Printed with permission from Dirt Sports Magazine from the 2009 January/February issue.

Story by Jeremy Cook
Photos Courtesy of the Manufacturers

Choosing the best wheels for your daily driver or weekend warrior comes down to one basic, timeless equation – cost versus benefit. If you need an economical wheel that can be hammered back into shape on the trail, then go with a steel wheel. More of a mud, sand or snow guy? Just looking to dress-up your daily driver? Perhaps a light cast wheel may be just right. If you desire even greater strength and lower weight, then step up to a set of forged wheels. If extreme punishment and super low tire pressures are the goal, it may be time for a plunge into the world of beadlocks.

While many of the wheels featured here are intended for competition, it’s important to keep in mind that nearly all of the classic designs we know and love today have evolved from some form of racing. Thankfully, many of today’s street wheels are engineered with the same balance of strength, weight and style as their competition counterparts.  

For this story, Dirt Sports has selected a healthy cross-section of the wheel industry’s latest and greatest. Don’t forget to take advantage of the contact information we’ve provided to learn all you can before purchasing your next set of wheel. While you are at it, why not take a moment and review this issue’s comprehensive 2009 Dirt Sports Tire Guide?

Raceline RT-Monster
Raceline proudly introduces its new RT-Monster beadlock wheel that uses the latest in counter pressure casting technology to build a truly competition-ready product. This cutting-edge production technique results in a strong but light wheel that’s still economically priced. Raceline’s RT-Monster has a thicker and stronger inner rim lip and comes with a 32-bolt beadlock system pre-cast into the wheel. This Raceline also accepts inner liners and comes in 15x8 and 17x9.5-inch sizes. Contact: www.racelinewheels.com or 800.52.WHEEL.

 

AMT Forged Alloys AMT-1000
AMT Forged Alloys introduced a new wheel for off-road and rock crawling/racing at the 2008 PRI show. Designated as the AMT-1000, this new wheel is a member of the AMT Tech-1R series and is designed for the rigors of desert, closed course and other brutal forms of off-road competition. Rotary forged from an ingot of aerospace quality aluminum alloy, this one-piece wheel sets a new standard for strength and durability in off-road racing. Advanced heat-treating provides a Brinell hardness of 100 (20% higher than other forged wheels) and superior tensile strength.
Contact: www.amtforgedalloys.com or 816.399.4950.

 

Walker Evans Racing
Walker Evans has just released a new 20-inch version of his popular wheel for truck, SUV and off-road applications. His one-piece, pressure-cast aluminum wheels are designed for street or competition. Custom backspacing is available from 4.75 to 6 inches, in all standard 5, 6 and 8-lug bolt patterns. Beadlocked wheels include
beadlock ring, grade-8 bolts and steel inserts.  Street wheels come standard with simulated beadlock rings. Optional powder coated simulated beadlock rings are also available. Available sizes are 20x8.5, 17x8.5, and 15x8-inch. Contact: www.walkerevansracing.com or 888.WEE.RACE.

 

ProAm RM2 Spider
Kartek Off-Road is proud to offer the its new RM2 Spider Series from ProAm. The Spider wheel features a twelve spoke design and a 24-bolt beadlock.  It is available in satin, polished or black finish and comes in a variety of offsets and bolt patterns. Available sizes are 15x6 and 17x8.5-inch configurations.
Contact: www.kartek.com or 951.737.2999.

 

BTR Racing TT Beadlocks
BTR Racing wheels announces the addition of their new truck wheels to an already strong product lineup. Manufactured with the highest quality, pressure-cast BTR wheels come standard in a satin finish but are also available in black powder coat or fully polished. Forged aluminum beadlock rings by BTR come in red, black, blue or polished finishes. BTR can drill these wheels to your custom specs to accommodate multiple bolt patterns and lug styles.
Contact www.btrracingwheels.com or 714.578.8258.

 

 

PAGE 2

Ultra Grinder
Ultra Wheel proves they are still a force in the truck aftermarket wheel industry with their new 2009 Grinder wheel. Cutting edge styles are what has separated Ultra Wheel from the competition and the Grinder is no exception. The Grinder will fit most trucks, including 8 lug. Available in Chrome or Diamond Cut with Gloss Black trim. Available sizes are 17x9, 18x9 and 20x9-inches.
Contact: www.ultrawheel.com or 800.321.4456.

 

Raceline Monster ATV
The newest addition to the great line up of off road Raceline wheels is an aluminum Monster ATV wheel available in 4x110, 4x115 and 4x156 bolt patterns with a weight of 9.5lbs. This Monster style has taken the off road industry by storm and Raceline has brought this style to the ATV/UTV market with more styles to come in the ‘09 season, including the beadlock version. Available size is 12x7-inches.
Contact: www.racelinewheels.com or 800.529.4335.

