[1994 Sport]

For those of us who want to run 17" steel rims in the winter,Tire Rack is showing that they will be available soon and the price is reasonable too.

http://www.tirerack.com/cart/HoldingArea.jsp?ask=no

There has been much discussion on what other factory wheels would fit and many members doing trial and error with wheels trying to find some that will. This should make things a little easier.
With the Caravan now coming with steel 17’s”, steel take offs should start showing up on Ebay and Craigslist as well.

 

[1994 Sport]

I see the link I posted expired. Try this one, you will need to click on steel wheels to see the description. They are $62 apiece.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/resu...terBrand=All&filterSpecial=true&filterNew=All

 

[blknblu]

Looks like - "Est. Availability: 10/01/13"

New Steel Wheel
Finish: Black Painted
17X6.5
$62 (each)
Offset: 40mm
Bolt Pattern: 5-127
Rec. Tire Size:225/65-17

 

[1994 Sport]

The availability of these rims has been pushed back to 11/22/13 now. Still only $62 each.
Looking at getting these rims and the Continental Extreme winter contact 225/65/17 tires.
Continental or General are the 2 brands I can get a 40%+ discount on. :biggrin:
Ebay has the TPM sensors for 1/3 the cost from theTire Racks sensors, which show them to be in and out of on a stock daily basis?.:ask_wsign
With the savings on the sensors alone I can install the sensors,mount the tires myself and take them in to get balanced and still be $80 ahead of the game.

 

[1994 Sport]

I now have my steel rims and Continental winter tires on order from Tire Rack and a set of TPM sensors coming from ebay. If all of the items ship when they are suppose to I will have my winter tires rolling for Thanksgiving.

 

[JohnnyK]

The availability of these rims has been pushed back to 11/22/13 now. Still only $62 each.
Looking at getting these rims and the Continental Extreme winter contact 225/65/17 tires.
Continental or General are the 2 brands I can get a 40%+ discount on. :biggrin:
Ebay has the TPM sensors for 1/3 the cost from theTire Racks sensors, which show them to be in and out of on a stock daily basis?.:ask_wsign
With the savings on the sensors alone I can install the sensors,mount the tires myself and take them in to get balanced and still be $80 ahead of the game.

I'm in the same boat, except if I want the sensors, I'll probably pays the extra $100 on tire rack to avoid taking them to get installed.. probably at least $15-20 a tire.. Then again, I may just pass on the the sensors..and live with a light on.

Can you share why you picked the tire you did? I need to order mine very soon and was considering that tire or the Blizzak WS70.. also the general altimax artic was recommended, but not it's not listed on tire rack for being available in our size.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

JK

 

[blknblu]

There is a vendor on ebay selling 17" inch steel wheels if you cannot wait

look for "04-11 12 13 GRAND CARAVAN JOURNEY PACIFICA TOWN & COUNTRY 17" WINTER STEEL WHEEL"

The aftermarket wheel number is 44753.

For the Canadians, it looks like people have ordered them from local shops.
http://www.dodgejourneyforum.com/topic/2808-17-inch-winter-wheels-rub-on-brake-caliper/page-4

 

[1994 Sport]

I went with the Continentals because a can get them for $67 a tire, 44.5% off. I can get an even better savings on Generals, 47% off but like you said Tire Rack does not sell this size.
I can mount the tires at home but I have no balancer, I have access to one but it's 45 min away.

 

[JohnnyK]

1994 Sport, any confirmation on yours shipping. Getting close to 11/22.. but I see availability currently pushed back.. I think 11/27..

Anyone have an opinion on the blizzak ws70's.. or recommend an better tire?

Thanks!!!

JK

 

[1994 Sport]

Tire Rack called me on Monday to say they will not be getting the rims until next week and wanted to know if this would be causing me any problems.
I was actually a little shocked that in this day and age a company was calling their customers to inform them of a delay and asked if it was going to be a problem! I thought this was very good on their part.
Now if they push it back another week I might start asking about a discount? :biggrin:

 

[UN4GTBL]

1994 Sport, any confirmation on yours shipping. Getting close to 11/22.. but I see availability currently pushed back.. I think 11/27..

Anyone have an opinion on the blizzak ws70's.. or recommend an better tire?

Thanks!!!

JK

I loved the Blizzak WS60s I had on my Caliber. I've got X-Ice tires now on it, and I think I like the Blizzaks better, but I couldn't turn these down because of the deal I got.

