Steel or aluminum?

semocoachworks · 06-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Do you prefer steel or aluminum wheels and why? I run both but I think I prefer steel due to not as many problems with lug nuts and a steel wheel will bend where aluminum breaks.

hotrodpc · 06-10-2009, 04:43 PM

I like both, as you mention you have differant reasons why you like one over the other, and your points are very valid and correct. I think I like Aluminum better only for the reason, they will not rust. I have had steel chrome wheels before. And I kept them cleaned and shined. Get a little lazy and not clean them, then when you get to it, you see the rust pits in it. If I bend a steel wheel, I will want it replaced anyway, so bent or broke, either way its getting replaced, although I agree, there is a safety factor in there too. The steel will be safer to bend in a sitation than the alumimum to break into pieces.

semocoachworks · 06-10-2009, 05:13 PM

Good points there Hotrod. We had a customer in and he wanted to switch from 24.5's to a super single on a heavy haul truck. He did not want to do the wheel stud and drum swap to equal out the weight on the aluminum. Without doing the full upgrade, I told him we wouldn't do it so I thought I would get some opinions on a pickup. Thanks for the input!

bradrhale · 06-10-2009, 06:14 PM

aluminum wheels are harder to mount on. aluminum over time will wear around the lug holes. steel is not as nice lookin. the pros and cons to me equal out so it really makes no difference to me.

hotrodpc · 06-10-2009, 06:19 PM

yep, I am with Brad, whatever it comes with it what I like just so long as its not plain looking. Although, I have seen real nice looking steel wheels. Its just a pain to keep them nice looking. Almost have to clean, shine and polish weekly, and even then, they are going to rust on the back side if you can keep up with the front. In my old age, I guess if I were to buy a set of wheels, I'd probably go aluminum, and if not to much more expensive, preffer the polished aluminum. They seem to be more forgiving on maintenance.

gmctrucks · 06-10-2009, 08:57 PM

I have aluminum wheels on my truck I like them because they have that plastic clear coat on them so there easy to clean. Plus I have had them since my truck was new back in 1993 and the holes aren't worn yet.

mudseeker · 06-10-2009, 09:23 PM

the better question should be, hub centric or lug centric?

hotrodpc · 06-10-2009, 09:37 PM

I was gonna say, Mud beat me to it. That makes a huge differance. I have seen aluminum rims with elongated holes that were lug centric. Makes for a nice carnival ride but not cool going down the highway at 80mph.

mudseeker · 06-10-2009, 09:50 PM

hub centric steelies are a pain in my rear. sometimes drop kicking them won't break them loose and you have to start doing twisties in the parking lot with the lug nuts loose to get them to pop loose.

hotrodpc · 06-10-2009, 09:52 PM

Yep, I was just talking about that on a thread not long ago, and still haven't done the donut to get it off. I will when the time comes though.

06-10-2009, 04:02 PM	#1
semocoachworks Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: rapid city, sd Posts: 420	Steel or aluminum? Do you prefer steel or aluminum wheels and why? I run both but I think I prefer steel due to not as many problems with lug nuts and a steel wheel will bend where aluminum breaks.

06-10-2009, 04:43 PM	#2
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,847	I like both, as you mention you have differant reasons why you like one over the other, and your points are very valid and correct. I think I like Aluminum better only for the reason, they will not rust. I have had steel chrome wheels before. And I kept them cleaned and shined. Get a little lazy and not clean them, then when you get to it, you see the rust pits in it. If I bend a steel wheel, I will want it replaced anyway, so bent or broke, either way its getting replaced, although I agree, there is a safety factor in there too. The steel will be safer to bend in a sitation than the alumimum to break into pieces. __________________ *Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win !!!*

06-10-2009, 06:19 PM	#5
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,847	yep, I am with Brad, whatever it comes with it what I like just so long as its not plain looking. Although, I have seen real nice looking steel wheels. Its just a pain to keep them nice looking. Almost have to clean, shine and polish weekly, and even then, they are going to rust on the back side if you can keep up with the front. In my old age, I guess if I were to buy a set of wheels, I'd probably go aluminum, and if not to much more expensive, preffer the polished aluminum. They seem to be more forgiving on maintenance. __________________ *Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win !!!*

06-10-2009, 09:23 PM	#7
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,315	the better question should be, hub centric or lug centric? __________________ i'd rather be hunting

06-10-2009, 09:37 PM	#8
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,847	I was gonna say, Mud beat me to it. That makes a huge differance. I have seen aluminum rims with elongated holes that were lug centric. Makes for a nice carnival ride but not cool going down the highway at 80mph. __________________ *Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win !!!*

06-10-2009, 05:13 PM	#3
semocoachworks Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: rapid city, sd Posts: 420	Good points there Hotrod. We had a customer in and he wanted to switch from 24.5's to a super single on a heavy haul truck. He did not want to do the wheel stud and drum swap to equal out the weight on the aluminum. Without doing the full upgrade, I told him we wouldn't do it so I thought I would get some opinions on a pickup. Thanks for the input!

06-10-2009, 06:14 PM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	aluminum wheels are harder to mount on. aluminum over time will wear around the lug holes. steel is not as nice lookin. the pros and cons to me equal out so it really makes no difference to me.

06-10-2009, 08:57 PM	#6
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 3,945	I have aluminum wheels on my truck I like them because they have that plastic clear coat on them so there easy to clean. Plus I have had them since my truck was new back in 1993 and the holes aren't worn yet.

06-10-2009, 09:50 PM	#9
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,315	hub centric steelies are a pain in my rear. sometimes drop kicking them won't break them loose and you have to start doing twisties in the parking lot with the lug nuts loose to get them to pop loose. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

06-10-2009, 09:52 PM	#10
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,847	Yep, I was just talking about that on a thread not long ago, and still haven't done the donut to get it off. I will when the time comes though. __________________ *Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win !!!*

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