16"x10" Rims: Go with AR589's or steelies?

[Bob Barry]

I've got a dilemma.

I've been looking for a set of rims on which to mount my 325/85-16" Michelin XML's.

This is not a common rim-size, especially with the 8-lug pattern, and a number of the available rims are in the $250-$350/each range. Plus I think most of them are ugly.

A set of three American Racing 589's have come up for sale on the Pirate board; with shipping, I could have them at my door for about $210. Add in another $130 for a fourth rim, $25 for a steel 16"x7" for a spare, and I could have my tires mounted on aluminum rims for $365.

Or, I could get a set of cheapie $60 steel rims in that size and lug-pattern, and be done with it for about $265.

I guess the deciding factor is going to be the weight of the rims. The tires alone weigh over 100lbs. I imagine the aluminum rims would weigh half of what the steel rims would weigh (there'd be a lot of steel in a 16"x10" rim).

Is it worth the extra $25/rim to lop off that extra weight? Or once you're above a certain poundage, weight-reduction gives you diminishing returns?

Style-wise, I actually like the looks of the steel rims better, so this would be a matter of form-over-function.

[River Beast]

www.wheelsforless.com (http://www.wheelsforless.com) is where I am ordering my Eagle 16x10's (8 on 6.5) To my door with lugs caps and steel stems for $519... can't go wrong or beat it anywhere

I will stay away from steelies for one reason... weight.... that is my main reasoning....

[ April 25, 2003, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[rockjeep44]

Well I've run both the 589s and steelies so I can comment on this pretty well. If you plan on doing serious rockcrawling, and I mean serious, don't get the 589s. I tore mine up pretty bad and really splintered the aluminum in a couple places. The steelies on the other hand love the rock rash and if you bend em you can just bend em back. Unless you are competing, I wouldn't worry about the little extra weight.
-Andrew

[River Beast]

You do alot more rocks than I do....Andrew....

[Bob Barry]

I'll be on the rocks, and I gouged and bent my old steelies from grinding on rocks; is that a situation that the 589's won't work well in? This is not a serious rockcrawler, but there are a lot of rocks on the trails we go on, and it's not uncommon to be sliding a sidewall along a rock. I'm not bouncing up and down the climbs, however.

[blt2krl]

My only contribution is steel will be beat back to shape and get you off the trail a hell of a lot better than AL.

[rockjeep44]

Yea, paul is right. The 589s don't take rash well. If you ran your finger along the sides of my old 589s you'd cut yourself wide open from the splinters. Todd, I agree with you. Back before I ran much rocks I loved my 589s. They look great in my opinion.
-Andrew

[River Beast]

Plus I could eventually send the 589's to Champion and have them put the beadlocks on them!!!! :D

[Joe Guilbeau]

Had the aluminum good looking rims once upon a time, sold them to Bo at Jeep Masters in Austin.

If they encounter rocks or curbs, you will know why I got rid of them.

Cheap steel, save the cash for something else.

[Rockwagon]

Say no to the Aluminum!!!!!! Why do you think there is only three!!!!!

[Bob Barry]

Rockwagon, that's the best point anyone has made so far! :D

I declined the offer, and I will be ordering a set of spoke steel wheels, and probably end up painting them body-color whenever I get to painting the body (safety orange is my plan).

Thanks for the advice!

[Rockwagon]

I'm not sure about 16x10's but I got my 15x10 8 lug wheels from summit. The cary a full line of Bart wheels. Mine were like $50 a piece bu free shipping. I got white powder coated and left them cause nobody runs white wheels anymore and my middle name is nobody!!!!!! LOL!!!

[River Beast]

If I could find a decent looking 16x10 8 lug... I may go for it.... wifey dont like the black rock crawlers, but I doo..... hmmmmm

[Heimeken]

I vote for steel, I'm currently running 589s and they do look good. Great for the "occassional off-roader" but I have also found that they scratch up really easy, then they don't look so good anymore. I'm going with steel next.

Todd, Tyres1.com has a white "monster wheel" in white steel for $82 each.

[AMC258]

Funny this thread came up, I was looking through an old issue of 4Wheel&Offroad, they torture tested a set of steel, aluminum, and forged aluminum, they did everything to these, including driving without tires, the cast aluminum ended up cracked, the forged aluminum ended up with only $25 worth of damage, and the steelies also took roughly $25 to fix, also took the least amount of weight to balance out afterwards. Just a little info.

