If you were buying dually wheels...

[Patriot Diesel]

I have been contemplating the conversion of my 2500 to a dually using the arrowcraft kit. Their includes their fender kit, wheel adapters, six steel wheels with simulators or alcoa wheels.



Buying the fenders and adapters is a given. My ponderance is what wheel and tire combo to with. Here are my choices as I see it. In order of cost.



1. 16" steel wheels with stainless simulators

2. 16" alcoa wheels

3. 19. 5 Ricksons with stainless simulators

4. 19. 5 alcoa's with adapters (way expensive)



Is it worth the extra expense to go to 19. 5's ?



I know the tires will last much longer.



What is your opinion?

 

[Pit Bull]

I think it depends on how long you plan on keeping the truck. I would go with the 19. 5 Alcoas if you plan on keeping it forever. If not I would go with the steel. Like you said big difference in cost. Now if you plan on alway having a 3500 4x4 then go with the best and just swap wheels when you buy a new truck.

Denny

 

[Briar Hopper]

For what the 19. 5's cost, you can buy 4 sets of 80,000 mile Michelin tires to fit the regular 16" wheels. Nearly 400,000 miles before you would see a savings.

Also, if you have a lot of HP, or plan to add a lot of HP, you might experience the wheels spinning inside the 19. 5 tires, if you run the air pressure at the setting you need for a comfortable ride. Saw it happen to a friend.

 

[David Muench]

Where are you on the east coast? I'm in western NY. I've got a dually conversion kit with a set of 7 rims. They need some paint and tires, but I want them gone real bad. . Was for a power wagon project that got canned. Should fit any truck with 9/16" lug studs (I think that's what a new Ram 2500 has?). .



I think it's an Arrowcraft (steel rims), but I'm not 100% sure. . I'm the second owner.

 

[RobG]

What do you do with your truck? If you carry heavy loads in it (e. g. truck camper), then I think 19. 5's are worth every penny.



I have the Rickson 19. 5" steel/Stainless Simulator setup, and I must admit the truck looks VERY sharp with them. They're almost worth the money for looks alone. The truck handles a lot better with them, that's for sure.



BUT... as others have pointed out, they're pricey. I think I paid around $2600 shipped for my six wheels and the simulators. However, if you're having to buy six wheels and six tires (seven if you plan on a spare), the price difference may not be all that much.



The reason I went ahead and got them was because when I had my '96, I hated the stock steel wheels and simulators, and the tires were due for replacement. I also wanted the Alcoa 16" wheels. BUT, the problem is that the Alcoas only come polished on one side, which means rotating is out. OR, you can spend extra money having a shop polish the other side, which I figured I'd do. Then I sat down and did the math, and the price diff for the two packages suddenly got a lot closer. Thus, I went with the 19. 5's.



BTW, if anybody wants a set of six '96 dually wheels in good shape (no tires, no simulators), email me. Been trying to unload 'em for ages. Trouble is, they're heavy, so unless you're local or are passing through, shipping cost usually ruins the deal.



Rob

 

[Patriot Diesel]

STUD SIZE

Does anyone know for sure what the lug size is on a 2000 2500, is it 9/16"?



Thanks