So the rubber on my 16" American Racing chrome wheels are almost in need of replacing. The chrome on these wheels are pitted and IMO, small. I want to go up a size. Thinking 17s, and I've always liked the model from the Heritage edition:



As much as I hate buying off eBay...they do have the lowest price I can find. They are Ford stamped, I don't believe they are knock-offs. Reconditioned and looking good if I might add. But, I'm not sure if I should go with machined or chrome. I'm thinking machined since chrome is getting too tacky. What do you guys think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refinished-Ford-F150-Truck-2000-2003-17-inch-Wheel-Ri/380856391295?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22847%26meid%3D7090829649517315297%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D9835%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D250766839422

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Chrome-Ford-F150-Expedition-Wheel-3467-1L3Z1007AB-/250766839422?nma=true&si=wMavg96Qs7qy54%252FHg3VizeHvxU8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
$115/ea for the Machined Finish for $140/ea for Chrome. Both have free shipping. Plus I still need bolts, center caps, and of course, tires.

 

Machined for sure. I think the chrome ones look tacky and like they're cheap steel wheels. Plus machined won't get all pitted and nasty, and they're cheaper on top of that!

 

Yeah I think you're right. I'm sitting here thinking all the negative things about chrome. I wonder what the weight difference is between those and the chrome 16s I have now.

 

Yea, I'm liking the machined over chrome from every aspect, looks being the main one. I think it's a great looking wheel. Obviously it comes down to your own preference though. I bet the weight difference isn't anything you'd ever be able to notice. It's not like if you slapped 24s on it haha.

 

In chrome they kinda look like baby harleys. But chrome is very different on those wheels. Not something you see very often. Id have to see them in person,or atleast on a truck before I make a decision.


Ive seen chrome stock 16s that looked fantastic.

 

I would definately love to see a comparison on a truck but I doubt we have anyone running them. I think the machined are my choice because I think if I painted the inside of the walls with black, it would look nice.

 

I have to agree with Pat, the chrome ones do have a Harley look to them. I like chrome wheels but they are extra work to keep looking good and if you use them in the winter they will pit and look crappy in no time. For that reason I never put chrome wheels on anything that will see winter but for you in Florida that is not an issue. I think either will look good on your white truck.

 

I'd go chrome. Chrome isn't tacky: it's like guns. Guns don't kill people, people kill people. Same thing: Too much chrome = tacky, not chrome in general. Makes for a great accent.

 

he'd have to really really really neglect a chrome wheel to get it to pit living in FL

 

Chrome pits quickly here too. I don't think they're tacky because they're chrome, I just personally think they look like the cheap steel wheels that come on XLs and XLTs. The other ones look like the upgraded "alloy" type wheels.

If my truck was blue, green, or a few other colors, I'd be all for chrome accenting and chrome wheels. All about contrast and pairing.

 

These are about 15 years old, dad bought them not long after buying the truck.





I'm most likely going to go with the regular alloy ones. The good news is I offered $100/ea with free shipping and he accepted. So $400 for reconditioned Ford OEM wheels. I think I'm going for it. I found a guy with a 1999 running 12mm studs with the wheels I want:

 

Well, I ordered them. I still have to buy new lug nuts and center caps

 

That sounds like a steal to me.

 

Speaking of "steal", the center caps are. Freaking $25 a piece for some plastic? Sheesh...

Still need to acquire some flat-based lug nuts that don't look like crap

 

I've been looking for new flat lug nuts for forever.