In the current booming development of off-road sports, the performance of the wheel hub, as a key component in contact with the ground, directly affects the off-road experience and driving safety. Original wheels and modified wheels each have their own characteristics, and a deep understanding of the differences between the two can help off-road enthusiasts make a scientific and reasonable choice.
1、 Original wheel hub: the original guarantee of vehicle performance
The original wheel hub is developed by the car manufacturer based on the overall engineering design of the vehicle model, and is deeply compatible with the vehicle's suspension system, braking system, electronic stability system, etc. Taking a mainstream hardcore off-road vehicle as an example, its original wheels need to undergo virtual simulation analysis and real road testing during the design phase to ensure structural integrity and dynamic balance under extreme temperature environments ranging from -40 ℃ to 80 ℃ and maximum load conditions.
In terms of manufacturing technology, most original off-road wheels use low-pressure cast aluminum alloy technology. This process injects liquid aluminum alloy into a mold under low pressure environment to form a uniform and dense metal structure, which can meet the strength requirements of urban commuting and mild off-road driving, while controlling production costs. For example, the original 17 inch wheels of a Japanese off-road vehicle weigh approximately 9.5kg, ensuring both load-bearing capacity and fuel economy.
The parameter settings of the original wheel hub strictly follow the vehicle engineering standards. PCD (pitch diameter), offset (ET value), center hole size and other parameters are accurately matched with the vehicle shaft head and bolt hole positions to ensure dynamic balance and steering accuracy during vehicle operation. In addition, the appearance design of the original wheels is highly consistent with the body style, such as the Jeep Wrangler's original wheels, which complement the rugged styling of the body and enhance the visual recognition of the entire vehicle.
However, the design of original wheel hubs often needs to consider multiple scenarios, resulting in performance bottlenecks in extreme off-road conditions. During high-intensity rock climbing, the original wheel hub may deform due to insufficient impact resistance, limiting the vehicle's off-road capability.
2、 Modified wheel hub: a carrier for performance upgrade and personality expression
The modified wheel hub market can be divided into multiple levels based on technology and materials. The entry-level spinning casting wheel hub is processed by spinning the wheel rim on the basis of low-pressure casting, which increases the molecular density of aluminum alloy by about 15% and enhances fatigue resistance while maintaining lightweight. The spinning wheel hub of a certain domestic brand has reduced weight by about 2kg compared to the original wheel hub of the same size, effectively reducing the unsprung mass and improving the acceleration and braking response of the vehicle.
The mid to high end forged wheels are made of 6061 or 7075 aviation grade aluminum alloy, which is formed through multiple high-temperature forging processes. The internal grain structure is finer, and the strength is increased by more than 30% compared to cast wheels. These types of wheels are widely used in professional events such as the Dakar Rally, and can withstand severe impacts and twisting loads during off-road driving. In addition, carbon fiber composite wheels have gradually emerged in the high-end modification field due to their ultimate lightweight and high-strength characteristics, but their high manufacturing costs limit their popularity.
The modified wheel hub has higher degrees of freedom in terms of parameters and design. Users can improve the ground clearance of the vehicle by increasing the wheel hub diameter (such as upgrading from 17 inches to 18 inches) and using tires with a large flat ratio; Adjust the offset (such as changing from ET35 to ET0) to widen the wheelbase and enhance cornering stability. At the same time, personalized styling design meets the customized needs of car owners for vehicle appearance, from retro style to futuristic design, adapting to different aesthetic preferences.
3、 Comparison and professional advice on the selection of original and modified wheel hubs
In terms of performance, original wheels focus on full field adaptation and stability, while modified wheels focus on specific performance enhancements. For example, in desert crossing scenarios, modified wide negative rims paired with large-sized off-road tires can significantly improve grip and anti slip capabilities; However, the performance difference between urban and high-speed conditions is not significant.
Safety is the core consideration in wheel hub selection. The original wheels follow the strict quality standards of automobile manufacturers and have been certified by organizations such as VIA (Japan Vehicle Inspection Association) and T Ü V (German Technical Supervision Association). The modified wheel hub market is mixed with good and bad products. It is recommended to choose brand products that have passed ISO/TS 16949 automotive industry quality management system certification to avoid safety hazards caused by poor materials or process defects.
The modification of wheel hubs must strictly comply with regulations and technical specifications. In China, wheel hub modification requires ensuring that the dimensions and installation parameters comply with the original factory standards, and requires dynamic balancing and four-wheel alignment debugging by professional institutions. Taking a car owner's unauthorized replacement of oversized wheels as an example, due to the destruction of the original load distribution of the vehicle, the suspension system suffered premature wear and could not pass the annual inspection, and ultimately had to be replaced with the original factory configuration.
The selection of off-road wheels is an art of balancing technology and demand. Original wheels provide reliable basic performance, while modified wheels create possibilities for performance improvement and personality expression. Off road enthusiasts should rationally choose suitable wheel hub products based on usage scenarios, budget costs, and regulatory requirements in order to fully enjoy safety and fun while galloping in the wilderness.
