2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2500 Wheels/tires

[bluequad]

Hello, I'm new to the Register. I have a 2500 Quad cab LWB with

4. 10 gears. It's currently wearing the boring steel wheels w/trim rings and center caps from Dodge. I thought I could order some aftermarket wheels with no problem... BOY was I wrong!! When I had my Ford F-250 it was a snap!



I ordered a set of Eagle alloy's #589 (16x8) wrapped with BFG 275 70R16's to try to keep the rolling stock as close to factory spec as possible. The problem is that the tires now stick out approx 2-3" beyond the wheel well.



Please help!!



Thanks, Steve

 

[Riflesmith]

I am running the same wheels with Nitto 295/75/16's. Yes they do stick out some, but I don't see the problem unless you do alot of off road driving in muddy conditions. I like the way the truck steers and handles far better than stock. You may want to consider some aftermarket fender flares.

 

[gwizpro]

You may to add some fender flares. They do look good on these trucks.



#ad

 

[bluequad]

So, what you're saying is there are NOT any wheels that will fit without sticking out of the fenders??



Does anyone know the factory wheel backspacing?? I did some rough measurements and it looked like 6. 25"



Thanks

 

[GFoley]

Bluequad,



If you are 4WD and ready to try different tires that still fit inside your fenders try a BFG Mud Terrains (or others) in 255/85/16D. It is rated at 3000 lbs/60 psi. They fit very nicely in the fender openings, do not stick out and will still fit on a 6. 5" factory wheel. I had mine mounted on Eagle 16x8 and did not have any interference issues.

 

[MBean]

BlueQuad...

Either go with the BFGs or add flares...



I went to Big O ATs @ 285/75/16 and added "OE-Style" Bushwackers to mine. It looks great and I've never had any rub or interference problems with it. The great thing about the "OE-Style" is that they only stick out 1-2" from the stock fender. They aren't as big (and sometimes gawdy) as the others (i. e. extend-a-fenders, etc. ).

Mark

 

[Un-Hemi]

Yes, the factory alloy wheel's back spacing is 6. 25". Factory alloys *can* be made to fit earlier trucks; the rear brake drum outer diameter must be reduced about 3/16". 4X4 fronts may require some judicious grinding on interfering steering parts. 4X2 fronts have NO interference. I'm getting my drums turned to fit my factory alloys tomorrow.

 

[bluequad]

Thanks for the posts. I probably would not care about the wheels and tires sticking out 2" if I had some BEEFIER tires under there, but they are only 275 70R 16 BFG AT's !!



Let the 33 12. 50's stick out all day long!!! I also heard (before I found out about this website) that 285's won't fit w/o doing some susp mods??? And wouldn't they change the overall gear ratio and speedo calibrations??

 

[TXRam]

285/75's fit fine - even with the stock wheels and no suspension mod's. Some guys are running the 315/75's with minor issues - most say the leveling kit for the front ends cures most, if not all, of those problems.



Also, going up form 265's to 285's is only about a 4% change in the speedo and "effective gear ratio" - most speedo's aren't that accurate anyway. It should improve your MPG slightly since you have 4. 10's.

 

[bluequad]

Well, now I did it! I found a set of Centerline Extreme wheels that are getting discontinued for a good price. So I might just ditch my Eagle/BFG combo. Anyone need some wheels???????????



Steve

 

[Un-Hemi]

I had my brake drums turned down about 3/16" yesterday. It didn't look like it will weaken anything as there is still over 1/4" of material at the edge of the drum. Now, to get some tires to go on the alloys!