Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I always thought steel rims where stronger, but having never owned alloys, but owning at least 3 bent steelies. I'm starting to wonder.

That, and the local tyre shop recons alloy's are just as good if not better.

I'm going to be up for a new set soon, and I'm looking at the pro-comps. There's heaps more variety in alloy's but their not exactly cheap and I do plan to use them offroad with tyre's aired down, so I don't want to have to worry about cracking/chipping them or anything. And this is a purchase I only want to have to make once.

Also happy to hear recomendations for other rims and prices. Shopping for wheels/tyres is proving to be a PITA

I switched from steel to alloys as I had the same problem bending rims and now will never go back to steel rims. Yes alloys will get rock rash but they will stay straight and won't bend.

Alloys are stronger but when they do get damaged it is usual a write off due to cracks. A steel rim is more easily deformed and tends to bend rather than crack so can be bashed back into shape

And for those of yous who are thinking alloys such as Nissan alloys ( which i bet most of you guys are) or toyota alloy rims, it's not them.

These are sold seperatly, they're lighter, stronger and look MUCH better.

8UFF35T wrote:And for those of yous who are thinking alloys such as Nissan alloys ( which i bet most of you guys are) or toyota alloy rims, it's not them.

These are sold seperatly, they're lighter, stronger and look MUCH better.

please just stop

grimbo wrote:

8UFF35T wrote:And for those of yous who are thinking alloys such as Nissan alloys ( which i bet most of you guys are) or toyota alloy rims, it's not them.

These are sold seperatly, they're lighter, stronger and look MUCH better.

please just stop

haha sorry , I like advertising things lol.

Benefits of a steelie is that you may be able to bodge a repair on a bent rim. A cracked alloy is pretty much a write-off...

Andres wrote:Benefits of a steelie is that you may be able to bodge a repair on a bent rim. A cracked alloy is pretty much a write-off...

who has ever actually done that? It's always given as an excuse to run steelies but I'm yet to see anyone ever actually do it

people who have no idea how strong a steel rim is say that stuff. ive tried beating out a slightly offshape steel rim and it just isnt worth it.

i run 17x8 allied alloys they were $280 a rim and were $250 a rim for 16x8s. they look heaps better than steelies and i swear the alloys seam to be grabbing the wheel nuts too. i do them up with a brace and i need a 2 foot breaker bar and a 1 metre extension on the end to get enough leverage to then jump on the bar to move the nuts. so i dont think ill be loosing a wheel on the highway like everyone thinks about alloys.

the blokes at fourbys did mention something about the pitch of the nuts though. the standard steely nuts that were on there werent the right pitch so the new ones were used.

Andres wrote:Benefits of a steelie is that you may be able to bodge a repair on a bent rim. A cracked alloy is pretty much a write-off...

But the force to crack an alloy is probably a lot more then what it takes to bend a steelie.

chunderlicious wrote:they look heaps better than steelies

Thats probably what it comes down to, what people think look better, as with alloy and steel wheels there would be stronger and weaker examples of each.

Personally i prefer steel and run rockcrawler 51 - the black ones with the D shaped cutouts in 16x8 , they had a good rep for strength and i liked the look.

Haven't ever really damaged a rim, only bent an alloy front wheel on the motorbike - hit a cricket ball sized rock at 80kays - funnily enough it was easily repairable...

Patroler wrote: Personally i prefer steel and run rockcrawler 51 - the black ones with the D shaped cutouts in 16x8 , they had a good rep for strength and i liked the look.

they are the only steel rims i like. i think they look good and are what i will run on my lux when it is done eventually.

I bent one of my alloys, had the first one repaired, they had to press the bend out of the rim, then machine it to get it round again, cost $175.
I then bent three rims in one trip, it was cheaper to go new steel rims rather then try and repair the alloys.
As for flogging a steel rim to straigten it, I think you would be doing well to do much with it out in the bush, You would have better chance with a press.
I havent bent any steel rims yet, and they have had more of a hard time then the alloys had..
Steel rims are about half the cost of alloys too, so if one is wrecked, its cheaper to replace then repair.