The wheel. Since the concept was invented sometime back in the Stone Age, it has revolutionized transportation for billions of people. However, today most don't give their wheels a second thought. To them, a tire is a tire. A wheel is a wheel. Make sure it's within the manufacturer's recommended size measurements, maybe get one for snow if you live in Montana, and go home.
We know diesel truck lovers are a different breed, though. We spend hours poring over catalogs showing the latest and greatest wheels and tires, and often spend hundreds of dollars more than the average Prius owner getting everything we can out of the four circles that mean so much to the performance and look of our truck.
Here are the top manufacturers who know where we're coming from. Give them a look, then give them a call (or website click) to learn more. Who knows? Maybe you'll find the set of your dreams at a company you've never taken a second look at before.
American Force Wheels
For seven years American Force Wheels has been using the latest technologies and finest materials to manufacture custom wheels for North America's truck enthusiasts. American Force is an industry leader because they understand that style and function are inseparable.
They are also known for manufacturing forged aluminum wheels for the 8-lug 
diesel community. Specializing in custom steel 8-10 lug adapters and forged CNC-machined wheels, American Force only produces the highest quality products for your truck and only uses the best available materials to build those products. They understand that a nice-looking truck is no longer a truck if you cannot do anything with it, and this is why American Force products are tested and proven for everyday use.
800-620-6259/www.americanforcewheels.com
American Racing Custom Wheels
In the late 1950's, the original five-spoke American Racing Torq Thrust wheel was introduced. It is considered by many to be the most famous drag and hot rod wheel of all time. Now, more than 50 years later, American Racing continues its tradition of excellence in period correct and custom wheels for hot rods, muscle cars and restoration applications.
American Racing continues its tradition of off-road performance with its ATX Series All-Terrain Wheels. These wheels have been tested with our ATX Teams in the most extreme environments, including King of The Hammers and the Jeep Speed Race Series. This same race-proven technology is integrated into every wheel they make under the ATX brand, for today's trucks and SUV's. www.americanracing.com
BMF Wheels
BMF Wheels has created a truly unique and performance-driven line of wheels for the off-road and lifted truck enthusiast. All BMF wheels feature aggressive and bold designs with chrome, "death metal" black, and Stealth finishes. Every BMF wheel is manufactured using a proprietary multi-axis CNC machining process. These ground-breaking innovations produce a true three-dimensional look that is second to none. All BMF wheels are
engineered to exploit the longest and straightest rim lip possible, and are all TPMS sensor compatible to
meet OE specifications. BMF's fitments are absolutely perfect for an aggressive fit on lifted and leveled trucks using all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. 888-313-2580/www.bmfwheels.com
KMC Wheels
Founded in 1982, originally manufacturing steel wheels, KMC rapidly grew with a simple strategy of broadening its product line, increasing its market base, expanding brand awareness through strategic product placement and developing worldwide opportunities with corporate alliances. Today, KMC builds some of the most sought-after styles in the wheel industry.
The KMC XD Series was born in off-road racing. These XD Race wheels have been tested by their sponsored teams at some of the most demanding off-road races in the world, such as the SCORE Baja 1000 and the TORC Series, to name a couple. The XD Series combines aggressive, edgy styles for the lifted truck/SUV market, and have become a "must have" wheel for all truck/SUV owners. www.kmcwheels.com
Mamba Off-Road Alloys
The Mamba Off-Road wheel line has set a mark for excellence in diesel trucks. They work hard to make sure the styles, sizes, offsets, bolt-patterns and quality will be second to none. Mamba Off-Road Alloys has also focused on the details to make sure that these wheels stand out in the crowd and make their customers happy for years. Mamba wheels are constructed using only forged 6061 aluminum bolt accessories and real studs along with two-piece die-cut aluminum caps with stainless steel hardware; there are no cheap plastic pressed-in bolts or boring plastic caps and cheap hardware here! 800-735-2822/www.mambawheels.com
MWK
MKW Off-Road is the pioneer brand that brought style to lifted trucks. This has been an unrealized market for chrome wheels until the 22x11 MKW M19. This MKW Off-road wheel changed the game forever and a slew of others followed. While the M19 demands are still soaring, MWK is introducing six new styles to stay ahead of competition.
