View Poll Results: Alloy or steel wheels?
STEEL
18
48.65%
ALLOY
19
51.35%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll
Steel or alloy?
07-10-2009, 06:26 PM
#63
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix I6
I went with my cragers 'cause If I tear one up, its only 40-50 bucks to replace
Plus I'm not a "bling" kind of guy. I like fit/function over beauty.......
If you need an economical wheel that you can beat back into shape with a ball-peen hammer, go with a steel wheel. If you’re a mud, sand, and snow guy, or are just looking for a new wheel for your daily driver, then a lightweight cast wheel is the one for you. If you need the strength of steel without the weight penalty, break out the credit card and finance a set of forged aluminum wheels.
So forged alloy seems to be the winner, but I can't afford them..........so blah
Last edited by fallenknight308; 07-10-2009 at 06:37 PM.
07-10-2009, 07:07 PM
#64
Heres food for thought...
Stole from here, http://www.1010tires.com/tech.asp?type=wheels
Alloy vs. Steel
The main differences between alloy and steel wheels lie in their durability and strength. Most high-performance wheels are made of an alloy and composed of aluminum, and other metallic substances. By using alloy wheels, you not only improve the looks of your vehicle but also the performance. The extra strength provides longevity as well as effecting wear in a positive manner. The weight reduction will improve steering response and handling, as well as help improve acceleration and braking.
Wheel Construction
There is a good variety of ways of constructing wheels. Most alloy wheels are made in either one, two or three piece construction types. One piece is just what it says, a wheel made in a mold as a single piece. Two piece wheels are made of two separate pieces (center and barrel) that are usually welded or bolted together. Three piece wheels are made of three separate pieces. They have a center, and inside rim half, and an outside rim half. They are bolted together using the highest quality fasteners.
Manufacturing method is very important in the overall quality and performance of a wheel. Here are the most common types of manufacturing techniques employed:
Forging
Considered to be the best manufacturing technique, forging allows for the compression of an aluminum billet (one solid piece of aluminum) into an aluminum wheel using over 13 million pounds of pressure combined with heat. This produces a wheel that is both stronger and lighter then your standard aluminum wheel. A subset of forging is called roll forging. In this process, a metal blank is run through rollers with impressions sunk in to their surface giving the wheel its final shape. This allows the wheel to be produced with less aluminum, reducing weight but maintaining strength.
Low Pressure Casting
This is the most common form of rim manufacturing. Much like a casting, liquid metal is poured into a mold and allowed to harden until the finished wheel is cool enough to be taken out of the casting.
Counter Pressure Casting
Opposite to low pressure casting, the liquid metal is not poured, rather it is sucked into the mold using a vacuum. This reduces impurities making the wheel much stronger than a low pressure cast rim.
The main differences between alloy and steel wheels lie in their durability and strength. Most high-performance wheels are made of an alloy and composed of aluminum, and other metallic substances. By using alloy wheels, you not only improve the looks of your vehicle but also the performance. The extra strength provides longevity as well as effecting wear in a positive manner. The weight reduction will improve steering response and handling, as well as help improve acceleration and braking.
Wheel Construction
There is a good variety of ways of constructing wheels. Most alloy wheels are made in either one, two or three piece construction types. One piece is just what it says, a wheel made in a mold as a single piece. Two piece wheels are made of two separate pieces (center and barrel) that are usually welded or bolted together. Three piece wheels are made of three separate pieces. They have a center, and inside rim half, and an outside rim half. They are bolted together using the highest quality fasteners.
Manufacturing method is very important in the overall quality and performance of a wheel. Here are the most common types of manufacturing techniques employed:
Forging
Considered to be the best manufacturing technique, forging allows for the compression of an aluminum billet (one solid piece of aluminum) into an aluminum wheel using over 13 million pounds of pressure combined with heat. This produces a wheel that is both stronger and lighter then your standard aluminum wheel. A subset of forging is called roll forging. In this process, a metal blank is run through rollers with impressions sunk in to their surface giving the wheel its final shape. This allows the wheel to be produced with less aluminum, reducing weight but maintaining strength.
Low Pressure Casting
This is the most common form of rim manufacturing. Much like a casting, liquid metal is poured into a mold and allowed to harden until the finished wheel is cool enough to be taken out of the casting.
Counter Pressure Casting
Opposite to low pressure casting, the liquid metal is not poured, rather it is sucked into the mold using a vacuum. This reduces impurities making the wheel much stronger than a low pressure cast rim.
07-10-2009, 07:09 PM
#65
More info...
Cuz some need a little edumaction...
http://www.difflock.com/offroad/steel_v_alloy.shtml
Cuz some need a little edumaction...
http://www.difflock.com/offroad/steel_v_alloy.shtml
07-10-2009, 08:05 PM
#66
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It's personal preference. Both have their pros and cons but it's mainly what the driver wants to use. I used to run steel wheels on all my jeeps but I got tired of the out-of-roundness of steel wheels so I went to back oem icons and they are as smooth as a wheel can get, not to mention they are lighter too. i don't have to deal with rust anymore, which always seems to show it's ugly face after the first winter.
So basically your wallet will determine which is better
So basically your wallet will determine which is better
07-10-2009, 08:28 PM
#67
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix HO. head
I like steel simply because when you "curb" a rock and ding or bend a flange it can be hammered back into place.
Alloys are great for looks and performance but I have seen them crack. Just look at the video where the young guys are jumping and destroying that poor country xj.
if its mainly a pavement princess then no doubt alloy with occational mud. For rocks and hard wheeling its steel all the way. easy to fix with a hammer and some heat if needed.
Ive heard about the finishes and their issues. Steel rusts but if coated properly will give years of good looks.
one thing they do have in common is after getting them rebalanced, the marks that the weights leave always ruin the coating..
Ill take steel anytime for the jeep. Alloy only on my take my wife to dinner vehicle.
Alloys are great for looks and performance but I have seen them crack. Just look at the video where the young guys are jumping and destroying that poor country xj.
if its mainly a pavement princess then no doubt alloy with occational mud. For rocks and hard wheeling its steel all the way. easy to fix with a hammer and some heat if needed.
Ive heard about the finishes and their issues. Steel rusts but if coated properly will give years of good looks.
one thing they do have in common is after getting them rebalanced, the marks that the weights leave always ruin the coating..
Ill take steel anytime for the jeep. Alloy only on my take my wife to dinner vehicle.
07-10-2009, 08:44 PM
#69
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07-10-2009, 08:44 PM
#70
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07-10-2009, 09:01 PM
#73
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07-10-2009, 09:08 PM
#74
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Year: 1987
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i am a fan of the steel for my uses but i have said it before my buddy has some alloy bead locks and we have beet them good and they are still holding up so i got respect for both camps and can see the benefits of either but i still like steel for mine. but i am strange i guess
to each his own and each will have a prefrence and a liking that will ultimately be the right choice for them.
07-11-2009, 02:17 AM
#75
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Year: 2001
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Heck guys, just buy plastic wheels. Forget steel and alloy.
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/On-Sale-8...2-p-17155.html
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/2.2-Mudro...2-p-16484.html
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/On-Sale-8...2-p-17155.html
http://www.tcscrawlers.com/2.2-Mudro...2-p-16484.html