19.5" Wheels & Tires -- Anyone Done This?

[67guzzler]

The 285 int he 19. 5 is the route I took. Already got the tires... . waiting on wheels. Should do exactly what I want for gearing plus a touch of width and a safe load rating. 22. 5's are too extreme. Not enough sidewall, rough ride and crazy heavy. My 19. 5's are bad enough at over 90 lbs per tire and a load rating over 6000.



As for the offset issue, adapters add an inch minimum. No way around it. If you want stock offset you don't have any options.



-Scott

Gotcha. It's a shame Rickson has kept you hanging for so long. Certainly not good PR by word of mouth. I wonder if there is any offset with the Vision 81's. . ???



Seems like the 285/70-19. 5's are probably what I'm going to end up with also when it's all said and done. Do you think I'll have clearance issues with no modifications?

 

[PHeadings]

This was the one that got my attention but I went with Kore after I saw the offset of 1. 5 inches.





2003 Dodge 2500 4X4 with Rickson 19. 5” X 6. 75” Forged Polished Aluminum Wheels, Michelin XDE2+ 265/70R19. 5 Tires, Factory Centers and Factory Lugs.

 

[SRadke]

Very nice looking truck Cali. If I didn't have a passionate dislike for fender flairs I may have gone that route. I prefer to keep the tires tucked in tight.



As for 285 clearance on a stock truck... . I don't know. 35. 5" is pushing but since they're less than 12" wide they may work with the right backspacing. I know 265's will clear so worst case 285's may require an inch or two of shim on the coils.



-Scott

 

[AlexWV]

Yea, you got all that right. Here's the catch... ... I gave up on aluminum wheels with the right offset over a year ago and ordered the chrome steel ones because as you say 3/10 of an inch isn't a big deal. Just over a year now and Rickson has been unable to make any new steel wheels and get them chromed. No they didn't forget me, I've been in regular contact. Frankly it's getting old.



-Scott

Well since you are going with steel and Rickson can't seem to get it done for you, maybe give these guys a call.



http://www.stocktonwheel.com/



"Stockton Wheel Service can build your custom wheels in 15, 16, 16. 5, 17, 19. 5, 20, 22. 5, 24. 5-inch sizes with any bolt circle, any offset, or any width, painted or chromed!"

 

[SRadke]

I've talked to a couple guys who have dealt with Stockton Wheels and were not satisfied with the quality



-Scott

 

[67guzzler]

Just for my own curiosity I just got off the phone with Chris at Vision wheels. Their type 81 Aluminum wheels have an 0" offset (will stick out 1. 7") and he quoted me $205 each including caps. The price is right -- the wheel is wrong



And so it goes.....



You know -- I was thinking (always a dangerous thing) -- if someone would just come out with a 265/85 R 17 I'd accomplish my goal of larger diameter, same width and same wheel. I'd get my 2200 rpm's down to 2000 and all would be great with the world... . What do I do to make this happen?

 

[SRadke]

if someone would just come out with a 265/85 R 17 I'd accomplish my goal of larger diameter, same width and same wheel. I'd get my 2200 rpm's down to 2000 and all would be great with the world... . What do I do to make this happen?

I don't know but if you start a petition I'll be the first to sign. That's a way cheaper option.

 

[67guzzler]

I called and called and called....

Hey guys! I've done some research and thought I'd report back. I essentially copied this from a PM I sent in a conversation with someone here on the board and thought it might be nice (funny :-laf ) to share with everyone. This is for amusement purposes only and is not to be attempted by the average novice "wheel shopper"... .



Wheel & Tire Quest Background:



My main objective is to get a tall tire solution approximately the same width as the factory 265/70/17's (around 10. 5") but have something that sits around 35" tall instead of 31". I want to impact my final drive ratio + I like the old fashioned LT Narrow truck tire style. Otherwise, I'd go with 315/70/17's but I don't like the fat size. If they made a 265/85/17 (also about 35" tall but the same width as our 265/70/17's) I'd be all set.



10:00 AM -- So I shot an email to www.chromewheel.com & am waiting to hear back. Their website and some of the commentary that isn't too kind in some ways. I don't know but maybe (just guessing here) they get a lot of obnoxious kids with 4x4's making them crazy? We'll see if they treat me like an obnoxious kid or a responsible middle aged man. This will be interesting.



Actually had to do some work at work so didn't make any more calls till... .



