Alcoa 17's may be 19.5's

[EMD-Run8]

I just talked to Chuck at Alcoa and he said he's being told "sometime around summer" before wheels may be available for the 3gen's. However, he also said they may just not make the 17's and go straight to 19. 5's. I'm kinda thinkin' that sucks. It would be nice if they both would be available but... ... I dunno, I just hadn't given much thought to 19. 5's especially the $$$ of the tires. What do you think crew?

 

[SRadke]

If the wheels are the same price I'd jump all over the 19. 5's. Tire cost more but pay for themselves in life.



-Scott

 

[Bertram65]

I have been calling Alcoa for the last 4 months. I have been waiting for the 19. 5" to become available for SRW, they have been saying spring all along. The best part is they claim they will be under $250 each. I do not see any downside to 19. 5" wheels and tires other than cost.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I know Rickson had forged aluminum wheels coming out for the 2000+ trucks (which included 3rd Gens) which may be out already. They look very nice IMO and of course are direct bolt-on.



Vaughn

 

[XcumminsX]

That would be cool to have 19. 5"s. How much is a tire that is comparable to my 315 bfg's? Also how much would these wheels weigh compared to my stock 17" steel wheels



Nick

 

[DPelletier]

19. 5's

Advantages:

- more tire choices

- load range G and H for those hauling heavy

- longer life

- phsically stronger tires with less sidewall deflection

- looks nicer IMO



Disadvantages:

- tires cost more

- harsher ride

- need to use a lower profile tire if you want to maintain gear ratio.



Me? I'd love 19. 5's if I could get a Alcoa "Classic" type design that didn't cost me as much as my first home.



Dave

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by XcumminsX

That would be cool to have 19. 5"s. How much is a tire that is comparable to my 315 bfg's? Also how much would these wheels weigh compared to my stock 17" steel wheels



Nick

a matching tire size would be a 285/70/19. 5. same height but is narrower.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Alcoa 17x8", #478481, $225 @.

19. 5, not yet.

 

[PLaFrombois]

If you're thinking of going to 19. 5", what gear ratio's would one choose? 3. 73, or 4. 10?



Paul

 

[DPelletier]

I would think you'd be better off with the 4:10's, if you knew you were going to run 19. 5's.



Dave

 

[SRadke]

I'm going to 19. 5's to get my gear ratios higher. I have 3. 73's and much prefered the 3. 55's in my last truck. I want a 2000 rpm 70 mph cruising gear.



-Scott

 

[EMD-Run8]

I really think these engines don't care one way or the other which gear they have. They really aren't that far apart anyway. I like the 2000 rpm at 70 idea. Hey Joe Donnelly, Chuck at Alcoa was saying they didn't have any 17's available but that they would be OEM spec (BS & offset) when or if they became available. I dunno???????

 

[SRadke]

You're right they don't seem to care if they're turning 2000 or 2200 but I notice a diffrence in the fuel economy. I also prefer that 2000 rpm purr.



-Scott

 

[Task125]

I run 245s with 410 . 2200 =70 wanted to go bigger but waiting to put on leveling kit. I think my next move will be 285s.

as far as ride, it rides better except for washboard type bumps. and the truck will find the grove in the road. like my vett did.

 

[mgonske]

Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie I know Rickson had forged aluminum wheels coming out for the 2000+ trucks (which included 3rd Gens) which may be out already. They look very nice IMO and of course are direct bolt-on.

I talked to Rickson last week. They said the earlier wheels are now available, but 2003 SRW won't be until Spring (not soon enough for my next big trip, and I need tires, so I have to go with the BFG 315s; maybe next year for the Rickson's).

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

These folks have some 19. 5 for duallies. Is anyone familar with their products?



http://www.shindleengineering.com/index.asp

 

[SRadke]

Those of you in contact with Alcoa please let us know as soon as you have a difinitive date for 19. 5 SRW availability. I've had a set of aluminums on order from Rickson since October and today wen I called they said they hadn't begun production and April at the earliest for delivery. Whomever is first wins this game as far as I'm concerned.



-Scott

 

[Wolffman]

What about the DRW that directly bolts up? Do they plan on producing those as well. I know I would defenitely pay the price to go to 19. 5" if they were direct bolt on.

 

[Bertram65]

If the Alcoa's end up costing what Alcoa has been saying, less than $250 a wheel they will be a hell of lot cheaper than any other direct bolt on 19. 5" aluminum wheel. Alcoa has been saying they will have direct bolt on 19. 5" wheels for the SRW and DRW Ford, GM and Dodge by the spring, I have talked to them four times and they have been pretty consistent with the information.

 

[SRadke]

Like I said before, if that's truely the cese I'll cancell my Rickson order but I'm not going to until I've got better evidence. $250 sounds really good compared to what I'm signed up for now but time is a factor as well. I hope to hear something more about Alcoa before April.



-Scott