Forged vs. Cast wheels results.

[1994_4x4]

I recently purchased a Forged Alcoa wheel as a spare. I decided to weigh the wheels to see if there was any weight difference between a cast aluminum wheel and a forged aluminum wheel of the same size. The wheels used were both OEM Ford Ranger wheels. The cast wheels came from my 1994. The forged wheels came from a 2001-2007 FX4 Level II truck. Both 15x7 wheels.

Unfortunately I did not have a 15x7 steel wheel to add to the test.

The cast wheels weighed in at: 16.4 lbs
The forged wheels weighed in at: 17.2 lbs

 

[1994_4x4]

The picture didn't work, so I'll try again later. I will be repeating the test once again in March in case anyone has any requests on how these to wheels compare.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You will have quite a time turning up a cast iron 15x7 rim.

 

[triumphrider-1]

No joke. I think a cast one would put a hurt'n on my truck.

 

[1994_4x4]

Steel. Forgive me.

 

[JoshT]

I recently purchased a Forged Alcoa wheel as a spare. I decided to weigh the wheels to see if there was any weight difference between a cast aluminum wheel and a forged aluminum wheel of the same size. The wheels used were both OEM Ford Ranger wheels. The cast wheels came from my 1994. The forged wheels came from a 2001-2007 FX4 Level II truck. Both 15x7 wheels.

Unfortunately I did not have a 15x7 steel wheel to add to the test.

The cast wheels weighed in at: 16.4 lbs
The forged wheels weighed in at: 17.2 lbs

With an aluminum wheel the style can make a lot of difference in the weight. A better comparison would be the weight difference between a cast and forged wheel with the same style and size.

I will go ahead and tell you that there is a much more important difference than weight, it's strength. Due to the way a forged aluminum wheel is made it is denser than a cast aluminum wheel, this increased density makes the wheel much stronger. Until recently I didn't know about the differences in aluminum wheel manufacturing, until recently I hadn't needed to. With a larger sidewall tire like most of us run with our 15" wheels on our trucks the tire absorbs a lot of harsh impact from the road, which pretty well makes up for the weaker cast wheel. Being use to this I though nothing of it with the 17" wheels and low profile tires on my car. When I destroyed two factory wheels I blamed it on crappy weak side wall tires that came on the car stock, though nothing of the wheels being cast and weaker. So when I installed aftermarket wheels and tires (also 17" with same size tire) I did not occur to me to check the manufacturing technique used. Well one year later I paid the price for it with another dead cast aluminum wheel. The breakage on both the stock and aftermarket wheels were almost identical. I'll try to post a pic up tomorrow, it is on my cell phone and I should have been in bed at least 4 hours ago.

The picture didn't work, so I'll try again later. I will be repeating the test once again in March in case anyone has any requests on how these to wheels compare.

Out of curiosity exactly what tests have you performed? I wouldn't call weighing the wheel a test. I also don't know what difference you would expect to find weighing them between now and March.

 

[1994_4x4]

With an aluminum wheel the style can make a lot of difference in the weight. A better comparison would be the weight difference between a cast and forged wheel with the same style and size.

I will go ahead and tell you that there is a much more important difference than weight, it's strength. Due to the way a forged aluminum wheel is made it is denser than a cast aluminum wheel, this increased density makes the wheel much stronger. Until recently I didn't know about the differences in aluminum wheel manufacturing, until recently I hadn't needed to. With a larger sidewall tire like most of us run with our 15" wheels on our trucks the tire absorbs a lot of harsh impact from the road, which pretty well makes up for the weaker cast wheel. Being use to this I though nothing of it with the 17" wheels and low profile tires on my car. When I destroyed two factory wheels I blamed it on crappy weak side wall tires that came on the car stock, though nothing of the wheels being cast and weaker. So when I installed aftermarket wheels and tires (also 17" with same size tire) I did not occur to me to check the manufacturing technique used. Well one year later I paid the price for it with another dead cast aluminum wheel. The breakage on both the stock and aftermarket wheels were almost identical. I'll try to post a pic up tomorrow, it is on my cell phone and I should have been in bed at least 4 hours ago.



Out of curiosity exactly what tests have you performed? I wouldn't call weighing the wheel a test. I also don't know what difference you would expect to find weighing them between now and March.

Just weight. I couldn't find anyone else doing this with Ranger rims so I decided to post it. In March I get the rest of the Alcoas. So I can weigh 3 more, stead of just one. I just bought this as a spare being I don't have a spare.

 

[1994_4x4]

I'll try to post a pic up tomorrow, it is on my cell phone and I should have been in bed at least 4 hours ago.

Interested in these pictures if the pictures are up and working on this site yet. I'm curious about the tire sizes you were dealing with too. I plan on running very small, bald tires on these forged wheels this summer.

On another note I added a second forged wheel and I am using less weight when balancing the tires. I don't know if it's typical that forged wheels would take less weight, or if it's do to the tires balancing better after a year of use from brand new.

 

[1994_4x4]

Here's the picture. Hopefully I'll have a shot of the truck with all 4 on by summer time.

 

[superds]

Peterson's 4Wheel & Offroad ran a Steel vs Cast vs Forged aluminum story a few years back. From what I recall, the out come was basically that forged aluminum wheels give you nearly the strength of steel at the weight of cast aluminum but at additional cost.

I think one of the tests they ran was to drive the pickup without rubber on the wheel and see how well the wheel stood up to the abuse. The cast wheel was pretty mangled but the forged and steel stood up fairly well.

 

[bobbywalter]

super forged wheels rock.....material choice is also key....many types of alloys


if its denser and the same shit and size....it is for sure heavier

 

[clarkbre]

Here's the picture. Hopefully I'll have a shot of the truck with all 4 on by summer time.

I know this is a really old thread; however, I want to thank you for providing the actual weights of these wheels.

As I'm reviving a '98 4.0 automatic 4x4, my plan was to use a set of 15x8 -19mm offset "D" window steel wheels. The new wheels are simply to get the tires flush with the fender edge. The truck came stock with 265/75r15 (31x10.5, Pictured below). Adding weight to the rotating mass was a definite concern. I just weighed the "D" windows at 26.6lbs each, an additional 9.4lbs to each corner. I know its a truck that will never be fuel efficient, but I think I'll stick with the stock rims to give it a fighting chance.

Thank you again for the info.

The proposed 15x8 -19mm offset steel "D" window wheels


The '98 Ranger as it currently sits. Waiting for new 31x10.5 All Terrain tires.

 

[cbxer55]

Here's my 98 with some 50 year old Cragar Mag Master rims. 14 x 8.5 rear, 14 x 7 front. I know it's high. Not easy to lower a Ranger. Besides, it's my daily driver so my LIGHTNING can hibernate in the garage.