How much do wheels weigh?

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1972DusterPaul

1972DusterPaul

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Is there any website (or anyone here) who knows where i can find out how much different wheels weigh?

Just the rims and not the tires.

Specifically looking for the weight of Mopar Rally wheels, Cragar SS, American Racing Torq Thrust II and Weld Racing Draglite wheels.

I am looking for 15 x 6 and 15 x 8 sized wheels.

Thanks,
Paul
 
1972DusterPaul said:
I am not sure what brand or size you have, but thought i read Draglites were around 12-14 pounds each?

Paul
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I was just going to say... I had some aluminum, ATV 12" x 6" wheels that were 6-8 lbs a piece. Granted, they had a flat face and didn't have spokes.
 
Of your 4 choices Paul, in a equal size, yes the weld's would be the lightest. If I have time, i'll do a little nosing around for you and post what I find.

But I'm curious, are you looking to "upgrade" to a lighter wheel, or is this just for reference? There are streetable wheels out there would be lighter then the weld's. It just comes down to the design you're comfortable with, and you're pocketbook :D. Also the need for a 4" or 4 1/2" bolt pattern?
 
OldmanRick said:
Of your 4 choices Paul, in a equal size, yes the weld's would be the lightest. If I have time, i'll do a little nosing around for you and post what I find.

But I'm curious, are you looking to "upgrade" to a lighter wheel, or is this just for reference? There are streetable wheels out there would be lighter then the weld's. It just comes down to the design you're comfortable with, and you're pocketbook :D. Also the need for a 4" or 4 1/2" bolt pattern?
Click to expand...

Agreed. The Draglites, are limited to a certain load. ( I have seen them crack, out of their design use...) It is a thin heat treated drag wheel design, don't expect good results from road racing, or 4x4 work. Street cruising , and strip : You, are good.
 
I'm old school, so I still like the Spun Centerline...
View attachment autodrag.jpg


My favorite wheel these days is the Billet Specialties 5 spoke, although a little more pricey.
View attachment aStreet-Lite-15x4.jpg


Both these wheels above have a similar weight.
The 15x5.5-15x6 are just about 12lbs.
The 15x8-15x8.5 are just about 14lbs.

Over the years I've had close to every kind of wheel possible, but for lightweight street wheels, the Centerline & Weld's were always the most cost effective and easiest to size.

Heck, I still have 2 15x8 regulation 8 hole Weld's in the garage that I bought 30yrs ago. :)
 
Abodybomber said:
Agreed. The Draglites, are limited to a certain load. ( I have seen them crack, out of their design use...) It is a thin heat treated drag wheel design, don't expect good results from road racing, or 4x4 work. Street cruising , and strip : You, are good.
Click to expand...

You do have to treat them well, especially the little fronts. I used several sets of 15x3.5/15x4 Weld's, Centerlines, Cragar SS & a set of Super Tricks. I babied the ST's to death on the street, and thru all the creaking noise in the turns, they survived limited use. I never had a issue with the Weld/Centerline wheels, but split two of the 15x4 SS wheels along the rim close to the bead.

Sorry for getting off track Paul, sometimes I just get to talking...:D.
 
OldmanRick said:
You do have to treat them well, especially the little fronts. I used several sets of 15x3.5/15x4 Weld's, Centerlines, Cragar SS & a set of Super Tricks. I babied the ST's to death on the street, and thru all the creaking noise in the turns, they survived limited use. I never had a issue with the Weld/Centerline wheels, but split two of the 15x4 SS wheels along the rim close to the bead.

Sorry for getting off track Paul, sometimes I just get to talking...:D.
Click to expand...

Like you, correct in our experiences in the real world. Sorry, to the O.P., it's good knowledge.
 
Thanks Old Man Rick.
I figured the Welds were the lightest...but I wondered how much lighter over my other choices?

I am swapping out the SBP for a LBP, so I am looking at wheel choices.

My budget is limited, with the conversion, so I need to stay around/under $200 a wheel, and I used to have a 66 Belvedere II with Draglites so those kind of lean towards them.

Also I prefer a polished aluminum look over chrome look.

Thanks,
Paul

OldmanRick said:
Of your 4 choices Paul, in a equal size, yes the weld's would be the lightest. If I have time, i'll do a little nosing around for you and post what I find.

But I'm curious, are you looking to "upgrade" to a lighter wheel, or is this just for reference? There are streetable wheels out there would be lighter then the weld's. It just comes down to the design you're comfortable with, and you're pocketbook :D. Also the need for a 4" or 4 1/2" bolt pattern?
Click to expand...
 
A Body Bomber,
I am a street cruiser. I don't really have the pocketbook or time for much of any type of racing.

In each of the 4 or so years I have owned my Duster I have yet to get a full season of cruising in, between my work schedule and all the unexpected work/$$$ that I have needed to put into my car for various reasons.

