Alloy Wheels: Favorite Brand, and why?

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I am looking at some tire/wheel upgrade options. What has been your experience with these wheels:

Weld Racing
Centerline
American Racing
Eagle

I like Welds the best, but they are very spendy! Centerlines seem to be quality as well, but do you think ARE and Eagle wheels are any good? I am not experienced with wheels so don't know what I should shop for as far as features, construction, etc.

I did some checking on Weld's F1 Renegade. Locally tire shops want $375 to $520 per wheel! From Summit Racing they are $285 (for the 17x8").

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Thanks for your expertise!

Vaughn

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"Blue Thunder" & Friends
'01 2500 QC Shortbed 2wd, Patriot Blue over Driftwood, HO 24v Cummins & 6-speed, 3. 54LSD, Cab & Fog lamps, Camper & Tow Pkg.
BOMBings: RV injectors, PS Boost module, Amsoil air filter, straightpiped exh. , SS fuel lines, debadged body, AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges, Amber turn signals, 55w halogen rev. lights.

 

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Vaughn, I ran a set of Ultras on my 94 2500, standard offset but 8 inches wide. Did not stick out of fender wells. They were a three spoke design, I thought they looked pretty good. Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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Hey Vaughn,

I just put on the Mickey Thompson's, made by Alcoa. Same big time thickness as the Alcoas I had on the 95 V-10, with a load range over 3000lbs. The 235's pooch out well on them. I can't believe how much lighter they are than the stock steel chromies. #ad


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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, TST #11/280 slid to 340 position + Injectors.
4" CAT back & CATless, 4" chrome turn down straight out back.
Stand back & listen to the turbo whine :-}~
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Monicas silencer ring removed, Exhaust brake, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
HX35s days are numbered, HX40-16 is here.
Un-Bombed = Boring

 

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Hey Vaughn,

I just put on the Mickey Thompson's, made by Alcoa. Same big time thickness as the Alcoas I had on the 95 V-10, with a load range over 3000lbs. The 235's pooch out well on them. I can't believe how much lighter they are than the stock steel chromies. #ad


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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, TST #11/280 slid to 340 position + Injectors.
4" CAT back & CATless, 4" chrome turn down straight out back.
Stand back & listen to the turbo whine :-}~
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Monicas silencer ring removed, Exhaust brake, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
HX35s days are numbered, HX40-16 is here.
Un-Bombed = Boring

 

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I'm not sure what "brand" they were, but the center caps said "Alcoa"... very light, very strong, and about $185 each!

 

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AR's are fine!
#ad
ed

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• '93 250 LE 4x4 5spd 4:10 Pwr win/loc/mir,cruise,dual 5" chrome stacks,12cm² turbo,PW injectors,K&N,pyro/boost,US Gear E-Brake,Fuller Roadranger shifter, diamond plate tool box, CB, 16x10" AR rims, 285/75/16 Bf goodrich, . "wirenut_21529" on Yahoo Messenger
• '96 Ford B-Series school bus (5. 9 Cummins!)I'm gonna Bomb it!
• '94 GMC 2500 6. 5L Turbo

PICTURES.

 

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I too am going to upgrade my wheels looking at 16. 5 x 9. 75 33's This is a picture of the rims I want but cant fugure out who makes them or what they are? Any one know? http://www.skyjacker.com/customer/JODEY%203inch%20Dodge/page3.html

Sky


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2001 QuadCab,SWB,Auto, 4X4,4" Flowmaster Exhaust, Bosch 275 Injectors... ... ...
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4-Sale 1994 4X4 cummins, Two tone blue and silver,Auto, all stock 105k very well looked after
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Sky,
I think these are the wheels, www.americaneaglewheel.com
model number 121HD

Hope this helps
Caleb

 

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Vaughn,

I went with the Eagle 121Hd's on my truck but it seems that they had a different part number when I ordered them. I think it was 1219 in either polished alluminum or chromed but I went with the polished for ease of maintenance with a load limit of over 3000 lbs. and they were cheaper than the American Racing version and the only difference I noticed was the American Racing had 6 spokes and the Eagles have 5 spokes.

Hopes this helps,
Paul

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'96 2500 ext. cab, LB, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 54, TST 280 cam plate, AFC spring kit ,pyro and boost gauges mounted on A-Pillar, tinted windows, 16x8 Eagle alloys series 1219, 285/75R16 Durango A/T's, stainless steel rocker panels and alluminum stirrup steps

 

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Hey Vaughn, you had to know I wouldn't pass up this thread! I'm with Forrest... I like the M/T Alcoa hot forged aluminum wheels. #ad
Can't beat 'em for strength. Weld Racing or M/T Alcoa... you can't go wrong!

BCFAST, your description suggests that they are Alcoa hot forged aluminum wheels not M/T Alcoa. Alcoa produces the wheels for M/T. Also note that Alcoa wheels cannot be purchased in 8" widths (for our application)... only the M/T Alcoa wheels can.

Vaughn, M/T Alcoa has a 17x8 wheel in the Classic style (Like Andy has on his Ram... not like my Challengers). I was interested in these until I found out I was only able to find (for the most part) "C" rated tires for this wheel. Since you have a 4x2..... it might be worth considering.

Have you looked into the Weld Scorpio design?

