2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission alloy wheel rating?

[DPelletier]

Does anyone know what the weight rating of the factory alloy wheels is? I did a search and came up with nothing conclusive.

Thanks.

Dave

 

[DPelletier]

So I take that to mean that nobody knows?

 

[jmeehan]

I've read about some cracks appearing in the factory alloys.

I don't know what the rating is on them but remember, DC built 'em so you know they're probably as cheap as they can get away with. I'll be replacing mine with 19. 5's or custom built steel 16's before I do any serious towing.

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks for the reply. I had heard rumors of cracks as well, but it mustn't be a wide-spread problem, or I'm sure we all would have heard a lot more. The 19. 5's are very nice, but I can't convince myself to pay that much for a steel wheel and thier alloy's are even more $'s. Supply and demand, I suppose. I am thinking of checking out the weight rating of the Ford alloys. they are made by Alcoa, I think. The only thing that was better about my '96 Ford!

The bolt pattern should be the same, but I am not positive that they fit.

Dave

 

[jmeehan]

I know what you mean on the cost. I just tell myself "If I want it it's worth it. " I can't really justify it otherwise.

I'd be interested in the ford alloy's, I didn't know they were made by Alcoa. I do know that when ford redesigned the super duty ('97?) they changed the lug pattern to metric, so they won't fit our trucks.

I want to keep the factory backspacing on my next rims, and I haven't found any 16x8 with the same weight rating as my load range E tires and the proper back spacing. That's why I'm thinking about custom steel rims.

 

[DPelletier]

I know Ford changed to metric in the SD's, but I think my '96 rims would fit. I know the bolt pattern is right, but would have to check the clearance to the brakes, hubs, etc. as well as check back spacing and rim width. Truth be told, I think they are a better looking rim anyway, and I've heard that they are alcoas and very strong. They used them on their F-350 SRW's as well, so they probably have a higher rating than our dodge alloys (not that I know what that is . ) Only thing is my ford had 235 85R 16's, so the rim probably is narrower.

Dave

 

[y-knot]

Well they are a cast wheel which is like "junk", so I would not be to supprised if they have been known to fail. If you want to "up-grade", they switch to ALCOA, they are forged and on the three modles to choise from, 2400lb is the lightest wheel rating , with the hioghest at 2650lb. Just about double your cast wheels rating.

 

[Rob Thomas]

y-knot, are you sure about those numbers? They seem kinda light for Alcoa's, my Eagle's are probably the least expensive aftermarket aluminum wheel, and they have a 3450#/wheel rating.



Rob

 

[Thomas]

Well they are a cast wheel . . .

From the model year 2000 parts catalog:



52106367AA WHEEL, Aluminum, WDZ, 16x8, Forged Aluminum



A cast wheel would be a big surprise on a Ram 2500.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I may be wrong, but....

Isn't it federal law that the rating of the wheel has to be on it? I just went and looked at the wheels on my rig, and found all the information such as the part number, 16x8 J (5 degree), but no number that would I interpret as a rating. I also looked in the FSM and it didn't have the wheel capacity either.....

 

[DPelletier]

Well,

- 1) I'm sure that our Dodge wheels are supposed to be forged aluminum. They are just not as strong a wheel (IMHO) as the Ford/Alcoa. You can actually see the difference.



- 2) The factory Dodge rims are rated at more than 1325 lbs! I don't know exactly what the rating is, but 1325x4=5300 lbs. I don't think they would be able to use a rim with this rating on a truck rated for 8800 lbs GVWR. Or on a rear axle with a 6084 lb rating (higher for the Dana 80).



- 3) I looked at my rim to see if I could see a rating and I couldn't find anything. Mind you, I didn't take the wheel off the truck and wash it etc.



I am kinda surprised that know one knows the exact factory rating on these wheels.

Maybe I'll make it a quest to find out!

