Aftermarket wheel strength
Jeßus
Been searching for a new set of alloy wheels for the Forester, not
interested in going up a size (current stockies are 16") or going to a
lower profile tyre.
I may even go down to 15" if that means having the wheel/tyre of my
choice - that is assuming I can maintain the overall original diameter -
but unlikely I would go that route.
I've had a pretty good look around at the usual suspects for alloy off-
road wheels, but not a lot out there for the Foz.
So that leaves aftermarket alloy wheels more commonly found on street
vehicles. Just wondering though, how do your typical aftermarket wheels
fare on rough roads in terms of strength and durability?
(I certainly won't be running low profile tyres, btw)
Trevor Wilson
"Je�us" <no...@all.org> wrote in message
news:MPG.256496eec...@news.x-privat.org...
**Can't beat steel wheels for strength and durability. Steel has it's
downsides, but strength and durability are not amongst them.
--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
Jeßus
tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au said...
:
:"Je�us" <no...@all.org> wrote in message
I'm *not* going to fit steel wheels, Trev :)
The Landcruiser yes, but not the Forester...
PhilD
"Trevor Wilson" <tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message
news:7lu9sjF...@mid.individual.net...
hitting a rock in the road. There may be advantages in wheel weight and
brake cooling though.
PhilD
Jeßus
replytonew...@aussient.com.au said...
:
:"Trevor Wilson" <tre...@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message
I should've added the 'I'm not interested in hammering out a steel rim'
caveat.
Whilst I live in a remote area with rough roads, it's not exactly akin
to the Gunbarrel Hwy either. I also carry a spare anyway.
:There may be advantages in wheel weight and brake cooling though.
"may be"?
hippo
Just a thought - are the 16s from the 3L Outback the same stud pattern?
The rib pattern is a bit heavier than on the 2.5 & the car's heavier than
a Forester, so maybe they'd be a bit tougher. Cheers
--
Posted at www.usenet.com.au
Trevor Wilson
**Fairy 'nuff. I'm old school. I still ride a steel (chrome-moly) bicycle
too. MUCH tougher than those girly aluminium bikes. I've got aluminium
wheels on the Dunnydore, but it never goes off-road. The bike does.
--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
John_H
>
>Been searching for a new set of alloy wheels for the Forester, not
>interested in going up a size (current stockies are 16") or going to a
>lower profile tyre.
>
>I may even go down to 15" if that means having the wheel/tyre of my
>choice - that is assuming I can maintain the overall original diameter -
>but unlikely I would go that route.
Presumably yours is a GT (215/60 R16 stock size)?
AFAIK all other 2001 Forester models are 205/70 R15. What would be
wrong with those wheels?
Difference in circumference on the stock tyre sizes is 0.5%... 2087
(16) vs 2099 (15). That's to say it's a fully legal swap. How else
can you maintain the circumference (diameter*pi) without going to a
ridiculously narrow tyre on the 16" wheels?
--
John H
PhilD
If so, my thoughts were that there are so many combinations that I don't
know what the weight difference might be and would it make any difference if
there was any. As to cooling, not too many designs seem to be there to
specifically enhance cooling other than just from gains the alloy itself may
provide. Would it be a noticeably performance gain anyway depending on usage
and location.
The last time I was in a tyre shop I was looking at some of the designs on
display and many seemed woefully inadequate in terms of survivability
against even potholes and kerbs. Some were only attached to the rim at the
outer edge and I kept wondering at the strength at the inner edge. I know
it's been a long time since I've had any and manufacturers may have found
that current designs and metallurgy are adequate. It more looks like to me
that longevity has been replaced by appearance needs, and even then some of
them look bloody awful and IMHO detract from the vehicle anyway.
I've just spent a fair bit of time on the Internet looking at sites around
the country to find a suitable ute due to lack of enough variety up here. I
discarded so many as they already had alloy's fitted. Personal opinion and
choice based on needs and location.
PhilD
Scotty
"Je�us" <no...@all.org> wrote in message news:MPG.2564a6ac5...@news.x-privat.org...
: In article <7lu9sjF...@mid.individual.net>,
Mustve missed it but whats wrong with the stockies?
Casper
You carrying a full size spare or one of those 'space saver' do-hickies?
Any aftermarket wheel will be as serviceable and sturdy as your factory set
imho
Stud PCD is 5 x 100 yeh ? Offset of 45 ?
You'll be lucky to find much in the way of choice. Walk into any wheel shop
with racks and racks of wheels, you'll get a choice of 2 or 3 that will fit
yours.
I had a hard time finding 16's for my wife's celica - same stud pattern.
Going to a 17" or better yet 18" will increase your options - just pointing
that out even though it's not what you want.
Jeßus
:news:MPG.2564a6ac5...@news.x-privat.org...
Seen a few alloy framed bikes develop cracks - or worse :)
The Foz certainly isnt an off-roader, despite what Subaru or anyone else
says, IMO. I have no plans to use mine as one, thats for sure.
