Alloy vs Steel wheels

[Rummie]

You can wheel with either. You can go back and forth all day but bottom line is both work fine. Differences in my mind are more to do with weight and looks. I like a more traditional look and went with steel. They have been wheeled and have a few dings. I don't care. And they look pretty good with some Moab dirt! Just get what you like and don't worry too much about it imho.

Sponsored

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You can wheel with either. You can go back and forth all day but bottom line is both work fine. Differences in my mind are more to do with weight and looks. I like a more traditional look and went with steel. They have been wheeled and have a few dings. I don't care. And they look pretty good with some Moab dirt! Just get what you like and don't worry too much about it imho.

Looks more like a utility vehicle or truck than a show vehicle.
You mean - GASP - you actually bought it to USE it?

 

[Gren71]

Exactly another reason I prefer the steel ones over alloy. I don't think saving 14lbs a wheel is really much savings honestly but who knows I guess it could make a .02mpg difference if that matters to you.

Id bet that 14lbs per wheel would make a bit more difference than 0.02mpg haha the added 14lbs would be like going to an e rated tire in an oem size. And more weight takes more power to move. Not exactly the debate for this thread but a 14lbs weight change would make a difference.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

That's a misleading image. That type of damage is from someone wheeling on a flat tire for a few miles. An alloy would look just as bad if wheeled in rocks flat. Johnson Valley is rough no doubt, but it looks like some tried to hit every rock with their rim.

any one of those chunks would have deflated the tire.

Do tell us more. The pic doesn’t lie.

 

[rharr]

Do tell us more. The pic doesn’t lie.

you telling me that is your wheel and it held air with those dents?

 

[MoxiesDad]

Id bet that 14lbs per wheel would make a bit more difference than 0.02mpg haha the added 14lbs would be like going to an e rated tire in an oem size. And more weight takes more power to move. Not exactly the debate for this thread but a 14lbs weight change would make a difference.

I'm not sure where this 14 lbs. difference came from. I just wanted to share that on my Rubicon, the factory alloy wheel weighs 23.5 vs the factory steel spare wheel weighs 24.7, difference of 1.2lbs.

 

[Gren71]

I'm not sure where this 14 lbs. difference came from. I just wanted to share that on my Rubicon, the factory alloy wheel weighs 23.5 vs the factory steel spare wheel weighs 24.7, difference of 1.2lbs.

Good to know! Ty

id have to skim back but im pretty sure the member that mentioned 14lbs different was referring to steel wheels he found online elsewhere. Though I could be mixing threads…ive been on a several hour google hole of tire and rim research

 

[stil2low]

I run procomp series 97 steelies on mine, ran them on my JL as well
I’m dayshift today but can weigh the difference between them and one of my old JK’s alloy wheels that has the same 35 on it I’m running for comparison

I personally like the steel wheels, not a huge problem if I gouge them on rocks. Cheap to replace

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I'm not sure where this 14 lbs. difference came from. I just wanted to share that on my Rubicon, the factory alloy wheel weighs 23.5 vs the factory steel spare wheel weighs 24.7, difference of 1.2lbs.

I mentioned it in earlier, i was just referring to what the specs said on the websites comparing alloy wheels and steel wheels i was looking at. I do know that my buddies Alloy wheels for his JT are significantly lighter than my steel wheels on my JT. I can't tell you the exact weight difference but I k ow it's more than a pound or two, probably closer to 8 to 10 lbs

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I run procomp series 97 steelies on mine, ran them on my JL as well
I’m dayshift today but can weigh the difference between them and one of my old JK’s alloy wheels that has the same 35 on it I’m running for comparison

I personally like the steel wheels, not a huge problem if I gouge them on rocks. Cheap to replace

Those are the ones I'm looking at. Just curious, did they come with the center caps or did you have to buy them separately, if so what was the total price for them. I'm just wanting to get everything lined up. Appreciate any help.

 

[syreeves]

The problem is steel bends too easily. Easier than cracking an alloy wheel.

Hardcore off-road people do not run steel wheels.

I respectfully disagree with your comment that hardcore off road people do not run steelies. Steel wheels are very tough and one of their main advantages is that when aired down if you really bang a rock and bend it, you can hammer it back into shape (trail repair - not perfectly round of course) and keep moving. Allow wheels are hard to crack for sure, but IF you do you are screwed. No trail repair. Steel wheels are the original overlanding wheel - think about landrovers and land cruisers in Australia and Africa 30 years ago.

In fact I'd go so far as to say that the genesis of the black wheel trend was cheap black steelies you see on so many old school overlanding rigs.

I ran steelies on my 2003 LR Discovery and they were cheap ($90ea in 2009) and easy to take care of. I rattle canned them every couple of years with rustoleum flat black. Never had an issue.

Finally, see for example:

 

[wannajeep]

What do you guys prefer and why?​

I'm old school so I like the look of a steel rim but prefer alloy because they're generally lighter weight and less likely to go out of round. The downside is allows will tend to corrode with age, and are more brittle.

If you want an alloy rim with a steelie look check out the Fifteen52 Analog. Weighs 27.5 lb.

 

[stil2low]

Those are the ones I'm looking at. Just curious, did they come with the center caps or did you have to buy them separately, if so what was the total price for them. I'm just wanting to get everything lined up. Appreciate any help.

I did have to order them with the wheels, but they were only 8-10$ Canadian each. I don’t remember the exact price all together off hand, I just remember the caps came to about $40 bucks. I run beads in all my wheels as well, not a fan of the stick on or clip on weights up here. Constantly lost them wheeling and had to bring it back in to rebalance

 

[unsocbl]

I have no complaints with the Quadratec wheels I'm running (they also come in black). I avoid steel due to the rusting./bending factors. Lots of gravel/rock roads trails here and I hate touching up wheels. Not sure what backspacing you're looking for , but these stick out a bit (4.75" backspace):

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I did have to order them with the wheels, but they were only 8-10$ Canadian each. I don’t remember the exact price all together off hand, I just remember the caps came to about $40 bucks. I run beads in all my wheels as well, not a fan of the stick on or clip on weights up here. Constantly lost them wheeling and had to bring it back in to rebalance

I appreciate that. Love how they look on both your jeeps.

Sponsored