Parent company MKW Alloy Inc. was established in 1999 with a vision to reinvent the aftermarket wheel industry with unparalleled technology. With a lineup of wheel brands MKW, MKW Offroad, Bazo and Avenue wheels, they are able to offer their customers tuner wheels, large diameter wheels, and heavy-duty off-road wheels. 866-MKW-WHEEL/www.mkwheel.com
Pro Comp
Since 1992, Pro Comp USA has been manufacturing high-quality, durable products for on- and off-road enthusiasts including tires, wheels, suspensions, shocks and more. Suspension systems were their original foundation and they continue to be one of Pro Comp's strongest departments as they develop innovative new suspensions to this day.
Starting in 1998, Pro Comp took on tires, and has since become one of the top tire-manufacturing contenders in the aftermarket industry. This has been supported by the release of their Pro Comp brand wheels, designed to be the strongest steel and cast wheels in the market.
The Pro Comp Xtreme A/T is one of the most advanced radial all-terrain tires available. It delivers control, traction, durability and style beyond any other A/T tire and is backed by Pro Comp's 40,000-mile tread wear warranty. The secret is in the Xtreme A/T's unique tread design and heavy-duty Tri-Ply construction. By using an exclusive directional tread pattern, the Xtreme A/T was optimized for maximum performance and traction off road, on the street and in wet weather. The heavy-duty Tri-Ply construction is puncture and abrasion resistant and allows for high load capacity ratings. With all these features and aggressive styling, the Xtreme A/T is tough enough for off-road racing, yet quiet and controlled for the street.
800-776-0767/www.ProCompUSA.com
Rolling Big Power
Started by Roland Trudel, a truck aficionado, RBP began with custom exhaust and quickly began to get the attention of the off-road enthusiast as being the new breed in the off-road lifestyle. In 2005, RBP caught the eye of the crew at Lexani and a new marriage was formed. RBP was moved into the Lexani corporate offices and became part of the Lexani family of brands. Today, Rolling Big Power occupies a large allocation of office and warehouse space in the huge, ultra-modern high rise Lexani Wheel Building in Corona, Calif. At this time, RBP has contracted with several hand-picked manufacturers who are producing a variety of products built to RBP's exclusive design. The ever-growing list of products manufactured and marketed by RBP includes diesel performance exhaust systems; grilles for diesel pickups; a variety of custom bright-work, also for diesel pickups; exhaust tips and a complete line of custom wheels.
951-272-9090/www.rollingbigpower.com
Ultra Wheel
Some companies have a slogan or icon to create their identity. At Ultra Wheel, they have an unyielding core principle of building strong durable wheels with precise fitments. Jim Smith, the owner of Ultra Wheel, established that principle on day one of his company over 25 years ago. His aggressive passion for truck racing saw him win countless individual races, along with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series and the Baja 1000.
That passion and core principle catapulted Ultra Wheel among the preeminent truck wheel companies in the United States, and it continues today. Whether you're looking at their truck and off-road wheels, their high end Platinum lineup, or the trend-setting Focal designs, Ultra Wheel will only sell championship-caliber quality wheels. 800-321-4456/www.ultrawheel.com
Vision Wheel
In 2011 Vision Wheel is celebrating its 35th year in the custom wheel business. In order for a company to be around this long in this business, they have to be doing something right. Vision's customers have come to expect the very best from them, and they look beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing and distributing wheels that set future trends. For 2011, their goal is to continue to be among the nation's best suppliers of custom aftermarket wheels. Vision plans to do this through outstanding attention to detail in their styling, delivery and customer service. Vision Wheel showcases a top notch, industry leading lineup that sets the standard in 2011 and beyond.
Vision Wheel is also a leading provider of private label wheels. They currently provide engineering, new product development and 3-D modeling services to distributors in the United States, Europe and South America. Increase the load and ride stability with their 19.5-inch dually/single wheel for one-ton pickups. The wheels save 70 percent of the operating cost of OEM 16- and 17- tire and wheel combinations. These wheels also feature direct bolt application, hub rings, standard duplex conical seat lug nut application and center caps. 888-480-2030/www.visiontire.com
Falken Tire
Falken Tire, a Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand, was launched in its native country of Japan in 1983 and introduced to the North American market two years later. At its inception, Falken was created as the flagship high performance radial brand under Ohtsu Tire and Rubber.
