| Best Choice |
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Ion Alloy 171 Black Wheel | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Value |
|
Ion Alloy 71 Machined Wheel | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
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Ion Alloy 174 Black Wheel | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
Ion wheels are designed for trucks and SUVs, and they are distributed by The Wheel Group, which is based in Ontario, California. Ion wheels look great on hot rods, pickups, as well as dually trucks, such as the Dodge Ram 3500, Ford F350, and Chevrolet 3500.
Some of the company’s most popular wheels are the 171 and 174 series. The 141 gloss black and 184 satin black rims are also a favorite. You can find matte black wheels, chrome wheels, and more from Ion. If you’re looking for the best Ion wheels on the market, you’ve come to the right place. Check some of them out in our buying guide below.
The Best Ion Wheels
These 15-inch black machined wheels are also available in 16-, 17-, 18-, and 20-inch diameters and in matte black and polished finishes. They have an oversized stepped lip and come with an Ion-branded center cap. They have a load rating of 3,300 pounds and meet OEM, SEA, and several other standards.
These wheels have the right amount of offset, which sticks the tires out giving your truck a better appearance. They come out just slightly from the wheel well for a wider, more pronounced stance. They look great, whether you drive a Dodge Ram, Dodge Dakota, an XJ, Chevy van, or Ford Ranger. They are made of high-strength aluminum alloy and provide extra caliper clearance.
- 15 inches
- Black with machined lip
- One-piece cast aluminum alloy
- Hub bore: 83.8mm
- Brand Ion Wheels
- Model 171
- Weight 19.46 pounds
Wider, more pronounced stance
Look great
High-quality
Lug nuts and hub-centric rings not included
Center caps are cheaply made
Do not fit some vehicles
These 15-inch wheels with a stepped up lip and machined finish are also available in 14-, 15-, and 16-inch diameters and come with a center cap. They feature a 10-hole modular circle with bolt studs on the inner rim. They are made of aluminum alloy, have a 2,200-pound load capacity, and are designed with enough space for brake calipers.
The finish is really nice, and the center caps are metal, not cheap plastic. They are one of the best Centerline-style wheels available for the price. They are really nice and clean, fit perfectly, and are a great value. They make a big difference in the look of your truck.
- 15 inches
- Machined finish
- 2,200-pound load capacity
- One-piece cast construction
- Brand Ion Wheels
- Model 71
- Weight 19.13 pounds
Center caps are metal, not plastic
Look nice and clean
Great value
May be hard to balance
Center caps may not fit or may fall off
Lug nuts and valve stems not included
These 16-inch black wheels with machined lip are also available in 15-, 17-, and 18-inch diameters and in a black finish. They feature eight oval cutouts, a stepped inner rim, and a simulated beadlock lip. The center cap is chrome with the Ion emblem. These one-piece wheels are lightweight yet strong and comply with several standards.
The wheels look really good and have a great finish and cool styling. They are definitely worth the price. They have a nice offset and make your tires stick out farther than stock, which creates an awesome stance on a variety of vehicles, whether it’s a Grand Cherokee, Jeep TJ, Dodge Ram, or a Chevy pickup.
- 16 inches
- Black with machined lip
- 2,500-pound load capacity
- One-piece cast aluminum alloy
- Brand Ion Wheels
- Model 174
- Weight 25.7 pounds
Great finish and styling
Awesome stance due to offset
Worth the price
Center caps crack easily
Only fit certain vehicles
Beadlock is for style, not function
This 15-inch black with machined-lip wheel also comes in a 14-inch diameter and is made of a single piece of cast aluminum alloy. It features six angled spokes, a studded lip, and a deep lip with a machined finish. The wheels come with matching center caps.
The wheels are strong, lightweight, and are excellent performers on and off-road. They look and fit great, are a great price, and are real head-turners.
- 15 inches
- Black machined finish
- 2,500-pound load capacity
- One-piece cast aluminum
- Brand Ion Wheels
- Model 136
- Weight 20 pounds
Strong and lightweight
Look and fit great
Good price
May not look like the photos
Brake assembly may need modification for fit
This 18-inch black wheel with machined face and lip also comes in 16-, 17-, and 20-inch diameters and a matte black finish. Its eye-catching design features six twin dishes with spokes and Ion-branded center caps. The lip has a simulated machined surface and studs. They are built from high-strength aluminum alloy.
