Upgrading a small set of stock rims to a larger set of rims is one of the oldest, most common changes that car owners make to their cars. This is often the easiest, most straightforward way to effect a dramatic visual change to the vehicle's exterior. Thanks to the popularity of this upgrade, installing larger wheels on your vehicle is generally pretty easy.
Determine what size rim you want to install on your vehicle. Though the trend on recent years has been to fit the largest wheel and tire package possible, keep in mind that this is not always the best idea. A wheel that is too large can make the steering heavier, negatively impact fuel economy, cause clearance issues with the vehicle and look downright silly. Generally, going two to three inches larger in diameter and an inch or two wider is better then replacing your stock 16-inch or 17-inch wheels with 22-inchers.
Make sure you get the correct bolt pattern and offset. The bolt pattern be can four, five or even a six-lug pattern, so make sure you buy the right one. It is also very important to buy the correct offset wheel, which will affect if the wheel will fit properly. The offset is how far in or out the wheel sits in relation to the suspension. The wrong offset can cause tires to rub against the bodywork or the suspension.
Loosen the lug nuts for the old wheel. Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and finish removing the old wheels. Install the new larger wheel and tire package. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Check for tire clearance by running your hand between the tire and the fender opening. The tire should not be touching the bodywork of the vehicle anywhere. If it is, you may be able to get away with rolling the fender a little, which is bending the inside of the fender lip a little to make room for the tire. This should be done by someone familiar with the process to avoid damaging your vehicle.
