Help Me Pick My Wheels (VOTE!!!)

[X6StringerX]

Well, if I could figure out how to add a poll here, you could vote...


My plans are to do a 2" TT and 80-86 F150 leaf pack. I'm hoping that I can run 32x10.50s with this setup with little or no trimming. I have been told by a couple members that I shouldn't have any problems. I removed my factory running boards, so hopefully I can get by with only doing minor bumper trimming if need be. I have three different choices here. Two of them are steel and the third is an alloy. I'm really digging the third one at the time being. It was even available on an online wheel visualizer where I could tweak the X's suspension 2" and add 32's. I photoshopped a few things because its actually a picture of a '99 X. I tried to make the front bumper look like mine. I also removed the boards, side moldings, and pin stripe. It looks almost identical to mine. This PS is pictured below.

So, here are the three choices along with their respective prices. The price isn't so much of a factor here... except between the two steel wheels. I plan to do some minor offroading and I'd like to hear your guys' opinions on alloy wheels... especially ones of the painted variety. Once steel wheels start to chip, they rust in no time. I know the alloys won't rust, but how durable will they be? Despite some minor complaints, my X is in really nice condition and I like the more expensive look of the alloys.

All prices include centercaps, lugnuts, and shipping.

Wheel #1: Rock Crawler Soft 8 - Black - 15x8 - 3.75BS - $252.00

Wheel #2: US Wheel Daytona Street Lock - Black - 15x8 - 3.75BS - $430.00

Wheel #3: American Eagle Alloys 101B - Black - 15x8 - 3.25BS - $428.00

Ok, a little more rambling. I like the looks of Wheel #2 better than Wheel #1, but as mentioned above, I can't justify THAT much of a difference between two steel wheels. I can however, justify that much difference between Wheel#3 and Wheel#1, but I want to know if it is wise to use alloys on a vehicle that is going to see even just moderate offroading. If the alloys are eliminated from the equation, I'll have to do a lot of thinking before I decide on Wheel #2 or not...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do they make one with the center cap of the first one, and the gold buttons of the second one? I choose the second one. My style which isn't shown is a more directional wheel.

 

[trucku]

I like set #2 For best looks . But for price and similar looks I would go with set #1.

 

[X6StringerX]

I wished they offered the fake bead lock on the Soft 8 style wheels. The fake bead lock is really the only reason I like Wheel #2. A lot of people run D-windows around here, so I kinda want to be different, which is why Wheel #1 is up there. To my knowledge, I don't recall ever seeing Wheel #3 on anything... anywhere, lol. Its sad that the AE Alloys are $2 cheaper overall than steel #2s. Does it really require THAT much more work to make Wheel #2than it does Wheel #1? I highly doubt it. Thats a huge difference between two wheels that are that similar. I guess that gives you and idea of how much they're making on them.



Keep 'em coming!

 

[jacobl]

I like set #1. Looks good and has a low price.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

I like # 2, is that a real bead lock or fake.

 

[Turdle]

There, I made it a poll for you---

 

[Stic-o]

Use to have the first one on my truck.

Now I have these....

If I were to do it all over, I would have just spent a little extra and got these

 

[X6StringerX]

Chris,

The bead lock is fake. I don't have a need for a real one. I just liked the look of it... adds a little extra detail.


Jon,

Thanks for adding the poll.


Stic-O

Are those the "Aero" wheels that are available at SummitRacing.com? What are the specs on yours? (Width? Backspacing?) They look really good.

 

[dkchrist]

saw polished wheel #3 on a ranger an they looked sweet

 

[Stic-o]

I ordered mine special from bassett wheel

Mine are 15x8's I'm running a bit more B/S then normal because I'm running full width axles. Great looking wheels though, and I've never seen another pair on a truck

 

[wolfnutts]

id vote but if u thk any of these prices are ok for just one rim thats not going offroad much uu have cash to burn buy some spray bombs an go at it on a few used steel ones

not trying to be rude but my pills are getting the better of me

 

[X6StringerX]

I'm not sure I understand your post fully, wolf. The prices I posted are for a set of 4 wheels with centercaps and lugnuts. I want an all around durable wheel that looks great and can handle some mild offroading without failing on me. I assume by spraybombs you mean some used spray painted wheels. I'd rather not keep an extra set of wheels. I don't have anywhere to put them and I just plan on running and A/T tire year round, so no need for two sets. I've even got a few prospective buyers for my factory wheels that are in line waiting on me to get new ones. I don't like to keep a lot of clutter around, lol.


Thanks for all the replies everyone, but can anyone enlighten me on the durability, finish, etc., on the alloy wheels? I had a Jeep XJ once with a 4" lift and 31's. I took factory alloy wheels off and put some base model steel wheels on and the guy at the tire shop told me I was crazy because the steel wheels would bend in a heartbeat. I was always under the impression that aluminum/alloys cracked fairly easy. Can anyone clear this up?

 

[Stic-o]

Aluminum will just shater one day, but they will take some abuse. That and once you bend one it's done. With a steel wheel, you just bust out a hammer and go for it. I bent one of mine last run. We bent it back, and I'm still running it just fine.

 

[Turdle]

Yeah, I picked #1 cause they are less $$$

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I voted #3 because they are close to one of the wheels I'm thinking about

 

[toypaseo]

I voted for one.

#2, is too 80's plus a black spray job, for me.

I have seen #1 in person, and kinda like them. #3 is also a good choice in my book.

 

[X6StringerX]

So I was out shopping today and I decided it would be nice to have a new $600 30" HD Wide Screen TV and a new $200 digital camera. That, coupled with the fact that a lot of you guys seem to think Wheel #1 is the clear winner makes me pretty sure that I'll end up going with them. I thought about ordering them tonight, but I'm gonna sleep on it and possibly think about it tomorrow before I take the plunge. I really wish the alloys would have worked out... I really like the looks of them the best... and I like them more and more the more I look at them.

 

[bronc08]

Wheels #1. They are what I have. I like em. Cheap too. #3 also looks cool.

 

[X6StringerX]

I'm having such a hard time deciding. I know I said I was going to order them a couple days ago, but I still haven't. I had #1 in my Summit Racing cart with center caps and lugnuts and all that good stuff, but I just couldn't go through with it. I don't know whats wrong with me, lol.