The wheels have a striking two-tone finish and look good on all kinds of trucks and SUVs, including Jeeps, Fords, and Chevys. They also turn a boring work truck into a cool fun truck. The wheels look much better than they do in pictures, and it looks as though you paid more for them than you actually did.
- 18 inches
- Black with machined face and lip
- Offset: 30mm
- One-piece cast construction
- Brand Ion Wheels
- Model 179
- Weight 29.1 pounds
Striking two-tone finish
High-quality aluminum
Look better in person than in pictures
Lug nuts not included
Rims may bind on calipers on some vehicles
Center caps are cheaply designed
This 16-inch black beadlock wheel is also available in 15-, 17-, and 20-inch diameters and is designed for off-roading. It’s made of high-quality aluminum through an advanced monoblock cast method to ensure durability. It features six twin-spoke patterns and a machined beadlock styling. The wheels also come with center caps.
The wheels are thick, and the rock guard is part of the wheel, not a piece that is bolted on to the wheel. They fit well and look great. They have a load rating of 3,300 pounds each, and you can run them through mud holes, over rocks, and on gravel roads without worrying that they’ll get scratched. They’re easy to clean, and the finish holds up over time.
- 16 inches
- Black with machined lip finish
- One-piece cast construction
- 3,300-pound load capacity
- Brand Ion Wheels
- Model 133
- Weight 22.4 pounds
Excellent styling
Easy to clean
Durable
Lug nuts not included
Beadlock is for style, not function
Center caps may not fit properly
Best Ion Wheels Buying Guide & FAQs
Wheels are an integral part of a vehicle. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to move your Jeep or Ford. Wheels also impact a truck’s performance and ride quality. There are many well-known wheel manufacturers, including American Racing, Mazzi, Mickey Thompson, and Ion Wheels. Ion Wheels has been around for nearly two decades, and its aftermarket wheels are popular among pickup truck enthusiasts, off-roaders, and other 4×4 fans.
If you want to know the ins and outs of Ion wheels, read our buying guide below. We list the benefits of Ion wheels as well as the features you should consider before you invest in a new set. We also answer some commonly asked questions and provide some tips so your Ion wheels stay in tip-top condition.
Why Do You Need Ion Wheels
Why settle for boring, factory wheels when you can upgrade to a more stylish design? Ion alloy wheels totally transform the look of your ride. They come in several bolt patterns, widths, and sizes as well as a variety of finishes, from satin black, gloss black, matte, and chrome to silver and matte gunmetal.
Some models have machined or milled spokes and accents on the face or lip, which further compliment your truck or SUV. The wheels are modern, robust, and affordable, which makes them particularly appealing. They also come in classic styles as well as eight-spoke designs, so there’s bound to be a set that works for you.
Ion wheels are high-quality and sturdily constructed to provide excellent handling both on and off the road, whether you drive a Jeep, truck, or SUV. If you want something tough and gritty, Ion wheels are the way to go.
- They transform the look of your truck, SUV, or Jeep.
- They come in a variety of sizes and finishes.
- They are high-quality and affordable.
Types of Ion Wheels
Different wheel manufacturers produce different types of wheels. Ion Wheels makes aluminum alloy wheels, which are often referred to as alloy wheels. Most modern custom-made wheels are made from aluminum-based alloy. They are available in several sizes and finishes. While they are up to 99 percent alloy, they often include traces of magnesium and silicon.
- Aluminum Alloy
Alloy wheels are lightweight and strong and are pretty good at withstanding heat. They are more appealing than steel wheels and are often preferable due to their performance, aesthetics, and gas mileage. Alloy wheels are either cast or forged, the latter of which is extra light and strong but more expensive. Ion alloy wheels also come in a variety of finishes. Chrome is bright and shiny, while polished wheels exude a mirror-like shine. Machined finishes are also very common on alloy wheels.
What to Look for When Buying Ion Wheels
There are several things you need to consider before you buy a set of custom wheels. Simply choosing the most eye-catching design is not enough. You must also look at the size, bolt pattern, and offset, among other things. Once you nail down the specs, you can have fun choosing a style that appeals to you.
