Forged vs Cast Al wheels

[CMeese]

Are the forged Aluminum 17"x8" wheels new for 2005? I have a 2004. 5 3500 4wd SWB single rear wheel with the optional 5spoke 17x8 Al wheels, which I thought the 2004 brochure said were "cast"! The 2005 brochure says the wheels are forged, but they look the same as mine! Can anyone clarify if my wheels are cast or forged? Also are the forged wheels made by Alcoa?



( I worked for Alcoa for nearly 30 years and am now retired)

Charlie

 

[Diesel Dan]

CMEESE,

The 03's and early/ mid 04's came with cast alum wheels. Late 04's and 05's are now getting Forged alum wheels. You can tell the difference in the finish. The forged ones are polished and almost look like chrome . I have recently bought the forged ones and they look great. Deffinately one of the nicest OEM wheels i have seen on any brand of truck.



The cast ones are painted silver.



best regards



Diesel Dan

 

[KCJackson]

Presented with the choice, always take forged over cast. Forged wheels are always stronger by design. Cast wheels run the risk of incosistent density and bubbles in the mold. Forged wheels start with a solid slab and are either cold or hot forged into shape by a press.



Supposedly, Superior is the wheel supplier for the aluminum wheels on the 3G Rams.

 

[chunter]

Is the dealer the only source for buying the forged OEM wheels or is there another source?



Thanks,

C. D. Hunter

 

[gsbrockman]

The 03's and early/ mid 04's came with cast alum wheels. Late 04's and 05's are now getting Forged alum wheels.

I consulted the sales brochure for 2003, and they are in fact described as "cast". I've recently purchased some 2005 17x8 alloys w/LT265/70R17 Michelin LTX A/S (not swapped out yet... still deciding on 33x12. 50R17 Mastercraft Courser C/T's or LT305/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's) and am anxious to see if the load ratings stamped on the wheels are significantly different. All of the 2nd GEN 2500 trucks with 16x8 alloys were also forged... I was surprised to see this post about the certain 3rd GEN wheels being cast. If anyone knows the difference in ratings, please post. I've been very pleased with the OE cast wheels and can't wait to install the forged alloy wheels.

Greg

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

All I know is you cant break a stock cast wheel. I bent one... ... No cracks though!!



Greg

 

[bombero]

Hope you can live with casted wheels because that is what you got. If you think that DC cut out the side molding and the rear wheel liners and gave us true forged wheels, thinks agin. They look different, but they are cast. So what, so is our crankshaft!!