Les Schwab has reasonable prices on Weld wheels. Also, check the vendors that advertise in the 4x4 magazines.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, VDO Vision gauges, Dynamat, '00 Sport grille & valve cover, '00 Sport headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, Bosch 275s, VA CPC, (censored), Aeroquip braided s/s fuel lines, Banks 14 cm2 turbine housing/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC & valve body, BD trans. front pump & PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 10-25-2000). ]

 

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Sky-click on this link and scroll down to the Atlas wheel. I think this is what is in your picture. http://www.natltire.com/pages/amracing.html

I just put a set of Mickey Thompson Challengers and 285 BFG's on my truck... wow what a difference.

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98 2500 SLT, QC 12V, 4X4, Auto, 4:10's, SB, 285 BFG's on Mickey Thompson Challengers, LSD, Alpine alarm, Tekonsha brake controller, 5th wheel hitch, DeeZee stainless boards, Stull billet grille, MTX Thunder sub enclosure, Kenwood amp, Trans. temp gauge, CB radio, White/Driftwood, Camel interior. BINFORD TOOLS decal on rear window

[This message has been edited by Brian (edited 10-25-2000). ]

 

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Originally posted by boatpuller:
Sky,
I think these are the wheels, www.americaneaglewheel.com
model number 121HD

Hope this helps
Caleb

Yep it sure looks like them, I was looking to get 16. 5 x 9. 75 and they are just 16 x 8 #ad




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2001 QuadCab,SWB,Auto, 4X4,4" Flowmaster Exhaust, Bosch 275 Injectors... ... ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4-Sale 1994 4X4 cummins, Two tone blue and silver,Auto, all stock 105k very well looked after
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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There is NO WAY I would go with Weld. They're customer service sucks big time. I could write a book on this, but I'll keep it short. I went with Weld Super Singles, the Roadhawk design in 8" width. I went through 14 wheels!!! Does that sound insane or what? Two of the wheels failed completely, one cracked from the valve stem hole, the other had a pinhole in it out in the middle of the rim and could'nt hold air. Now here is where it really sounds in-sane but it's true, all the other wheels, two full sets, all Roadhawks, made a ridiculous loud snap, crackle, and pop sound... noise. . when rolling down the road,especially when making turns the front wheels were a joke. I know, I know it sounds crazy but it was without a doubt traced to the wheels. When switched with another identical truck, that truck made the noise and mine stopped. The worse part, as I stated, Weld did not do a thing about it. I wasted a ton of time going thru this mess and I could barely get my money back in the end, much less any offer of any sort for my trouble. One of the failures left me stranded in the middle of Kansas in 0 temps. Their final lame exuse was the Cummins is just "too heavy" for alloy wheels. Super Singles... yea right, real super (pita). Long story short... Weld sucks. Three complete sets,(12 wheels), plus the two that failed = 14 wheels... what a joke. All of them did the same thing. Beware though... depending on the temperatures, it could take a week or so before you hear the snap, crackle, pop. . loud metallic sound, but once it starts it's there for good. Too bad. . the wheels look great and I thought before that they had a good reputation, guess not.

 

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Thanks everyone for your input. As sweet as the Welds look I probably won't go with them because of their expense, and one of the tire shops said they are easy to damage when R&Ring tires--seems to coincide with what JJdiesel experienced. I am also leaning toward polished vs. chrome. I understand if you damage a chrome wheel, your only option is to replace it #ad


I ruled out Ultra and ARE (don't like any of their wheels) so am looking at Centerline and M/T. I like the Challengers that Andy P. has. I also like the Centerline's "Python" "Rattler" and "Polaris" wheels (ultra billet HD truck lineup).

Anyone know a good source for Centerlines? I believe I can get M/Ts from Summit Racing. On Weld wheels they had the best prices I saw anywhere (about $75 less than Les Schwab for example).

Vaughn

 

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I'd avoid Centerline. I had a set of Centerline HT/II's on my GMC Sonoma (a very light truck - SB RC) and bent 3 of the 4 rims running it on the sand dunes. Never any really hard hits either - I was shocked. They were very expensive wheels too ($250 ea) because they were a positive offset wheel. They did look awesome though!

-Steve St. Laurent

 

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Steve, I thought Centerlines were pretty decent. Maybe your lil Sonoma was heavier than you thought #ad


HVAC is running Centerlines shod with 60-series Pirelli Scorpios. . . I don't think he's had any trouble with his wheels. I am wondering how well the Scorpios will hold up because they are passenger rated (about 2200lb per tire) on his Red Rocket #ad
He emailed me and said they're holding up fine so far.

Vaughn

 

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I had a set of American Eagles on my 96' 3/4 ton and didn't have any problems. I currenlty have a set of Rebels in my garage that I had on my 1/ton QC that I need to sell. They were good with the exception of a few minor surface flaws. My brother in law did have a set of Eagles that had one wheel out of round though. The store where he bought it replaced it after having the tires moved to different wheels to prove it wasn't a tire problem. The weird part was that they balanced AOK. They just shimmied a little when on the truck.
One more thing. If you do ANY off roading, stay away from 16. 5 rims. The bead lock sucks... ...

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2000 RAM 4x4 2500HD Reg cab. Properly valved 5. 9 Cummins. 5 spd. 4. 10 LSD. Stock except for K&N Air Filter.

 

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Vaughn MacKenzie,I have and perfer the Alcoa's LTS to the rest of the wheels out there.

 

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I'm looking for a vendor for alloy 19. 5" wheels. I'd like to go the Rickson route but don't really care for the steel rims. Who's got some nice alloy rims in that size?