OEM aluminum rims on older drum trucks?

[xcucv]

Hi all,

I am a recent buyer of a used 99 QC auto 3. 54 LB and love the truck. Saturday I straight piped the beast and the sound is awsome but the neigbor has already commented so I need to be carful around the house.



I have been looking into putting the newer stock aluminum rims on my truck in place of the steel. However someone mentioned that they would only fit those truck with rear disks and not older trucks with drums, can anyone confirm or deny.



Thanks in advance.



Now just need to same the pennys for the EZ, DDII, DTT, ect. ect... .

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Deny

They've had those rims in the performance catalogue for years ..... 98 I believe. All was arround were drums then so I would say UNTRUE

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[ToolManTimTaylor]

B.T.W

<Marquee>Welcome to the TDR </Marquee>

 

[SnoKing]

DC gets 380 bucks apiece for those wheels. They have more set back than the older wheels (positive offset). Just bought a set of the chrome 7. 5 x 16's for my snow tires. Tire shop said they cleared the disc brakes front and back. I am going to check it for myself soon, rather than waiting for the snow to fly.



Snow King

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the TDR.



The wheels will not fit your 99. It is not because it has drums, but it has bigger drums. The newer drums are smaller an therefore the wheels will fit. You can have your drums turned down so the wheels fill fit the rear, but you will still have a problem with the front. The 6"+ backspacing on the aluminum wheels prevents them from clearing the calipers just right on the front.



I liked to add a set of the newer wheels to my truck too. It can be done, but it is not worth the headache IMO. I'll be buying aftermarket wheels someday when I save up some money.



-Ryan

 

[Cooker]

Snow King,



The chrome wheels are 16x6. 5" and they should fit your 01 just fine. The older truck with the chome wheels like mine, just won't accept the new alloy wheels without modifications.

 

[xcucv]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies, I guess I will have to stick to my steel rims. However the upside is that the EZ I want is much closer.



Thanks again,



Another happy DC owner.



PS before I straight piped the truck I felt as if I drove a truck with a loud motor, now I feel like I drive a real diesel, not that it was not before but change in sound is amazing.

 

[Bulldog80]

New Wheels

I was able to get the new aluminums mounted on my '96. They fit the front no problem. They cleared the tie rod ends and calipers. I had the drums turned down about 3/16ths to clear them on the rear. The only problem that I've had is the left front tire will rub the track arm on a full lock left turn. I'm assuming it does this because of the increased back spacing and width. I run 285/75's. They look awsome.

 

[Cooker]

Bulldog 80,



Welcome to the TDR.



I like to hear more about fitting the newer wheels to your '96. I knew turning the rear drums was not that big of a deal. After all the info here on this forum, I was under the impression that the fronts were going to be a problem with the calipers. You say no problem on the fronts, huh?



I might have to start looking for a set of these again as it appears the fronts are not an issue.



-Ryan

 

[Bulldog80]

Ryan,



Thanks for the welcome, the register an excellent resource for idiots like me.



On the wheels, there might be some manufacturing differences that could cause interference on some but mine didn't have a problem. The tie rod ends are close, but I looked at some 2001"s and they appear to be just as close. I think that as long as you clear the drums your home free. The tire shops here have a lot of these new rims that have been traded in and didn't think they could get rid of them. Get your set quick before they think they have any value.

 

[LandShark]

Bulldog 80: Who did you have turn down your drums? I recently bought 4 late model gray steel wheels for my '95. They fit just fine for the front, with the tie rods having about 1/2" clearance. The rears however don't fit (close, but no cigar). I've never heard of anyone turning down the outside of drums, but if that's all it takes it would be nice to be able to use them.

 

[Bulldog80]

Landshark,



I had the same tire shop that sold me the wheels do the turning. They used the same machine that they would use on rotors or the inside of the drum. I would think any machine shop or tire shop that has this capability could do it.

 

[MikeR]

Well they won't fit the 99 trucks. I had a 99 and did the mods to get them to fit. The problem on the front end was the wheels hit the tie rods during normal parking lot turning. There must have been something different with the front ends on the 97 and older trucks because I ran across a guy who had no rubbing problems with his 96 when he retrofitted the newer wheels to it.

 

[Deezal Man]

Why wouldn't you consider a set of forged Alcoa's for less money than DC wants for a factory rim?



I love the Alcoa Classics on my 98. 5 and they accept a wider tire if you ever go that route. In my case, I hated the tiny 245's.



A set of 285's make the truck look as it should have from the factory. IMO



The only downside is they are not clearcoated... . and therefore require a polish job from time to time. I find every 6 months to be sufficient. Naturally more frequent polishing will provide a better shine and less work when doing so. .

 

[Cooker]

I wouldn't buy the wheels from DC. There are quite a few guys out there that have replaced their wheels and are selling the OEM wheels. I've seen them priced from $250-$400 for the set, w/ centercaps.

 

[Bulldog80]

Got mine for 25 bucks each, installed.