Preparing for 3rd gen brakes come nice weather. Looking for 17” 3rd gen wheels on craigslist now, debating steel vs aluminum. Either way, I’ll get them powder coated black. I like the look of the aluminum ones but steelies are cheap. Any downside to running the steels for now? No super heavy towing, mostly loading my 8’ bed with firewood and an occasional light trailer.

mag wheel cleaner the etching one. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/eagle-one-etching-mag-wheel-cleaner-spray-23-oz-836604/7030000-P

 

i'm not sure about the coating, a good clear coat should be good, might check with a local auto paint supplier. here i use a local PPG store they have what you'll need. 

On 1/26/2018 at 5:47 PM, CTcummins24V said:

Who knows the specs on 3rd gen wheels? Are they forged alloy? I assume so for strength, not low pressure cast like most aftermarket.

 

I picked up a set from an ‘04, they are the machined version with some silver paint, not polished. I think the best way to clean them is to have them media blasted and powder coated. I’ve been reading up on powder coating with mixed messaging. Any input?

I could possibly be the only one here who's powdercoated third/fourth generation wheels.  I'm very pleased with how they turned out.  I really wanted to keep the original finish but this was the easiest option.  $60/wheel to blast and coat. Fast turnaround.  An establishment who specializes in it should be able to do any color you desire.        

Edited February 1, 20187 yr by sooxies
grammer

I already dropped them off, $300 for sand blasting and gloss black powder coat. Spoke with the guy at the machine shop for a while. He said they bake them at 375-400 degrees F for short time periods, like 10-15 minutes for pre bake and regular bake. Not hot or long enough for annealing the aluminum.

I think I need to paint the center caps...

 

and I went from 285/75r16s to 265/70r17 and the wheel combo weighs 5lbs more! Oem wheels heavier?

14 minutes ago, CTcummins24V said:

I think I need to paint the center caps...

 

and I went from 285/75r16s to 265/70r17 and the wheel combo weighs 5lbs more! Oem wheels heavier?

I just got done putting these on my truck. They look so sharp!! 

Yes.... paint those center caps! 

 

 

Potato patato, tomato tamato, someone is stilling your tractor....

11 minutes ago, Dieselfuture said:

Potato patato, tomato tamato, someone is stilling your tractor....

An itty bitty someone! 

11 hours ago, CTcummins24V said:

I think I need to paint the center caps...

 

and I went from 285/75r16s to 265/70r17 and the wheel combo weighs 5lbs more! Oem wheels heavier?

2 things in play maybe. The bigger rim would have more aluminum in it. If one tire is worn out you have less rubber on it compared to a new tire. Just spitballing.

More metal, more weight. Rubber has less density than metal. But don't let this blind you.  Wider faced tires contain more metal belting than a narrow faced tire. So when I compared 235 vs a 265 on both 16 inch rim was a fair measure and shedding 23 pounds of weight. Now changing the wheel added the weight back where you lost in the width of the steel belt. 

Edited May 9, 20186 yr by Mopar1973Man

OEM rims are generally heavier, and sturdier, than many aftermaket rims. 

 

I paint my OEM 17's with flat black and leave the center caps unpainted. I like that look the best.