285's/Alcoa's/Ball joints/tie rods

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Guess I could have put this under the "filling the wheel wells with bigger tires" post, but I was afraid it would be lost in the mix. Having also been bitten by the 285 tire bug. I've already managed to pick up a set of used M/T 16x8 Alcoa classics to fit em onto. They seem much lighter than the stockers, but this will probably be offset by the larger tires. I'm also a little concerned about em keeping their polished look... I really don't want to be polishing rims every other week. Anyway, I haven't read much about problems with premature balljoint wear or ailignment problems?? ... normally associated with larger tires. Is the front end heavy duty enough to handle the extra meats?? Whats the "average" mile mark for ball joint replacement? Secondly, considering they are wider than the 245's, What about road handling (rain/snow/etc?) I'm not sure why I'm only asking now. I'm half into this hole already. But I would really appreciate help from the 285 guys. .

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98' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC. Everything but leather. AMSOIL oil filter relocation kit w/secondary by-pass unit,Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner, K&N. Somehow lost my silencer Ring.
Still wishin I could put my M3's mile deep paint job on the truck. Or maybe I should wish to swap its perfectly engineered automatic. Or maybe... . Ah heck, Just wish BMW would start makin a truck using the ISB!

 

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I am also going to try a question on this new post as I didn't get anything on the other one, but I am wondering about how much of a change in final ratio the 285's will make in regards to towing especially with 3. 54's as that is what I have because I have had plenty of 4x4's that I have put on larger tires, from 33's to 36's and have changed ring and pinons but they were gassers and did not have the power or torque of these Cummins #ad
. So you guys with 285's and 3. 54's lets here from ya #ad
.

Thanks,
Paul

 

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<font color=teal>Here is some useful information -

Gear Ratio and other handy calculators

I purposely went with 4. 10 gear ratio knowing down the road I would go with at least 35" tires once I get the engine BOMB'ed. I am suffering top end speed currently and a few mpg but I can deal with it until then.

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<font color=blue>

• Eric D. Howard --- Baby BOMB'er! --- Member since April 8th, 2000
• 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4 SLT Auto Reg cab Cummins Turbo Diesel 4. 10 gear ratio LT265/75R/16 tires
• Patriot Blue Pearl Coat, Agate interior, Leather seats EVERY option - Coming next week Line-X Bedliner or Rhino
• In the VERY near future Power Edge Box, JRE 4" Exhaust, and Autometer Ultra-Lite Boost and Pyro Gauges
• transmission soon to have a new Torque Converter and Valvebody good for 400HP!?! Horsepower mods being discussed - I'll just say I am upgrading something electronically.

</font>

[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 05-31-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Opps. . I almost forgot.
I read that someone had the dealer adjust the speedo calibration to the max setting, which is probably to allow a true reading for the 265's on the sport models. Hey. . how are the new (??)265-75-17 on the Off Road model's set up???

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98' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC. Everything but leather. AMSOIL oil filter relocation kit w/secondary by-pass unit,Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner, K&N. Somehow lost my silencer Ring.
Still wishin I could put my M3's mile deep paint job on the truck. Or maybe I should wish to swap its perfectly engineered automatic. Or maybe... . Ah heck, Just wish BMW would start makin a truck using the ISB!

 

[Archive]

I'm running 245/70-19. 5 on my 3500. They are 3" inches taller than the original 215's that the truck came with. I did notice a drop in performance because I'm running the equivilent of a 3. 23 rear-end ratio. It is almost negligable, except for acceleration. I would like to switch up to 4. 10 because I want to go to 285/70-19. 5, which are 37".

I ran 33/12. 5-16. 5 on my 95 2500 for 70,000. Never wore out tie rods or ball joints. Keep the alignment in check, it helps. Handling was better IMO with the wider tires.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4
Driftwood/ Grey Int.
5 spd, 3. 54
PowerMax2, 19. 5" Alcoas, 245/70-19. 5 Michelins,
Ranchhand bumbers and toolbox, dual 3" with 5" tips, "Scotty Air System", Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, Autometer Gauges, Cobra CB, Sony CD player, Polk Audio Speakers, Upgraded fuel lines from tank to injector pump, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, PacBrake.