Thanks for the replies,

Cheers

Dave

 

[y-knot]

First off can did several searches for the wheel ratings of stock dodge wheels, but found nothing. I found replacement wheels that are stock, but they gave no weight rating. Yes the rating would have to match the trucks stock posted rating. So what ever the rating is on your drivers side door, they have to match that. The big problem with cast wheel, and that is what dodge uses, is they tend to crack very easy. Small cracks can appear and then over a set time period expand into larger cracks. Usually these appear in the area were the wheel is attached to the hub. I have had two cast wheels crack, one was then tires were mounted and the tech used an air wrench to spin on the lug nuts. He ran the first one down tight, and then the next was put on, the wheel got in a bind, and broke the center out of the wheel. The second was noticed when rotating tires, It must have cracked while mounted on the truck. The ALCOA web site gives the ratings for there wheels as follows. Single wheel applications range from 3410-3750 lb per wheel. Dual wheel 2440-2780 lb per wheel. Forged wheels have several advantages over cast wheels. One they are much stronger, and well bend or deform on an impact, and not crack like a cast wheel. They don't have the porosity like a cast wheel , which gives it strength and they don't leak air like a cast wheel. Forged wheels do cost more, they have a more involved manufacturing process. I think most users would be ok, But should be awear. The people that pull large heavey fifthwheels are the ones I worry about.

 

[Thomas]

Originally posted by y-knot

The big problem with cast wheel, and that is what dodge uses, . . .

The aluminum wheels that are used on Ram 1500's are cast aluminum. The aluminum wheels used on Ram 2500's are forged.

 

[WadePatton]

Factory Service Manual

First line under "wheels":

Original equipment wheels are designed for the specified Maximum Vehicle Capacity.



Anything else wouldn't make sense.



The manual also makes reference to cast AND forged Al wheels.

 

[y-knot]

Great, when their you have it.

 

[Thomas]

From the model year 2000 Service Manual:

All models use steel or cast aluminum drop center wheels. I find no reference to any forged wheels. I suspect the reason that forged is not mentioned is that the aluminum wheels were not used on 2500's prior to 2000 and the wheel section of the manual is a "cut and paste" copy of the previous years FSM.



From the model year 2000 parts catalog:

(1) 5FS04S4AAC WHEEL, Steel, 16x7

(2) 52057938AB WHEEL, Steel, 16x7, Chrome

(3) 5EK53PAKAC WHEEL, Aluminum, 16x7, Cast Aluminum

(4) 5HC75PAKAA WHEEL, Aluminum, 16x7, Cast Aluminum

(5) 5GL88PAKAA WHEEL, Aluminum, 17x8, Cast Aluminum

(6) 5GE66S4AAA WHEEL, Steel, 16x7. 5, Argent

(7) 52106367AA WHEEL, Aluminum, 16x8, Forged Aluminum

(8) 52113156AA WHEEL, Steel, 16x6, Argent



Wheels 1-5 are used on 1500's, wheels 6&7 are used on 2500's, and wheel 8 is used on 3500's.



The slick sales brochure for model year 2000 agrees with the parts catalog.



When equipped with aluminum wheels, the window stickers on model year 2000 Ram 2500's listed the following:

Wheels - 16 x 8. 0 Forged Aluminum.



There you have it.

 

[WadePatton]

Page 22-11, second "NOTE" under "Tire and Wheel Balance"



Cast aluminum and forged aluminum wheels require coated balance weights and special alignment equipment.



AND I checked my "all vehicle options" sheet and found item WDZP Wheels - 16 x 8. 0 Forged Aluminum



There we have it again!

 

[jmeehan]

Originally posted by WadePatton



Cast aluminum and forged aluminum wheels require coated balance weights and special alignment equipment.

I wasn't aware coated weights were to be used on alloy wheels.

I'd never heard of coated weights, and apparently neither has the tire shops that've mounted and balanced my last two sets of tires.

 

[Demons_Ram]

I wasn't aware coated weights were to be used on alloy wheels.

I'd never heard of coated weights, and apparently neither has the tire shops that've mounted and balanced my last two sets of tires.

Just in Sam's Wholesale Club the other day getting new tires and I saw a sign recomending coated tire weights for alloy rims. It stated that uncoated weights would damage the clearcoat on the wheels. I will assume that on uncoated alloy rims/wheels that the steel weight clamp would create galvanic corrosion up against the alloy material as well.

 

[steved]

I've read about some cracks appearing in the factory alloys.

I don't know what the rating is on them but remember, DC built 'em so you know they're probably as cheap as they can get away with. I'll be replacing mine with 19. 5's or custom built steel 16's before I do any serious towing.

There was a recall on these, pre-04.



IMO, take the overall weight rating of your truck and divide that by 4... they will be at least that or they would not be safe.



steved