Finally got my Rickson Wheels/Tires DRW -> SRW Conversion

[User113]

I am converting my truck from a dually to single rear wheels.

The wheels part is done, still waiting on the bed part. I plan to use a stock SRW bed.

I ordered the 19.5 inch DRW to SRW conversion wheels from Rickson, and got Hankooks, AH11 on the front and DH01 on the rears. The tire size is 265/70R19.5. All wheels are identical and interchangeable. The folks at Rickson are very helpful. The order took significantly longer than I expected, they changed facilities and had some staff issues, but since the bed hasn't come yet, it was not a big deal.

Here are the original wheels:

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I had to take the front hub adapter off:

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Here is a side-by-side comparison:

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and what they look like on the truck:

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You can compare the backspacing:

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Resulted in 1.5 inches of additional ground clearance.

 

[SnoKing]

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[MMeier]

Judging from your pics I don't know if I would like those rear rotors out in the open like that . JMO

 

[User113]

Judging from your pics I don't know if I would like those rear rotors out in the open like that

At least I won't have to worry about them overheating.

Actually, unless I decide to take it to Moab, I am not concerned at all. Kind of reminds me of an old Jaguar I used to drive, with inboard brakes. :-laf

If it becomes a problem, the 19.5 inch wheels are so big I could take the tires off of a pair of the stock wheels and mount them underneath the 19.5s, thereby completely enclosing the rotors as before. Do you think I could get somebody to spin balance just the wheels alone?

 

[photowrite]

Congratulations on your new tires and wheels, either one of which is fun to get. SRW trucks certainly have advantages.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow. I thought they only did alloys. How did you arrive at the F/R tread choices?

 

[User113]

Price (the Michelins and Continentals were too expensive) and talking to Dan Richter, at Rickson Truck Wheels. Really knowledgeable guy. He spoke very highly of it once I told him that I had that setup in mind.

 

[Wayne M.]

Price (the Michelins and Continentals were too expensive) and talking to Dan Richter, at Rickson Truck Wheels. Really knowledgeable guy. He spoke very highly of it once I told him that I had that setup in mind.

Gotcha, but usually with a OTR/ 4X2 tire setup, and you differ steer and drive tires, the steer are a rib and the drive are a block or AT type tread. Seems that you have 2 types of AT treads, and I was wondering why. Is one better suited for steer?
In post 1 second from bottom, Conti has a tread just like that in 19.5, and that's what we use on our F550's. That's a mean tire!

 

[AH64ID]

Looks good. Are you planning to swap rear axles to get the track back inline? IIRC the DRW axle is 4" wider.

Interesting tread choice for a 4wd, usually don't see different treads f/r on 4wd.

In terms of balancing I would go with dynamic beads. I use counteract balance beads on my 19.5 with excellent results.

What gears do you have? My 245's made 6th difficult to use unless I am above 65, so I can't imagine 265s leaving it very useful at all with a load.

 

[User113]

Gotcha, but usually with a OTR/ 4X2 tire setup, and you differ steer and drive tires, the steer are a rib and the drive are a block or AT type tread. Seems that you have 2 types of AT treads, and I was wondering why. Is one better suited for steer?

Hmmm. I didn't post any pictures of the AH11 tread, but it is pretty much a rib tread. I will shoot some pics tomorrow. It is definitely NOT an AT type of tread.

In post 1 second from bottom, Conti has a tread just like that in 19.5, and that's what we use on our F550's. That's a mean tire!

The second from the bottom is the DH01 Super Traction. The bottom is the Goodride SL369 that are coming off.

 

[User113]

Looks good. Are you planning to swap rear axles to get the track back inline? IIRC the DRW axle is 4" wider.

Thanks. I do not have any plans to swap out the axle. While the rears don't track the fronts exactly, I don't see it as a real issue. If it becomes one, I may just order different wheels to bring the tires in a bit.

Interesting tread choice for a 4wd, usually don't see different treads f/r on 4wd.

In terms of balancing I would go with dynamic beads. I use counteract balance beads on my 19.5 with excellent results.

I didn't mention it above, but the wheels and tires have been match mounted and then further trued, balanced and then loaded with a proprietary blend of Equal brand balancing beads.

What gears do you have? My 245's made 6th difficult to use unless I am above 65, so I can't imagine 265s leaving it very useful at all with a load.

I've got the 4.10 with the 48RE automatic. I will be putting a truck camper in, I won't be hauling any 30,000 pound loads. According to the math I did, it should be equivalent to a 3.73 on stock sized tires.

 

[Wayne M.]

Oh, now I see, you put up old vs new shots. Thing is that the old IS new too. I see the backspace difference.

 

[lpennock]

I've got the 4.10 with the 48RE automatic. I will be putting a truck camper in, I won't be hauling any 30,000 pound loads. According to the math I did, it should be equivalent to a 3.73 on stock sized tires.

Should be about equal to my G56 with 3.73 and 295/70-18 (34.2"). I carry a Eagle cap 950 which is about 4K wet and loaded. Truck handles it fine even with my Jeep Cherokee on a 16' trailer in tow. You are a little lower geared than me in direct drive so you will be pulling more RPM when you drop out of OD. Probably the difference between 63 and 55 mph for a rough guess. So you shouldn't have any issue with that combination.

 

[User113]

So here is the actual tread of the AH11 steer tires:

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Thing is that the old IS new too.

Yes, they are still "new." So...I have six wheels with Goodride SL369 tires, two with front simulators, two with rear simulators, looking for a new home. I have a possible lead, but if anyone else local is interested, let me know.

 

[photowrite]

Those are some 'steer' tires for sure.

 

[Wayne M.]

That's what I had in mind. Looks great. That real truck is even more so now!

 

[User113]

Thanks! I can't wait to get the bed on.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Very nice! Just did the 19.5 steer/drive tire setup on mine too. Something good looking about that look.

Glad to hear Rickson is still around. Had some issues getting ahold of them and assumed the worst.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Very nice! Just did the 19.5 steer/drive tire setup on mine too. Something good looking about that look.

Glad to hear Rickson is still around. Had some issues getting ahold of them and assumed the worst.

I was going to pull the trigger on Rickson until I called and talked to their staff. 8-12 week lead time and told me that they weren't sure if the chrome trim rings would ever be available again.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Interesting. Some long lead times. I didn't even get that far. Tried email and multiple phone calls and never got a hold of them.