Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Hi All,
I've just purchased a set of Alcoa LTS rims for my '99 3500 QC 4x4. Like some other dually owners, I was concerned about the inability to rotate tires easily (short of dismounting and remounting on different rims). I was considering purchasing a second pair of front LTS rims (polished outside) to put on the inside duals, but I wanted to do some measuring before I spend the $$.
Anyway, the wheels came and yesterday I did some measuring mouting different configurations on the back of my truck. Here are some numbers that will probably be of interest:
Flange thickness:
Steel - 3/8"
Alcoa - 1/2"
Length of stud remaining w/wheels mounted:
Steel/Steel - 1. 50"
Alcoa/Steel - 1. 25"
Alcoa/Alcoa - 1"
I'm still debating whether or not to use a pair of dual alloys in the back, given how much less stud is available.
As for lug nuts, Alcoa uses a gold plated lug nut, then puts a polished cap over it. I wasn't too keen on that, and found that McGard makes a MUCH nicer solution for the Alcoa, which I'm going to be using - p/n 69500. You can purchase these from Summit Racing for $142. 39 plus shipping. They usually have to special order them, which takes a few weeks, but it's well worth it IMHO. They're guaranteed not to rust, and they look more like a big truck lug nut.
Be aware that Alcoa does state that you should NOT use a chome plated lug nut that has plating on the seating surface (the McGard's don't)
As for the Alcoa's, I highly recommend Southwest Wheel . I've order wheels from them before and they're always great to deal with, and I've yet to beat their prices. If you buy a set of 4 Alcoa LTS dually wheels p/n 160271 (front) and 160272 (rear) their price is $137. 05/each. For those of you that want the Classic, their price is $134. 36/each p/n 160291 and 160292. This is cheaper than most places want for the crappy imitation Eagles (which are cast, not forged like the Alcoa's). One thing to be aware of, is that these rims will supposedly only work on 1994 - 1999 model year trucks, Alcoa says on the boxes not to mount them on 2000 - 2001 trucks, probably because of the offset difference. For those of you with newer trucks, you may want to call Southwest Wheel and see when/if Alcoa will come out with a wheel for your truck.
As far as looks, you can't even compare the wheel skins to these; what a night and day difference over stock
. The polishing looks great, and the non-polished side wouldn't look bad if it was on the outside (might even be able to have it polished). The other advantage is these wheels are super light, but are stronger than the stock steel wheels . I HIGHLY recommend these, if 19. 5's are out of your budget, or if you're running 3. 55's like me.
Lastly, the center caps will have to be purchased individually. Front cap p/n is 0016911 and the rear p/n is 0016912. The front's are ~$9/each and the rear's are ~$12/each. Alcoa also offers an accessory kit, but this kit includes both the Alcoa lug nuts and center caps; if you go the McGard route, you don't need this kit.
Once summer is over, I'm planning to purchase 7 BFG A/T's in a 235/85R16E. Price at Big O is $134/each... times 7... OUCH!!
For those of you that are thinking about bigger tires, but are concerned about rubbing, National Tire & Wheel makes a wheel spacer to fit wider tires. However, I don't like the design since they don't replace the exiting studs, they use the originals to mount the inside wheel and spacer, then a seperate set to mount the outside wheel. Yesterday, I looked at a later model Chebby 3500 4x4 in a parking lot with a 6" lift and 305/85R16 swampers mounted on a set of Eagle's, using this spacer (no rubbing problems), but way too wide for a 6" rim IMO. Still looked pretty cool though! I just wish BFG made the A/T in a 255/85R16...
-mark nelson
I've just purchased a set of Alcoa LTS rims for my '99 3500 QC 4x4. Like some other dually owners, I was concerned about the inability to rotate tires easily (short of dismounting and remounting on different rims). I was considering purchasing a second pair of front LTS rims (polished outside) to put on the inside duals, but I wanted to do some measuring before I spend the $$.
Anyway, the wheels came and yesterday I did some measuring mouting different configurations on the back of my truck. Here are some numbers that will probably be of interest:
Flange thickness:
Steel - 3/8"
Alcoa - 1/2"
Length of stud remaining w/wheels mounted:
Steel/Steel - 1. 50"
Alcoa/Steel - 1. 25"
Alcoa/Alcoa - 1"
I'm still debating whether or not to use a pair of dual alloys in the back, given how much less stud is available.
As for lug nuts, Alcoa uses a gold plated lug nut, then puts a polished cap over it. I wasn't too keen on that, and found that McGard makes a MUCH nicer solution for the Alcoa, which I'm going to be using - p/n 69500. You can purchase these from Summit Racing for $142. 39 plus shipping. They usually have to special order them, which takes a few weeks, but it's well worth it IMHO. They're guaranteed not to rust, and they look more like a big truck lug nut.
Be aware that Alcoa does state that you should NOT use a chome plated lug nut that has plating on the seating surface (the McGard's don't)As for the Alcoa's, I highly recommend Southwest Wheel . I've order wheels from them before and they're always great to deal with, and I've yet to beat their prices. If you buy a set of 4 Alcoa LTS dually wheels p/n 160271 (front) and 160272 (rear) their price is $137. 05/each. For those of you that want the Classic, their price is $134. 36/each p/n 160291 and 160292. This is cheaper than most places want for the crappy imitation Eagles (which are cast, not forged like the Alcoa's). One thing to be aware of, is that these rims will supposedly only work on 1994 - 1999 model year trucks, Alcoa says on the boxes not to mount them on 2000 - 2001 trucks, probably because of the offset difference. For those of you with newer trucks, you may want to call Southwest Wheel and see when/if Alcoa will come out with a wheel for your truck.
As far as looks, you can't even compare the wheel skins to these; what a night and day difference over stock
. The polishing looks great, and the non-polished side wouldn't look bad if it was on the outside (might even be able to have it polished). The other advantage is these wheels are super light, but are stronger than the stock steel wheels . I HIGHLY recommend these, if 19. 5's are out of your budget, or if you're running 3. 55's like me. Lastly, the center caps will have to be purchased individually. Front cap p/n is 0016911 and the rear p/n is 0016912. The front's are ~$9/each and the rear's are ~$12/each. Alcoa also offers an accessory kit, but this kit includes both the Alcoa lug nuts and center caps; if you go the McGard route, you don't need this kit.
Once summer is over, I'm planning to purchase 7 BFG A/T's in a 235/85R16E. Price at Big O is $134/each... times 7... OUCH!!
For those of you that are thinking about bigger tires, but are concerned about rubbing, National Tire & Wheel makes a wheel spacer to fit wider tires. However, I don't like the design since they don't replace the exiting studs, they use the originals to mount the inside wheel and spacer, then a seperate set to mount the outside wheel. Yesterday, I looked at a later model Chebby 3500 4x4 in a parking lot with a 6" lift and 305/85R16 swampers mounted on a set of Eagle's, using this spacer (no rubbing problems), but way too wide for a 6" rim IMO. Still looked pretty cool though! I just wish BFG made the A/T in a 255/85R16... -mark nelson
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. If you want the Alcoa caps, you can buy them from 
I guess manufacturers keep saying don't rotate side to side, keep on same side to sell more tires sooner