That said, the roads can get pretty rough here - even the sealed ones -
hence my original question. I'm pretty sure just about any aftermarket
wheel will be fine, but thought it wouldnt hurt to ask anyway.
Jeßus
am9obmhAc2hvYWwubmV0LmF1@REGISTERED_USER_usenet.com.au said...
:
Thanks Hippo. I'd have to check the offset on the Outback, I know the
Impreza is slightly different to the Forester, although not necessarily
a problem, depending on tyre choice and ride height.
Just for clarification - I have no doubt that the OEM wheels on my Foz
are strong enough - I'm merely looking for a better looking wheel but
did wonder how your typical aftermarket wheel compared strength wise.
Not that I've found anything to my liking as yet. From what I've seen,
I'm pretty sure that I won't find the style I'd *really* like, they'd
have to be custom made. Not sure I'm prepared to spend that kind of
money though...
Jeßus
cas...@home.capalaba.qld.au said...
:
:"Je�us" <no...@all.org> wrote in message
Full size, thankfully.
:Any aftermarket wheel will be as serviceable and sturdy as your factory set
:imho
Sounds good to me. I figured they'd probably be okay, but what with so
many brands around these days - both cheap and expensive - well, it did
make me wonder if some are less than great build-wise.
:Stud PCD is 5 x 100 yeh ? Offset of 45 ?
5 x 100 and +48 on the GTs, I believe.
:You'll be lucky to find much in the way of choice.
Yeah, I noticed :\
I might look into a having custom set made, although I'm pretty sure the
price will put me off.
: Walk into any wheel shop
:with racks and racks of wheels, you'll get a choice of 2 or 3 that will fit
:yours.
Yep. I'm happy to order them in, rather than merely select from a few in
a shop.
:I had a hard time finding 16's for my wife's celica - same stud pattern.
:Going to a 17" or better yet 18" will increase your options - just pointing
:that out even though it's not what you want.
I suppose I *might* be able to go to 17's, its something to keep in
mind, I suppose. Just as long as I can avoid low profile tyres.
Suspension height is still stock, and I'll probably leave it that way.
Some new sway bars are on the cards though, at the very least.
Cheers
hippo
Yes, but you may not know which until it's too late! Is country of origin
any guide? For instance as a generalisation, Taiwan good, China and
Philippines bad as a wheel manufacturer, or something like that? Somebody
out there must know :)
>
> :Stud PCD is 5 x 100 yeh ? Offset of 45 ?
>
> 5 x 100 and +48 on the GTs, I believe.
>
> :You'll be lucky to find much in the way of choice.
>
> Yeah, I noticed :\
>
> I might look into a having custom set made, although I'm pretty sure the
> price will put me off.
>
> : Walk into any wheel shop
> :with racks and racks of wheels, you'll get a choice of 2 or 3 that will fit
> :yours.
>
> Yep. I'm happy to order them in, rather than merely select from a few in
> a shop.
>
> :I had a hard time finding 16's for my wife's celica - same stud pattern.
> :Going to a 17" or better yet 18" will increase your options - just pointing
> :that out even though it's not what you want.
>
> I suppose I *might* be able to go to 17's, its something to keep in
> mind, I suppose. Just as long as I can avoid low profile tyres.
> Suspension height is still stock, and I'll probably leave it that way.
> Some new sway bars are on the cards though, at the very least.
>
> Cheers
>
>
--
Posted at www.usenet.com.au
Jeßus
replytonew...@aussient.com.au said...
<snip>
:>
:> :There may be advantages in wheel weight and brake cooling though.
:>
:> "may be"?
:>
:Is that a question as to why I said "may be"?
Nope, more that alloys would be - or bloody well should be, at least.
:If so, my thoughts were that there are so many combinations that I don't
:know what the weight difference might be and would it make any difference if
:there was any. As to cooling, not too many designs seem to be there to
:specifically enhance cooling other than just from gains the alloy itself may
:provide. Would it be a noticeably performance gain anyway depending on usage
:and location.
Yep, in my case the only time it'd make any real difference is on
prolonged downhill runs, such as down Mt Elephant Pass or St Mary's Pass
here in Tas.
:The last time I was in a tyre shop I was looking at some of the designs on
:display and many seemed woefully inadequate in terms of survivability
:against even potholes and kerbs. Some were only attached to the rim at the
:outer edge and I kept wondering at the strength at the inner edge. I know
:it's been a long time since I've had any and manufacturers may have found
:that current designs and metallurgy are adequate. It more looks like to me
:that longevity has been replaced by appearance needs, and even then some of
:them look bloody awful and IMHO detract from the vehicle anyway.
Agreed, I'm having a very hard time finding wheels I like. Actually, I
have found *any* as yet. The vast majority these days appear to have
that chrome look in silly sizes and they look fvcking awful.
I had the misfortune of being stuck on the mainland for ten days (the
Spirit of Tas was booked out, for vehicles at least), bought the Foz in
Melbourne, had 10 days to kill, so went up to Sydney to visit family.
