4 Styles Of Wheel Fitment - All Top Types of Fitment
Introduction
In the wheel game, there are all sorts of fitments, which means you've probably seen the meme where they talk about Hella fail and Hella flush and stance and dropped and slammed and maxi. I don't know why there are all these different names, but when you break it down, there are four major types of wheel fitment. We decided that we would talk to you about it today because that kind of what we do as a business in our name HULK OFFSETS. That's the plug.
Tucked Fitment: What It Is and When It's Used
Tucked fitment occurs when the wheel and tire fit inside the stock fender. Now, you can achieve that with aftermarket fenders as well and this setup is particularly common in air suspension vehicles. The goal is to make the car look wider and lower, often with a flat-profile wheel. To achieve this look, the wheel’s offset needs to be higher to bring the wheel inside the fender. The tucked setup is commonly found on vehicles with air suspension, though it can also happen by mistake.
For a tucked fitment, you may need to roll your fenders to avoid rubbing the tires, and narrow wheels with flat-facing profiles are usually preferred. Although it’s not the most common setup, when done right, it gives a sleek look—especially on sport compacts like an Audi TT.
Key Considerations for Tucked Fitment:
- Requires air suspension or precise fitment calculations
- Higher offsets and narrow wheels are typical
- Often requires fender rolling to avoid tire rub
2. Flush Fitment: Achieving the Perfect Alignment
Flush fitment is when the wheel is positioned perfectly level with the fender, with both the wheel and tire fitting seamlessly. This setup is common in track-oriented builds, as it provides a great balance between aesthetics and performance. Achieving flush fitment requires careful calculation of wheel offset and tire size, as small mistakes can lead to tucked or poke fitments instead.
A flush fitment creates a more aggressive, strong look, and it maximizes tire and wheel space. It’s perfect for those looking to enhance both the appearance and functionality of their vehicle.
Benefits of Flush Fitment:
- Best for track-oriented setups
- Maximizes tire and wheel space
- Requires careful offset and tire size calculations
3. Poke Fitment: The Aggressive Look
Poke fitment occurs when the wheel extends out beyond the fender, creating a bold and aggressive look. While some see this as a mistake, poke fitment actually has a long history in the drag racing community, where wider wheels were used on the rear axle for better grip. Over time, the car community adopted this style for its rugged, aggressive appearance.
Poke fitment is often seen in muscle car builds and some pickup trucks, giving them a more aggressive stance. However, it can cause issues if not done properly, like rubbing against fenders and tire wear.
Considerations for Poke Fitment:
- Popular in muscle car culture and other vehicle types like pickup trucks
- Can cause rubbing and tire damage if not properly done
- Requires smaller offsets to create the poke effect
4. Stance Fitment: The Aesthetic and Performance Balance
Stance fitment is the most aesthetic-driven type of fitment, often involving a combination of the other three fitments. It’s all about achieving the perfect look by adjusting things like camber, toe, and suspension components. While it’s not just about appearance, stance fitment tends to prioritize style over pure function.
This type of fitment involves more than just fitting the right wheel and tire; it often requires camber adjustments, suspension tweaks, and air suspension systems to get the desired look. Stance fitment is the most complicated to achieve, but when done correctly, it’s often the most visually striking.
Characteristics of Stance Fitment:
- Involves camber, suspension adjustments, and air suspension
- Primarily driven by aesthetics but can have performance benefits
- Requires more work and adjustment than the other fitment styles
Conclusion
Each of these four-wheel fitment styles—tucked, flush, poke, and stance—has its own unique advantages and challenges. Whether you're looking for performance or aesthetics, there’s a fitment style that will suit your needs. Be sure to consider things like suspension type, wheel offset, and tire size to achieve the perfect look for your vehicle.
FAQ’s
What is wheel fitment, and why is it important?
Wheel fitment refers to how a wheel and tire align with the vehicle’s fender, affecting aesthetics, performance, and safety.
How do I decide which fitment style is best for my vehicle?
Choose based on your goals: sleek look (tucked), balance of style and function (flush), aggressive stance (poke), or aesthetic-driven (stance).
What tools or modifications are typically needed for a specific fitment style?
Tucked fitment may require air suspension and higher offsets, flush needs accurate measurements, poke requires lower offsets, and stance needs camber adjustments and suspension tweaks.
Does changing the fitment affect vehicle performance?
Yes, different fitments impact handling, grip, and tire wear. Some setups, like flush, improve performance, while others may reduce tire lifespan.
Are there any risks associated with incorrect wheel fitment?
Incorrect fitment can cause tire rubbing, uneven wear, suspension damage, and poor handling. Proper measurements are key to avoiding these issues.