Steelies or Aluminum wheels?

So I was talking with a buddy of mine about wheels today. I told him how I wanted to get the Konig countersteer offroad wheels and I was boasting how much they weigh and that they're aluminum and what not when he told me that steel is better then aluminum When it comes to offroading. He said that aluminum will just break (because it is more brittle)but steel will bend. Is this true? And if it is then why don't I see steelies on every truck? They're cheap and strong???? help

 

If you go offroading a lot -I'd go with some black rockcrawler wheels. Various companies make them and they're only like $60 each. You can thrash them around, rub 'em up againest rocks & such and not worry about ruining a good expensive set of wheels.

I've had the same set of rockcrawler wheels on my jeep. They've been on my jeep for like 6 years and they've been beat to hell. I've had to replace 2 of them - one had a minor bend in it (bent at center) to cause a vibration at 60mph and the other was bent extremely at the center (along with a bent axle flange & twisted splines on my axle shaft). I've also had one that got dented in pretty good - a few good whacks with sledge hammer put it back into shape.

The whole point with the steal wheels (especially the black rockcrawlers), is because they're CHEAP to replace when you ruin 'em.

 

so what is the downside of aluminum wheels offroading? Even if they're the Konig Countersteer OFFROAD I'm just curious if my friend knows what he's talking about.

 

I dunno, never had alluminum wheels for offroading.

What type of offroading do you do? Are you climbing around on rocks & rocky terrain?

If you're running around on rocks & stuff - the only downside to alluminum wheels that I know of - is the chance of scratchin 'em up, gouging the edges, etc. It'll be hard to keep them looking 'nice' and expensive to replace if you ruin one.

Did you ever think about getting a second set of wheels/tires for offroading?
Keep a good alluminum (or whateve) set of wheels/tires for the street and get a cheap-ass set of steal wheels with mud tires for offroading.

 

Entirely depends on how well said rim is made. Steel wheels can crack just as easily as aluminum ones can if they're using a crappy method to manufacture them.

 

Also aluminum is supposedly stronger but it breaks instead of bends. Steel is supposedly weaker but you can pound it back into shape.

Here is a question I have been wondering about. I know from experience with our farm equipment that if you heat the steel up to bend it back, it loses some strength. Is that the case with pounding bent steel back or no.

 

alright so basically Steel wheels are the ones that are just the run of the mill black or chrome ones that don't look special, weigh a bunch and they can be bent back into shape given that they are well made. Aluminum wheels are the ones that look really cool, are lighter but are much more expensive and can break and not be bent back into shape?
So is this (generally speaking) a true statement? And if it is then I'm going steel baby!

 

yeah, aluminum is more expensive, lighter, and looks better, but they can be easily gouged on rocks and stuff and would crack if you tried to pound a flattened lip back, etc. Steelies are cheap, dont look as good, but you can beat on a flattened edge until its back into shape.
If they're going a rig intended to spend alot of time offroad, then i'd get steel, if the truck spends the majority of the time on the street and looks are important, then get alumimum and just be a little careful not to gouge/scrape them on rocks.

 

unless your goin all out off roading you could make it on alum and because they are lighter they will help with mpg thats how i see it.. it sucks that steel is so much cheeper tho

 

If you want a good cheap offroad wheel...I highly recommend a black rockcrawler wheel.


15x8
$60

Search around, for better prices. There's a few manufacturers that make the same type.

 

I thought 16 was the smallest we could go on 2nd gen... due to the caliper size.

Otherwise, yea pretty much what 'they' said.

 

I'm actually getting this exact wheelset, but 16x7 and white for $260

 

$260 for the set? or a piece?

 

The set.

 

The only advantage a steel wheel has over an alloy wheel is the cost.

Breaking an aluminum wheel when wheeling is a non-issue. Don't even think about it.

You are more likely to get stuck on the trail with a flat if you use steel wheels. The lip on the steel wheels are much more likely to be damaged and let the air out.

An alloy wheel will save you a lot of unsprung weight, which will increase the performance and longetivity of your truck in all ways.

 

That's a non-issue.

1) Spare tire
2) If you carry a good set of tools/equipment/onboard air, it can be fixed.

I've dented mine plenty of times - nothing a good whack with a mallet can't fix. One paticular dent/bend that I experienced, required dismounting the tire and several good whacks with a mallet. Ratchet strap to help mount it and onboard air to pop it into place. I've also had big chunks of wood shoved into the bead of my wheels/tire - and they still held air. The wheel/tire combo I had was VERY forgiving.

 

Yes, the wheel can be repaired or replaced with a spare, but you are still considered "stuck" until you repair it.
If you are wheeling in deep powder, in the winter, that is one of the last things you want to happen. It is a very dangerous situtation.

Just fork out the extra money for alloys and you won't have to worry about pounding out the dents.

 

um...if I had a spare what difference would this make? I think I'm going with the steelies

 

Thats what I have