Opinions on running 20" Wheels?

[Kayaker]

Just when I thought I had made my final decision on my new tires (Nitto Terra Graplers LT305/70R/17) on my stock rims, I stopped by the Dodge dealership and saw a fairly new 1500 with 20" wheels and Wrangler HP P275/60R/20's on them. They looked awsome and seemed to fill out the wheel well nicely. Now, I know most of that is an optical illusion, 3"more wheel and 3" less tire than the Nitto's, but I am curious... .



Any opinions/facts on the upside/downside of going with 20" wheels? (Rubbing, wear, etc. )

What brand of wheel? ( I was looking at Centerline's)?



I do mostly highway driving, little to no towing, with occasional offroad, but nothing very serious (back country dirt roads, etc. )

 

[twmcneilly]

I had 20's on for a week or two, running the Nittos. Never could get 'em to balance and run true. And I just couln'd get past the 'urban' look of the twenties. So I reverted back to the tried and true BFG on 17s. They just look right and balance like a dream. If I can figure out how to do it I'll post the pics with the 20 and 18 and you can judge for yoursefl.

 

[twmcneilly]

Same truck with 2 in leveling kit on front.



First photo shows BFGs on 17



The second shows the Nittos on Twenties.



When the BFGs wear out I think I'll go with a little more lift (Kore, Carli?) an 18 inch wheel and a bit more tire. It keeps the truck look but removes a little bit of the sidewall flex of a taller tire.

 

[Desert Proven]

You can run 20's on your truck, but the wheel width and backspacing are what will cause your tires to rub. We have it on good word that Walker Evans will be releasing a 20x8. 5 with the correct backspacing for the heavy duty Dodge truck.



You will compromise some of your performance off road with a 20. There's less aspect ratio and your tires won't absorb as much of the impact.

 

[JFlagg]

More sidewall will give you a better ride... . more sidewall acts like another shock absorber. 20's will ride rougher on an already not-so-smooth riding truck.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Centerline has several 20" wheel options with 6" backspacing on their 8. 5" wide rims.

Vaughn

 

[Kayaker]

VM, I was looking at the Centerlines and their wheels for '03+ Dodge with 6" backspacing. Desert Proven and JFlagg, I appreciate your comments on the side walls, but they are only . 27" lower than the stock tires I have now... doesn't seem enough to really cause a problem. But I do have a concern with balancing, especially having read the Rickson site on what they do to the 19. 5's to get them right. I'll let you know what I decide... I still have a couple of months before I have to take any action, I think

Thanks for all the info... it really helps think through these kinds of questions!

 

[kparker]

Just say no to 20's...



If you are going to road race your truck they might be of benefit. If not, stick with 17's. If you are ever off road at all, airing down your tires gives you a much better ride. Airing down 20s is a joke, unless they are 39 inch tires. Even then, why are you running 20" wheels?



Airing down tires off road helps for comfort, but it also aids in traction, and protects from tread puncture. If your tire can conform around rocks, they are much more likely to resist getting cut.



Let your sidewalls flex and save your kidneys.



KP

 

[ROCKJEEP]

I am running the DC-1 dick cepek 20's and love them. I live in the mountains and do tons of mountain driving. I also tow my jeep on the trailer tons. The smaller side wall gives me a load range E with the 35's. It hugs the turns much better with less side wall roll. Didn't notice a rougher ride. And I'm not worried about airing down, I have a jeep for that. :-laf

 

[Megadesertdiesel]

i also have 35's on 20 inch wheels. i think the back spacing is 5 5/8". when towing i love this combo. but i also run my truck pretty hard in the dunes. when i air down to 12psi i get good traction in the sand, but it could be better. my on road running is great at 30psi, but i think that is due to the full leaf pack replacement from Lorenz. when going with the 20's the tires are about $100 more than 17's. not too bad for a modern look of the 20 inch wheel. i have about 15k miles on my toyo mt's and have used 1/4" out of the 5/8" deep tread. but i think with this tire it is the tire compound not the size of wheel that dictates how they wear.



now with what i know about running a 20" wheel on a 7800# truck. i am planning on ordering the Walker Evans in a 17" very soon. i think the ride will get even better and i will get a wider foot print in the sand.



#ad

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

By the time you get to 35" tires going with a 20" rim is a good choice. . . the sidewalls are not that short and the ratio looks great IMO. Below 32" they're pretty low profile. Your truck looks good Megadesert.

I think smaller 20s are a better fit on 2wd trucks, I've been contemplating 275/55/20 for my '98 shortbed 2wd.

 

[Morse]

My 06 is a 2wd, though I really like the 20's with Nitto tires. Mine came ready to install from discount tire direct. . They are the exact same height as the stock tires, and the wheels are 8. 5 inches wide. .

 

[Turbo_Bob]

Just when I thought I had made my final decision on my new tires

(Nitto Terra Graplers LT305/70R/17)

on my stock rims, I stopped by the Dodge dealership and saw a fairly new 1500 with 20" wheels and

Wrangler HP P275/60R/20's on them.

"LT" stands for light truck and "P" stands for passenger.

You should only buy LT type of tires for the 2500, 3500 trucks. Now if they make a LT for the 20" wheels then I would look at them.

I am going to buy 19. 5" wheels with truck tires with a load range of F.

 

[ROCKJEEP]

here you go. lt and slt tires sizes in 20's.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels

Kory