2004 questions??????

[EMD-Run8]

Greetings all!!! I am new to the TDR but have been reading on this forum for a good while. I expect to be buying an '04 2500 QC/6-speed/3. 73's. Maybe a 4wd or maybe not. I have a couple of questions if I may be allowed to tap the wealth of experience on this great site.



First, wheels & tires----I see that Alcoa does not have SRW wheels available yet and was wondering if Weld makes something that would properly fit this truck and do any of you have better ideas as I'm sure you do. Does anyone have an idea when Alcoa will have theirs available? What's the backspacing on these trucks?



Second, could you gent's (or gals) list the best bolt on performance parts that DO NOT mess with the electronics? I don't have anything against fuel boxes or stuff like that but I'm really more interested in things like air filters, exhausts, turbo housings, etc. . Also, I'm already an Amsoil dealer so nobody needs to explain to me how good that fine product is!! I've been sold on it for years!! I'm not a diesel newbie as I had a diesel VW Rabbit in high school (50 mpg!!!) and my dad's '92 D250 CTD w/auto trans which I probably should have kept. The auto transmission was kinda sluggish (coulda shoulda fixed it) but at 210,00 miles that engine was OIL TIGHT, used hardly none and that truck was rode hard and put away wet!!! Go Amsoil!!!



Third, the Cummins EGR system. It certainly sounds through what I've read that Cummins has a good system but I think I'd rather stay away from it. What do Y'all think? Yes, I am from the South. Thanks to you all in advance!!!!



Oh Yeah!!! Dealer in Pensacola must have dang near 20 '04's on the lot if anybody's interested.

 

[EMD-Run8]

Guess it would have helped if I had posted this under the "Engine/Transmission" heading Huh? I thought I had------Oh well.

 

[MUDDY]

Second, could you gent's (or gals) list the best bolt on performance parts that DO NOT mess with the electronics? I don't have anything against fuel boxes or stuff like that but I'm really more interested in things like air filters, exhausts, turbo housings, etc [/B]

good performance increase if ya dont want a box wld be to go some injectors. w/ stage 1 inj and my 5 inch rip rook exhaust my rig runs well even with my bullydog box on the off position

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

No Wheels

Originally posted by DMeadows

and was wondering if Weld makes something that would properly fit this truck . . .

Answer: <font size=6>NO</font size>

Originally posted by DMeadows

What's the backspacing on these trucks?

OFFSET: +40mm

BACKSPACE: 6. 0 inches.



Well actually there are a FEW wheels available with proper offset/backspacing but nothing I've found in 18" or 20" sizes. Starting in 2000 Dodge went with a very deep offset and hardly anyone makes a wheel you can put out without sticking out 1-2" further than stock. If you look at Readers Rigs with aftermarket wheels you'll notice how far the aftermarket wheels stick out.



Vaughn

 

[EMD-Run8]

Thank you sir! By the big NO, I assume you mean that not only will Welds not fit but they aren't suitable either due to weight rating, 2-piece contruction, etc. ? Also, how do you like your Aeroturbine exhaust?

 

[Bertram65]

Go with 19. 5" wheels, Rickson has them in steel now, aluminum is coming. I have called Alcoa and they should have the 19. 5" soon in aluminum as well for the SRW trucks. The 19. 5" tires are load range F and up, I do not belive you can find a load range E tire in a 18" or 20" size.

 

[nickleinonen]

here are some tires that are weight rated 3000 lbs or more for 18" & 20" wheels...



from toyo tires...



open country a/t tire: 285/60/18-#3086, 325/65/18-#3195

open country m/t tire [lift needed]: 38x15. 5x18-#3960

proxis s/t tire: 305/60/18-#3086, 305/50/20-#3086, 325/50/20-#3086



from nitto tire



nt-404: 315/60/18-#3086, 305/50/20-#3086, 325/50/20-#3086

terra grapler: 285/60/18-#3086, 325/60/18-#3000, 325/65/18-#3197, 355/65/18-#3638, 305/55/20-#3195, 325/60/20-#3195



from bfgoodrich



all terrain t/a: 285/65/18-#3195

 

[EMD-Run8]

What about '17 inchers if you don't want the commercial truck tires? Does anyone offer such an animal?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by DMeadows

Thank you sir! By the big NO, I assume you mean that not only will Welds not fit but they aren't suitable either due to weight rating, 2-piece contruction, etc. ? Also, how do you like your Aeroturbine exhaust?

LOL sorry. . . hardly anyone has a wheel because they don't have enough backspacing and offset (causing them to stick out too far). I have a great set of 18" Welds in my garage with 5. 25" backspace that stick out too far for a 4x2, and it seems no one makes anything with the correct specs.



I'm going to eventually do what Bertram suggested: go with Ricksons.



Vaughn

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by EMD-Run8

What about '17 inchers if you don't want the commercial truck tires? Does anyone offer such an animal?

right now tire selections is a little limited [especally for drw guys] but there are a few up sized tires that will work. the 315/70/17 tire which is factory stock on the new hummer h2 will work on 4x4 3rd gen trucks [maybe 2wd trucks too???] and bfg makes that. they also have a 287/70/17 avalable and there are tires from goodyear [mtr] and procomp [mt/at] in the 305/70/17 size.



there will be more tires avalable soon enough and in bigger rim sizes... ford is going for 18" wheels on their harley davidson ed. super duty's. they run a 275/65/18 iirc??

 

[TexBamBam]

I am running the 315's and there is only about 3 inches of clearance in the back and that is with the lift kit.

 

[DPelletier]

What are you planning to use the truck for?

If you're going to be towing much of a trailer or plan on having any load in the bed, my vote is for the 19. 5" setups. With all due respect to others, the load rating (and corresponding max air pressures) are more important than the maximum weight rating. Lots of load range D tires in the larger sizes are rated at 3000 lbs or more, but the 60 max PSI vs. the E's 80 max PSI makes a huge difference in the stability of the truck when loaded heavily.



Dave

 

[PJ]

I thought that the 17" that came on my 04 was a bit large since most trucks Ive owned have had 15 or 16's on them. Now looking at the truck, it looks somewhat like a roller scate with the 17's. Now I just bought chains for my tires and they are the same chain as the 235/85/R/16's on my 72 Chevy. . Hmmmmmm.