It's not like that. Overall, the plastic covers are better. Just read on them again to confirm it.
http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/Chrome_Clad_Wheels.html
That site explains the chrome clad or plastic covers on our rims. Also, a plastic cover like that on a cheaper rim makes it nicer if you have to replace one ever. And after a while of some neglect, yours might not look as nice, I know the ones that I saw looked like sh*t, that were in your style.

 

mine are plastic and CA water sucks leaves spots every where,. Usually the rims are the last part I get to and i use windhsield cleaner for water spots makes them sparkle. Hopefully next year I can lift my truck and put new rims (black) and rubber on, until then I have to deal with the ugly POS.

 

looks like the chrome paint is flaking off. You guys got robbed. but hey, it cuts down the weight.

 

mine look fine. the aluminum lip will hold onto dirt more than the plastic chrome piece you just have to take your time and wash the wheels really well. otherwise they do end up looking bad

 

I have 17" TRX4 wheels and tires for the winter, and my 20"s pitted and hazed over in less than 3 months on the truck. (Spring no road salt) At the time I worked at a dodge dealer and the Chrysler rep would not even replace them, truck had less then 5 k on it. Very pissed and telling everyone that Dodge does not stick behind their product.

Then after having the vehicle 2 years, my painted side moldings turned yellow and they were going to charge me $100.00 to replace them. Truck had 36,700 mile on it. I did not work for the dodge dealer at the time, but basically dodge warranty sucks! Please tell your Friends!

 

I love the heavy spoke rims on my '03 1500. I don't think there's anything aftermarket or newer Dodge that looks better. But, then again, I love Crager SS rims and slot mags, so it's just my age.

My '03 rims appear to be aluminum with clear coat (plastic?). After a few years of wheel weights cutting the clear coat, of hitting rocks and maybe a curb or two, they appear to be corroding where the clear coat is compromised. I am thinking of having them refinished or maybe powder coated grey. What do you think of that?

 

You can just replace the plastic cover, no? I don't know if that's the case on the '03 rims, but I know it is on the '07.

 

SORRY if this info was posted but i dont want to read 4 pages about cleaning your rims. here is a tsb for it

NotesNUMBER: 22-001-05
GROUP: Wheels and Tires
DATE: December 1, 2005
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 22-004-03, DATED SEPTEMBER 26, 2003 WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE ADDITIONAL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS AND CLEANER SUGGESTIONS.
SUBJECT:
Chrome Wheel Care
MODELS:
2000 - 2003 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon2002 - 2004 (AN) Dakota2000 - 2001 (BR/BE) Ram Truck2004 - **2006** (CS) Pacifica2002 - 2003 (DN) Durango2002 - **2006 (DR/DH) Ram Truck**2004 - **2006** (HB) Durango2001 - **2006** (JR) Sebring Convertible/Sebring Sedan/Stratus Sedan2003 - **2006** (KJ) Liberty1998 - 2004 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/LHS/300M2005 - **2006 (LX/LE) 300/Charger/Magnum****2005 - 2006 (ND) Dakota**1998 - 2000 (NS) Town & Country2002 - **2005** (PL) Neon1999 - 2002 (PR) Prowler2001 - **2006** (PT) PT Cruiser2001 - **2006** (RS) Town & Country/Caravan2001 - **2005** (ST) Sebring/Stratus Coupe2002 - **2006** (TJ) Wrangler**2002 - 2006 (VA) Sprinter**2001 - 2004 (WJ) Grand Cherokee**2005 - 2006 (WK/WH) Grand Cherokee****2006 (XK) Commander**2003 - **2006 (ZB) Viper/Viper Coupe**2004 - **2006 (ZH) Crossfire/Crossfire Convertible/SRT6**
DISCUSSION:
Chrome wheels should be cleaned regularly with **good quality car wash such as MOPAR Car Wash Concentrate p/n 04796236AB,** and water to maintain their luster and prevent corrosion. Wash them with the same soap solution as the body of the vehicle.
Care must be taken in the selection of tire and wheel cleaning chemicals and equipment to prevent damage to wheels. MOPAR Tire and Wheel Cleaner, p/n 05066247AB - 22 oz. or 05066248AB - 5 gal. **or MOPAR Wheel Cleaner, p/n 04796239AB,** is recommended to remove normal brake dust, dirt, grease and grime.
NOTE :To clean extremely dirty wheels, MOPAR Chrome Cleaner, pin 04318013, is recommended.
Any of the "DO NOT USE" items listed below can damage or stain wheels and wheel trim.
DO NOT USE:
^Wheel cleaners that contain hydroflouric acid, biflouride compounds, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid.
^Any abrasive type cleaner
^Any abrasive cleaning pad (such as steel wool) or abrasive brush
^Any oven cleaner.
^A car wash that has carbide tipped wheel-cleaning brushes.
CAUTION :Many commercial wheel cleaners contain acids that may harm the wheel surface. Avoid all "wheel acid" type cleaners.
CAUTION :Any facility found using acid based wheel cleaners will void all wheel warranties, and all damage to customer wheels will be the facility's responsibility.
Refer to Global Warranty Bulletin D-01-22 for further information.
POLICY:
Information Only
Disclaimer :This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.

 

not to go off topic but since we are talking about cleaning, ive heard of these clay bars, and while i was washing the ol girl i found some specks of rust on the rocker panel, i wasnt too happy, but would the clay bar scrape that stuff off before it gets too bad? does anyone use it?

 

That is why i specifically went for the painted Aluminum because i knew the chrome one's were plastic. GM started that with their line-up back in '00 for the Pontiacs.



You can go back to the dealership and see if they will replace them, but i don'[t think they will. Most guys have no idea how to clean their wheels, so they go to the store and buy Aluminum wheel cleaner or something similar. They spray that stuff on and it will just eat that plastic cover away in just a few months. It has harsh chemicals like acid and such. I don't even like that stuff for ANYTHING except a bare aluminum or bare steel wheel. Otherwise that stuff does nothing but damage. it may take a while, but it is doing damage. A basic degreaser like Simple green as mention or Purple power will do just the trick.