Steel wheels or alloy?

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john43028

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We want to change out the wheels on our 2007 Jeep liberty.
We are going to go with black vs silver. We are trying to decide
between steel or alloy. Would steel wheels affect gas mileage?
(We have stock steel wheels now that we really don't
care for.)
I would appreciate your advise,anyone? John
 

jja

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In theory unsprung mass (i.e. tire + rim weight) affects ride quality, braking distance and gas mileage. Steel rims being heavier you can expect worse ride, longer braking distance and worse gas mileage. How much worse it's really hard to say.
 

krisP

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lots of good info in the tires/wheels section.
steel is generally heavier, but when you start getting into the forged alum wheels like moabs, they weigh pretty close
 

tommudd

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Little back story on tires and wheels
My friend Chris with an 03 KJ have 8 inch wide soft 8s and Good year MTRs ( heavy combo )
He found a set of Moabs and bought new 265-75-16s Duratracs.
He called next day and said I need you to look at my Jeep. Brought it over and went for a ride, every stop light he took off burning the tires!
Said you got to help me this thing seems to have 100 extra HP with these lighter wheels and tires :happy175::happy175::happy175:
IT makes a huge difference on power and mileage with the wheel/tire combo you choose.
I had steels on one of my XJs for a while, maybe 3 months before I replaced them.
 

Dave

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I would prefer aluminum but that is my opinion.


Dave
 

krisP

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moabs weight 25lbs about , my cragars weight 28 i beleive, aluminum weight will vary depending on how they are made i assume ( gravity cast, forged etc..) and strength will depend on that also.... it all comes down to the combo you have and what youre using it for
 

sparky123321

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I prefer steel, but have had and like both. You're normally looking at around 5-10lb + or - when it comes to similar sized wheels of steel verses aluminum. When you add the weight of the tire into the equation, approximately 40lbs, I don't believe the 5-10lb is going to be a make or break either way. More importantly when you add 10lbs to either the total rotational mass or the unsprung mass(you should include semi sprung as well) it is very insignificant.

I say go with what you like. Lets face it, the price and the looks are going to be the primary factors for the vast majority of us. There are couple things I do hate about aluminum rims though. The oxidation and or clear coat pealing and the need to use stick on wheel weights unless you really want to damage the lip/edge of the wheel and increase the chance for oxidation/pealing in that area. Just take a walk through a parking lot and look at some older aluminum Jeep wheels. Most are a mess and very expensive to repair/refinish. Steel wheels are so much easier to repaint or touch up if needed.

All that said, I'm running stock steel wheels with my Winter tires and I'm leaning towards some aftermarket 15" steel wheels for my new Summer tires(U.S. Wheel 94 Series Black Modular Wheels) as long as they properly clear the front calipers.

If weight is your primary concern, your choice of specific tire(LT or passenger, thread type and depth, etc) and rim size can have a greater impact.
 
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tommudd

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You mention stick on weights...
I won't run a wheel that you have to use stick on weights on, If you can't run good old lead weights on both sides and balance correctly, I won't run the wheels
 

jeeplib05

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Looks like you've already made your decision but I have steel wheels and love them
15x8 and 31s- I don't feel much difference at all except more stability with the wider track
Go with what you like
I barely lost gas mileage and I can brake just as fast as I could with 225s
 

john43028

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Thanks jeeplib05. I have a 1999 jeep cherokee sport with cragar black steel
wheels and i like them a lot. I have the gloss black with with chrome center
caps. I do dislike the oxidation on alloy wheels and the care it takes to
keep them looking good. I'll ask the guy who does our tire mounting and see
what he thinks then decide.
 

tommudd

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Thanks jeeplib05. I have a 1999 jeep cherokee sport with cragar black steel
wheels and i like them a lot. I have the gloss black with with chrome center
caps. I do dislike the oxidation on alloy wheels and the care it takes to
keep them looking good. I'll ask the guy who does our tire mounting and see
what he thinks then decide.

That could be good or bad.......depending on if a friend or just trying to sell something to make a buck
 

tjkj2002

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Thanks jeeplib05. I have a 1999 jeep cherokee sport with cragar black steel
wheels and i like them a lot. I have the gloss black with with chrome center
caps. I do dislike the oxidation on alloy wheels and the care it takes to
keep them looking good. I'll ask the guy who does our tire mounting and see
what he thinks then decide.

Washing your vehicle should be a regular thing,at least once a month and more often in the winter.

Hot soapy water is all that is needed to properly take care of any painted/cleared finish on a regular basis.Those with the "the rain will wash it" or "it's to cold outside" are the ones that have the sad looking alloy rims in 2-3 years.
 

jeeplib05

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I got my wheels very cheap online
Trail Master 5s in 15x8 for around $200 for all 5
Can't beat it
They come with black center caps that match the wheels and it all looks great
 

krisP

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id take moabs now but only because i feel like changing it up from the cragars. But with the money spent buying moabs i can just use for the rear 4.10 parts and peices and thats more important to me right now
 

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