01 alloy wheels on a 97 4X4

[JTeague]

A couple days ago I tried fitting my 97 4X4 with some 16X8s off of my cousin's 01 4X4. The front seem to fit fine, but the back will not clear the brake drum and backing plate. I'm considering swapping the drums/backingplates/shoes for 2000/ 2001 models. Is this all that will have to be changed? I don't like how aftermarket wheels stick out from the fenderwells, so I would rather stick with the factory alloys for that reason and plus they are cheap and plentiful.

 

[Cooker]

The back is the easy part. You only need to turn (grind) the drums down to allow enogh clearance for the wheels. I think you need to take off about 3/16 of an inch.



I thought the front was the hard part. It seemed like there was some grinding that needed to be done on some of the steering components.



There was a recent thread on this. You might try a search.



-Ryan

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

I heard that it was a little tricky too. Let us know.

 

[MikeR]

Yes, you need to turn down the rear drums on a lathe to get them to fit. I think 3/16th was enough.



I had a problem with the fronts too on a conversion. When turning the steering wheel sharp, the inside of the wheel would hit the tie rods. You'll need to notch the tie rods with a grinder. I did it on a truck but I won't ever recommend doing it again because of the liability of safely removing too much metal on such critical components.



-Mike

 

[TurboWolf]

02 alloys on 99

Would you run into the same problem with the 02 alloys on a 99? Have to grind the rear drums and notch the tie rod ends?



Is the offset different?

 

[Cooker]

As far as I know the 02's are the same as the 01's, so you would have the same problems.



Good Luck.

Ryan

 

[MikeR]

T-Wolf,



The truck I did the conversion on was a '99, which essentially has the same brake setup since '94. Dodge changed the brakes and some suspension components in '00.



-Mike

 

[TurboWolf]

alloys

Thanks Mike . . . I saw a deal on EBay and hoped it would work. But, I think I'll take your advice and not do the grinding on the tie rods.



Thanks again

Scott