Top Off-Road Wheel Companies in 2021 – Beadlock, Non-Beadlock & Hybrid Wheel Options

Pictured: Relations Race Wheels (Gunmetal) RR5-Smooth

Top Off-Road and Overland-Focused Wheel Companies

Buying aftermarket wheels is one of the best ways to personalize your vehicle and make it your own. However, it can be challenging to find the perfect wheel that you want with all the options out there.

With all the brands and wheel designs, it can be hard to know where to start. In this post, we will go over some of the best options in 2021 and 2022 for 5th Gen 4Runner and generally speaking the Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Tundra, and any other off-road building running 16″ or 17″ wheels.

There are a few things to consider when making your selections. First, you need to know what your budget is, aftermarket wheels run from $200-$400+ per wheel so you have to know where you stand financially. After that, consider what you use your 4Runner for.

If you are a daily driver and need to keep a higher mpg,  some of the heavier wheels will weigh you down and harm your performance. If you are running a trail-focused rig, you may want to run beadlocks, however, do your research before you run bead locks because they may not be DOT-approved and your state may require DOT-approved wheels. There is a lot of controversy on bead locks and whether or not they are street-legal. Some say they are illegal because they are not DOT-approved and many others say there is absolutely no law stating that you cannot run beadlocks.

Here is the California Official Statement on 2-piece wheels: https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3326.html

We will let you decide whether or not you want to run them on the road. In any case, if you don’t want to run a true beadlock, you can always run the faux beadlocks – what’s becoming more popular in 2021 is hybrid beadlocks.

What are hybrid wheels?

Hybrid wheels can be run as both a traditional street wheel or a true beadlock. These come with a rock protection ring which can be bolted to the bead of the tire giving you the option to run a true beadlock. All the while you can still mount your tire’s bead on the inner portion of the wheels lip – like a traditional street wheel.

A good example of a hybrid wheel is the new Relations Race Wheels Hybrid RR2-H (Hybrid). That’s their new line of forged wheels. They also make a more affordable version that’s not forged. You can browse all their 4Runner wheels here.

1. Lock Off-Road

Find Them Online:

• Lockoffroadwheels.com: Check Prices

LOCK OFFROAD WHEELS combines 30 years of expertise in quality wheel manufacturing with innovative design to deliver unmatched off-road performance. They have a proprietary T.A.C.T. (Tough-Application-Chemically-Treated) coating that ensures that your wheels withstand the toughest elements, maintaining their stunning finish. With bold designs and popular colorways, our wheels not only enhance your vehicle’s appearance but also provide uncompromising durability.

Based in Vernon, CA, they have a 300,000 sq ft facility equipped to distribute our wheels nationwide to dealers and fast shipping to the end-user. Engineered for light to medium trucks and SUVs like the 4Runner, each LOCK wheel boasts load ratings from 2,500 to 3,700 lbs, with unique step positions for optimal seating in low-air-pressure environments.

2. Relations Race Wheels

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• RRW Wheels: Check Prices

Relations Race Wheels has some of the highest quality wheels on the market. This wheel company doesn’t have as many designs as Fuel or Black Rhino, but they do offer some stunning minimalistic yet intricate wheel designs.

If you are looking for an uncommon bright color wheel design you won’t find it here, but if you are an off-roader who wants the best of the best, Relations Race Wheels are for you.

Relations makes forged monoblocks, which are the strongest wheels on the market. To create a forged monoblock wheel, they take one piece of aluminum and put it under intense heat and pressure. Then, they CNC (computer numerical control) cut the wheels into the final product. This process strengthens the grains of the metal and creates a singular, lightweight, but extremely strong wheel. These wheels are more expensive but that is because of the processes they have to go through.

A mall crawler doesn’t need forged monoblocks hybrid beadlocks, but an off-road enthusiast should certainly consider them.

Relations Race Wheels was founded in 2015 by a group of off-road enthusiasts who wanted to provide high quality off-road wheels for affordable prices. Since then, the company has grown to offer a full line of wheel designs, as well as metal armor, seat cover and much more. RRW is owned and operated by its tight-knit group of employees, all who share the same passion for off-road rigs and the adventures that come with them. -Relations Race Wheels

Relations Race Wheels does offer sets of regular cast wheels. They are affordable, well-designed wheels that look good without doing too much. With different options for different lifestyles, Relations Race Wheels is a great option for just about anyone!

3. Black Rhino Wheels

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• Black Rhino Wheels: Check Prices

Black Rhino is one of the top competitors in the wheel market right now. They have one of the largest assortment of wheel choices to choose from. From on-road to true beadlocks, Black Rhino has a wide variety of wheel types as well.

