That's a new one.

 

Always believed XJ & ZJ wheels were interchangeable. Curious now, because I've got some ZJ wheels, so next time I've got a back wheel of an XJ I'll see what happens if/when I try to fit it.

 

The online references show the XJ and ZJ both had 71.5mm center bores. So that is a bit odd.

 

If they are supposed to be the same dimensions, does anyone think corrosion on the rear axle hub could be 1/16" thick on a never off roaded, always garaged XJ? The GC wheels seem to fit OK on the fronts.

 

I would've thought if that were so, it'd make taking the OE wheels off a pita.
Did you not clean the mating surfaces Y particularly the centre as a matter of course, before fitting the ZJ wheels, or trying to?

 

Excellent, so that's something I got right.

 

No, just pulled steelie off and tried GC wheel.

 

I put Wrangler wheels on my 87 ...same centers, just used new nuts (same studs)...

 

Somethings not right.

 

Any chance there are centering rings pressed into ZJ wheels? A leftover from being used on something else along the way?

In Blue's defense, I'm assuming he was under the mistaken impression that all cast wheels use flanged face "mag" lugs (which incidentally do require the center bores to match). The wheels on my wifes Tacoma are interesting. The wheels and lugs use the mag style lugs, but the spare is a steelie that has a tapered seat. The nose of the mag lugs has a taper on it. It looks pretty funny when you put the spare on, but it works.

 

No centering ring on ZJ wheels, just solid wheel material. I'm thinking of taking a wire wheel to hubs and see if cleaning surface rust will make a difference.

 

This would have been the first thing I tried...

 

Problem solved. A few minutes with a wire wheel cleaned the hub enough to allow the GC wheels and XJ lug nuts to fit properly. As they are a hub centric wheel, I was surprised that the little corrosion that was present was enough to prevent proper fitment.

Thanks to all respondents for sharing their knowledge and helping me learn about my first Jeep.

Mark

 

That's^^^ why they fit so tight. Because they ARE hub centric.