Chrome Wheel Liners or Aluminum Wheels for TMC / MCI Bus

Tornadex · March 18, 2009, 07:39:19 PM

Some of you have read about my engine issue and have been of great help. Now I have another question. I would like to dress up my wheels a little. The existing rims (steel) were painted about a hundred times and I would love to have something more shiny. Does anyone have any good ideas about aluminum wheels (ie. ALCOA) or chrome liners. What would I expect to pay for them and where could I get some. As always your help is appreciated.

Tor

luvrbus · March 18, 2009, 08:51:19 PM

Tor, does you 96A have hub pilot wheels or stud pilot I have saw them with both types.I getting ready to remove my stud pilot 22.5 8.25 wheels and going to a 9 inch wheel for the 315/80 tires good luck

scanzel · March 19, 2009, 04:24:55 AM

Hub King stainless steel wheel liners are one choice. Alcoa's are nice but they can be very expensive unless you find some real good used ones. But they will need to be rated for your axle ratings, you might also have to change the studs if they are too short for the Alcoa's because they are thicker than the steel wheels. I bought the stainless steel inserts with the hub covers and lug nut covers etc and it looks great, covered up the old painted wheels. Dura Brites are really great, easy to clean but $$$$$. You could also just get your wheels sand blasted and repainted and just dress them up with the stainless hub covers and lug nut covers. Paint them any color you want. Good Luck.

Tornadex · March 19, 2009, 07:26:53 AM

Quote from: scanzel on March 19, 2009, 04:24:55 AM
Hub King stainless steel wheel liners are one choice. Alcoa's are nice but they can be very expensive unless you find some real good used ones. But they will need to be rated for your axle ratings, you might also have to change the studs if they are too short for the Alcoa's because they are thicker than the steel wheels. I bought the stainless steel inserts with the hub covers and lug nut covers etc and it looks great, covered up the old painted wheels. Dura Brites are really great, easy to clean but $$$$$. You could also just get your wheels sand blasted and repainted and just dress them up with the stainless hub covers and lug nut covers. Paint them any color you want. Good Luck.

I will look into that. Thank you for the tip. I really don't want to spend a huge amount of money but I want the difference in look!
Appreciate your input.

TOR

travelingfools · March 19, 2009, 08:52:22 AM

I think when I looked into covers last year, it was between 6 and 8 hundred for 3 axles. I want to say it was around 460ish for the front and drive and another 2 for the tag. I dont remember if that was for lug covers also...fwiw/ymmv

Len Silva · March 19, 2009, 09:05:09 AM

Not something I have ever looked into, but how about chrome plating your wheels? Even buy new steel wheels and have them plated. I have no idea of the cost but new steel wheels are pretty cheap.

luvrbus · March 19, 2009, 09:09:36 AM

Powder coated chrome wheels hold up better than the chrome plated I have a friend that done this because of his chrome plated wheels always had rust spots. good luck

Chopper Scott · March 19, 2009, 05:46:03 PM

I love the looks of the aluminum wheels but they generally require longer studs which can add up to a lot more $$$. Price wise the stainless steel simulators are probably the way to go and require a lot less maintanance than the alum wheels to keep clean plus the steel wheels with the simulators are more durable and forgiving of curbs! Remember the word stainless steel when looking for simulators. Avoid chrome plated. It lasts for awhile but eventually begins to rust. But it's really hard to beat the look of aluminum wheels on a bus!!! Later

jmblake · March 19, 2009, 06:04:40 PM

I got used alcoa's from a place called Fleetwheel they machine polish and they look like new wheels at about half the cost. I payed $220.00 a piece + shipping, I also had to replace my studs with longer one's which wasn't cheap but they sure look nice. Jason