 

[Spong]

Tire Rack called me on Monday to say they will not be getting the rims until next week and wanted to know if this would be causing me any problems.
I was actually a little shocked that in this day and age a company was calling their customers to inform them of a delay and asked if it was going to be a problem! I thought this was very good on their part.
Now if they push it back another week I might start asking about a discount? :biggrin:

Why not just get some better looking aftermarket wheels to run in summer months and use your stock wheels in the winter? That's what I did. Originally, I was going to sell my stock wheels but then I learned the 16" steel wheels I used on my 2010 wouldn't fit so now my stock wheels are winter wheels.

 

[JohnnyK]

Why not just get some better looking aftermarket wheels to run in summer months and use your stock wheels in the winter? That's what I did. Originally, I was going to sell my stock wheels but then I learned the 16" steel wheels I used on my 2010 wouldn't fit so now my stock wheels are winter wheels.

It's a great idea.. just score tires locally and have them mounted up. only downside are is I'll have to wait to have it done or arrange to have a ride to/from.. and then the old tires have minimal tread, but still enough to run in summer for a few more months (maybe 10k more miles).. so I'd have to mount them up for 3-4 months next spring then get new rubber mid summer.. decisions, decisions..

 

[friendlyr]

spong, another option is a cheap aftermarket set FOR the winter, thus saving the factory tire changeover....some of those cheaper sets still look better than those black steelies....

 

[1994 Sport]

Why not just get some better looking aftermarket wheels to run in summer months and use your stock wheels in the winter? That's what I did. Originally, I was going to sell my stock wheels but then I learned the 16" steel wheels I used on my 2010 wouldn't fit so now my stock wheels are winter wheels.

I went steel for a couple or reasons.
#1 I keep cars for a LOOOOOOONG time.:nut: The deicing stuff they use on the roads here chew up alum wheels and I don't want to deal with the rim leaks from this corrosion for years to come.
#2 if I slide and hit a curb I can straighten out a steel wheel (within reason of course).
#3 I actual like the looks of my factory Limited wheels.
#4 the steel wheels are cheaper :biggrin:

 

[JohnnyK]

AAAAAAH... Tire rack now says 12/4 for the rims.. ans the price of the sensors went up to $170+.. Guess I should order now and I'l pass on the sensors.

JK

 

[UN4GTBL]

Proud member of the winter steelies club:

Granted, my "summer" wheels are the factory steel wheels with plastic covers too.

I want to get a dedicated set of winters + steelies for the van too.

 

[1994 Sport]

This means I should be getting a call from Tire Rack soon. I will see what kind of discount this delay will get me?

 

[Spong]

I went steel for a couple or reasons.
#1 I keep cars for a LOOOOOOONG time.:nut: The deicing stuff they use on the roads here chew up alum wheels and I don't want to deal with the rim leaks from this corrosion for years to come.
#2 if I slide and hit a curb I can straighten out a steel wheel (within reason of course).
#3 I actual like the looks of my factory Limited wheels.
#4 the steel wheels are cheaper :biggrin:

Well you're just no damn fun are you? :biggrin: I can understand the durability standpoint but I've never had corrosion ruin aluminum wheels. I guess you must REALLY keep them a long time!

AAAAAAH... Tire rack now says 12/4 for the rims.. ans the price of the sensors went up to $170+.. Guess I should order now and I'l pass on the sensors.

JK

I would NOT get sensors from TireRack. I bought brand new take offs from Ebay and paid around $60 for all (4).

Proud member of the winter steelies club:

Granted, my "summer" wheels are the factory steel wheels with plastic covers too.

I want to get a dedicated set of winters + steelies for the van too.

I proudly rolled with black steel on my last van for the first winter. My wife HATED the look. She said it made us look "ghetto" and I even had a couple people ask if someone took my hubcaps. LOL The next two winters, I ran a set of 5 spoke hubcaps.

 

[Spong]

It's a great idea.. just score tires locally and have them mounted up. only downside are is I'll have to wait to have it done or arrange to have a ride to/from.. and then the old tires have minimal tread, but still enough to run in summer for a few more months (maybe 10k more miles).. so I'd have to mount them up for 3-4 months next spring then get new rubber mid summer.. decisions, decisions..

In that case, it might not be worth it for you. Too much hassle!

spong, another option is a cheap aftermarket set FOR the winter, thus saving the factory tire changeover....some of those cheaper sets still look better than those black steelies....

I agree! Even my "summer" wheels weren't really all that expensive at $150 each (shipped with lugnuts). At that point, my factory wheels became the natural choice to use for winter. I think the stock wheels are HORRIBLE to clean.