- Size
Many drivers opt for bigger wheels than stock because they like the way they look. In general, you can increase or decrease the size of your wheels by about an inch. For example, if you have 17-inch wheels, you can go up to 18 inches without too much issue, and this can provide better handling.
However, a vehicle’s suspension and springs are only rated for the factory wheel and tire setup. If you get the wrong wheel size, it can cause suspension and handling problems. Also, the brake calipers and rotors don’t have much clearance to begin with, so if you choose a wheel that’s a lot smaller than stock, it may not fit correctly over the brakes.
- Center Bore
The center bore is the hole on the back of the wheel, and it’s measured in millimeters. Aftermarket wheels tend to have a standard-size center bore based on brand, but hub sizes vary depending on the vehicle model. When the hole exactly matches the hub, it is precisely positioned and called hub-centric. Stock wheels are typically hub-centric.
When you purchase aftermarket wheels, such as Ion wheels, you often need to use hub-centric rings to lock them in place. This minimizes vibration. Lug-centric wheels need to have the proper torque to be centered properly. To find the center bore measurement, measure the hole using a caliper or ruler.
- Bolt Pattern
The lugs are responsible for keeping your wheels attached to your vehicle. The wheel lugs form a bolt pattern/bolt circle on the wheel. Wheels can have four to eight lug holes. For example, if a wheel has a 5×135 bolt pattern, that means it has five bolt holes, and the diameter of the circle is 135mm.
The bolt circle diameter is also known as the BCD. The BCD and number of holes indicate what the bolt pattern is. You need to use a wheel that has the identical bolt pattern that is featured on the original equipment wheel.
- Offset and Backspacing
You want your wheels to fit correctly in the wheel well so they don’t rub the fender or other parts of your vehicle. That’s why you need to look at the offset and backspacing. When the wheel’s mounting surface lines up with the centerline, it has zero offset. When the mounting surface is closer to the wheel face, it has a positive offset. When the mounting surface is located towards the back of the wheel, it has a negative offset.
Backspacing is the distance between the wheel’s innermost lip and the mounting surface. Both of these measurements are important to ensure that the wheel is compatible with your vehicle.
- Design
People typically buy new wheels because they want to transform the look of their vehicles. The outboard face or “spider” is the look and design of the wheel. You can choose aggressive-looking wheels or glossy, sleek ones, depending on your personal preference.
Ion wheels come in several different finishes, such as polished, matte black, black with machined face, chrome, and satin black. The type of finish you choose depends on your personal preference and the type of vehicle you drive. What looks good on a Ford Mustang may not work on an off-road vehicle such as a Jeep Wrangler, for example.
Tips for Buying and Using Ion Wheels
There are a few other things you should keep in mind when you’re shopping for new wheels. Just like tires, wheels have a load rating that is related to the wheel’s construction and bolt pattern. Forged wheels typically have the highest load rating, followed by aluminum wheels and steel wheels. Wheels with larger bolt circles and more lug nuts have higher load ratings because they can better distribute the load.
Also, be careful when you’re driving so you don’t damage the wheels. Curbs and potholes are your enemy. Avoid hitting them as well as manhole covers and other obstacles because they can bend and seriously damage your wheels and cause both cosmetic and structural issues.
In addition, make sure to clean your wheels properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you use the wrong cleaning agents, they can damage the wheels.
- Check the load rating.
- Avoid potholes, manhole covers, and other road hazards.
- Clean your wheels with the recommended cleaning agents.
Best Ion Wheels FAQs
Buying new wheels for your vehicle isn’t a complicated process. Once you know the specs, you can begin your search. However, you still may have some questions about wheels in general, such as the installation process and whether it’s safe to drive on new wheels right away. See some answers to some commonly asked questions in the FAQs below.
One of the most important things to look at is the vehicle’s lug pattern. Check with the manufacturer to make sure the wheels will fit properly.
If you install them by yourself, make sure they are properly aligned; otherwise, they won’t feel quite right. Magnets will ensure they are balanced.
You can if you have the right tools. If you don’t, you should have a mechanic do the job so the new wheels aren’t damaged or bent.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick is the Ion Alloy 171 Black Wheel with Machined Lip. These wheels come in a variety of sizes and finishes, and they meet several standards. They give your truck or SUV a more distinct stance and look really good overall. They’re also designed to provide extra caliper clearance.
