[Will]

Anyone own a set of the forged Bandits (U304) or know anyone who does?

I've seen the cast version (U109) on a lot of cars but have yet to see or talk to anyone with the forged version.

Also, the forged version is available with a traditional lip in 1/2" incremental sizes (eg: 9.5" wide as opposed to 9" wide) which is really intriguing to me, but there are no pics of this style on their website.

[65madgoat]

In my opinion the cast ones look cheap. The year one rallye 2 style in 17" look so much better if going that route.

The real forged US mags are super nice and depending on your car's build style, will determine whether going step lip or smooth fat lip style hoops.

The cast rims are under $200 a wheel and as you have seen custom built forged ones can run $1000 a rim in any size.

Check out this goat with true 3 piece bolted rims (bolts hidden behind the face)



https://www.instagram.com/fastmontysgarage/

[Jerry H.]

Are the forged ones more expensive? If so we installed a set on a 67 GTO restomod. I've got ton's of pics, here is one.

[Will]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

In my opinion the cast ones look cheap. The year one rallye 2 style in 17" look so much better if going that route.

The real forged US mags are super nice and depending on your car's build style, will determine whether going step lip or smooth fat lip style hoops.

The cast rims are under $200 a wheel and as you have seen custom built forged ones can run $1000 a rim in any size.

Check out this goat with true 3 piece bolted rims (bolts hidden behind the face)



https://www.instagram.com/fastmontysgarage/

Those aren't the US Mags wheels, are they? I don't have an Instagram acct. so could only look at the thumbnails.

What do you mean by "build style" and how does it influence the wheel choice? Isn't the choice of wheel up to my tastes and desires?

The car is a '72 Formula 400 that will have numerous small details that aren't stock but only people who know these cars would know that. Examples are chrome factory repro valvecovers, chrome water neck, chrome factory style aircleaner lid on a factory RA aircleaner, stainless engine bolts, '67 - '70 metallic blue engine paint, marine style hose clamps, stainless headers, stainless brake lines, etc. Only non-stock exterior features will be the wheels and probably a subtle one-piece chin spoiler. In the interior I plan to get some aftermarket front seats and have them recovered in original material in a pattern that as closely resembles the stock pattern as possible given the seat design. There will be some upgraded suspension and brake bits including 12" rotors with Wilwood black painted calipers up front and some sort of rear disc setup.

While it would be totally obvious that 18" Rally II style wheels aren't stock, I like the nod to the stock look of a stepped lip. Or, at least I like the idea of it. I've never actually seen one of these wheels or even any pictures of them which is one of the reasons I'm asking about them here.

[Will]

Originally Posted by Jerry H.

Are the forged ones more expensive? If so we installed a set on a 67 GTO restomod. I've got ton's of pics, here is one.

They're a lot more expensive than the cast version.

I'm curious about the weight and any visual differences between them and the cast version. Any other good pictures you can post would be appreciated. Also, what size, width and backspacing, if you know it. Thanks!

[Will]

I just discovered the US Mags Trans Am wheel (U722) and I like that even better than the Bandit.

Still can't find a single picture of it with a traditional (stepped) lip...

[amcmike]

Originally Posted by Will

I just discovered the US Mags Trans Am wheel (U722) and I like that even better than the Bandit.

Still can't find a single picture of it with a traditional (stepped) lip...

Let me know if you hear any pricing. I've heard they're pretty expensive.

[65madgoat]

I totally like the Trans Am style windows more than the bandit style too... and they don't make a cast version I believe in the Trans Am style.

That way when you spend $600 to $1000 a rim for the Trans Am style some one with the cheap $200 cast version bandit won't look the same as you.

The trans am style just looks so much better.

Guys that want to show off big brakes would more often pick the bandit rim with the wider windows.

[amcmike]

Originally Posted by amcmike

Let me know if you hear any pricing. I've heard they're pretty expensive.

Found them on one site... they want $858 each for 18x9s! That's pretty much what I paid for the whole set of my U109s last year.

If you can swing it, they definitely look nicer (probably a bit lighter as well). Unfortunately way out of my budget.

[Will]

Originally Posted by amcmike

. they want $858 each for 18x9s!

Holy crap... I was expecting maybe 500-600/wheel.

Provided my company's work outlook remains as strong as it does now, I'm going to have a pile of money to finally get this car done next summer. But, it needs paint & body, some interior, and engine & trans work. It really needs new wheels, but I don't know if $4K will be left after everything else...

[HWYSTR455]

Guess you guys haven't shopped many forged wheels before, but $850 is at the low end of cost for them. Many are above 2k.

Nice thing about forged wheels is you can get any width and any backspacing.

.

[Will]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Guess you guys haven't shopped many forged wheels before, but $850 is at the low end of cost for them. Many are above 2k.

Nice thing about forged wheels is you can get any width and any backspacing.

.

Yep, this is the first time I've really looked into wheels like this. A bit of a shock to the system.

I may have to go with those "cheap" cast Bandit wheels... Still better looking than 90% of the wheels out there, IMO.

[FrankieT/A]

As an owner of the cast wheel I couldn't justify the cost vs. looks of the two different wheels. And honestly I like the look of windows on the cast mag. I like the lip better on the forged. So weighing a lot of factors; the cast wheels are still a vast improvement over the stock Rally II's.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

As an owner of the cast wheel I couldn't justify the cost vs. looks of the two different wheels. And honestly I like the look of windows on the cast mag. I like the lip better on the forged. So weighing a lot of factors; the cast wheels are still a vast improvement over the stock Rally II's.

True, major improvement over stock, and gives the ability to run better, and a lot of times less expensive, tires.

The forged are much lighter, much. And as I said before, any diameter, width, and backspacing is available. I saw some 18x10 wheels that weighed 16lbs. They are strong too.

Forgeline Wheels and HRE are very popular with the pro-touring and autocross folks, can price those if you want some sticker shock. Some forged wheels are over $6k each list.

AR has very affordable forged wheels, some nice ones too. They have some affordable cast wheels too.


.

[Will]

Yeah, I noticed when looking through the US mags site that the 18" Bandit wheels are pretty danged heavy. Unsprung weight and rotating mass have a big effect on performance.

I was out at my storage unit recently and I have two extra 2002 Trans Am WS6 wheels in boxes. I'd forgotten how light those are and when I picked up the first box it was like when you grab the empty milk carton in the fridge but you expect it to be full... LOL. IIRC they are ~20 lbs each, which isn't bad for a 17x9.

while forged wheels are stronger and often lighter than cast, they aren't always lighter. I had a set of 17x8 Enkeis on my WRX that were 15.5 lbs each. Lightest cast wheel I could find and lighter than many forged.

Us mags doesn't publish any specs for their forged wheels which I find odd and is one of the reasons I want to talk to someone who has direct experience with them.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Guys that want to show off big brakes would more often pick the bandit rim with the wider windows.

Or stock-sized 4 wheel disc w. ventilated rotors. I like them better than Year RII's because the smaller hub and bigger window. Plus, they're black. Sorry for the lift pic. Never got round to taking decent outdoor pics.

[FrankieT/A]

[FrankieT/A]

[HWYSTR455]

I think the YO's only come in 17s, right? The Bandits in 18" definitely have the wider windows.


.

[Scarebird]

arrgghh - late to the party.

Mounted a set of 235-55-17 Vogue V's on the 17 x 8's U109's - very happy with the look. Took the center caps and modded them to take the earlier wire wheel center decals.



I note both Neighbor's and Frankie's cars have the OEM style center cap - did these just bolt right up?