2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 16" vs 17" wheel

[hcpBILL]

It is time for new tires for my 00 3500 2wd Ram. Is there any advantage to going to the 17" wheels? I need to stay in the 31. 5-32" tall range for the tire.

Thanks

Bill

 

[rjrkihap]

I believe the only reason Dodge went to 17in tires was to allow the brake calipers to fit properly (16in rims would not fit over the brake setup on the newer trucks). My experience (although it may be different now) is that 17in tires are more expensive than their 16in counterparts (265/70r17 vs. 265/75r16). As for tread-life, ride quality, load capacity, etc. there should be no difference between a comparable 16 and 17 inch tire.



Ron

 

[SRadke]

All above comments are correct.

 

[surfbeetle]

Same overall tire diameter + larger wheel diameter = less sidewall and less sidewall flex. I went to the 17" stock dodge rims from the 16" stock dodge rims and it made a huge difference in handling on my 2wd truck.

 

[HCannon]

Surfbeetle,

Was the difference good or bad?

 

[JoeHutchinson]

17 wheels Rock

Surfbeetle,

Was the difference good or bad?

I want to second 17 wheels rock. They corner way better and handle heavy loads way better. I have to admit that I was surprised how much difference one inch makes. I picked up second set of new rims for my snow tires pretty cheap on EBay



Joe

 

[surfbeetle]

The difference was much better handling. I am very pleased with the way the truck drives now.

 

[ToddShepard]

Will the 17's fit over the rear drums on my 1994 without modification?

 

[surfbeetle]

Okay, here's the deal... (isn't there always something?) I have the steel chrome wheels, they are thinner at the lugs than the polished aluminum wheels. The hubcaps needed some minor clearancing on the inside of the hubcap so it will fit over the rear wheel hubs on my 2wd 95 which should be the same as your 94. I used a die grinder and ground out the molded plastic a bit.



If you get the polished aluminum wheels, then because of the thicker mounting area by the lugs, then I imagine that you would not need to clearance the plastic hub cap. The plastic hub caps are all the same.

 

[Rattler]

I to have switched to a set of 17's. For me it was just the price thing. I found a good used set of take-offs for 300 bucks, wheels, tires, and center caps. The only problem that i ran into was that the rear center caps of the 17's would not fit over my axles. Not a big deal though, i just reused my stock center caps on the later style wheels. Randy

 

[surfbeetle]

Yeah, that's what I was talking about, but my previous center caps are black, I didn't like that on chrome wheels plus they stuck out too far for my liking so I modified the rear caps from the seventeens to fit.

 

[HerbW]

I have a 1998 Dodge and run stock 17" alloys on my truck now. Everything bolted right up like it was made for it. The steel 17" wheels I didn't like due to the hubcap crap on the rear not fitting over the rear axle sticking out. I thought of buying a 1/4" spacer to fix but went for the alloys instead. I bought a new set of take offs from a 2007 with caps for $300 two years ago off Craigslist. I still see them selling for $400 and up weekly there. The Michelins are worth way more than new truck owners sell the lot for. I then sold my old 16" stock rims for $100 on Craigs and the hubcaps on ebay for about $28. 00 each. Pretty cheap new set of wheels and tires. the 17" set drives so much nicer. It could be the nicer tires also.

 

[HerbW]

Surfbeetle , I just bought 2005 17" steel wheels for my snow tires. Where did you grind the hub caps to make them fit. I wanted another set of alloys but weren't available when I needed them. Thanks, Herb

 

[LVJUNIOR]

The 17" wheels give a little more clearance around the front brake calipers and let the brakes cool a little better as well.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think 2nd Gens just look better with 3rd Gen wheels



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[JMcCoy]

I went with aftermarket 17" Dick Cepek cast alloys. Forged was too much $$$. They went on perfectly. Your choice depends a lot on what you plan to do with your truck. 17" wheels will be a "little" more responsive with the reduced side wall flex. Just don't mistake it for increased traction. Lower profile wheel and tire combos have a crisper/snappier feel, but don't improve the vehicles ability to corner. Instead of a sidewall "rolling", low profiles tend to skip in a corner. A lower profile setup will be good for towing, just for stability. You want a higher profile for Drag racing and off road, so you can air them down to get increased traction. The rule-of-thumb for off road is, the wheel can be no more than 50% of the overall tire hight. So if you run a 17" wheel, you would need at least a 34" tire. For most here, towing is the primary concern. Just check you tire availability, including weight ratings.



Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[surfbeetle]

Surfbeetle , I just bought 2005 17" steel wheels for my snow tires. Where did you grind the hub caps to make them fit. I wanted another set of alloys but weren't available when I needed them. Thanks, Herb

When you mount the rims and then attempt to install the hubcaps, you'll see the interference points on the inner hub cap where it hits the bolts on the hub cover on the axle itself. I took a die grinder to a small part of the indents on the inside of the plastic hubcap. Sorry I don't have photos, its raining here the last few days. Your other option is a wheel spacer behind the rim itself to push everything out a tiny bit, then the hubcap wont hit.

 

[ILIANBG]

It looks like the 3 gen 17" wheels fits more inward. Is it true or just me? Is the footprint narrower with them compared to the stock 16 polished aluminum wheels?
I was thinking to get a set too, but I will not like it if they are differently set then the OEM. Can the spare fit without issues with a Mag diff. cover?
Can someone confirm that?
Thanks.
Ilian

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

They fit more inward about an inch on 1999 and older trucks, since Dodge went to a higher offset starting in 2000. The offset and backspace for all aluminum Ram HD wheels is the same for model years 2000-2011.



Since the tire is also a 265 the tread is the same width.



I put a 17" as a spare on my '98 2wd and it was abit of a tight fit with the Mag Hytek, if the tire is new you might have a little clearance issue. However the outside tire diameter should not be any greater than a stock tire from a 2000-2002 truck.

 

[SRath]

16 inch truck wheels are going the way of 16. 5's -- extinct. It is harder and harder to find tires for them, and will eventually get more expensive, too.



Personally, on these heavy trucks, I have no idea why Dodge doesn't get on the ball and offer 19. 5 wheels. Then we could buy true heavy-duty G or H load-rated truck tires without spending a bloody fortune for Rickson wheels.