Well, i've decided to keep my Ram for a while, it's still cheaper in the long run then buying a diesel. So i'm thinking about getting some alloy aluminium rims to help with gas-mileage / performance. But i'm woderig, are the stock '97 wheels steel? I'd assume so, it would seem like switched to aluminum wheels would really take alot of weight off.

 

depends on which wheels you have, i don't know about 97 but in later years, like my 2000 there was an option for aluminum 16 inch wheels which i have...

post a pic of your rims and someone can probably tell you if they are steel or not

 

These, I know this says "Alloy rims" but they don't look alloy.

 

I have the same ones on my '99 Ram. However, when I do upgrade to some wider wheels I'm going to go with either black/machined or chrome. I bought some aluminum alloy wheels for an F150 that I used to drive and bought some black magic wheel cleaner, that specifically says "for use with aluminum alloy, chrome, etc wheels". After that the shine on the wheels started to fade and they looked like there was some kind of build up on them that I don't think you can get off unless you just get them recoated or something. So with my personal experience I would suggest another type of wheel, but if you are going for weight, then aluminum may be the way to go. Just be careful with what you clean them with.

 

I'm still trying to find out if my stock wheels are aluminum or not lol. I've see the gains from switching stock steelies withs alloy ones and it's pretty massive.

 

if it says alloy then the are aluminum...they look like aluminum to me. just not billet aluminum

 

That's not my truck, thats just a pic stole off of google with similar wheels.

 

*Bump*Anybody?

 

oh, okay, the aluminum ones are grey. the metal ones are thinner and are chrome plated

 

Ok, so the grey, forged-looking, 5 spokes i have ARE aluminum?