Jeep Wrangler lug nut torque by year
The JL Wrangler (2018 on) is 130 ft-lb (176 N·m) on M14 x 1.50 studs with a 22 mm socket, and the swing-gate spare carrier is a separate 59 ft-lb (80 N·m). The JK before it used 1/2" x 20 studs: 95 ft lbs (130 N·m) in the 2008–2013 manuals and 100 ft-lb (135 N·m) in 2016–2017.
Contents7 sections
Key takeaways
Jeep Wrangler lug nut torque by year
| Model years | Variant | Torque | Stud | Owner’s manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005TJ (1997-2006) | all (flat-tire procedure) | 95 ft-lb130 N·m | – | Page p.241 / printed p.241 'Jacking and Tire Changing' step 9“Correct wheel nut tightness is 130 N·m (95 ft. lbs).” |
| 2008JK (2007-2018) | all (flat-tire procedure) | 95 ft-lb130 N·m | – | Page p.371 'Jacking and Tire Changing' step 9“Correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N·m).” |
| 2011JK (2007-2018) | all (flat-tire procedure) | 95 ft-lb130 N·m | – | Page p.493 / printed p.491 'Jacking and Tire Changing' step 9“The correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N·m).” |
| 2013JK (2007-2018) | all (flat-tire procedure) | 95 ft-lb130 N·m | – | Page p.554-555 'Jacking and Tire Changing'“The correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N·m).” |
| 2016JK (2007-2018) | all | 100 ft-lb135 N·m | 1/2" x 20 | Page p.583 / printed p.581 'Torque Specifications'“100 Ft-Lbs (135 N·m) 1/2” x 20 19 mm” |
| 2017JK (2007-2018) | all | 100 ft-lb135 N·m | 1/2" x 20 | Page p.431 / printed p.429 'Wheel And Tire Torque Specifications'“100 Ft-Lbs (135 N·m) 1/2” x 20 19 mm” |
| 2018JL (2018-) | road wheels | 130 ft-lb176 N·m | M14 x 1.50 | Page p.505 / printed p.503 'Torque Specifications'“130 Ft-Lbs (176 N·m) M14 x 1.50 22 mm” |
| 2018JL (2018-) | spare tire carrier (swing gate) | 59 ft-lb80 N·m | M14 x 1.50 | Page p.505 / printed p.503 'Spare Tire Torque Specifications'“59 Ft-Lbs (80 N·m) M14 x 1.50 22 mm ... Spare tire torque is for the spare tire carrier located on the tailgate.” |
| 2021JL (2018-) | road wheels | 130 ft-lb176 N·m | M14 x 1.50 | Page p.353 / printed p.351 'Wheel And Tire Torque Specifications'“130 Ft-Lb (176 N·m) M14 x 1.50 22 mm” |
| 2021JL (2018-) | spare tire carrier (swing gate) | 59 ft-lb80 N·m | M14 x 1.50 | Page p.353 / printed p.351 'Spare Tire Torque Specifications'“59 Ft-Lb (80 N·m) M14 x 1.50 22 mm” |
| 2026JL (2018-) | road wheels | 130 ft-lb176 N·m | M14 x 1.50 | Page p.355 / printed p.353 'Wheel And Tires - Torque Specifications'“130 ft-lb (176 N·m) M14 x 1.50 22 mm” |
| 2026JL (2018-) | spare tire (swing gate) | 59 ft-lb80 N·m | M14 x 1.50 | Page p.355 / printed p.353 'Spare Tire Torque Specifications'“59 ft-lb (80 N·m) M14 x 1.50 22 mm” |
Values as printed in the manufacturer’s owner’s manual for the year shown, not converted. Years between two checked manuals of the same generation are assumed to share the value. Open a row to read the exact wording.
What the owner’s manual says
- Re-check: After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut/bolt torque to be sure that all the lug nuts/bolts are properly seated against the wheel.
- Re-check: After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut/bolt torque to be sure that all the lug nuts/bolts are properly seated against the wheel.
- Threads: Use only your Authorized Dealer recommended lug nuts/bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening.
- Threads: Use only your authorized dealer recommended lug nuts/bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening.
- Threads: Use only authorized dealer recommended lug nuts/bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening.
What changed between generations
The Wrangler changed both stud and torque at the JL, and the JK changed its own value partway through:
- TJ (2005 manual): 130 N·m (95 ft. lbs), printed metric-first in the flat-tire procedure 6.
- JK, 2008, 2011 and 2013 manuals: “The correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N·m)” 5 7 8.
- JK, 2016 and 2017 manuals: a torque table gives 100 ft-lb (135 N·m) on 1/2” x 20 studs with a 19 mm socket 4 9. We have not pinned down whether the change came in 2014 or 2015.
- JL, 2018 on: M14 x 1.50 studs, 22 mm socket, 130 ft-lb (176 N·m), the same in the 2018, 2021 and 2026 manuals 1 3 2.
A JL set to an old JK number is badly under-torqued. Some charts still give the older JK-era range for every Wrangler from 2011 to 2026. Mopar prints 130 ft-lb (176 N·m) for the JL.
The JL spare is its own spec. The torque table lists the spare tire carrier at 59 ft-lb (80 N·m) on the same M14 x 1.50 thread 2. The 2018 manual says the carrier is “located on the tailgate”, and later manuals call it the swing gate 1. Don’t torque road wheels to 59, and don’t put 130 on the carrier.
Re-check and thread condition
From the 2016 JK on, the manuals say: “After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut/bolt torque to be sure that all the lug nuts/bolts are properly seated against the wheel” 4 2. Their table note reads “Use only authorized dealer recommended lug nuts/bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening” 3. The older flat-tire procedures give only the torque. Tighten in a star pattern and finish with a torque wrench (lug nut tightening guide).
Years we have not checked
We have not checked the 1997–2004 TJ, the 2007 and 2014–2015 JK, or the 2018 JK carryover manuals. No Wrangler owner’s manual lists an oil drain plug or brake caliper torque.
Sources
- 1Jeep, 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL) Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 2Jeep, 2026 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 3Jeep, 2021 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 4Jeep, 2016 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 5Jeep, 2008 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 6Jeep, 2005 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 7Jeep, 2011 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 8Jeep, 2013 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
- 9Jeep, 2017 Jeep Wrangler Owner's ManualChecked 21 Oct 2026
Spotted a value that doesn’t match its source? Report an error
Related
- JeepJeep lug nut torque chart: Wrangler JL and Grand Cherokee at 130 ft-lb (176 N·m) on M14 x 1.50, Cherokee and Compass at 100 ft-lb (135 N·m) on M12 x 1.25.
- Jeep Grand CherokeeJeep Grand Cherokee lug nut torque by year: 130 ft-lb (176 N·m) on M14 x 1.50 since 2014, 110 ft-lb in the 2011–2012 WK2 and 95 ft-lb for the 2010 WK.
- Ram 1500Ram 1500 lug nut torque by year: 130 ft-lb (176 N·m) cone nut on M14 x 1.50 studs from 2012 to 2026, incl. Classic, plus 2008 and 2011, from Mopar manuals.
- Toyota TacomaToyota Tacoma lug nut torque by generation: 83 ft-lb (113 N·m) for 2016–2023, 85 ft-lb (113 N·m) for 2005–2015, 83 ft-lb (110 N·m) before, from Toyota.