Dumb Question - Aluminum wheel prices - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stexag · 11-13-2012, 11:01 PM

I know this silly but I have a question regarding some of the wheels that I see in pictures on this website and others.

I've priced some 20's from various manufacturers and it seems to me that the prices for wheels varies wildly. I am sure that there are perfectly good reasons for the disparity in price - I'm just not well educated enough to know what they are. I see a good looking wheel and I look it up - it's $600, WOW, then I see one the next day that looks just like it on a ricer when I know the whole CAR isn't worth $600.

Popular wheels I've seen on here are Boss 338's. I believe they are in the $250 neighborhood? So what should a Coy C-57 run? I priced a Raceline Tri-Star and it was almost $700. Is that the going rate? or did I just call the wrong Discount tire store??

Any tips to educate me on the ins and outs of the wheel business, or where to shop would be appreciated. TIA.

**70cst** · 11-13-2012, 11:17 PM

Why are wheels different in price? Here are a few possible reasons...

Quality varies and so does price...

Name recognition-many times one pays for the name brand.

What's hot-a type or style of wheel that is how will bring premium prices at times.

Discounts Stores-some vendors are more willing to discount ehn others

Material-always verify what material the wheel is really made from.

These are just some possibilities.

Other ideas???

Pro Performance · 11-13-2012, 11:49 PM

The two main differences in wheels are one-piece vs two-piece & cast vs. forged. There are other deciding factors, but these are going to be the main ones. Your 2 -piece wheels will be custom built, and are mostly forged centers... although there are 2-piece cast wheels as well. The 2-piece wheels requiring more work to build and are not off-the-shelf wheels like a 1-piece wheel. The forged material is going to give you a much better polish in my opinion and more of a smooth finish because it is a more dense material compared to cast.

Feel free to give us a call and we can help you out with wheels and find something in your budget that works for your truck. I can also go into further detail some of the differences between the wheel brands out there. We are a dealer for a handful of manufacturers.

- Travis

11-13-2012, 11:01 PM	#1
stexag Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Super South, Texas Posts: 173	Dumb Question - Aluminum wheel prices I know this silly but I have a question regarding some of the wheels that I see in pictures on this website and others. I've priced some 20's from various manufacturers and it seems to me that the prices for wheels varies wildly. I am sure that there are perfectly good reasons for the disparity in price - I'm just not well educated enough to know what they are. I see a good looking wheel and I look it up - it's $600, WOW, then I see one the next day that looks just like it on a ricer when I know the whole CAR isn't worth $600. Popular wheels I've seen on here are Boss 338's. I believe they are in the $250 neighborhood? So what should a Coy C-57 run? I priced a Raceline Tri-Star and it was almost $700. Is that the going rate? or did I just call the wrong Discount tire store?? Any tips to educate me on the ins and outs of the wheel business, or where to shop would be appreciated. TIA.

11-13-2012, 11:17 PM	#2
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,373	Re: Dumb Question - Aluminum wheel prices Why are wheels different in price? Here are a few possible reasons... Quality varies and so does price... Name recognition-many times one pays for the name brand. What's hot-a type or style of wheel that is how will bring premium prices at times. Discounts Stores-some vendors are more willing to discount ehn others Material-always verify what material the wheel is really made from. These are just some possibilities. Other ideas??? __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

11-13-2012, 11:49 PM	#3
Pro Performance Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: AZ Posts: 3,069	Re: Dumb Question - Aluminum wheel prices The two main differences in wheels are one-piece vs two-piece & cast vs. forged. There are other deciding factors, but these are going to be the main ones. Your 2 -piece wheels will be custom built, and are mostly forged centers... although there are 2-piece cast wheels as well. The 2-piece wheels requiring more work to build and are not off-the-shelf wheels like a 1-piece wheel. The forged material is going to give you a much better polish in my opinion and more of a smooth finish because it is a more dense material compared to cast. Feel free to give us a call and we can help you out with wheels and find something in your budget that works for your truck. I can also go into further detail some of the differences between the wheel brands out there. We are a dealer for a handful of manufacturers. - Travis



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