New bike day- Raleigh highlander

Stoked to have found this gem for the equivalent of 120$ – good frames are really hard to come by in my area.was in great condition with all original components, besides the tires
So far all I've done is swap the tires, brake cables and hoses. Nex step is a drop bar comversion with some bug flat pedals for a do-it-all fun bike.

The wheels are the original steel ones – do you think there is any necessity to swap them for aluminum wheels? I dont mind the weight, but wonder about the durability of steel rims from the 90's on gravel and fire roads with the occasional large rock