11:30 AM -- Spoke with Scott at Rickson. He was really nice. Rickson is all messed up right now and the only thing they can deliver are powder coated steel wheels. Scott sounded disgusted that they don't have anything to sell right now other than steel. He quoted me $2600 + shipping for a set of black 19. 5 x 7. 50 steel wheels w/1. 41" offset, trim rings, set of 4 Kumho 983 285/70/19. 5 tires mounted and balanced & I can use my factory caps. Scott said I'll have a slight rubbing problem close to a full lock on the rear of both front wheel wells but a little heat from a heat gun to push the rear of the inside fender wells should take care of it. Issues with this setup is weight (approx 160 lbs per corner) and I'm unsure about the compromise on chrome for powder coating. Sadly, they won't have chromed steel or alloys until early next year! I wonder how they stay in business? On the plus side, they're definitely "planning" on some 1. 7" offset aluminum wheels -- but not before 2006.



Lunch Time -- Burger King -- Home of the Wappah!



2:00 PM -- Then I called Vision Wheels direct. They'll sell me the Vision type 81's with the 0" offset for $205. 00 per wheel with caps & lugs. I'm tempted but the stick out factor is bothersome. Need fender flares, etc... Just not sure about that.



2:45 PM -- Then I called Stockton. They were pretty nice. All they could do for me was to make a plane-jane work truck kinda steel military style wheel with some holes for venting (not looks) hubcentric with the proper bolt pattern AND the proper 1. 7" offset for $250 a wheel. Sounds great -- if I was working for the local government. No looks but proper fitment. He recommended against chroming ($100 more per wheel) because they use a two piece technique and have been getting rust complaints in the seam area. Understand that these are ugly generic steel wheels based upon the military stock -- http://www.stocktonwheel.com/military_wheels.htm



Getting Frustrated.



3:15 PM -- I called back www.chromewheel.com because they didn't reply to my email. Honestly -- Not very helpful. Just wanted to get off the phone with me. Says he's out of wheels for the 2500 and referred me to a custom wheel maker www.brentzwheels.com.



3:20 PM -- I'm dialing a lot so I figured I'd call the www.brentzwheels.com. Nice guy. He quoted me $2,600 for 4 custom high quality 1 piece wheels with a design of my choice and a offset of a mere . 25" so they'll still be sticking out 1. 45"



3:30 PM -- I spoke to the gentleman from Dual Designs (in Iowa I think?) and he was nice but he couldn't help me with my SRW configuration. Only does Duallys.



This raises a question -- Why can't I just put a dually wheel on the back with the same spacing as the front wheels on a dually? Might look stupid but wouldn't it work?



Giving up for the day...



I concede that I may be going about this all wrong. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.



Funny -- After work I took a long hard look -- the 265/70/17's on polished factory chromes are looking better and better..... :-laf



Thanks for reading... .

 

[jimnance]

BMemmott -- Interesting -- I checked the www.chromewheel.com site. They seem to specialize in adapters and not bolt on wheels. I wondering if I'd rather have the bolt on wheels if at all possible to avoid vibration issues.



Hey, Jim. I read that the Dodge 2500's and 3500's SRW have an OEM postive wheel offset of 1. 7", meaning the center of the wheel is moved in towards the truck 1. 7". Supporting your findings, the forged aluminum wheels at Rickson have a postive wheel offset of only . 25" so they'll stick out 1. 45" more than the OEM wheels. What exact tire size did you end up going with? I was debating between the 265/70R19. 5 and the 245/70R19. 5's..... Would the 265/70R19. 5's stick out too much?



More on wheel offsets: http://www.off-road.com/chevy/tech/wheel/

I got the 245 70R19. 5's so I would leave the gear ratio effectively unchanged. If I went with the 265's it would have made my ratio too tall for the load I was hauling. Also, with the 265's I'd recommend fender flares because of the offset.

 

[DHayden]

You got through to dual designs?? What number did you use? I wanted to go with them so I could use 6 alluminum wheels but they never answered or returned my calls, didnt even sound like a business answering machine. I made an order with Rickson yesterday for 4 alluminum 2 steel but they are out of tires atm.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

JGhann, not sure if there's any way this wheel would help you out but it looks nice and has a 6" backspace (will stick out 0. 5" further than stock).

They don't show the 8 lug but it's available: http://www.centerlinewheels.com/wheels_detail.php?mw_id=18&sw_id=92



When Rickson was working on the forged wheels I was quite interested in them, but was quite disappointed they copped out and didn't make them in the proper offset. I believe they compromised so they could have a "one wheel fits all" to cover Chevy & Ford too. Rickson has always treated me well when I call them but I won't be getting anything from them.



I've always wanted an affordable proper-offset 18" wheel but that hasn't ever happened. I really thought about the KORE wheels but couldn't pull the trigger on the price.



Vaughn

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

More info here http://www.centerlinewheels.com/wheel_deals_detail.php?id=510&type=vehicle&data=11#

JARichard's truck with the Centerlines

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134803&highlight=centerline



#ad

 

[67guzzler]

You got through to dual designs?? What number did you use? I wanted to go with them so I could use 6 alluminum wheels but they never answered or returned my calls, didnt even sound like a business answering machine. I made an order with Rickson yesterday for 4 alluminum 2 steel but they are out of tires atm.