The choice of wheels on certain cars I saw up there...
... such as the nice looking early 70's Jag - with 20" chrome wheels...
Jesus.
:I've just spent a fair bit of time on the Internet looking at sites around
:the country to find a suitable ute due to lack of enough variety up here. I
:discarded so many as they already had alloy's fitted. Personal opinion and
:choice based on needs and location.
Yep. Keep in mind that it should cost very little to switch to steelies
- unless like me you're also concerned with the looks. Even then, new
sunraysia style steel wheels are pretty cheap these days and they look
okay IMO.
Having lived up near Darwin for 17 years, I know what it's like looking
for a good used vehicle up there. You're most likely better off both
price-wise and condition-wise finding something down south - the further
south the better, IMO.
I had a similar problem here, in that I wanted a specific model Forester
GT, unmodified with certain options and colour. That meant buying on the
mainland, unless I was willing to wait god only knows how long :)
Jeßus
am9obmhAc2hvYWwubmV0LmF1@REGISTERED_USER_usenet.com.au said...
:
:Je�us wrote:
:>
:> In article <4afa76a6$0$1784$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au>,
:> cas...@home.capalaba.qld.au said...
:>
:> :Any aftermarket wheel will be as serviceable and sturdy as your factory set
:>
:> Sounds good to me. I figured they'd probably be okay, but what with so
:> many brands around these days - both cheap and expensive - well, it did
:> make me wonder if some are less than great build-wise.
:
:Yes, but you may not know which until it's too late! Is country of origin
:any guide? For instance as a generalisation, Taiwan good, China and
:Philippines bad as a wheel manufacturer, or something like that? Somebody
:out there must know :)
Which basically brings us back to my original question :)
John_H
>
>I suppose I *might* be able to go to 17's, its something to keep in
>mind, I suppose. Just as long as I can avoid low profile tyres.
How do you intend avoiding low profile tyres on the stock 16" wheels
(let alone 17's)?
The stock 60's are already low profile by off-road tyre standards,
which should equally appply to the rough stuff IMHO.
--
John H
Kev
avoid anything made in Asia
Advanti wheels are the shittiest things I have ever driven on
only lasted 6 months and had two of them cracked and all 4 with bent
flanges and all out of round
some rough roads around here and they were just not up to it
Bought some Asutralian made CSA/Mullins wheels
5 years later and they are still all running true with no sign of any
damage after running on the same roads
Kev
Jeßus
kev...@optunet.com.au said...
:
:Je�us wrote:
:> Been searching for a new set of alloy wheels for the Forester, not
:> interested in going up a size (current stockies are 16") or going to a
:> lower profile tyre.
:>
:> I may even go down to 15" if that means having the wheel/tyre of my
:> choice - that is assuming I can maintain the overall original diameter -
:> but unlikely I would go that route.
:>
:>
:> I've had a pretty good look around at the usual suspects for alloy off-
:> road wheels, but not a lot out there for the Foz.
:>
:> So that leaves aftermarket alloy wheels more commonly found on street
:> vehicles. Just wondering though, how do your typical aftermarket wheels
:> fare on rough roads in terms of strength and durability?
:> (I certainly won't be running low profile tyres, btw)
:>
:>
:
:
:avoid anything made in Asia
With the exception of some Japanese wheels, perhaps.
:Advanti wheels are the shittiest things I have ever driven on
:only lasted 6 months and had two of them cracked and all 4 with bent
:flanges and all out of round
:some rough roads around here and they were just not up to it
Fark. Was this on a car or 4WD? Low or 'normal' profile tyres?
:Bought some Asutralian made CSA/Mullins wheels
:5 years later and they are still all running true with no sign of any
:damage after running on the same roads
Good to hear, thanks for the info Kev.
Kev
> :avoid anything made in Asia
>
> With the exception of some Japanese wheels, perhaps.
>
> :Advanti wheels are the shittiest things I have ever driven on
> :only lasted 6 months and had two of them cracked and all 4 with bent
> :flanges and all out of round
> :some rough roads around here and they were just not up to it
>
> Fark. Was this on a car or 4WD? Low or 'normal' profile tyres?
on a BA Falcon
17x8 wheels with 245/45/17 tyres, not terribly low profile
I use the two that weren't cracked on my 6x4 box trailer just for the
hell of it
> :Bought some Asutralian made CSA/Mullins wheels
> :5 years later and they are still all running true with no sign of any
> :damage after running on the same roads
>
> Good to hear, thanks for the info Kev.
When I decided that I would look for Australian made wheels
and there were only two real candidates(there were others but their
prices were far more than anyone would pay for just a family car)
CSA/Mullins and Speedy
that was until I was looking at a set of Speedy wheels and on the back
were the words "Made in Taiwan"
so it was CSA
Kev
Jeßus
kev...@optunet.com.au said...
:
Thanks Kev, the research continues!