Question for Rickson 19.5 owners

[Garry Verheyden]

I have an 08 Mega cab 2500. I am converting it to a long box dually next week.

I want to buy the Weld Velocity 19. 5" dually wheels (lug centric) They require a steel inner. Do you Rickson owners know if the 19. 5x6. 75 steel inners are hub centric or lug centric (or avail. in both). Thanks,

Garry

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

The dodge duallies and the Ricksons are hub centric.

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Thanks Trail Dog!! I have a line on some new 19. 5 x6. 75 steel hub centrics for $130 each. So they should be just as good as the Ricksons, only cheaper.

Garry

 

[jelag]

Garry... .



I think you'll be more than happy with the steel wheels.....

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Hi Jim, Good thing I'm not talking bad behind your back I'll have to use the straight black wheels for a while anyway since Weld is very slow on building the outer wheels. Rickson also sell the welds and uses hub centric steel inners. I wanted to make sure the hub and lug centric would work together. I'll see you in about a week!!

Thanks,

Garry

 

[run2trouble]

How did the wheels work for you?

 

[Garry Verheyden]

I just put a dually axle on the back yesterday. I am giong to install some Bridgestone 245/70-19. 5 tires on the rims tomorrow and install them. Give me a reminder in a couple of days and I'll let you know. I will also post some pics.



Garry

 

[run2trouble]

So, how do they look?

 

[MegaCleanCab]

Where did you find the wheels? Can you post some pics? Also do they have the SRW versions?

 

[Garry Verheyden]

run2trouble,

Sorry, I just got back into town. I only have a couple of crappy pictures right now. They were to show the mockup of the 5" side pipes I'm welding and chroming soon!! They show a bit of the wheels. I'll get some better pics soon.

Mega Clean Cab, I got them from Jim Gale at Pacific Clutch and Brake in Spokane Wa. I don't think he has SRW, but he does Have DRW. You have to ask him for sure. It was a good deal for TDR members $130 ea. The picture from the rear looks like the tires are touching. But the 245/70 19. 5 has at least 2" between the tires.



Garry

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I like those lights you installed in the rear bumper. What brand/model are they and where can a guy find a set? I assume that you have them installed as reverse lights? I would like to add more light when backing up and it looks like those would do the trick.



Jeff

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Hi Jeff, I have a Hitachi excavator with them on. They are cheap $22+- from my Hitachi dealer. I took the 24v bulbs out, and put in 12v. I think they are from Jetco. They're very bright! I put duct tape on the bumper, then used a jigsaw with metal blade (cut like butter) Touched the rest up with die grinder, then hand filed & sanded edges smooth. They are mounted to the frame that holds the bumper on 45 deg. angle with 2x3" alum. angle iron. If you need to find the lights, let me know.

Garry

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Thanks Garry, I'll start looking around here for someone who deals with Hitachi. Not sure I'll find anyone but I can always look at other heavy equipment places and see what they have. I don't know that I would have ever thought to look there.

I've found Jetco's catalog online. I'll see if I can find them in internet-land!

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Yes they're mounted properly behind the bumper. Cut the hole smaller first with the jigsaw, then gradually bigger with the file for a nice tight precision fit. I just took some more pics for you today. Pictures explain better than words. The lenses stick out through the bumper about 1/4-3/8". The only problem with this install is my dad and two friends want thiers done too

If you can't find the lights, I can send you some.

Garry

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Garry,



Thanks a lot for the pics. Those help tremendously.



I appreciate your offer to help me get ahold of some lights. I don't necessarily need the same exact light. I'm certain I can find something around here that will work similarly, as long as it is about the same size.



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[Garry Verheyden]

I found out it is Jetco#123-307001-4 (24v 70w) But they have corresponding #123-307001 (12v 55w). I had the 24v and changed the bulb to 12v 100w. They're 6-7/8"w X4-1/2"h X 3" deep. Good luck!

Garry

 

[Garry Verheyden]

Mega Clean Cab & Run2Trouble, I finally posted some pics today now that the rain & snow stopped. They're in the 3rd gen forum under Mega Cab long bed!!

Garry

 

[CDavis33]

Garry

could you have done the dually conversion by using adaptors in lieu of swaping our the rear axel? i wanted to change my srw to a drw. Love the wheel and tire combo, looks great.

 

[RHestand]

Garry,

How about an update on your $130, 19. 5" wheels, and tire size you chose.

Also, are they still available?

I'm sure they are more money now, but I'm still very interested.

TIA, Ray

 

[Garry Verheyden]

The problem with the adaptors is the wheels are hub centric. If you look at our rear axles, the center is tapered about 1/16" thicker in the center where the wheel goes, so the wheel has a tight fit. If you would have an adaptor made, the adaptor would need a centering ring for the wheels to sit on. This ring would have to be less than 1/16" thick. It would be too hard to machine an adaptor this way.

You can buy lug centric wheels. This would make the adaptor easier to make, but how would you center the inner wheel??

I would have preferred an adaptor over replacing my rear axle if it was possible. But I don't think I would have the inner wheel stay tight and balanced.



I got rid of the steel 19. 5's and the tires. I'm currently runnung some stock 17's . The rotating mass, fuel economy, noise from the Bridgstone drive tires, and bad balancing was killing me.

They looked cool, but it wasn't worth it.

There is lots of 19. 5 wheels on e-bay now. They are almost all direct bolt 8 lug. Lots of forged aluminum choices. I will try some forged 19. 5's in the future since they are light and more true than the welded steel wheels. As much as I like the look of the 245 Drive tires, I will go with 225 steer tires next time. They will suck in the snow, but the steers will be quieter and better on fuel. The 225's will be at least 20lbs lighter per tire which is better for braking , accelerating and fuel economy.

I will keep the stock 17's with mud terrains for the snowy weather driving.

There's my future plan when I have money again. But I will never go the steel wheel route again!

Garry