I called 515-834-2239 off their website www.dualdesignsinc.com



Rickson had the wheels? Maybe that's only for the dually style because they didn't have anything for singles... .

 

[67guzzler]

More info here http://www.centerlinewheels.com/wheel_deals_detail.php?id=510&type=vehicle&data=11#

JARichard's truck with the Centerlines

Thanks Vaughn. I'm really trying to find 19. 5" wheels... .

 

[CJ Lagos]

I just ordered 19. 5" forged aluminum wheels for my 2002 2500 from Scott @ Rickson on Monday. He said they are 8 weeks out and on my invoice it shows estimated shipping date of 10/15. I decided to go with Michelin XDE 245/70R19. 5, load range H. I originally wanted LRF or LRG but they are only 10-15% more capacity than my current load range E tires.



I don't think moving the wheel out 1. 45" is too big of a concern. Many people put aftermarket wheels on their truck which can stick out 2-3" from stock. There are two concerns as a result:



1) Increased Leverage on studs/bearings and increased front scrub radius

2) Increased tire stickout, possibly need fender flares.



I am not concerned about #1. If you're really anal you may be but real world experience proves this not to be a big concern.



For tire stickout, remember the tires are narrower too. A 265/75R15 is 10. 7" wide. A 225/70R19. 5 is 8. 7" and the 245/70R19. 5 is 9. 8"



So, with 225's the tire is 2" narrower or 1" per side, which means the tire will only stick out . 45" from stock.



With a 245 which is 1/2" narrower per side will stick out 1" from stock.



CJ

 

[67guzzler]

CJ -- 10/15/2005 -- ?? That's great! Scott told me early next year but maybe he was thinking of their plans to come up with 1. 7" offset wheels and I got confused



Regarding the sizes:



I was going to push it and go with the Kumho 963's in the 285/70R19. 5's which are 10. 6" wide (about the same as OEM) & 35" tall -- really big. With the forged, The Rickson's . 25 offset results in them sticking out 1. 45". Plus the Forged Aluminum won't work for me because they are 6. 75" wide and the 285's need the 7. 5" width wheels.



The Vision type 81's are 7. 5" but they have a 0" offset. It's frustrating.



The good news for you is that Rickson says "Forged Alum will move centerline of tire out 1. 45. " That's based upon the factory offset of 1. 7" subtracted by the . 25" offset on their Forged Aluminum wheels.



That's true but the good news is that to compute how far it will be pushed out as compared to the OEM 8" wide rims with the 1. 7" offset, you have to a little more math. If the wheel is 1. 25" more narrow, the amount that it's actually pushed out is to take the centerline distance change of 1. 45 minus the wheel width differential of 1. 25" divided by 2 which equals . 825" So in your case, the wheel will only be pushed out a little less than 1. " And if you go with the 9. 8" wide tires, the visual effect of this 1" may not be so much.



Hmm... .....



Maybe I ought to just give up on the 285's and get the 265's with the 6. 75" width wheels like you... . #ad

 

[DHayden]

Tried calling Dual Designs again, only got the answering machine... AGAIN. Thats at least the 12th time I have tried calling in the past two months and never a reply back. He must be doing some good business to ignore his calls, it would have been a done deal with me but now I will just stick with the Rickson's.

 

[CJ Lagos]

JGann,



I drew this diagram to show the stickout difference. WMS is the wheel mounting surface and I broke the tire/wheel assembly into 4 parts. Just add up the parts that stick out past the wms... exactly 1". I should have written that to the left is outboard and to the right is the center of the truck.

 

[67guzzler]

Gotcha. If you don't factor in the tire width, then you're looking at . 85"

 

[Cattletrkr]

Go with the LR F if you can. I've got the H's and they really ride rough. F's might not be any better, but they should. 10lbs lighter too. You don't haul anything that you need the H's for.



Powder coating is good. I've got the black ones. Had them since Dec and no blemishes yet, and I don't treat them very well. Would love a set of sims but the $$ and imposible-ness of checking tire pressure...



Mich XDE-MS 245's now have 32K on them and there's more than that left. Not too bad considering my factory Generals were gone after 35K. XDE-MS howl like crazy. Did when new and still do. Can't hardly hear the engine/exhaust when is rains. Totally awesome on snow/ice, OK in mud. Went places in 2wd last winter that I would have had trouble before in 4wd. Still can't believe it but it's true.



Went with the 245's cause I wanted to get my rpm's down. Didn't help mileage a bit. Now I've got a much nicer 3. 86 gear ratio though. Thought bigger tires would allow me to drive in 5th more. Nope, just drive faster in 6th.