Out of curiosity I would like to run down the drag strip a time or two, other than that I am hoping for 1,000-2,000 miles a year of car shows and ice cream runs...and maybe a burnout or two when the neighbors and local fuzz aren't looking.

Thanks,
Paul

Abodybomber said:
Agreed. The Draglites, are limited to a certain load. ( I have seen them crack, out of their design use...) It is a thin heat treated drag wheel design, don't expect good results from road racing, or 4x4 work. Street cruising , and strip : You, are good.
Click to expand...
 
I like both of those wheels. Always thought Centerlines were cool.

I especially like the Billet Specialities 5 Spoke, but they are a little out of my price range.

I also thought the Draglites would be easier to find used...if I go that route.

Paul

OldmanRick said:
I'm old school, so I still like the Spun Centerline...

My favorite wheel these days is the Billet Specialties 5 spoke, although a little more pricey.

Both these wheels above have a similar weight.
The 15x5.5-15x6 are just about 12lbs.
The 15x8-15x8.5 are just about 14lbs.

Over the years I've had close to every kind of wheel possible, but for lightweight street wheels, the Centerline & Weld's were always the most cost effective and easiest to size.

Heck, I still have 2 15x8 regulation 8 hole Weld's in the garage that I bought 30yrs ago. :)
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You aren't off track...continue on...this is all good information.

Like I said originally, I would be running 15 x 6 wheels up front with current tires (off hand I think they were 225/60/15)...Michigan roads really suck for tiny tires.

Also with occasional other drivers, I feel the need to keep things safe for the streets.

Paul

OldmanRick said:
You do have to treat them well, especially the little fronts. I used several sets of 15x3.5/15x4 Weld's, Centerlines, Cragar SS & a set of Super Tricks. I babied the ST's to death on the street, and thru all the creaking noise in the turns, they survived limited use. I never had a issue with the Weld/Centerline wheels, but split two of the 15x4 SS wheels along the rim close to the bead.

Sorry for getting off track Paul, sometimes I just get to talking...:D.
Click to expand...
 
I have to say, while I understand the big bolt pattern upgrade, you're gonna have a hard time making that car "look" better then it does right now. :thumbrig:

I agree finding draglites used would be the easiest now days, especially the 15x8's. The 6" fronts would be the most difficult. If you do go that way, just make sure whatever you find has a "offset" that works for you.

As far as wheels in general, while I can't give you exact weights on most, my rule of thumb has always been to stay with a "spun or forged" wheel for weight savings. 30/40% less then steel wouldn't be out of the question. Obviously steel wheels are normally the heaviest, but many "cast" aluminum units (slots / Am. Torque Thrusts, etc.) in most cases, are only slightly lighter then steel for a given size. And I'd put the SS Cragar in that same ballpark.

Not applicable here, but I always considered weight in my tire selections also. But that was a little easier in the 70's/80's. :)
 
Thanks for the compliment on my car.

I like the Cragars and I am considering LBP Cragars but the chrome doesn't seem to hold up too good here in Michigan so I am leaning towards polished aluminum wheels.

Keeping up with my research, the Torq thrust wheels seem to weigh about the same as Cragars.

I like the thought of lighter wheels, I have a newer Mini Cooper S and it seems to just drive and handle better when I have my Summer performance wheels and tires on the car verses the heavy factory wheels and tires.

Thanks again for all your comments.

Paul

OldmanRick said:
I have to say, while I understand the big bolt pattern upgrade, you're gonna have a hard time making that car "look" better then it does right now. :thumbrig:

I agree finding draglites used would be the easiest now days, especially the 15x8's. The 6" fronts would be the most difficult. If you do go that way, just make sure whatever you find has a "offset" that works for you.

As far as wheels in general, while I can't give you exact weights on most, my rule of thumb has always been to stay with a "spun or forged" wheel for weight savings. 30/40% less then steel wouldn't be out of the question. Obviously steel wheels are normally the heaviest, but many "cast" aluminum units (slots / Am. Torque Thrusts, etc.) in most cases, are only slightly lighter then steel for a given size. And I'd put the SS Cragar in that same ballpark.

Not applicable here, but I always considered weight in my tire selections also. But that was a little easier in the 70's/80's. :)
Click to expand...
 
15X8 centerline autodrag satin weighed 29 lbs with 225/60 tire, 15X4 autodrag with 145/70 tire weighed 26, tire weighed 13 off. Bogart race rims are very light. Solid Centerlines are heavy when it comes to AL rims as they are pretty beefy in the middle where others are spoked or windowed.
 
All I can say is, the Mopar Rally wheels weigh a "ton" (subjective impression from tossing them around loaded with 215/70-14s). And the cop wheels, two tons (actually, 28 lbs -- bare). I just threw a loose 14 x 7 SBP TorqueThrust on the bathroom scale: 17lbs with center cap. Tire Rack shows tire weights for the tires they carry -- there can be a 3-5 lb difference between brands at the same size.
 
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