Alloy or steel wheels for Outback ?

Submitted: Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00
ThreadID: 1030 Views:2799 Replies:8 FollowUps:4
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I am preparing my 6 months old Nissan Patrol GU for a 2 months long red center outback trip. I need to buy an additional spare tyre. Now I am facing the question of whether to replace the 5 near new original steel wheels with 6 alloy wheels so as to reduce the weight of the vehicle or to keep the steels wheel so that they would be stonger for the outback roads? Would there be any problem if I keep the original steel wheels and just buy one alloy wheel as spare? Thanks.
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Reply By: Mike - Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00
Chin, although alloy rims are quite OK, steel rims will flex more than alloys, therefore in case of striking a rocky out crop or similar, the steel rim will bend or flex while the alloy may break. If a rim does get bent, steels can be hammered true while an alloy would most certainly break. I had an alloy split last trip, as a stone got caught between the inside of the rim and the brake disc. The difference in weight is not eneough to cause a problem. Happy trails, Mike.
AnswerID: 3141

Reply By: donalddasher - Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00
Also take into account the type/size of tyres that you have as for some sizes are very difficult to source in the middle of nowhere. As far as wheels, steel spilt rims imo.
Cheers donalddasher
AnswerID: 3144

Reply By: Tony- Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Apr 26, 2002 at 00:00
Chin, Stick with steel. You already have them so why waste money buying 6 alloy wheels. If weight is a problem - take only one spare mounted on a rim and a spare casing or two. You will have tyre changing gear won't you?
AnswerID: 3145

Follow Up By: Chin - Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00

Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks, I will add the tyre changing gear and a tyre repair kit to my buying list. I am planning to get the complete rim and tyre set up as I already have a twin spare wheel carrier installed. Cheers Chin.
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Reply By: John R. - Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00

Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00
Stay with the steel. If you dent one you can hammer it out. Alloys are more likely to fracture.
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Reply By: Chin - Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00

Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks everybody for the reply. I think I will stay with the steel rims. Cheers Chin.
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Follow Up By: Bob - Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00

Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 at 00:00
Good decision Chin. Two complete spares will almost certainly mean you won't need to use the tyre changing. Don't follow Donald's advice on split (or even spilt!!) rims though. Split rims must have tubes and therefore they go flat whenever anything punctures the tyre. Split rim users always say how fortunate it is that they have them as it maked tyre changing much easier - which is quite true. What they don't seem to realise is that if they had had tubeless tyres they wouldn't have had a flat tyre. I had 8 flat tyres in 100,000kms with tubes. I have had no flat tyres in 500,000kms with tubeless tyres!! Enjoy your trip Chin. Take plenty of supplies and good maps!!
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FollowupID: 1264

Follow Up By: Armbreaker00 - Monday, May 06, 2002 at 00:00

Monday, May 06, 2002 at 00:00
in answer to BOB, 500,000kms on tubeless tyres without a puncture.of course if all your driving is on road.otherwise what a crock.did you dream this, what happened there BOB, did you have a dream only to wake up with your hand on your d@#* and the sheets all wet. i thought that these forums were for people to share experiences rather than to insult peoples intelligence with such rubbish. this and your constant put downs of goran and other members for there different views. YOU BOB ARE A WANKER.

To the moderator, if this forum is the best you can offer, frankly i'll go elsewhere.


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FollowupID: 1368

Follow Up By: Armbreaker00 - Monday, May 06, 2002 at 00:00

Monday, May 06, 2002 at 00:00
in answer to BOB, 500,000kms on tubeless tyres without a puncture.of course if all your driving is on road.otherwise what a crock.did you dream this, what happened there BOB, did you have a dream only to wake up with your hand on your d@#* and the sheets all wet. i thought that these forums were for people to share experiences rather than to insult peoples intelligence with such rubbish. this and your constant put downs of goran and other members for there different views. YOU BOB ARE A WANKER.

To the moderator, if this forum is the best you can offer, frankly i'll go elsewhere.


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FollowupID: 1369

Reply By: Nigel - Monday, Apr 29, 2002 at 00:00

Monday, Apr 29, 2002 at 00:00
You may be interested to know that the May 2002 edition of 4WD Monthly has a comparison on the 3 major bead breakers. Certainly worth a read before you invest in tyre changing gear.
AnswerID: 3198

Reply By: Rob - Sunday, May 26, 2002 at 00:00

Sunday, May 26, 2002 at 00:00
Chin,Stick with steel and for temp repairs look at items such as tyre plugs.
AnswerID: 3830

Reply By: ggg - Wednesday, Jun 26, 2002 at 00:00

Wednesday, Jun 26, 2002 at 00:00
its an old nissan dont go to the expence of changing rims split rims are great if you get flat tyes last thing you want is tubles tyres carry spare tube and puncture kit and get a heavy duty 12volt pump them alcheapo ones dont last
AnswerID: 4441

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