Lighter wheels took harshness out of ride.

[PHOEBISIS]

I just put 17" offroad wheels on my XE KC 2WD.I did it for cosmetic reasons.Now,I hoped they would be lighter,but since wheels have become "decorative",I wasn't counting on their being much lighter than the stock 17" steel wheels(31 lbs 9oz with center plastic).I weighed one aluminum wheel before installation(26 lbs 2 oz with plastic center,and one 40 gram wheel wt)-5 1/2 lbs less-about 9% lighter wheel-tire combo(if the tire weighs 30 lbs- guessing on tire wt).
Well,I was astonished to notice that all the "harshness" I had noticed in the ride quality was GONE!!First thing I did was check the pressure-35 lbs all around.Now,I know that lighter wheel-tire combos should track the road better,and give a better ride,but I have done a lot of performance mods on motorcycles,cars,trucks,bicycles etc,and frankly I could really "feel" the difference one other time.Yeah,and I know aluminum is supposed to "damp"(bike and motorcycle handlebars) better than steel,so maybe the material and the drop in weight is important.
Well,you guys with 17" steel XE wheels might give it a try.They certainly will improve acceleration,but I can't "feel" anything on that score.Luck,Charlie PS ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY WHEEL,OR TIRE,or TIRE-WHEEL WTS?There is a current thread exploring that.Very curious what a 18" weighs??

[the head]

Stock 18" aluminum rim on the preferred package (not the offroad wheels) weigh 68 pounds with the tire.

[pciley]

Interesting.. My 18" 6-spoke LE wheels weigh 62lbs each and my steel XE 17" wheels weighed about 6-10oz less

(weights include tires )