Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) plain steel wheels

[kchristopher]

Yesterday I ran into a guy with a brand-new Dodge with tires that filled out the wheelwell perfectly. Stopping to see what they were (315/75) I noticed that they were on the plain steel wheels (this was a base truck), the ones with trim rings and centercaps. Anyway, he said that they were 8" wide. I was under the impression that all the steel wheels were narrower, but judging from their looks holding that wide tire, they are definately wider than my 6. 5" chrome wheels.



Were all plain steel wheels wider than the chrome wheels or do both sizes exist? If both exists, what's the combo/year that got the wider wheels. I've always liked the plain wheel better than the chrome wheel and will probably switch to this setup next time I need tires. Will these wheels require milling of the brake drum like their aluminum brothers to fit on my '96?

 

[rspinks]

I had a '94 ST model with 6. 5" steel wheels, now my 2001 ST has 7. 5" steel wheels. The factory alloy's are 8" wide. Dunno when they switched from 6. 5 to 7. 5 steel wheels.

 

[Un-Hemi]

The later steel wheels with the trim rings and center caps are indeed 7. 5". If the wheels were measured incorrectly, they would be called 8" (BIGGER is BETTER, right?? Especially if yer braggin').



I have 6. 5" chrome wheels on my '99; I don't know if the 7. 5s were optional in that year or not. Personally, I also like the steel wheels, but stumbled onto a real deal on some factory 8" alloys.



BTW, the alloys fit the 2WD front end with NO modifications; the rear drums require trimming. I don't know if the 7. 5s require trimmed brake drums.

 

[roycrown]

I think the 2000 model year was the change to the wider stock steel wheels. My '99 has 6. 5'' wide, with the rectangular slots around circumfurence as they looked since '94. I noticed in 2000 that the slots changed to an oval or "D" type shape and there were fewer of them. I assume? this was the change to wider width also.

 

[Morepower]

I also would like to keep my stock chrome center caps and rings with wider steel rims. I am looking for a couple 8. 0" steel rims for the fronts and 2. 0" rear spacers for the rear using 6. 5" stock rims.

 

[Morepower]

Where would I find a couple of 7. 5-8. 0" stock rims also?

 

[roycrown]

Other than paying a fortune for new ones from the dealer, junkyard is your only choice. Also, the 2000-20002's would be much less common than the 94-99's. I paid way too much for an extra set for my '99, with bent trim rings and no center caps. Problem is the SLT's so greatly out-number the ST's at least in my area, that the stock steelies are hard to find.



Another thought is that lots of SLT owners with the alloy wheels are not too happy that their spare is a stock steelie, so you may? be able to pick up one at a time by offering to buy their spare.

 

[JTroiano]

I had 315/75's on 8" rims and the center of the tire was half worn out in 6k. I was not running max tire pressure and did not carry anything heavy. I switched over to the ten inch rims and am getting mucjh better wear. The tire companies will tell you that the 8" is OK but it is B. S. . Get the correct rim for the tire.

Jon T