Donair
Jeeper
Large, with the works
Posts: 306
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Post by Donair on Dec 27, 2004 8:10:39 GMT -4
Howdy.
I'm curious as to why a lot of you seem to prefer steel wheels over the stock aluminum wheels?
I currently run the stock XJ aluminum ones with all of the little holes in them but am planning on getting some new tires soon (in hopes of getting out on the trails soon) and am wondering if now is a good time to consider buying some steel-eeze or if my stockers will be fine. Usually, I'm of the mindset; don't fix it if it ain't broke.
So .... is it ... Strength? Durability? Style? Replacement price? Something to do with "offset"?
Thanks
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Post by havnfun on Dec 27, 2004 8:47:49 GMT -4
Donair, from my experience the decision to go Steel over aluminum has mostly been cost of wheel. Your Stock aluminum wheels are fine unless you get into running a wider tire that doesn't fit on the stock wheel. This is where price comes into play. For example. a 15x10 Black steel wheel can be found for around $70-100cad. depending on the mfg. Where an Aluminum wheel in the same size will start around $125-up cad.
There are alot of pro's to running Aluminum; Weight, heat dispation, being the primary ones. usually lighter. That being said steel wheels are easier to repair after you bend one on the trail. and if you cant fix it your out the price of the wheel.
I'm sure there are other pro's and cons to both sides.
these are just afew that i can come up with at the moment.
Ray
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Post by blacksheepxj on Dec 27, 2004 10:12:53 GMT -4
I have an 96 XJ with the charcoal grey 5 spoke factory wheels. These are 15x7. I have run 31x10.50 on them with no problem. I have not had a problem with these at all. I have a few marks on themm but nothing that would cause them to be unsafe. A 10.50 wide tire would probly be the widest that you would want to put on a 7 inch rim. If I ever go to a larger tire(currently running 32x9.5) I will be putting a 15x8 wheel ( this would be good up to a 13.5 wide tire ).
When I upgrade I will be going with Aluminum. They look better and if you buy from a GOOD company, like American Racing, they are very strong and will take alot of abuse.
Just my thoughts.
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Post by KubanKrawler on Dec 27, 2004 11:11:12 GMT -4
Aluminum = less LBS
Aluminum is prettier (but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I like the looks of my black steelies)
Steel is cheaper
Aluminum tends to oxidize here in our climate with our salted roads
Steel will bend VS aluminum will break. Very important when off road. You bend a steel rim you have a chance to get out and hammer the dent out. Aluminum will crack/break and not bend. If this happens then you're SOL on the trail. For those who do not beleive me ask Big 6 who cracked 2 aluminum rims while in Paragon. From the stories I heard he wasn't doing anything crazy, just wheelin' a hard trail.
My 2 cents
Ba Humbug (LOL)
Mike W
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Post by jeepnut2 on Dec 27, 2004 11:29:42 GMT -4
I have been running aluminum on my CJ for 4 years now without any problems. Obviously I am a better driver then B6. I link the Bling too.
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Post by sportsguy on Dec 27, 2004 11:50:02 GMT -4
Had stock 10 hole alums on my Cherokee with 10.5 inch wide MT/R's - they worked great - other than cosmetic scratches from rocks, never had a worry.
Totally a choice thing. Consider, realistically, where you rig will spend most of it's time and look at the pro-cons from there. Street driving, aluminum hoops are great. Trail only rig, you'll want steel.
For a daily driver that gets wheeled on weekends, I'd recommend aluminums because I too like the bling.
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Post by KubanKrawler on Dec 27, 2004 13:30:25 GMT -4
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Big Willy
Jeeper
My idea of a symphony? Six pistons playing a tune my right foot tells it.
Posts: 1,510
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Post by Big Willy on Dec 27, 2004 13:41:19 GMT -4
I have only ran aluminum wheels on my XJ. The ones I now have are not OEM for my year (they are off an 00 XJ). But as someone said if you crack one when wheeling they are shot and expensive to replace. I broke one and a new one from the dealer is $240. I have my buddy at Ace Towing looking for any smashed Jeeps with the same rims to see if I can get a used one or two.
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