Aluminium Wheels

[Archive]

I've just installed a set of American Racing Baja Aluminium wheels. The size for my 92 is 16 x 8 with 0 offset. I highly recommend them, the finish and fitup is excellent. they are also available with various offsets for the 94+ dodges.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

[Archive]

Has anybody tried the aluminum wheels for the 3500 available from DC? I was quoted a real nice price for a set.
180. 00 canadian a pc.
SCOTT


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Lift it, flip it or...
RAMIT!

 

[Archive]

Scott,

K. C. Jackson installed 6 of the DC dually alloys on his 3500; that's right, duals on the back. They look like the Alcoa LTS rims; he paid $193 USD each. There were no markings on the wheels, so it's anybody's guess as to who makes them, and whether or not they're forged, I don't know. If you'd like some pics of his setup, let me know, and I'll email them to you.

The price seems a bit high though IMHO, since genuine Alcoa's can be bought for less than that. TEA has them for $161. 79/each. Check out http://www.chromewheel.com . I'm planning on ordering a set for my 3500 later this year.

Regards,
-Mark Nelson
mailto:tahoe@msn.com

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Incline Village, Nevada
Quattrosport, Inc.
http://www.quattrosport.com

'99 3500QC 4x4 ISB 5-spd, 3. 55 LSD, Bright White, MCM Legacy shell, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller

'97 Haulmark 24' race trailer

 

[Archive]

Speaking of new wheels! I plan on purchasing a set of 16X8 Alcoa M/T Challengers and mount them with 285/75/16's. My question is there a replacement speedo gear to keep the speedo correct?

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'99 QC Sport 4X4, Black, 5-spd, 3. 55LSD, Westin Stainless Step Bars

 

[Archive]

Scott, those wheels look absolutely gorgeous! I'm not sure who produces them for DC, but I do know that they are forged and clear coated. Six of them will make your rig run as smooth as glass!

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, auto. , 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", 285 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, VDO Vision gauges, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc.

 

[Archive]

Okay, I have to admitt to being dumb. This is my first duallie, and I ordered Aluminium wheels from TEA this week. The guy I talked to told me that all I needed was 4 wheels for my 3500. Now I'm wondering, Do I need just the 4 or 6? And how will having just 4 affect the ride? Thanks for any info yall could give me.

Steve
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2000 3500 SLT+,Black,3. 54,auto,leather,Rhino-liner,towing pack.

 

[Archive]

Mark, please e-mail the pix, thanks.

My dealer said I would be wasting money buying all six and insisted I just buy the four... two for the outside duals and two for the fronts. I was questioning if the dis-similar metals would cause a problem... like different flex points, different temp responses and if electrolysis could happen and erode the duals? I imagine that last one would take longer then I would own the truck... just a few of my concerns. Called a tire shop and they said... save your money and get four too.

SCOTT
Rammin' stuff into the shop for the Y2K RAM

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LIFT IT FLIP IT OR...
RAMIT!

 

[Archive]

Just emailed the pics to you Scott.

The concerns you mentioned over having a steel and aluminum wheel, instead of two alloys, are exactly the same concerns I have. Alcoa told me it's not a problem, but I have my doubts.

-mark

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Incline Village, Nevada
Quattrosport, Inc.
http://www.quattrosport.com

'99 3500QC 4x4 ISB 5-spd, 3. 55 LSD, Bright White, MCM Legacy shell, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller

'97 Haulmark 24' race trailer

 

[Archive]

Downside of just 4 alum wheels for dually, if you want to ROTATE your tires properly you must buy 6!! My cousin purchased one of those neet custom GMCs with only 4 alum wheels, 5000 mi later he found out that the only way to rotate was to dismount,remount and rebalance 4 out of 6 tires. VERY expensive each 5000 mi if you ask me. I would make sure all wheels have the correct offset and can be used in ALL positions. Just my observation, hope this has saved someone some grief. I cannot fathom a parts dept/dealer telling someone to cheap out. Happy Wheelin. Dave

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Dave Hauser, 96 3500 4x4 extended, auto 4:10 LSD, K&N, tow hooks, fog lights, custom front reciever hitch and mount for 8000 Ramsey winch, alum diamond plate box and running boards, Dodge dually mudflaps, tow 18' flatbed, 69 Vette, 89 HD FLHS

[This message has been edited by Dave (edited 10-16-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Anybody out there that has installed 6 alloys on a 3500, do they just bolt straight up? Do you need special lug nuts for this application. Are the stock wheel studs long enough for two alloy wheels on the same hub? What prices are being seen for wheels, DC, Alcoa, any other quality manufacturers? I have to admit the DC's look real nice, but so do the Alcoa's. After spending 30K+ on a truck, why would you not want to do it right and put 6 alloys on? Just MHO.

Michael



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'00 Black Sport 3500 4x4 QC, SLT+, 6-Speed, Camel Leather, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Special Group, 3. 54 LSD
'96 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Special FLSTN
'99 Wells Cargo 2-Place Cycle Wagon 12' x 7'

 

[Archive]

Well, TEA sent me an email about my questions on the aluminium wheels and here is what they said:
"You can only put one per side on the rear axles. The alignment center is only 1/2in and if you put an aluminium on the inside the outside won't center, because the aluminium wheel is 5/8th thick and the outside wheel drops off center and causes a ride disturbance problem".

