 265/75-16's so not big rubber and my tire/wheel combo is about 75lbs. One thing that makes me a little nervous is the raceline raptors have to use a pretty slim lug nut as they are recessed. Any thoughts?

 

Anytime can run hub-centric you are better off than lug-centric, the pressure is on the hub direct and it is truly centers. Lug centric the lugs have all the pressure on them and not always going to be perfectly crnterd. So I would say yes for 100$, get them.

 

Yes, you need them.

Make sure the ring and hub are spotlessly clean, then use a liberal amount of Never-Seize on them both and you'll be good to go.

 

didn't take much convincing I ordered a set. I guess $100 really is cheap insurance in the long run.

 

False.

They aren't needed.

 

after doing as much research as i could and just not liking how small the lug nut clamping area was on the Racelines I think I made the right choice and while they may not be 100% necessary I could not find there is no downside and only positives from using them.

 

I feel they are needed. I'd rather keep it as hub centric as possible. If you lose a lug or they loosen up, the wheel will still run true.

 

Yeah, it's definitely all positives. I wouldn't advocate not doing it. Just don't want to worry those without them.

 

follow up the rings arrived today (3 weeks since ordering) they look quality and fit very snug which I think is the point. I know I feel better having them on.
without


with

 

Wise investment...