CLEVELAND (Dec. 19, 2003) — Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels is adding 23 sizes to its line of one-piece hot-forged light truck wheels, in 15-, 16- and 17-inch diameters for both domestic and import trucks and sport-utility vehicles.
Alcoa Forged Specialty, a division of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products, said it plans to introduce the 17-inch sizes in January, followed by the 16- and 15-inch sizes before mid-year.
The new wheels, in Cleveland-based Alcoa's Classic round hand hole style, will come in 8-, 10- or 12-inch widths to fit the most popular ½- and ¾-ton pickups from Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., and Dodge, as well as selected pickup offerings from importers, Alcoa said.
One-piece design eliminates welds that can concentrate stress and give cracks a place to start, Alcoa said, and hot forging eliminates air pockets and aligns the metal grain for greater strength and durability. Aluminum wheels weigh less than comparable steel wheels, reducing the vehicle suspension's unsprung weight.
Alcoa wheels are sold through authorized warehouse distributors.