Choosing wheels? Aluminum or steel?

[Hagan]

I am looking for a set of 15x8 wheels with a 5x5.5 bolt pattern. But I cannot decide if I should go aluminum or steel. The steel should be stronger, but the aluminum (cast) should be lighter. And for new wheels the aluminum is twice the price of new steel wheels. However, I can find a used set of wheels (I think they are modular or something like that) and I don't know if I should just buy new wheels or just buy a used set? And how much of a weight difference is there?

 

[6.2]

Most steel wheels look lame in my opinion. There are a few nice ones, but many more sweet lookin aluminum ones. And they aren't weak at all

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Steel for a trail rig for sure. Its a lot easier to beat a steel rim back into shape than a cracked aluminum one....

Sent from my GT-S5830D using Tapatalk

 

[Hagan]

My truck will be a daily driver. I can't find a wheel with a lot of back spacing.

I'm not worried about style because its an '86 Ranger.

I just ordered 4 Cragar Black soft 8's. Got them for $220 shipped.

 

[6.2]

Why doesn't anyone ever buy 5?!?!
Maybe it's just me, but if I ever need to throw on the spare I wouldn't want it looking goofy being different lol.

 

[brinker88]

^ This

 

[4.0B2]

I like my procomp 8089's... They are aluminum I think! Lol. I need to buy a 5th one now that I have a full size spare.

 

[06RangerXLT]

steel.

aluminum breaks, steel bends and gets you home.

check out keystone, they have some nice rims. i have them. heres mine on 33's.

post pics of what ya get!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why doesn't anyone ever buy 5?!?!
Maybe it's just me, but if I ever need to throw on the spare I wouldn't want it looking goofy being different lol.

Because whoever bought them before me never does.

I like the looks of aluminum, I know black wheels are really popular but I do not like them on most vehicles. They look like every generic car that the owner didn't think it was worth buying new hubcaps for after the originals were stolen. Chrome doesn't last and I don't care for white... kinda limits the steel rim options.

But if I had to, I do like the D slots better than the ones with round holes.

 

[6.2]

Aluminum ftw.
I'm getting these

 

[Bennybooster]

I hate aluminum wheels, have you ever tried to mount tires on them yourself? I chewed up the edge pretty bad lol it had been a while since I had used that maching.....

And the lugnuts can get stuck to the aluminum making them a B to get out

 

[6.2]

I've mounted tires on aluminum lots of times.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I use a tire machine on mine...

I know from experiance on tractor rims/tires it is really hard not to scratch the paint on steel rims too.

Never had a problem with lug nuts, I have to kick them around to get the hub-centric wheels off my F-150 though... but since that is kind of fun I don't mind.

 

[clvanhorn]

i wouldn't worry all that much about weight savings because aluminum rims are much thicker than steelies... my stock 15 inch rims are lighter than my buddy's stock height and width ford alum. rims on his f150, and they are 15 x 7 or 8 like mine

 

[Hagan]

Why doesn't anyone ever buy 5?!?!
Maybe it's just me, but if I ever need to throw on the spare I wouldn't want it looking goofy being different lol.

Where do I put a full size spare on my truck? I think I can handle a goofy looking wheel.