They have some of the best-priced wheels out there, especially considering the high-quality designs and durability of their wheels. They have a selection of true Beadlock wheels that can take some serious damage out on the trails, but they also have plenty of affordable wheels for any mall crawlers out there.

Black Rhino Truck Wheels are designed, engineered and manufactured expressly for stock and lifted trucks and SUVs. Trucks aimed at off road enthusiasts typically range from 17 to 20 inch diameter, with the negative offsets that provide a wider, more stable ride. – Black Rhino

Black Rhino also creates a really nice buyer’s experience. It can be hard to really know what the wheels you are viewing would look like on your vehicle. That’s where Black Rhino comes in, they offer a wheel configurator on their site.

With such a wide variety and fair prices, it’s hard to beat Black Rhino Wheels. These wheels are built for optimal performance and can definitely handle anything you throw at them. Make sure you consider Black Rhino before purchasing a set of wheels for your 4Runner.

4. Dirty Life Wheels

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• Dirty Life: Check Prices

Dirty Life is another innovative wheel company influencing the competition in their own way. Dirty Life designs wheels and sponsors a number of off-road racing teams. So, they make some seriously high-quality wheels. Their goal is to provide extremely durable and long-lasting wheels for any environment – especially in harsh conditions. Whether it be snow and ice or sand and rocks they have got you covered.

Designed, developed, and engineered by some of the world’s top wheel minds, Dirty Life Race Wheels creates the most reliable wheels available for race and street applications. We employ cutting edge technology and the most advance engineering to shape a meticulous wheel that delivers substantial quality and steadfast performance in the most rigorous environments.

On some of their wheels, Dirty Life uses what is called “Dual-Tek” technology. Basically, the wheels will function on-road with street-legal tires, but when you decide you want to go offroad the wheels can function as beadlocks (also known as hybrid beadlocks). This feature is great for those who use their 4Runner for both on-road and off-road use on a regular basis.

Dirty Life also has a wheel configurator on their website similar to the one Black Rhino offers. So, if you want to see a rendering of the wheels you are viewing on your 4Runner you can. This feature is really cool, especially if you can’t find the wheels at a local showroom or gallery.

5. Stealth Custom Series Wheels

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• SCS Wheels: Check Prices

Stealth Custom Series Wheels combine simplicity with ingenuity. They have a small selection of wheel choices, but they design some of the highest quality wheels on the market. With a limited production of wheel types, the team at SCS is able to focus on the quality of the wheels over the quantity.

Designed in California, SCS Wheels are manufactured by one of the largest alloy wheel producers on the map. With world-class facilities and inspection equipment, SCS Wheels are engineered and test under the highest standards in the industry. Every wheel design we create is approved by JWL, JWL-T, and VIA to ensure uncompromised quality. -Stealth Custom Series Wheels

SCS falls into the mid-tier price range at about $250 per wheel. They don’t offer a ton of new wheels or super unique designs. However, it’s hard to beat the quality and durability that SCS provides.

The downside to this company is that they have offered the same wheel designs for years, not much has changed here.

6. KMC Wheels

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• KMC Wheels: Check Prices

Founded in 1981, KMC Wheels has been in business for quite a while. It is nearly impossible to stay in business that long without making some really good products.

What you get with KMC really varies based on your selection. They have cheaper wheels for the mall crawlers, but they also have some high-end, heavy-duty wheels for those who push their vehicles to the limits.

KMC is a great brand to consider, and they offer some really killer designs.

7. Method Race Wheels

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• Method Wheels: Check Prices

Method Race Wheels are an extremely popular brand in the off-road community. They offer a large selection of high-quality, but decently priced wheels for your vehicle.

Method Race Wheels has quite a few beadlock wheel options as well. They offer true beadlocks and faux beadlocks. True beadlocks are just that, actual beadlock wheels. Faux beadlocks are made to look like beadlocks but they don’t have quite the same strength and durability. However, the faux beadlocks can still be used for offroading so don’t be discouraged if they catch your eye.

These wheels are pretty affordable. They range from $200-$250 and while that’s not the cheapest it is still a really good deal for quality wheels. Method Race Wheels are reliable and will get the job done day in and day out.

8. Fuel Offroad Wheels

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• Fuel Wheels: Check Prices

Fuel Offroad is one of the most trusted names in the offroad wheel business. Since 2009, Fuel Wheels has been offering hundreds of wheel designs for offroaders and on-roaders alike. They are more popular among Jeeps than Toyotas, but they are still very common among the entire off-road community.

