gtxj

Anyone ever remove the chrome clad cover from the OEM aluminum wheels? If so, what's the finish of the wheels under the chrome cover? Is it the brushed aluminum look like the earlier model year rims?

CTDinMT

I haven't ever seen chrome clad aluminums? I have a set of factory polished aluminums with no skins on them. The chrome clad ones I have are steel wheels.

gtxj

Yeah, they have chrome clad aluminums as well. I actually didn't realized they had polished aluminums as well until I got mine. I'm not sure I like the chrome cladding and am wondering what's under the skins. You can see the chrome clad aluminums here --> http://cgi.ebay.com/DODGE-RAM-2500-T...QQcmdZViewItem

staarma

The chrome clad aluminums come with the Laramie trucks. Dad had the dealer swap them out for some bighorns before he picked his Laramie H model up. Even the sales guy knocked on them and took a second look before saying "that's dumb to put those on a Laramie, they feel cheap".

gtxj

Yeah, well. I feel pretty dumb for buying them, but at least I got a new set of tires with the deal... I'm just trying to figure out if I can recover at this point. Anyone else know what's under the covers?...

staarma

Just for the record, I meant no offense to you.

I would think you could beed blast them and then polish what's under there but I don't know of anyone who has done that.

carharttfarmer

still alot better then the steel wheels

gtxj

No offense taken. Normally I research the crap out of stuff before I buy but this seemed like a good deal and it was more of an impulse buy. At this point I'm thinking about keeping the tires, selling the wheels, and getting the ones I actually want.

I am really tempted to yank one of those covers of and find out, though...

carharttfarmer

same here
let me know if you find out whats under them

mnmlod

Where did you get them? ebay?

carharttfarmer

got mine from ebay

Joe T

The chrome clad on my 04 1500's 20s stayed nice for over 3 years. I like the chrome wheels on my truck and I'm thinking of keeping them instead of going aftermarket. I think they use chrome clad instead of chrome because of variances in chrome work and cost involved... Kinda cheap if you ask me but muh.. what ever works. If you don't mind letting me know what you paid for them so I know incase I do go aftermarket? Mine are less than a month old.

And FWIW, polished wheels suck! They are a PITA and will look like crud after a year...

mnmlod

I just sold a set with new tires for 850. They were in perfect shape with only 20 miles on the set.

Pooter

To answer the original question, I have heard of guys popping the chrome cap off of them, just take a screwdriver(and a rag if you dont want to scratch them up) and work your way around the wheel, popping them loose as you go.

Now, im refering to the 5 spoke steel wheels with chrome covers, havent seen anyone attempt them with the aluminum wheels(if they have a cover on them, ive only actually seen satin/polished aluminum wheels and never actually seen any with the covers like the ebay ad)

Fisherguy

If you're talking factory polished alum I disagree, mine are a year old and still look like new.
The 'chrome clad' look okay until you get close and see they're really plastic, looks kinda chincy if you ask me...