15" Steelies vs 15" Aluminium
#1
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jasper, GA
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
15" Steelies vs 15" Aluminium
I have been researching for quite a while on which direction to head for wheels. I know the blanket statement "Aluminium is better" but why?
My budget for wheels and tires is very tight. My end goal is 15" wheels with 33x12.50 Wrangler Duratracs. I can get 5 15x8 ProComp 51s from Quadratec for $224 shipped and 5 15x8 Level 8 Trackers from DTD for $445 shipped. Is it worth the extra $$$ for the aluminium wheels? Also, that price at DTD is without the wheel installation kit, TPMS rebuild kit and valve stems. Do I need those? I have never purchased wheels for a vehicle before (Yeah, Yeah, I know). Anyway, just looking for some input on this.
My budget for wheels and tires is very tight. My end goal is 15" wheels with 33x12.50 Wrangler Duratracs. I can get 5 15x8 ProComp 51s from Quadratec for $224 shipped and 5 15x8 Level 8 Trackers from DTD for $445 shipped. Is it worth the extra $$$ for the aluminium wheels? Also, that price at DTD is without the wheel installation kit, TPMS rebuild kit and valve stems. Do I need those? I have never purchased wheels for a vehicle before (Yeah, Yeah, I know). Anyway, just looking for some input on this.
#2
Aluminum is less weight so typically it won't be a parasite to your power and MPG's. The steel is something you can bend back if you happen to crash onto a boulder or the curb.
Why not see what DTD can do for your wheels (in steel)? They can order various things that they don't standardly offer. They do offer members here $50 a set of wheels or $100 off a set of wheels and tires. Another option on the wheels is to go check your local tire store, they'll often have the simpler wheels available to order.
The "installation kit" is up to you. I've moved my TPMS multiple times without the rebuild kit before I sold the sensors to someone else. If you go with standard valve stems then I would have DTD do their free mount & balance service which *should* include the rubber stems.
Why not see what DTD can do for your wheels (in steel)? They can order various things that they don't standardly offer. They do offer members here $50 a set of wheels or $100 off a set of wheels and tires. Another option on the wheels is to go check your local tire store, they'll often have the simpler wheels available to order.
The "installation kit" is up to you. I've moved my TPMS multiple times without the rebuild kit before I sold the sensors to someone else. If you go with standard valve stems then I would have DTD do their free mount & balance service which *should* include the rubber stems.
#3
JK Super Freak
In general aluminum wheels are lighter and tend to be thinner so there is less fitment issues especially when it comes to 15 inch wheels. If you are going to 33 inch tires then your going to need something along the lines of the AEV Procal to calibrate your speedometer. At least in the case of the Procal you can use that to turn off the TPMS. In which case you don't even need TPMS rebuild kits.
#5
JK Jedi Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 0
Received 162 Likes
on
154 Posts
This one has some info.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/spon...wheels-120933/
$45 / each, with a 5x5 pattern for the JK?
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/spon...wheels-120933/
5 15x8 ProComp 51s from Quadratec for $224