Fuel offers tons of different wheel types, from one piece to 3-piece to forged wheels. There are plenty of options to chose from.

If you are looking for a unique set of wheels that no one else has, take a closer look at Fuels. They put out tons of new wheels annually, constantly adding new designs to the market. These wheels look great and are more than durable enough to stand the test of time.

Established in 2009 by MHT Luxury Alloys, one of the most trusted and time-tested names in the business, Fuel Off-Road has been capturing the attention of off-road enthusiasts with our cutting edge designs, fitments, and technological advancements. Fuel Off-Road manufactures the most advanced off-road wheels, offering the latest in design and engineering innovations on the market. -Fuel Offroad

Fuel has some of the more expensive wheels on the market at about $50 more per wheel than some of the other higher-end wheel brands. It just depends on what you need the wheel for and what you are willing to spend.

All in all, they have been a top contender on the wheel market for a while now and don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

9. Work Wheel USA

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• Work Wheels: Check Prices

Work Wheels is another company to consider when looking into aftermarket, custom wheels. Founded in 1977, Work Wheels has been around for over 43 years now. That is a long time to be in business so they have to be doing something right.

This brand is not as well-known as Fuel or Black Rhino in the off-road community, but they still have some high-quality wheels that might fit your style. Work Wheels does not produce beadlocks, if you are in search of beadlocks you will have to look at another company. Instead, they focus on creating unique 2-piece and 3-piece wheels.

If you are looking for something different that no-one else has, consider a set of Work Wheels. However, if you need some super heavy-duty offroad wheels you’ll need to stick with others.

10. Enkei Wheels

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• Enkei Wheels: Check Prices

Enkei has become the main competitor when it comes to making lightweight wheels. Everybody likes heavy-duty off-road wheels, but they can be really heavy. This can take a toll on your mpg’s and vehicle performance.

These wheels have simplistic designs and lighter weight to create an overall more functional wheel.

Since its formation in 1950, Enkei’s history has been continuous challenges and adventures to deliver the most innovative and the highest quality wheels to top racers and car enthusiasts. Today, Enkei has grown to be the number one aluminum wheel manufacturer to satisfy demand from leading automakers and aftermarket wheel users around the world. One step forward. With its courage to take the next step ahead of others, Enkei continues to strive to exceed the expectations of the most demanding drivers. -Enkei

If you are looking for an aftermarket wheel that won’t affect your performance but still looks great, consider Enkei Wheels.

11. Rays Wheels

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• Rays Wheels: Check Price

Rays Wheels is another brand of wheels to consider. While they specialize in racing wheels, they do make SUV/Truck wheels that will fit the 4Runner.

This is an overseas company, however, these wheels are not made in China they are made in Japan.

An integrated in-house production system is indispensable in realizing the principle of “Quality First.” Rays believes that it is essential for all of its personnel to work with one accord so that they form “Team Made in Japan.” RAYS places greater value in the term “Made in Japan” than the term itself suggests. -Rays Wheels

Since Rays Wheels is primarily for racing vehicles, they are constantly adapting their wheels to better fit the needs of vehicles.

Basically as the average horsepower and weight of SUV/Trucks changes over time, so will the design of the wheels that they make. Rays has a large selection of spoke designs, color variations, and diameter sizes to better fit your needs.

12. Raceline Wheels

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• Raceline Wheels: Check Prices

Raceline Wheels carries some of the most inexpensive, yet high-quality wheels on the market. Some of their cast wheels start at just $150 a wheel, $600 a set. This is really impressive because it can cost at least $1000+ to get high-quality offroad wheels elsewhere.

Founded more than 20 years ago as a manufacturer of specialty wheels for the off-road racing segment, Raceline’s passion for performance continues to inspire its entire product line. Customers can count on Raceline for performance-driven technology and exceptional quality in aftermarket wheels in a range of styles and fitments for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, and UTVs. – Raceline

They also carry beadlocks for about $350 per wheel. They don’t have many design options on those, but that is fairly inexpensive when it comes to beadlocks.

If you have a lower budget or you want to save your money for other projects consider Raceline Wheels for your 4Runner.

Final Thoughts

LOCK OFFROAD BAJA | 17X9.0 | -12mm | 4.530 Backspace | 32 LB

You might still be wondering where to buy your next set of wheels. If you plan to do some heavy off-roading, make sure you look into beadlocks or forged monoblocks. If you plan to do 90% on road 10% off you should still look into faux beads or traditional cast wheels.

In the end, it comes down to what you want. Wheels can make or break your build, literally. So find what works best for you and your lifestyle.