Looking at Captain Ron's next e'bay purchase I am curious how many are using simulators.? Looking thru the pictures from Arcadia
I noticed so many coach's had "shiney" wheels. Were they real or Falsies. (havn't used that word for 40 years) ;D
I tried to note how many were simulators as against the number of Alcoas and the simulators won, in my opinion, at Arcadia.
It's really a pretty expensive choice to go with the Aluminum wheels when there's so many other areas that require money, money and more money. I was fortunate in that my bus came with 'em. Would I spend the big bucks to buy them for a 38 year old bus today?
Not so's you'd notice I wouldn't. And...I'm sure that there are others out there who'd feel about the same.
Is it a snob thing to have Alcoas' on your bus? I don't believe so. Like any other hobby some of us are purists, some are into dress and glitz....it's run what ya brung and be the happiest you can....in my opinion.
NCbob
Hi Paso,
simulators here..... Hub King's
Nick-
Our coach came with Alcola's on the front and tag axles. The driver has simulators on them. I will say the simulators have a differant look to them. I will eventually purchase aluminum wheels for the driver axle, to keep the look all aluminum. It also matches the siding better.
Now if our bus had SS sides, I would probably go with simulators.
Happy Trails,
Paul
Dreamscape
I am going to keep the steel wheels on my older coach. Just have to keep the paint looking fresh. It looks more "stock". Alcoas or simulators look great on later model busses. Just my personal preference...
JJ got me a real good deal on a set of ss simulators for the front of my bus. They were painted but were nearly brand new. I had a friend strip them in his new stripper tank for powder coat, took about 2 seconds. I had brand new shiny wheels for (if I remember correctly) $35.00 I liove the look of alcoas but the cost and maintenance is too much for me. more bang for the buck with simulators.
jmhofwiwhth
Paso,
I have simulators also.
Cliff
my MC-8 had sims on it....now have replaced the steer with alum......next will be the tags.......driver's don't look bad but the steer/tags always looks discount to me..
To me, simulators are just one step up from aluminum paint.
Richard
Quote from: DrivingMissLazy on January 24, 2007, 11:39:45 AM
To me, simulators are just one step up from aluminum paint.
Richard
Hey don't knock the mexican chrome ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Well, as many on this board know, we USED to have simulators on our bus. Then, after blowing a front tire, which waffled the front simulator on that wheel, Larry somehow worked the numbers to show me how a set of used Alcoas would be cheaper than replacing a set of new simulators. . .
not quite sure how he worked those numbers ???. .
something about "could polish them back up himself" ;)
which then worked into, "OMG, been working for hours and getting nowhere" :o
to "There's a guy who said he could do them for. . . " :)
to "Well, he said it could be higher if they were really rough" :-[
to "Oh, honey, just SEE how nice they look" 8) and "I'll keep them cleaned and polished myself" :-*
to "There's this guy who said he could clean and polish the wheels for. . ." ;D. Christy Hicks
SEE, a good busnut can justify almost anything. ;D
Well, I always said that Larry was a smooth talker when he wanted to be! ;) :D Christy
Quote from: Christyhicks on January 24, 2007, 03:32:28 PM
Well, I always said that Larry was a smooth talker when he wanted to be! ;) :D Christy
He smoothed you didn't he? LOL! BK ;D
Simulators! I hate to clean & polish & they are easy & look good.
I bought a cheap electronic shoe polisher (it was like a mini buffer) and used it to polish my old simulated wheels. Anything to get out of a little work...
Falseies`on mine Too>........ T.T.
Mine came with Alcoas - HarLee
What about CHROME ?
Mine has alcoas on the steer & chrome on the rears. The best lookin' parts on mine 8)
"Chrome don't get ya home". ;D
Quote from: Chaz on January 25, 2007, 05:58:08 AM
"Chrome don't get ya home". ;D
No but it will get you layed ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D And it will "look good" on the "side of the road" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
But stainless is painless!!!!! It's the ONLY way to fly!!!
Have sat on the side of the road a few times!!
Chaz
A new steel wheel is about $80. A good used aluminum wheel cost me $100 at the truck tire shop. You have to get them one or two at a time, or hit a few shops to get a set, but they are sure nice. I carry a tire gun and spare. When you have to change one, aluminum is less weight to handle also. I don't know how much simulators cost.
im not particularly fond of simulators, but to each his own. im lucky that my bus came w/ a new set of Alcoas, but if it hadnt, id just put a fresh coat of white paint on my steel wheels and add the little chrome nut covers that are used w/ aluminum wheels. to me thats the best looking alternative.
Simulators here. They are starting to look a little worn; not sure if I'll replace them or hunt up some Alcoa's. I lean toward simulators as I have lots of hobbies and need to spread the cash out while staying under the wifes currency radar. Probably better make up my mind before the kids hit college and suck up all the money anyway!
Quote from: kyle4501 on January 25, 2007, 04:55:07 AM
What about CHROME ?
Mine has alcoas on the steer & chrome on the rears. The best lookin' parts on mine 8)
Kyle,
Keep a good eye on those ghrome wheels! I had 1 trailer that had chrome instead of Aluminum when I was truck'n and no matter who or where they pulled that trailer, they got pulled around back and inspected all the time! I finally asked 'em out in Banning, CA how come it seemed like that trailer seemed to "cause inspections", and the DOT officer's response was. "These chrome wheels are known for cracking from excessive heat, so we're looking out for you as well as the public you share the road with!" Wow was I floored so I started watching them much more closely and yep sure enough 1 cracked around the center of the bolt pattern. So I replaced all 4 (only had 'm on the outside 4 looks!). I know you won't have the DOT pulling you over, but for safety sake check 'm regularly! BK ;D
As far as chrome won't get ya home that's what dad used tell me! And yes my response was the same! LOL! BK ;D
I have simulators on my 5A but have been thinking about having the wheels powder coated. Anybody done this? Cost?
Hey, BK;
Are you saying that the chrome plated steel wheels are prone to crack around the holes for the lug nuts? The steel itself, rather than just the plating? Is that because the steel was somewhat annealed or hardened from the plating process? Hmmm. Just wondering. Whoda thunk!?
This is a one page site on wheel care. It says that chrome wheels require more care than painted wheels.
http://www.nascarcustomwheels.com/cleaning.php
Hi Paso One,
I have simmulators on my GM. They are stainless steel and are easy to maintain plus look good. You don't have to remove the wheel to install them. I got mine from Hub King and I like them. About a month after putting them on I lost a hub cover on the left front and when I went to order a new one Hub King replaced it for no charge. One thing though, is that I had to notch out around the valve stem area to have good clearance there. These make any bus look good.
Brian K
QuoteI have simulators on my 5A but have been thinking about having the wheels powder coated. Anybody done this? Cost?
Powder is the ONLY way to go!!!!!!! I do allot of metal work (sculpture, architectural metal, Hot Rods) and I use powder coating EVERY chace I can!! It's great and lasts a l-o-n-g time. If you were going to have someone paint your wheels for you, powder would not be much more expensive...if at all. But if you're doing it yourself, well.........
Powder coaters vary in what they charge. The powder is cheap, but their labor- and how proud they are of it- is where it costs.
But my suggestion is if you want paint, use powder. Plus they have virtually every color imaginable right down to "candy's" and "pearl's".
Always colorful (I'm told)
Chaz
had Okla chrome on my first 2 buses. decided not this one so I went to the salvage & purchased freightliner alums at a very good price 6 for $300.00 Not going to polish them or my stainless. Got them for not only looks but weight deduction