6 aluminum wheels

[hraney]

Before going any further; yes, I know people can only see 4 of the wheels, and; NO, I don't want inserts. This is about function, not form.
I want aluminum wheels for my truck (see signature). I notice Eagle notes that due to the thickness of the aluminum, it is unsafe to put aluminum wheels all the way across the back. Anyone else running 6 aluminum wheels? I do haul pretty regularly so I don't want to risk busting the lugs off the back, but I want the weight savings (yes, I know its only about 90 lbs). I haven't asked anyone at Alcoa yet. I was wondering if anyone had any experience along these lines. Would a longer set of studs work?
Thanks guys

[murd450]

good question , there is a sertan spot on the hub where the rim has to sit as long as the wheals dont come past that you shouldent have any prob if you can find longer studs,but the inside wheal will carode quite fast if you dont ceep it clean ,and the small space between the drum and the wheal will ruin the finish on the wheal buy sand blasting it (the sand dosent get out it just rools around in there ):cool:

[murd450]

but that is a ny point of veiw ,where salt and sand are used on the roads 5 months a year , i dident realize you live in texas , my brother lives in fortworth!!!!:D

[hraney]

I know we always had to watch out for "Dis-similar Metal Corrosion" on the big trucks. In fact, there is usually a "gasket" of sorts on big trucks where the aluminum wheel meets the steel hub. And we always put another one between the duals.
I still need to check w/ Alcoa and see what they say about running 6 Aluminum wheels.
So I guess (I should know stuff like this, but oh well) our wheels are Hub piloted and not lug piloted, eh? Hmmmm..... I guess I could break out the calipers and take some measurements, but I really didn't want to get into (pardon the pun) re-inventing the wheel on this project. I figured someone out there would have already been through this.

[GM Guy]

On big trucks, Alcoa offers the Disc Mate which is like a gasket to go between the wheels, or the wheel and hub. You will need to check to see if they make one for the smaller vehicles, as that would be pretty cool! :cool:

[hraney]

I think my biggest problem is going to be lug length and the fact that the wheel is hub piloted. Southwest wheel tells me I can't run 6 Al wheels because of lug length. But if there is plenty of "pilot" surface left, longer lugs should only be a matter of $$.
Thoughts? Suggestions?

[murd450]

as long as you have a full nut of thread i wouldent wory about lug length ,but since they are hub piolet i would wory if the out side wheal will sit past the hub surface , be for buying i would see if i had a buddy that all ready had a set and ask to do an experament with you ,and let you borow 2 wheals for a bit

[hraney]

Just thought I would let everyone know, I got my wheels (4 of them). Also, it is not just a lug issue. The pilot surfaces on the hubs are not deep enough to allow for the thickness of 2 aluminum wheels.

[murd450]

hope the wheals look nice good luck ,and i wish i was in texas now !!!! we are about to get hit whith a big snow storm I HATE THE COLD !!!!:mad:

[firetruck]

Couldn't you take them to a machine shop and have them taper all the holes? Then when mounted the inside wheels would still be hub piloted and the outside would be lug centered with tapered lug nuts. The front wheels would be both hub and lug piloted.

[hraney]

Couldn't you take them to a machine shop and have them taper all the holes? Then when mounted the inside wheels would still be hub piloted and the outside would be lug centered with tapered lug nuts. The front wheels would be both hub and lug piloted.

Only problem w/ that is what it might do to the load rating and any future warranty issues. Soon as you cut on the wheels, Alcoa will probably call foul on any cracking issues that may arise. To be honest, the ride and drive has improved so much w/ just 4 I think I am pretty happy right now. Getting that 30 lbs or so of rotating mass off the steering axle has drastically improved the ride. And my Centramatic wheel balancers are able to balance even the rear assys w/o wheel weights.

[firetruck]

If you didn't want to taper the holes you could get some of those lug nuts with the sleeves that go between the stud and the rim then have shoulders that sit flat against the face of the rim.

I'm glad you like the new rims. What'd they set you back? where'd you get them? What is a centrimatic wheel balancer?

[hraney]

Well, Brand new w/ nuts, nut caps, and centers and shipping -right at $1250.00
(Now I get to hears how everyone else had their wheels given to them :))
Had them shipped out of Dallas from Southwestwheel (dot com by the way)
I looked at the Eagles and all that but I trust the Alcoas from having them all the way 'round all of Dad's big trucks.
Centramatic is an automatic wheel balancer. its a tube filled w/ fluid and shot that "slings out" at around 30 mph to dynamically balance the wheel, tire, hub, ... basically the whole spinning mass. We had them on our last couple of big trucks and cut tire wear (especially cupping) to almost nothing. This is the second set I have had on a p/u and really believe in them. They work great when you are in and out from under trailers a lot and the tires go from mashed out on bottom to standing on tiptoe.
I had a 95 3/4 ton w/ aluminum wheels and never had a wheel weight one on them, just the Centramatics. www.centramatic.com

[vmac4]

The big ticket right now in trucks to save weight and haul more cargo
is to run susper singles in back.I have seen some big trucks with all aluminum
wheels,the hub pilot is deep enough.but most duals are aluminum and steel.

[firetruck]

I've seen those!! Do they make anything like that for our rigs?

[hraney]

There is a local guy that I have seen w/ a "super single" on a 1 ton Ford. He modifies vehicles and re-sells them. They looked larger, like maybe 20" or better, and probably 14" wide or so. Don't where he got them or if they may have been milled down, adapted big truck wheels.
I have heard lots of guys complain about the Super Singles road walking. My thoughts on that: Around here there are ruts (shallow, but noticeable) in the highways from heavy truck duals, then you put a super single out there and it tries to run on the "hump" between the ruts. I bet it does feel like road walking trying to fall off that hump all the time.

[Shlep]

Thanks for the tips on the Centramatics, looks like something I would be willing to test out on both my dually and my lifted 4x4 with 39.5's on it.

[sshewins]

Super singles and super wides SUCK!! They look stupid and ride nasty. We got some like that at work, some on tractor, some on trailer. Our 08's have duals, much better choice in my opinion. But keep in mind, its just my opinion.

[Tom Whitlow]

My motor home weighs over 25,000 lbs and it has six Alcoa aluminum wheels.