[Happy Jack]

Just traded in my 2000 GC Laredo for a new 2014 Summit after 140,000 miles without a single problem (my 5th Jeep) and love the new vehicle. Went to the dealer to catch the end of the year deals, and found the Trail-rated Limited I was interested in had just sold! I do moderate and occasionally very technical back roads here in AZ, and the off-road ability has always been the point of owning a Jeep, for myself. And important to feel secure, miles from nowhere, despite punishing rocks (lots of them in AZ .

They convinced me to look at the Summit "as it has all the same abilities", and sure enough, it has skid plates, rear differential lock, Quadratrac II, Quadralift suspension....and 20" wheels. Thought I would replace the tires with beefier ones at some point, only to find that it is not possible. 265/50/R20 is basically all that will fit in the wheel well!!! Felt really stupid. From what I read, these are not very durable for rough "off road" use and I think Jeep is a little deceptive classifying it as such. Called the dealer right away, he is unable to trade out the wheels for 18" -ers on another vehicle, as they are reportedly by law bound to offer the Jeep as it is on the sticker. Admit they look sharp, but that's not my main interest.

So here's my question: Anyone out there in AZ have a fairly new GC with 18" wheels and tires that would like to trade straight across for the 20" set?

 

[ZenDriver]

To be fare to the manufacturer (and possibly to damn the salesperson), the Summit is specifically NOT Trail Rated. It has inferior approach and departure angles relative to the other trims due to the lower front and rear fascia. Also the air suspension basically precludes a suspension lift.

That said, I have a Summit myself and it's a pretty good compromise between well-mannered on the road and reasonably effective on the trail. So maybe what get a set of 18 inch steel wheels with dedicated tires for the trail, and keep the factory wheels/tires for the road.