Looking 4 New Wheels - Need Advice

[Joe Mc]

My chromes are bent and driving me nuts. Can't balance them any more just doesn't do any good. So I found some on wheelsforless.com my best results were via "search by vehicle".



So my questions are: our trucks have 6. 5" lug pattern and a 5" backspacing? With my present (stock wheels & 305's) set up nothing rubs anywhere and I wish to keep it that way. I want to go with 16X8 wheels and due to bad experience with stock steel chromes I'm thinking aluminum. Pro's & Con's of cast, alloy, forged what's the difference and what is best for our trucks. Should I be alright if I can only get 4. 5" backspacing. Will the wheels stick out more?



Anyone willing to share some pic's of their wheels? Or know of a site that has a simulator, so I can try on a bunch of wheels on a Dodge Ram with out making a purchase.



Thanks for any help.



Oh, I'd like to keep the expense down to $150 - 175 max each wheel if possible.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Check out Eagle Alloy wheels.



I love mine, I have the 058's (sometimes called 589's)

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These are the wheels I really wanted, but I got too good a deal on the 589's. These are the 143's

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The 589's are going to run you right at $120 a wheel. The 143's are $140 a wheel!



Word to the wise NEVER get Bleachie White near them! I'm still :{ over that experience, but my wheel's came out ok



P. S. I have a picture of my truck with the wheels the day after I got them in my link at the bottom. I already posted two LARGE pictures though, and you just can't see them well unless you look at the large pic of my truck.

 

[TXRam]

got smoke must have a secret about how to keep 'em clean and looking good. I have the same wheels, and after 1 year, they look horrible - can't get all the brake dust off of them. I'll never buy another aluminum wheel that isn't clear coated. My $0. 02 worth.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by TXRam

got smoke must have a secret about how to keep 'em clean and looking good

Extreme Metal Polish ($20 a little can! but good)

Meguiers(sp?) Spray on Rinse off stuff. Its pretty decent just gotta wip away the water that drips down.

 

[Blakers]

I've got a set of the Eagle wheels with tires on them that I would sell. They're like the first one Got Smoke pictured. They're 16. 5" and 9. 75" wide. Tires are Remington 33x12. 50 - 16. 5. About 50% tread. Load range D. They do stick out a bit.



Blake

 

[HillCountrykid]

I know you said 16x8, but Alcoa has some 16x7 forged alum. wheels for $110 to $115 a piece. To get lugnuts and center caps it's another $160 or so. So it's about $150 each w/o shipping. Here's the site. Southwest Wheel It's what I'm getting when I get new wheels. BTW, $150 for a forged wheel is a good deal.



Brian

 

[dpope]

another picture

Here is a link to pictures of my truck with the eagle alloy rims described above. The truck also has a 2" leveling kit to accommodate the larger tires. All I need now are some fender flares to take care of the mud splash...



My Truck



dpope

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I just researched new wheels too. The OEM Steel wheel has 4. 75 backspace and + 24mm Offset. You won't be able to find a 16 X 8 alloy or aluminum wheel with those specs. A steel wheel you can get real close.



I liked the Eagle alloys, but they come up short on the backspace (4").



Weld wheels are pricey, and there are a number of complaints about the wheel making noise and not holding up to the weight of the CTD Ram. Search the arcives.



I decided on the Mickey Thompson Challenger, made by Alcoa. The wheel is very strong (Hot Forged) and light, and it has a 4. 5" backspace. Offset is 0. About $170 a wheel. ( Mailorder). I would stay away from the M/T Classic II's. They are cast, and not made by Alcoa.



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More Info: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53923



Below is Oilbrner's truck with Alcoa M/t Challenger's



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[Whitmore]

I plan on taking my oem alloys and having them powder coated black and then clearcoated , I will then put the chrome center cap on ... ... ... ..... Kevin

 

[Lordsman]

Discount tire sold me Eagle Alloys(#058, same as "got smoke") for 90 bucks each, 8 bucks a cap & 1. 00 a nut w/ a locker nut on each wheel. Need some bigger mud-flaps now.

 

[Joe Mc]

Thanks for the info. Now I'm really in need of help - I can understand the need to have coated wheels to help keep them clean, but whats the difference if they are; hot forged, alloy, or ? with steel in the lug nut holes? Sorry for being so uninformed.



I'd like to get the 5 spoke Alcoa's but they are only 7" want the 8" so my 305X70's don't look as if they are going to pop off the wheels.



What'd ya think of these 105 ea http://www.tyres1.com/search/products/AM236882.html

 

[HillCountrykid]

Those are cast wheels, so I'm not possitive on how well they will hold up. They may work fine. I saw a truck a couple of weeks ago with some very similar, if not the same ones on his truck and they looked good. The picture is sort of diceiving since it is a five lug with a small hub bore hole. The 16's look quite a bit better. Too bad you don't live closer and want some OEM alum. wheels. I'm going to need to get rid of my stockers when I get new tires and wheels soon. That's if I don't keep them and buy a set of boggers too, just in case I want to go play.



Brian

 

[DarrellB]

This is just my personal preference on wheels but here goes.



My Favorite for looks and strength are Welds. I've heard a few complaints on them cracking but I've seen several sets on pulling trucks race cars and lots off offroad vehicles and also the set thats on my truck now, and have never heard anyone say they had problems. Mine have seen plenty of hard miles through fields loaded with over 30,000lbs of hay. I have 16. 5x9. 74 Weld Road Hawks and love them. My second favorite for the same 2 reasons is Center Line. They have some great looking wheels too. The down side to these 2 manufacturers is price, both are about $225 a wheel. But worth every penny.



Don't get clear coat on aluminum wheels it just peels off and looks like crap in a few years. With polished aluminum you can take some metal polish and some elbow grease and buff out all the dullness and oxidation.



Just my opinion.



Darrell

 

[Blakers]

I use the stock Dodge centers with the Eagle wheels and they fit and look great.



Blake

 

[shoveljunk]

I have the 058's 3" offset but...

The truck pulls under heavy braking. Dealer claims it is the offset causing the problem. The tire store(America's) put factory wheels back on for FREE. The problem went away and I am waiting to see if it comes back. Just as it did after the brake pads were changed. Has anyone had this problem that we should be aware of. I polish with Eagle One (nevr-dull). Polishing is work but clear coat can turn yellow. Any comments?