Westronics
Redmond, WA
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ron.dittmer wrote:Alcoa wheels simply look great, ... but would love to hear your opinions on the "practical" benefits of the Alcoa wheels compared to stock steel with covers.
The primary benefit (other than looks) is weight savings. The Alcoa wheels for the Ford E-series weigh about 19 lbs (or 114 lbs total for all six wheels) vs. maybe 26 lbs (156 lbs total) or so for steel.
Not really much of a benefit - only 42 lbs. total. For a now 14,500 GVWR vehicle, that's only a .29% gain. That's probably not worth the price to upgrade.
If anyone knows the numbers better than me, feel free to correct me.
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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MY Aspect also came with Alcoa wheels. Kind of dress it up a little.
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az99
N.Y.
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Rich Panganiban wrote:Al, I need to polish my Alcoa wheels. Any suggestions? Thanks. Here is a link to a recent polishing post with lots of good suggestions. Link
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jcamp123
Putnum County, New York
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Westronics wrote:ron.dittmer wrote:Alcoa wheels simply look great, ... but would love to hear your opinions on the "practical" benefits of the Alcoa wheels compared to stock steel with covers.
The primary benefit (other than looks) is weight savings. The Alcoa wheels for the Ford E-series weigh about 19 lbs (or 114 lbs total for all six wheels) vs. maybe 26 lbs (156 lbs total) or so for steel.
Not really much of a benefit - only 42 lbs. total. For a now 14,500 GVWR vehicle, that's only a .29% gain. That's probably not worth the price to upgrade.
If anyone knows the numbers better than me, feel free to correct me.
It's not really the weight it is called unsprung weight, if I remember right from my hot rodding days. Maybe the following article will explain it better.
UNSPRUNG WEIGHT
An important concept is "unsprung weight." This is weight that is not supported by the suspension of the car or truck. This usually includes the the weight of the wheels and tires as well as a percentage of the weight of the suspension itself, including control arms, anti-roll bars, shocks, and struts. Reducing unsprung weight is the key to improving handling. The lower the unsprung weight, the less work the shocks and springs have to do to keep the tires in contact with the road over bumpy surfaces. An easy way to reduce unsprung weight and improve traction is to replace stock wheels and tires with special lightweight wheels. Note that as the wheel diameter or width increases, the weight of the overall wheel and tire package increases, thereby increasing unsprung weight
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TexGeorgiaBoy
Fort Worth Texas
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They run much cooler too. Instead of a steel wheel soaking up heat from brakes and tires and then it getting trapped by the chrome steel wheel covers the aluminum gets rid of heat much quicker and absorbs less heat to begin with. I learned that on the Alcoa website link that was posted here. Thanks for that link!
I did some checking on mine. they have a sticker that says they are clearcoated and do not need to be polished and should not be!!. Just soap and rinse off dirt. They sure look sharp and don't rattle like the covers did on a previous class A I had years ago.
I just wish the air was easier to check. Plus the location of the valve stems looks like it would be impossible to add a pressure pro monitor system? Tex
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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Westronics wrote:ron.dittmer wrote:Alcoa wheels simply look great, ... but would love to hear your opinions on the "practical" benefits of the Alcoa wheels compared to stock steel with covers.
The primary benefit (other than looks) is weight savings. The Alcoa wheels for the Ford E-series weigh about 19 lbs (or 114 lbs total for all six wheels) vs. maybe 26 lbs (156 lbs total) or so for steel.
Not really much of a benefit - only 42 lbs. total. For a now 14,500 GVWR vehicle, that's only a .29% gain. That's probably not worth the price to upgrade.
If anyone knows the numbers better than me, feel free to correct me.
A Kodiak chassis has 19.5 X 7.5" wheels. Steel wheels weigh 63 lbs. Alcoa wheels weigh 45 lbs. 18 lbs less weight on each axle would make a difference. The inner wheel on rear is steel.
A aluminum wheel is one solid piece of aluminum.
A steel wheel is made from more than one piece, then welded together. Rim portion of wheel is rolled out of a sheet of steel then butt welded to join together. Lots of places in manufacturing of wheel for errors.
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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So far I have only pressure washed mine.
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Westronics
Redmond, WA
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Thanks for the lesssons. I feel a little smarter now! 
So it appears there are more benefits than I had considered.
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az99
N.Y.
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TexGeorgiaBoy wrote: they have a sticker that says they are clearcoated and do not need to be polished and should not be!!. If you want a set that can be polished, I will gladly trade you for my 2007's.
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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TexGeorgiaBoy wrote:
I just wish the air was easier to check. Plus the location of the valve stems looks like it would be impossible to add a pressure pro monitor system? Tex
Gm puts the same valve stem in every wheel. Whether it's steel or aluminum. I am sure that there is a stem that would put stem in correct direction is someone was to look enough. My last stem repair cost $35 for one stem.
You can add TPMS from several different companies. Just add the braided extensions. The company that I ordered mine from will have a problem with front sensors. Their new models require a tool to install. Cannot remove tool after sensor is installed on the aluminum wheels. I went with their none locking type for front wheels. Rear would have same problem without SS extensions.
Here is a link to my fix. Rear sensor install.
Front sensor install.
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