 

KMC Bully AND XD Series Ambush
New from KMC’s heavy duty XD line is the XD 798 Ambush and the KM443 Bully (shown). The Ambush features a unique eight spoke design and is finished with a machined aluminum center and gloss black outer. Fitments are available for most trucks and SUVs. Available sizes are 18x9, 20x9, 22x9.5-inches.  The Bully comes with a split six-spoke design and is finished with a glossy black center and machined outer. Fitments are available for most trucks and SUVs. Available sizes are 17x9, 18x9, 20x9, 22x9.5-inches. Contact: www.kmcwheels.com.

 

Champion Beadlock Flush Mount Series
The Champion Wheel Flush Mount Series beadlock offers exceptional tire retention for low air pressure and high torque applications, as well as the added safety of having its mounting bolts flush with the surface of the ring. Champion stocks American Racing wheels outfitted with their unique flush mount rings, or you can send your own aluminum wheels into Champion for the same set up. CORR and SCORE legal. Available for 15 to 17-inch applications. Contact: www.ChampionWheel.com or 951.471.2183.

 

OMF Scalloped Beadlock
OMF Performance Products is proud to offer Mickey Thompson and American Eagle wheels with the tried and true OMF conventional or new scalloped beadlock. Once you pick the rim you would like, you can add a set of the new OMF Rock Crawling Domes on every other bolt, and have the beadlock ring powder coated in a number of custom colors.  OMF Performance can also modify most existing used rims. Available in all 15 to 18-inch sizes. Contact: www.OMFperformance.com or 951.354.8272.

 

Alcoa Xtreme
The new Xtreme Series by Alcoa Forged is for full size truck owners looking for a boldly designed wheel for rugged use. The Xtreme is available in most 8-lug fitments with forged aluminum strength and carries a lifetime limited structural warranty. The Xtreme is available in either easy to clean “Dura-Bright” technology or chrome finish. The available size is 20x9-inches. Contact: www.strongwheels.com or 800.242.9898.

 

PAGE 3

Pro Comp 7028 Series
The new 7028 Series from Pro Comp features a cast blast finish, split five-spoke design, integrated beadlock styling, and lifetime structural warranty. By utilizing “low-pressure casting” and computer-aided design Pro Comp Alloys has met a goal of being among the best products in the industry. Pro Comp manufactures wheels of the highest quality while remaining competitively priced. Sizes range from 16x8 to 20x9-inches. Contact: www.procomptires.com or 866.232.0665.

 

Center Line Convo Star
The Convo Star VW- style 14 or 24 Modular two-piece wheels are constructed of two aluminum halves riveted together to appeal to the hardcore racer and performance enthusiast. The Convo Star is designed specifically for VW street and sand machines backed with Center Line’s great reputation for quality and performance. This wheel is available in polish, brushed, or painted at an additional cost, Sizes 15X4 to 15X10-inches.
Contact: www.centerlinewheels.com or 800.345.8671.

 

Alcoa Discovery
Alcoa Forged presents the new Discovery Series featuring a rounded spoke design to compliment the appearance of full size trucks used for towing recreational vehicles. The Discovery is forged in most 8-lug fitments with a lifetime limited structural warranty.  The Discovery is available in either easy to clean “Dura-Bright” technology or chrome finish. The available size is 20x9-inches. Contact: www.strongwheels.com, 800.242.9898.

 

American Racing ATX Artillery
New from American Racing is the AX181 Artillery. The wheel features an aggressive split five spoke design, a simulated beadlock lip and is available with either Teflon coating or in chrome. Fitments are available for most trucks and SUVs. Available sizes are 16x9, 17x9, 18x9 and 20x9-inches. Contact: www.americanracing.com.

 

Mickey Thompson SideBiter
The SideBiter wheel features center spokes resembling the popular styling of the Mickey Thompson SideBiter Baja tires. Pairing the two together offers a great looking package and provides maximum performance. Built as a heavy-duty performer, the SideBiter has a beautiful high-gloss black finish and embossed center cap with the Mickey Thompson logo for ultimate styling. The SideBiter wheel is manufactured using a special low-pressure casting process that produces a wheel that is extremely strong with a higher load carrying capacity than other wheels, and it comes with a limited lifetime guarantee. Sizes range from 15x8 to 17x9-inches. Contact: www.mickeythompsontires.com or 800.700.0394.