Been searching the forums and reading numerous threads, but still got doubts on this. I would appreciate if someone could help me out:


I'm currently running 31x10.5 BFG M/T on my '94 4wd pickup:









I have no idea on the specs of the current wheels (just bought the truck a few months ago), and I want to swap them for some steel wheels. I'm happy with the current setup (just the amount of extension beyond fender wells illustrated on the pic above), so I want to keep it as is. Truck is completely stock, no lift or other mods. Also, I will be sticking to this tire size in the future (31x10.5).


I'm looking into a set of steel Procomp 97 Series 15x8 with a 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern and 3.75 backspacing. Would these be the specs to go for?



Thanks for any feedback!

 

Correct. You will have about half an inch +- of tire sticking out. Almost too much for me, but it still does not look like a brodozer truck so you are just fine.
Instead of steelies, some nice TRD rims would also look great. But $$$

 

Thanks!

 

Why?

Is there a performance/durability advantage? Is it personal preference? I like the look of your wheels, but that doesn't mean you should.

 

I like them too, but the reason is I had to get one of them repaired (had a crack and was leaking air. Actually it still leaks, but much much less), and I have no idea on what abuse those wheels were subjected to by previous owners. Considering one of the wheels needed repair, I don't trust much the other ones.

I think steel wheels may be more durable, can be more easily and confidently repaired, and help give the truck the simple, "agricultural" look I want it to have. I live in Mexico, I'm a biologist, and this truck I'll be using it for work in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains, and I want a truck which "blends in" more easily with the local farmers' worn out old Chevy and Ford Trucks.

 

Actually, a Toyota Pickup will ALWAYS stand out among other trucks, but, what the hell.

 

Back in the days when alloy wheels were "new," I was told that one very big advantage is that they are rounder. Steel wheels are (were?) stamped, but alloy wheels were machined. At one point, tire installers would use a machine that actually scrapped tiny bits of rubber off a tire mounted to a steel wheel to make the tire rounder. Maybe it was marketing gim-crack, but wadda I know.

Of course, roundness is more important at higher (highway) speeds, and you may not care as much in the mountains. I suppose a steel wheel might bend when an alloy wheel would crack, but in either case they wouldn't hold air.

 

That may well still be true (alloy wheels being rounder) , must depend on manufacturing quality of steel wheels. Alas, my budget I must balance between many components that need (some urgently, some preventative) replacement on my truck, so I'm definitely leaning towards the lower cost of steel wheels.