I want to start by saying I have done lots of reading but still unsure the way to go.

I got a crazy deal on some rims and tires but later found out the bore is about 81mm vs the 71.5 on the Jeep.

I know I can just use lug nuts and center then but would I be better off with hub rings to take up the space?

 

You will be fine using the lug nuts to center the wheels, 99% of aftermarket wheels are lug centric so they can fit a wide variety of vehicles.

 

It is the lugs that hold the wheel in place, not the fit on the hub which is never tight anyway. Go for it

 

Yep, These are not really heavy enough to worry about it.

 

It must be you've never messed around with old Chevy trucks. I've had to beat on them with a sledgehammer to get them off the center hub, front AND rear!

 

Me too... Some fit much tighter than others and end up gluing themselves on. lol

But I have also run "universal" large bore aftermarket wheels on every make without any issues. All the old white spoke, chrome spoke, and modular steel wheels had a bore big enough to fit over four wheel drive hubs but worked fine on smaller centers with just the lugs.

 

There are exceptions to every rule. Add to that list my flat bed ATV hauler. But by in large, the rule holds

 

The other size of that coin is I've drag raced with lug-centered wheels with no problems. Just check the torque regularly.

 

Yep me too. Even the old BUDD nut system on 80,000 lb trucks worked fine for many many years before the new hub pilot systems came out. And they were center on lug systems. Thicker aluminum wheels changed that trend or we would still be using it.