Ok, so i have decided that the tires i'm going with are 265/75/R16's (Basically 32's) but i have a few questions about wheels. I can't decide between steel or alloy. The price different isn't significant enough to help me, so i need your guys help.

1. I read that 16x8 Cragar Soft 8's weigh 37lbs a piece. Anyone know what factory 15" Steel Wheels weigh?

2. Most of the wheels i'm looking at are 4.5" Backspacing. Will that work? I've got a 4.5" Long Arm lift, if that makes a difference.

3. Pros / cons of steel & alloy wheels?

What would you guys do?

Like i said, the price difference isn't much. I'd like to save the weight, because steel wheels are heavy. However, if there isn't much weight difference between steel and alloy, i'll probably just go with the steelies.

As always, any and all help is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

Steel bends and alloy breaks.I went with steel so if I bend one I can pound it out and get home.If alloy breaks then your done.Also ,if you wheel it then they are going to get scratched and dull.Steel is easy to repaint.

 

if there's not much difference in price, i'd go for the alloys.

 

i would go the 16x8 steel rim (soft 8's is my choice) with a 4" or -12 backspacing.

Price should be about $60 a rim.

like posted above steel bends, alloy breaks.

 

They look new now.

 

I do like the Soft 8's. For example, though Pro Comp's Soft 8's 16x8 come in 4.25 Backspacing. Plus, they're $85 a piece. For about $25 more per wheel, i could get some nice Pro Comp alloy's. The only difference is the backspacing on the alloys is 4.5". Is there a huge weight difference between alloys and steel wheels?

 

depends on the type of wheel you are getting.

 

alloys weight quite a bit less than steels. i'd go with alloys all day long. you're not gonna be bending and breaking wheels every week, it's a once a year incident, if that. and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to replace one instead of beating it back straight. although, i have already scratched the everliving poopoo out of my wheels, but that's because i like getting really close to rocks and i don't take air out of my tires when i wheel.
u said the steelies weigh 37 lbs.
my alloys weight 17 lbs. a piece. 15x8.5(actual measurement) and 3.75" backspacing.
so, the just the gas mileage you save will pay for the alloys.
if it's just an offroad toy, then steelies might be more suitable for you. bend it on the trail, beat it back, air it back up.
i guess, the gas mileage and the parasitic power loss is the only disadvantage of steelies.

 

It's not going to be JUST an offroad toy (although mostly) i will be driving it on the highway as well. Will 4.5" backspacing work, or will i have to get spacers? The gas mileage i'm not terribly worried about, the main thing is stopping. Although the increased MPG would be nice. I'm not too worried about breaking them either.

 

less rolling mass takes less effort to stop.
with a 4.5" lift, i would definitely get less backspacing than 4.5". you gotta go out as much as you go up to maintain your rollover leverage. they do make steelies with 3.75" backspacing. although, 4.5" backspacing will clear your leafs and control arms, you will not need spacers.
sounds to me like you MIGHT have more use for alloys than steelies. mine cost $350 shipped for all four, and i got them in two days. not trying to bury my face in your business, just informing you

 

go black rock there cheaper an they come with center cap,which is saving you like 15 buck s http://www.quadratec.com/products/92613_03XX_B_PG.htms

 

Yea, that's what i'm going for, is the less rolling mass, making it easier to stop. Where did you order your wheels from?

I do like their wheels, however the problem i'm having is their backspacing. It seems like all the wheels i find in 16x8 are 4.5" or 5" of backspacing. I'm having a hard time finding 16x8's in the right BS.

 

ebay, but i called the guy and he sold it to me for less, because he didn't have to pay paypal fees.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15X8-...Q5fAccessories

 

What wheels did you end up going with? I thought i gathered you got pro comp alloys with 4.5 BS, but I've searched everywhere for this wheel and it just doesn't exisit. Lost....

 

Steel wheels. I have aluminum and I am willing to trade for steel wheels