alloy verses steel rims

Eric,
Steels are stronger and will bend rather than break when the chips (tyres) are really down. However, I have seen alloys take some serious abuse without sustaining much damage. Alloys are a lot lighter and I think this is a major advantage. Lower wheel mass means less suspension wear, and lower overall vehicle mass means better economy etc.
So alloys almost every time.

Eric K
Steel wheels are better for off road work because they are harder to dint and are not as expensive to replace if a misshap should happen.
I am at the same stage at the moment and i am going to buy a set of 16"steelies for my patrol.
cheers Tim

I have kept my steelies (Nissan Patrol) as I have seen what a tyre repairer out in the bush can do to an alloy rim, especially if he uses a bead breaker machine with no plastic rim savers on the tooling (been there, done that). They look very ordinary after this sort of treatment.

Bush mechanics (me) can also take to steelies with a hammer if dented, alloys don't like this very much.

Alloys do keep the unsprung weight down which is very important and they do look very nice.

Regs,
Chris.

Evening all

This is just to give you an idea of pricing for steel rims. Depending of course on what you buy.

A week ago I had 5 x new white ROH Trak II rims supplied, fitted and balanced on my troopy. These are also known as Sunrasia's.

They were 16" x 7"

$95.00 per rim plus $10.00 to remove and refit tyre and balance.

I changed from OEM Toyota 'splits' and the difference is just amazing. Just wished I hadn't resisted 'change' for so long.

Regards

Ken Robinson

Erik,
Steel bends aluminium breaks, applies to bull bars as well. Personally I prefer steel, the alloy rims I have on my Rangie have a habit of rolling tyres the tyres seem to come off easier, good for repairing them though, I have BFG's so I haven't had to to this yet ho ho ho. The alloy rims also seem to pick up mud & small stones between the rim & the side wall of the tyre easier as well, I've had to take the tyres off twice since having them put on to clean the sealing areas on the rims. My point of view of course.