69 Z-28 Camaro, Silver/Black, original motor, 58,000 miles

Building: 32 (Censored) 5 Window, "American Graffiti" replica

 

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I had 285/75R-16 B. F. Goodrich mud tires with Alcoa wheels on my '97 and never had any ball joint problems. And this was not strictly highway driving either. There was quite a bit of driving in rough pastures, etc. I did however notice some power loss as I too had 3. 54's in that truck. It wasn't bad though unless I was pulling the 32' gooseneck which when loaded weighed roughly 20,000 lbs. Hope this helps.

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2000 24v QC SLT LWB 4x4, Driftwood w/gray interior, 5 spd, 3. 54 LSD, trailer tow package, camper package, gooseneck hitch, electric brake control, cb radio, sony receiver and changer, trying to prepare for "bombing"

 

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I have had my 16x8 M/T Alcoa Challenger wheels and 285/75R16 BFG Radial All-Terrain T/A tires on my Ram for over 20k mi. now. I really like this combination! The ride is QUITE A BIT BETTER than the OE 16x6. 5 chromed steel wheels! QUITE A BIT!!!! I have also realized increased handling and cornering. I have not experienced any driveability problems with this setup either. If I had it to do all over again, I'd purchase the same combination in a heartbeat! You cannot beat the strength to weight ratio of these wheels!

I added an Abbott E. R. A just prior to adding my 285s to correct the speedometer error of my (then) 265s (up from the OE 245s). With the help of Abbott, they worked up an exact ratio for my 285s that proved to be EXACTLY right on (when the 285s were brand new).

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, Psychotty induction system, BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, plus many other trick modifications

 

[Archive]

Jeff,

Where did you get your 19. 5" Alcoa wheels? I am interested in 19. 5" wheels, but don't want to go with the steel wheels that are offered because of the increase in unsprung weight.

My truck is a 2500, so it would take a different wheel from yours. Do you or your supplier know which aluminum wheel will work? My Y2K came with 8" wide rims, and I'd like to get something that is about the same width if possible/practical.

Do you think the 285/70-19. 5 tires will fit with no rubbing, or are you anticipating some modifications?

By the way, I would welcome the higher gear ratio.

Loren


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2000 Quad Cab, 4x4, short bed, six-speed.
1995 Standard Cab, 4x4, long bed, automatic. (soon to be sold)

 

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First stop from dealer was tire shop for 285 BFG KOs. Not a problem towing with a 24 valve. My 12 valve really seemed to notice the 285s in the hills but towed 8000 ok with an auto. No front end problems,both drove/rode better.

 

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Loren, since Jeff didn't answer (yet), I will speculate that he has the Dual Designs 19. 5 wheel/tire kit. I read in a past issue of the TDR that Alcoa does not make a 19. 5" dia. wheel in the 8 on 6. 5" bolt pattern hence, the need for the Dual Designs wheel adaptors. Am I right?

 

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Loren,
I'm hoping I'm wrong here but to my knowledge 19. 5" aluminums are not available for our trucks (2500).
I looked at the Rickson setup. I like it, but told him I wouldn't be interested till they offered aluminum rims. He said he would love to offer em, but the cost to design/build a custom wheel is extremely pricey, and not in the works unless demand will can cover the costs. So... . Everyone here... sell your wheels and tell Rickson you'll order a set of aluminums if he makes em.

 

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Sorry guys, I'm slow. John, you are right. It is the Dual Designs kit. It requires a large, heavy adaptor to get to the bolt pattern on the Alcoa's. Probablt weigh as much as the steel wheel. I had a chance to look at some Rickson's at May Madness and I have been talking to Dan from Rickson about his product. They are very nice if you want a 19. 5 for a 2500. I didn't have a choice because they were not available when I bought the wheels I have now.

Loren, the 285/70-19. 5 will not fit without a lift. I am looking at either the 4. 5" lift from Skyjacker or the 5" lift from Tuff Country. Haven't made a decision yet. I can't do bigger tires until I am out of school. I drive to many miles a year to have Michelin XZT's on the front, and XZE's aren't available in 285/70-19. 5