Thinking about steelies

[WorkPlayHorizon]

I'm getting ready to do a BDS 2inch lift and add BFG 255/75/17's with wheel spacers. I don't want to spend much on rims right now but wondering how rim selection is longer term as it effects the style of wheel spacers i buy now. Buy adapter spacers now or not? What have you guys found regarding off road rim options in the various lug patterns?

If I go the adapter route, I'm thinking about picking up some GM steelies (maybe spare truck rims?) giving them a shaker can paint job and more or less having the tires on so it can roll. Longer term, then i feel like i'll have better rim options out there to chose from? Are steelies prone to breaking, cracking or just heavier? Don't think they'd look bad, but don't know mechanics of rims.

Thoughts?

Big D

[DirtyBacon04]

I went on CL and got a set of Silverado rims for $170. Good idea to get the spacers/adapters from 6x5 to 6x5.5 so at least then you'll have a much larger selection of wheels when you're ready to upgrade. I dont know much about the steelies but i've never heard of them breaking.

[Rob93]

Steel rims are heavy, which results in worse mpg.. there's not much out there in our lug pattern, I browse craigslist daily and have never found 6x5" wheels that weren't stock or 20" and chrome, however there's new sets of 6x5.5" wheels everyday

[WorkPlayHorizon]

Hey, thanks. I admired your build thread before joining. An picture of your stock TB offroad should be a requirement of a build thread. (i think it teaches you how to work with the TB's strengths and tweak weaknesses to meet your specific needs/goals.)

In fact, having truck rims off craigslist has crossed my mind. i really want some black rims though... so i can't hardly bring myself to buy rims unless their ones i like! sucker i guess...

Thanks!

[WorkPlayHorizon]

The mileage thing is an interesting one... certainly unnecessary weight is wasteful but I'm picturing my rig carrying some weight expedition style when complete. Are the steelies going to make that much difference?

[Trail X]

Doubtful. Biggest effects will come from extraneous roof components, driving style, and gear ratio.

Oh, and from what I have read - serious expeditioneers prefer steelies because they do not break easily, they just bend... and you can hammer a bend out of the rim with a little elbow grease.

[WorkPlayHorizon]

now, that's thinking! steelies and a mallet... I like it. Form and function. Simple, cheap and smart. (james, i'm basically going to copy your suspension and tires. anything you'd change if you had to do over? seems like a good height/function balance from where i'm sitting. i know this is rim/tire forum but they all kind of get done together don't they?)

[NC_IslandRunner]

You should be able to find some at your local tire shop, I was going to get some. They had 16" for $50 each my friend ran the same rims on his jeep with 33" tires and loved them. If you can't find them with our lug pattern just get the wheel spacers adapted to a different lug pattern I don't think that cost extra.

[Flying Monkey]

You can get Crager soft 8's real cheap at Summit, thats the route I went. I went with the 6x5.5 and had my spacer made to that bolt pattern since its a more common pattern.

[WorkPlayHorizon]

I ordered some black Cragar Soft 8's from Discount Tire (have used them a lot here in town) in first week of January... still waiting. GRRRR... When i said i needed more than "it should be tomorrow" they finally checked with their supplier... they had to be made! So, first half of Feb now...

[Flying Monkey]

Took 2 days to get mine through Summit. Everything I order from them gets here right away. They have them in stock ready to ship, just checked

[navigator]

Summit has good pricing too.

[WorkPlayHorizon]

The Cragars finally made it. I had just enough time to get BFG Rubicon KM 255/75 r 17's on the rims and them mounted yesterday. Man... it was a long wait on those rims... but the price was good!
(will post picture soon... can't seem to figure how from my iPad)

[WorkPlayHorizon]

the pictures i promised

[janesy86]

Looks good dude!

[Mooseknuckle]

Looks awesome good job

[HARDTRAILZ]

Nice

[Trail X]

Looks great. You'll love those tires.

[WorkPlayHorizon]

Hey, thanks. I think the rim back spacing combination with the wheel spacers has them sticking out wider than I anticipated but now that they've been on for a couple of days, I'm getting used to it.

[navigator]

what backspacing did you get?
From what I can tell in the pictures I think they stick out just the right amount.