2010 Wheels vs. 2003

[mtnram]

I am looking at upgrading my factory steel wheels to 2010 Alloys. 4x4

I'm hoping that they will work without pushing the tires outwards in the wheel openings.

How do the 2010 measure up against the 2003, dia. , width, offset and bolt pattern?

 

[Jdorfmeyer]

Hi Mtnram, I have the 2010 wheels on my 2006 and they are the same bolt pattern and offset as the 2006 factory wheels as far as I can tell. They don't stick out, seem to be the same as my old wheels. Take care,

 

[mtnram]

Great, I'm sure they will work fine!

 

[CamarosRus]

I cant quote all the exact years... ... ... ... ... but the newer alloy wheels actually have a chrome plated plastic cover over the alloy.



I installed 05-07. 5 (???) wheels on my 03. These are actually polished aluminum with a clear powder coat to preserve the shine.



IMHO, I like the polished alum look better than the chome plated plastic... ... ... ... .









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[Superdawg]

Has anyone had any luck with removing the chrome plated plastic cover on the aluminum wheels and had them polished?

 

[mtnram]

Woah, that's rather odd sounding. TBees, your thinking along the lines as I, what do the wheels look like without the covers on? I don't like the thought of mud, cinders and salt getting in there.

Otherwise they are not half bad looking wheels.

Edit: Can someone verify if this style wheel has a plastic cover? I'm thinking it does not, but may be wrong.

 

[gsbrockman]

The chrome-clad alloys were introduced in the 2007 model year on the Laramie equipped trucks; the SLT's had the polished forged alloys.



To the best of my knowledge, none of the 4th GEN alloy wheels are clad.



In addition, I'm 99% sure the steel wheels are only 17x7... ... all the 3rd GEN and 4th GEN alloys are 17x8.

 

[mtnram]

The wheels in the pic I posted are 2010's and supposed to be alloys.

Does anyone know if they are plastic clad or polished alloy on the spokes?

 

[gsbrockman]

To the best of my knowledge, none of the 4th GEN alloy wheels are clad.

Dodge - All-New 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 - Functional Design - Wheels & Tires

 

[mtnram]

The wheels in the pic I posted are not plastic clad, they are polished alloy.

Great looking, high quality wheel.

I bought a set today, mint takeoffs from a new truck getting wheels and tire upgrade.

In the back of the truck now, can't decide to swap them out now, or wait another year or so until my tires wear out.

 

[CamarosRus]

Soooooo in conclusion:



1) 2003-04 alloys were unpolished (as cast) with clear coat



2) 2005-2007. 5 were polished alloy with clear coat (as I show in post #4 above)



3) 2007. 5-2009 were chome plated plastic clad over alloy



4) 2010 went back to exposed alloy polished finish





I wouldnt want too see whatever the "look" is under the chrome clad plastic covers.





Please correct if wrong

 

[mtnram]

I'll have to check them and re-post as to if they are clearcoated over the rims, or simply polished alloy. They appear nearly chrome-like, so may be coated.

 

[mtnram]

For an update (Just returned from a out of town trip).

While away I picked up the wheels and had tires swapped onto them.

I think they compliment our truck well, and best of all, all hint of the vibration that prompted the alloys is gone.

To me it also sounds quieter on the road. I thought it was just me, but the wife asked if the truck was running smoother as we drove up I-5 on our trip home.

As far as coatings, I think not, yet they have a high polished finish.

 

[steved]

Soooooo in conclusion:







2) 2004-2006 were polished alloy with clear coat (as I show in post #4 above)

My alloys are from a 2004, and they are not polished... they are the machined finish with the windows painted dark silver. So there may have been some overlap as they depleted one version and introduced the new version.



One thing to bring back into light is the fact that there was a recall on some 2003/2004 alloy wheels with regard to cracking near the center hub. Just something to keep in mind when buying 3rd gen wheels from the early versions.

 

[CamarosRus]

mtnram, Curious why you so adament in your thinking that the 2010 Polished Alloy Wheels are not protected with either Clear Anodizing or Clear Powdercoat.



Without a corrosion inhibiting coating they would not retain the bright polished finish.



I've amended my above conclusions.



I still need to eyeball a 17" 2010 Alloy Wheel for myself (so as to NOT see a cover ??)

 

[Prairie Dog]

Here's what little I know for sure; The 2003's were painted a silver color and were IMHO, buttugly. I bought a set of polished take-offs from and unknown year and they are clear coated over a machined-polished finish. However, they don't look nearly as bright as Russ'.

 

[mtnram]

I agree that there would appear to be some sort of protection to maintain the lustre. I wonder if someone with a 2010 with the 6 spoke alloys could tell us what is contained in the owners manual.

I searched the Dodge Corp site for info on the wheels and found none.

What I know for sure is they are not clad with plastic covers (as are the steel wheels I took off and the front face has a highly polished appearance.

If there is a coating it is microscopically thin.

Perhaps a trip to a dealer lot is in order? I know I like these wheels over aftermarket whose tendency is to place the tire tread outside the fender wells and they are nice looking on the truck.

On the dodge site I found that the outsdoorsman (and above?) model includes two wheel options 17x8 forged aluminum wheel and 17x8 polished forged aluminum wheel. No other info could be found other that the polished was a $300 option.

 

[FFL8N]

My 06 came with the chrome plastic clad wheels

 

[Rdunn]

do the new six spoke wheels fit the old model 03-08 trucks I was told be local dodge dealer they would not fit my 05

 

[gsbrockman]

do the new six spoke wheels fit the old model 03-08 trucks I was told be local dodge dealer they would not fit my 05

Change dealers... ... they *will* bolt right up.