By ZPukajlo on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 02:51 pm: Edit

What's the difference between the stock LR steel wheels and the NATO versions? The only thing that I know of is that the NATO versions seem to be a lot cheaper.

Zane

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:03 pm: Edit

Zane

There are at least 6 different LR steelies I can think of that you could put on a disco:

Disco spare steelies 16x 7in
Nato Steelies 16 x6.5 and vented
NAS 110 steelies Nato wheels w/o the vents
ROW defender steelies 16x 5.5 (CT used these)
Rostyle RR steelies 16 x6 (I think)
NADA SIII steelies 15x 6

Then there are the "small stud" SII/SIIa steelies which will also fit but really should avoid and the GCR aftermarket wide offset steelies.

This has been batted about a bit and the consenus seems to be that the Disco steelies have some lip and are a little stronger but in reality there is no appreciable difference.

Ron

By Jon Williams (Jonw) on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:21 pm: Edit

The Disco wheel is what they'd call a "styled" wheel, and it's specific to the Discovery (so they feel they can charge more for it), whereas the NATO wheel is produced in a much higher volume and not really a model-specific wheel (so it costs less). Other than that, Ron did well explaining the other differences. Personally I feel that the NATO wheel has a more rugged look to it, compared to the rather tame style of the Disco wheel, but they're equally durable. Depends on what you like.

By Ed H on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:23 pm: Edit

Ron

Are you saying that one should avoid buying the steelies from GCR due to their strength?

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:28 pm: Edit

No one should avoid the SII/SIIa small stud series wheels. They will fit but the lug taper and stud size is slightly off.

GCR wheels are fine although I do not believe they are as tough as LR steelies.

Ron

By Mike Rupp (Mike_Rupp) on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:39 pm: Edit

Does the 16 x 6.5 size work well with 235/85-16? Most tire manufacturers recommend 16 x 7, but does the 1/2" really matter?

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:44 pm: Edit

Nope,

You can run 235-85 down to a 5.5 x 16

Ron

By Mike Rupp (Mike_Rupp) on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:53 pm: Edit

Where's some good places that carry the NATO Steelies?

By Marc on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:55 pm: Edit

Where can I find the non-vented natos?

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:56 pm: Edit

Actually try the dealer.

If you have them run the PN (See RN catalog) the cost should not be bad, especially if you have a club discount or something.

RN etc are about 100 a pop plus shipping. RDS a little less.

Maybe Nathan can get them?

They are really cheap in the UK

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 03:58 pm: Edit

Marc

RN the dealer. Tell them you have a NAS 110 and need wheels. should be 125 a pop (ouch I know)

Ron

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 04:48 pm: Edit

Ron,

i bought a set of steel wheels from rover accessories -
http://www.t-r-j.com/Los-Coyotes/10Dec00/img38.jpg

what are these close to? They seem to have different offset (compared to stock alloys).

better quality and thicker steel than AR wheels.

peter

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 04:52 pm: Edit

Those are the same as GCR rims. www.gulfcoastrovers.com
Info is on the site

They are AR wheels although the difference may be that the 15in GCR/AR wheels are a bit lighter than the 16in GCR/AR wheels. Generally speaking 16in wheels and tires tend to be stouter (for example 16in swampers are usually 10 ply, 15in are usually 6)

Ron

PS I heard about some people getting unique wheels to make rover wheels but I don't think Rover acc. was one of them

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 04:53 pm: Edit

Also AR makes different grades of wheels so if you are comparing them to non rover AR wheels that could be it too.

Ron

By ZPukajlo on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:05 pm: Edit

If the difference between them is so minute it is hard to believe that there was a battle about it. As for me I am undecided. I still like the look of my alloys. Its just that I go some places where rocks are everywhere. And steelies bend back much better than alloys. Anyway, thanks for the info Ron!

Zane

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:09 pm: Edit

okay, rover acc wheels are made by unique, they are not AR wheels

the difference is enough to cause 245/75R16 to rub where they wouldn't otherwise (on the stock rims).

but no need in adjusting the steering stops.

peter

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:12 pm: Edit

The GCR ones will rub as well without a good lift.

What is the measured offset peter? I wonder if they are the same as the ARs? They sure look it.

Ron

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:24 pm: Edit

i've never bothered to think about it - until i heard that familiar sound

now the tires cleared themselves, with outside shoulder lugs shaved off.

AR - i thought all their steelies were wagon-wheel style. At least, i've never seen anything different.

peter

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:31 pm: Edit

AR makes other stuff too (chrome for example). They make ones that look identical to yours. I was also 99% sure thats who GCR had make their wheels but the website is down so I can't confirm. Hard to get firm details as no one wants info to get out

Ron

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:57 pm: Edit

sure, the wagon wheels come in three flavors - white, the cheapest, black, and chrome.
but with round holes? never seen'em - but i ain't been around long enuff

peter

By Kyle on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 06:15 pm: Edit

An Charles over there at Rover accessories would never tell you its a plain old AR wheel. He likes you to think the stuff is very special...

Kyle

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 06:18 pm: Edit

maybe you're right.
but last saturday i spent ten minutes in front of charles' wheels' stand, and there were some different wheels. some looking like my jeep wheels, some like my rover wheels. i know for sure the first were made by AR.

peter

By Ron on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 06:18 pm: Edit

LOL

very special or rather unique

Ron

By Norm Orschnorschki (Norm) on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 12:05 am: Edit

I bought some offset black steel wheels from Rover Accessories for $75 a pop after I put on an medium OME spring & shock set...loaded them with 245/75/16 BFG Mudterrain KMs and didn't even have to adjust the bump stops. The set up fits perfectly with no rubbing, they look tough and the wider stance makes the rig handle better. I'd say it was a good deal.

---Norm