Now, more than two and a half decades later, Falken has become a well-known, stand-alone brand that focuses on UHP (Ultra High Performance) products while utilizing professional motorsports to further develop and improve passenger vehicle products for worldwide distribution.
Falken Tire prides itself on its in-house branding and creative capabilities designed to assist the consumer by providing key information on its brand and multiple product lines.
Within the last year, Falken has aggressively expanded its product range, launching new products in the rugged all-terrain category with Wildpeak A/T and High Country, and adding an exciting new winter performance tire, the Espia EPZ, which provides superb traction even in the harshest conditions. Also, to combat adverse weather, Falken offers the Eurowinter HS439, which helps improve winter driving predictability with consistent traction. www.falkentire.com
Firestone
The Firestone Destination A/T is the SUV and light truck all-terrain tire for drivers who want to go wherever the road leads-from the main streets to the woods. The Destination A/T with UNI-T technology is built to adapt to travel in wet or dry weather and gives you an extra measure of confidence in handling and braking on those rainy days. All-terrain performance is complemented by added technology that promotes a smooth and quiet ride.
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires.
615-937-1000/www.firestonetire.com
Hankook Tire
Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires to more than 400 independent dealers through 3000-plus retail sales locations in the United States.
One of their most popular tires is the Dynapro HT. This premium highway all-season Dynapro HT provides drivers of light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles improved snow traction, low rolling resistance and longer tread wear. A high stiffness center block offers enhanced steering response while a wide, computer-generated tread enables better mileage, less noise and excellent grip. 800-HANKOOK/www.hankooktireusa.com
Maxxis 
Tires
Maxxis was founded in 1967, and is today one of the largest and most respected tire companies in the world. Begun as a manufacturer of bicycle tires, the company soon expanded into additional market segments, and now provides products for a range of original equipment and aftermarket customers.
Truly a global company, Maxxis is headquartered in Taiwan, with operations in the United States, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Japan and Dubai. Maxxis distributes its products in approximately 170 countries and employs more than 22,000 people. The company has been ranked by Interbrand as one of Taiwan's top global brands for eight consecutive years.
Customers know that they can count on Maxxis tires for quality, strength, durability and outstanding performance. Over the years, Maxxis' quality has been acknowledged with major industry awards, including most recently Ford's highest honor for a supplier, the Gold Award, and Toyota's Regional Contribution Award. www.maxxis.com
Mickey Thompson
Performance Tires & Wheels
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels markets racing and high-performance tires and wheels for street, strip, truck, and off-road applications.
The company was founded in 1963 by racing legend Mickey Thompson and is headquartered in Stow, Ohio.
The new Baja STZ Radial from Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels offers excellent steering response, superior grip, and great all-weather traction, making it the perfect choice for work, play, or sportsman applications.
The new Baja STZ has variable density nylon wraps over the belt package to deliver improved uniformity, ride comfort, and handling. Serrated tie bars and shoulder scallops along with multi-angled lugs have been added to improve self cleaning and eject stones from the tread. Siping has been added and strategically placed to improve traction in wet and icy conditions. 330-928-9092/www.mickeythompsontires.com
Toyo Tires
The Toyo Tires brand was born in 1945 with the formation of publicly traded Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. in Osaka, Japan. Today, Toyo Tires is a global corporation exceeding $3.2 billion in annual sales and has grown to include automotive parts, chemical/industrial products, sports and leisure-related products and housing-related products. Producing tires for more than 60 years, Toyo Tires is currently ranked as the 12th largest tire manufacturer in the world with five manufacturing plants globally and a worldwide distribution network that includes the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
Toyo Tires is recognized for product quality and innovation, having been voted many times over as the number one overall brand in both the consumer and commercial tire segments by independent tire dealers in North America. With a focus on premium tires, Toyo Tires manufactures and distributes a complete line of replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks, buses and off-road and construction applications. www.toyotires.com