BTW, the tested wheels were Mickey Thompson ClassicII cast aluminum, The U.S. Wheel White Tracker steel, and Weld Racing Stone Crusher Forged aluminum.

[Bob Barry]

I recall that test too. The 589's are cast, I'm sure (anything in the $100-$150 range has to be), so the steels will be much more durable.

[dharmabum]

One other thing with aluminum wheels is that tires seem to break their beads easier on aluminum when aired down compared to steel. I also agree that steel is alot more durable and cheaper. I am running some aluminum rims now but looking for some cheap steelies to swap on.

[River Beast]

I can't find a good 16x10 8 on 6.5 steelie (I don't want wagons or modulars) with a good 4-5" offset ANYWHERE!!!

Rock Crawlers, ARE 767, only 16x8 with 5" BS

I wish I could fine 16x10's with a 4.5 -5" BS I'll take a black Rock Crawler if nothing else....

I looked ate Eaton and Bart... no go for the 16x10's :mad:

[AMC258]

Try Stockton wheel, if they don't have it, they will build it. Used them many times for farm applications, but they do everything.
www.stocktonwheel.com (http://www.stocktonwheel.com)

[Bob Barry]

You're right; most places don't carry that size, or if they do, it's a Wagon-wheel or a modular.

I think the U.S.Wheels rims are in that backspacing range: check out their Daytona 87 and 84-series rims or their Tracker 07/04/05 series rims:

http://www.uswheel.com/steel.htm

I believe Cragar's Series 342 comes in that size and bolt-pattern, but I don't know about backspacing:

http://www.cragar.com/Series342.html

4 Wheel Parts has a 16"x10" 8-lug black Rock Crawler rim with 4.00" backspacing: $59.99/each:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2.asp?imseqn=1812&occlass=TECH&cat=Wheels

There are also chrome and white wagon-wheels on those pages, as well as some modulars. But you should be able to find something without resorting to what you don't want.

I don't know what it is with those "imitation bead-locks" though. A lot extra for nothing useful.

[River Beast]

BOB,

I will call US Wheel tomorrow... I like the Daytona 16x10 as long as it;s a 4.5" BS or better...

I will also call Stockton tomorrow,,, thanks guys...

[Bob Barry]

Here's another link; these are $82/each through Tyres International, and they have a 4.5" backspacing:

http://www.tyres1.com/search/products/82-6008042.html

http://www.tyres1.com/images/products/wheels/wmstrc.jpg

[Midnightwagon]

welp i cant resist butting in. i just got a set of hmmwv wheels recenterd to my specs and its a dual beadlock but they are 16.5. but thats what i need for the tires im gonna run. and planning for the future tires (42?) (oh and they were cheap too 220 for the set to my door) www.usa6x6.com (http://www.usa6x6.com)

[Bob Barry]

I know about Daniel's wheels; I wish I could go with a set of those, but I've already got the 16" tires. A re-centered set of Hummer rims just won't work for me.

[River Beast]

I called Stockton Wheel

This is the Explorer Wheel
http://www.stocktonwheel.com/wheels/Explorer.JPG

16x10 with 4.5" offset 8 on 6.5 in CHROME with caps is

$110 each.... $2.50 for each for steel stems

Shipped for $40

...not bad

In black or powercoated silver they are $90 each

I think for the money.... I am still going with Eagle 589's the cost is VERY comparable since I get EVERYTHING for $515....

[ April 28, 2003, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[Midnightwagon]

ok sorry sorry. i passed some bum scoop. the wheels on usa 6x6 are not a set of 4 for 220.
they are 220 apiece redface.gif ya i was dissapointed after they wrote me back to confirm the order for 1 wheel. oh well i guess it was too good to be true.

[netbear]

With that big tire I would go with a nice steel
wheel. The Bart wheels through summit are the best
value and Stockton Wheels makes a great product for
a medium price. The only wheels I have seen break
into pieces were cast Aluminum. Forged Aluminum
holds up great and steels holds up great. I just
would not chance cast on big heavy wheels on a big
heavy Jeep. Cool tires you have picked out there!

[HeepofaJeep]

I don't know what it is with those "imitation bead-locks" though. A lot extra for nothing useful. My theory is, (this actually came from a guy at four wheel parts wholesalers), that if people use the imitations, cops won't know when people have the imitations or the bead locks, thus lowering the number of those who get ticketed for having illegal beadlocks.