Steve

 

[Archive]

Here's the text from an e-mail from KC Jackson, who's done the dual-aluminum wheel conversion, using the DC alloys. I have the pics, so email me if you're interested.

Regards,
-Mark Nelson

KC Jackson <mailto:kcram@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
If you've taken off your wheel covers, you probably know that the studs extend through the lug nuts for about 1/4 to 3/8s of an inch or so. On the front wheels, the studs and lugs are just about flush, and on the rear, the studs are slightly inset, maybe 1 or 2 thread turns.

I have not experienced any vibration from the wheels (from lack of thread "bite"), and the McGards I'm waiting for are covered lugs anyway - they tell you to make sure that the studs don't "roof out" their lugs, so when I put those on, I should be just fine.

By the way, I have the Mopar forged aluminum wheels. I bought 4 "front" and 2 "rear", so that the polished side always faces out. They are $193 each - right on par with aftermarket prices. My dealer even knocked 10% off because they know I do all my service there. The best thing was delivery. If you buy through mail-order, you have to pay shipping, etc. - through the dealer, they're sent with the dealer's regular daily parts shipemnt at no cost to you. The only stamp in them is the Chrysler
Pentastar, so I can't be sure if they're Alcoa, American Racing, or some unknown wheel maker.

A longer stud wouldn't be a bad idea if you want to make that extra investment - the wheels are hub-centric, so the studs are not
supporting the load at all.

KC Jackson
1996 Ram 3500 Club 4x4 Laramie SLT Cummins

The lug nuts are McGard Dually lugs, product number 69500
- they cost a fortune though - $250 for a set of 32, but damn, they look
good. If you need any more info, let me know!

[This message has been edited by Mark Nelson (edited 10-17-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Thanks for the info. I like what Mark has done, but with only one side polished, it still does not address the tire rotation issue. You are still left with two different wheels that limits your pattern. I am not sure if I am the only one, but I want six alloys that are either polished on both sides or machined on both sides. I like both looks, but I want one or the other not six wheels with some polished inside and some outside. If anyone out there knows of a place where I can get the setup I am looking for let me know. Thanks in advance.

Michael



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'00 Black Sport 3500 4x4 QC, SLT+, 6-Speed, Camel Leather, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Special Group, 3. 54 LSD
'96 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Special FLSTN
'99 Wells Cargo 2-Place Cycle Wagon 12' x 7'

 

[Archive]

As far as rotations, I think it would be ok to rotate the inside tires with the fronts, and maybe every 12K or so, remount and balance, to get the outside tires on the fronts. I haven't looked at the unpolished side of one of these alloys, so I don't know what the finish is like.

-mark

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Incline Village, Nevada
Quattrosport, Inc.
http://www.quattrosport.com

'99 3500QC 4x4 ISB 5-spd, 3. 55 LSD, Bright White, MCM Legacy shell, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller

'97 Haulmark 24' race trailer

 

[Archive]

Hey Mark, I want to run a couple topics past your brain. One thing that would concern me about larger steel wheels (19. 5) or retaining
stock size steel wheels is the negative performance characteristics of excessive unsprung weight. We have been taught that heavy wheels and extra weight below the springs is detrimental to handling. The aluminum wheels would be the way to go with this in mind, barring cost. And 6 as apposed to 4 would prove a better package in as far a ride goes. What do you think Mister Auto Union?

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3/4 ton, 5 sp, lsd, 2wd, qcab, guages, Scotty sys. Rhino liner, Blue Box hp enhancement

 

[Archive]

The less unsprung weight you have, the better the handling will be. Less unsprung weight will give better turn in, improved steering sensitivity (will feel much lighter), shorter braking distances, increased brake life, etc. You will feel the road a bit more, which is where the suspension comes into play. With less unsprung weight, the suspension has to deal more with the road conditions, rather than the tires.

Since the 19. 5's on steel wheels weigh so much more than the 16's, you're definitely going to go through brake pads, shoes, rotors, etc. much faster, and turn in is not going to be as sharp. The road feeling will be improved/more noticeable simply because of the stiffness of the tires. The response will be slower.

I love the look of the 19. 5's but I'm concerned about some of the ramifications of the handling, as well as snow/ice traction. These are a couple of the reasons I'm staying with 16's.

Just my 2 pesos abridged to the nearest penny.

Regards,
-Mark Nelson

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Incline Village, Nevada
Quattrosport, Inc. http://www.quattrosport.com

'99 3500QC 4x4 ISB 5-spd, 3. 55 LSD, Bright White, MCM Legacy shell, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller

'97 Haulmark 24' race trailer

[This message has been edited by Mark Nelson (edited 10-25-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Greater unsprung weight will increase the heavy undulations felt when hitting bumps, potholes, etc. When this mass is accelerated vertically, more energy has to be absorbed by the suspension, and the force is transmitted to the frame/chassis of your truck. Reducing unsprung mass as much as possible is always the best route to take, IMO. It reduces wear on brake, steering, suspension and driveline components, plus yields a better ride.

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Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T QC 4x4 Longbed, 24-valve 5-spd, White over Driftwood, Leather & Loaded, foglights, airdam, DeeZee Running Boards.
49,850 mi (10/25/99)




[This message has been edited by Vaughn MacKenzie (edited 10-25-1999). ]