The debate surrounding aluminum wheels and off-road steel wheels has been one of the pinnacle questions for off-road vehicles. If you go back and take a quick look at the history of off-road steel wheels for jeep and aluminum wheels, they were more widely chosen because they were easier to whip back into shape after taking an off-road beating. Are steel wheel rims stronger than aluminum? Looking at the history of them, some would say they are. You simply wouldn’t be able to say the same thing about the aluminum wheels of the same era. One of the first questions that people have after purchasing a Jeep is what off-road steel wheels should they get.
Aluminum wheels weren’t able to take the same punishment that steel ones could take, and this is primarily what caused many people to believe that offroad steel wheels were the way to go.
The Benefits Of Steel Wheels
There are a variety of benefits for choosing steel wheels as opposed to aluminum alloy wheels.
- Steel wheels are known to be easier to repair.
- They are cheaper than aluminum wheels.
- They tend to add more unsprung weight to the vehicle. An example of a benefit of unsprung weight is when you are out off-roading and encounter some rocky and uneven terrain, your vehicle won’t roll as easy.
Steel wheels are heavier, and this evidently provides more unsprung weight so that the tires will be planted on the ground when flexing from side to side occurs as terrain begins to get rough. One important thing to take note of is that when you have a heavy wheel, more rolling mass is created.
Another added benefit to steel wheels is that if you’re out off-roading for the day and start noticing some problems with your wheels, they can be fixed without having to take it back to a shop for servicing. A couple of taps with a hammer can bend a lip or bead-mounting surface back into place so that you can continue the rest of your day without spoiling the action and having to head back home.
This factor alone can be what causes some people to go with steel wheels. If you have a long off-roading trip planned that spans a few days out in a place far from any civilization, you don’t have the luxury of just getting things repaired right away. It should also be noted that steel wheels aren’t completely indestructible, and there is still a chance that they could be potentially damaged to the point that they can’t even be repaired.
Sometimes steel wheels tend to bend at the mounting surface. This can make it harder to balance correctly. The weight of the older style of steel wheels was felt below the vehicle, and you could deal with it because of the wheels’ strength. They will rust and chip, but you could still give them a quick fix. Because of the weight reduction in the newer steel wheels, they tend to not hold up to the same abuse that the older ones could take.
For the consumers that are focused on prices, it’s hard to beat steel wheels. Steel wheels come at a substantially lower cost than their aluminum counterparts, which will attract those working with a limited budget. Even though this seems to appeal more to those driving TJs and the older vehicles, you still see some JK Wranglers with the cheaper wheels.
What About Aluminum Alloy Wheels?
Aluminum alloy wheels weren’t engineered in the same way that they are in the present day. With today’s aluminum wheels, a variety of different metals are used to make more durable alloys. The older aluminum wheels weren’t as durable as the newer ones. They would tend to break and crack when put up against difficult road conditions. Modern aluminum wheels are crafted to be a fair bit tougher. Like steel wheels, newer aluminum wheels can sometimes even be repaired on the spot if they get damaged.
There is one factor that aluminum wheels have that steel wheels don’t, and that’s the overall look of them. For consumers going for a certain look to their off-road vehicle, then aluminum wheels are probably the ones that most will go with. That particular look is the main thing that aluminum wheels have that makes them the more preferred style nowadays. In comparison to steel, aluminum is a fair bit easier to work with as well.
Aluminum is:
- Lighter in weight than steel.
- Easier to mount.
- Easier to balance.
- Runs truer.
- A little more versatile
Because aluminum is lighter, that also makes vehicles with aluminum wheels easier to handle. Drivers will, in most cases, be able to feel the difference almost immediately when taking the vehicle on and off of the pavement. The overall rolling mass and suspension cycling are not affected because of the lower amount of unsprung weight. This essentially means that the off-road vehicle will be able to handle much better over both smooth and rough terrain.
It’s important to note that going with the lighter wheels will make the suspension have more flex and lean into the obstacles at a higher degree than if you had heavy wheels. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll tip right over just because the camber will be off. It just means that you’ll want to keep that in mind.
Another perk that some might light about aluminum wheels is that because the aluminum wheel won’t bend as easy, you won’t be able to spot as many dings, dents, and scratches as you typically would with a steel wheel. However, you might notice scrapes instead. Aluminum alloy wheels tend to oxidize, though, and sometimes the wheels will stick to the rotors faster.
Steel Versus Alloy Wheels
So, what are the best off-road wheels? The answer to this depends on many factors and isn’t just limited to what the metal is crafted out of.
What factors does it depend on?
- The weight of your vehicle and finding a wheel that can withstand the weight of it.
- Which tire and wheel package you have. For example: If your vehicle has a 12-inch wide wheel and you try to use a 12.50 tire, the rim’s edge might hit on rocks.
If you go with a more narrow stance on the wheel, then the tire’s bulge will be more suitable on the terrain. The integrity of the wheel will be safer from bumping into rocks and other debris. If you go with a 9-inch wheel and have a 12.5-inch wide tire, the tire bulge will be much larger and will be protected to a higher degree.
This same reasoning can be applied to tire and wheel size. Going down a wheel size will add more sidewall, and thus more protection. All of these little things can help bring your vehicle home in one piece after a heavy off-roading trip.
Another thing to consider is how you drive your off-road vehicle. If you tend to be more on the aggressive side, then there will always be a higher probability of damaging the metal. Driving into rocks and other things will take a larger toll on the vehicle if you’re hitting them at a higher speed. If you’re driving gently, the lifespan of your wheels will be prolonged.
If you can’t control your aggressive driving or don’t want to, then adding a bead lock ring can make the outer edge a lot stronger. Air pressure is another thing to consider. When taking vehicle off-roading, airing down the tires is recommended. Doing this not only provides a smoother ride and gives higher traction, but it also gives the wheels more protection.
Aluminum or Steel Wheels
At the end of the day, the decision to go with aluminum or steel wheels is up to the driver. You know your vehicle, how much money you’re willing to spend, and how dedicated you are to off-roading.
If you want to just do some easy, smooth, scenic trail riding, then aluminum wheels will probably be a better choice. Your vehicle’s weight, tire pressure, and tire size preference, and how you drive are all things to take into consideration when deciding which wheels to go with. For those that like the history of Jeep steel rims and steel wheel height, then they might want to stay with them.
After you’ve finally made the decision on aluminum or steel, decide on a style that you think will best suit you. You probably don’t want to start taking advice from people that have an unlimited budget. Take your time and educate yourself on the variety of different wheels out there, and then go with your gut.