2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rickson wheels

[pjames]

Hello to all!



Can someone please give me their experiences using the Rickson 19. 5" rims and tires? Thanks

 

[TAbbott]

I like mine. I have the 7. 5" wide steel wheels and 265/70R19. 5G's. They are heavy, but when it comes to carrying a heavy load and being resistant to road hazards and such they really shine. The tires are a little noisy (Hankook DH01's) and they are definitely stiffer when running empty.

 

[TAbbott]

One other thing, because of the extra weight on the wheel ends, stiffer shocks are a must. I have the Bilsteins and like them too.

 

[JWashburn]

I have the Vision 81s on the '97 and the steel wheels on the '04. In my estimation, match mounting is the key. They say you will run smoother than your previous set of tires, and in both cases that's true. I bought the Hankook DHO1s. I'm pleased with them so far.

There is some sing associated with them. I spoke to a man with a new F450 that has Continentals. He complains that the sing is really bad. In the '04 I can hear a little with the windows up and no radio. With the windows down the wind noise covers the sing. In the '97 the sing is a little louder, but far from intolerable.

I've had them for the summer grazing season in the mountains, and I have one really badly washboard road to drive, and the 19. 5s have handled it well. I've grossed 34,000 with them on both rigs. The '97 is a little more stable than the dually with 10 ply tires. The dually is solid. The squishiness under heavy load is gone.

I was in a particularly heavy rain storm the other day, and there seems to be less possibility of hydroplaning than with the 10 plys I've used (and I've tried most of them). Back in the mountains they seemed to pull in the mud better than the all terrains I've used, but not quite as well as the mud terrains.

In my application, I'll never go back to 10 ply tires. The improvements are just too good. If you don't tow heavy then the cost may not outweigh the benefits. If you do tow heavy then don't waste another cent on 10 plys.

A side note: If your decision is between having the 225s or 245s and you are concerned about the taller tire and getting the load rolling with either 3. 73s or 3. 54s don't give it a second thought. I've been happy with the 245s on this count. We've got plenty of torque to get the job done. Although, it might make a difference with an automatic or the earlier stock trucks.

 

[vssman]

Have any of you noticed a degredation in breaking due to the heavier unsprung mass from the wheels?

 

[MEby]

we have an 03' at work with aluminum 19'5s from ricksons. the good side is we have put on a LOT of miles(approx. 40,000 miles) since we switched and they are holding up very well. Somewhere around half tread left. They dont squish under load and dont have a lot of road noise in my opinion. The downside is the truck has gotten a bit skittish, it tends to steer in either direction at will when it hits bumps. I dont know why, but it didnt do it before the wheel change. The other thing I dont like is they are not good at all in mud or snow, but they are an excellent hyway tire. Oh, and they look really cool.

 

[MEby]

Have any of you noticed a degredation in breaking due to the heavier unsprung mass from the wheels?

Havent noticed any difference in braking.

 

[BBoling]

To those with the Hankook DH01's, what kind of mileage are you seeing on a set? I have the 265s, but would be interested in hearing about any size (doubt size is a big factor in mileage). I have about 15K on mine, with no real signs of wear. I only carry my camper about 1/3 of the time, tho.

 

[JWashburn]

TAbbott,

Which Bilstein's? I'm contemplating the 5100s or possibly the KYB Monomax as I spend a fair amount of time on dirt roads, and many are washboarded.

 

[TAbbott]

Mine are the 5100's.

 

[jogris]

hello

I have 19. 5s from rickson steel wheels

s/s simulators also rickson

michelin xze245/70 steer

michelin xds2/70 rear

I think my dealings with dan was great

he was very helpful, the order took some time

was worth the wait. love the ride and handling

if you have 08 the abs has to be reprogramed for

19. 5s



08 chassis cab 3500daully SLT

inferno red, custom alum. flatbed

s/s tool boxes

 

[fest3er]

I bought a set of Rickson's *early* steel wheels in 2000. IIRC, they are 6. 5" wheels. (Which might explain some of the oddities I've had; perhaps 7" wheels would keep the tread flatter. ) They've been on my truck since. Installed at 60K miles. I now have 242K miles on the truck.

I bought the grey powdercoated steel wheels. They have held up well enough, for the most part. They are finally rusting at the joint between the hub/disc and the rim. (This is quite understandable, since it's hard to get powdercoat in those tiny spaces and gaps. )

I have been using KYB Gas-Ajust (monotube) shocks since I threw out the OEM shocks around 10K miles. I currently have 130K miles on this set, and haven't yet decided if they need replacing. I probably should put the first set back on; they only have 75K miles on 'em. They do not provide a solid ride (as performance shocks might), but they do provide a nice, firm ride.

To be honest, do not expect perfection from these tires if you do not tow or haul a lot of weight; the tires are intended to carry a lot more weight than an unladen pickup provides. All-season-like tread will always make noise. The original TY303s I had sang; but I got 110K miles out of them. The Bridgestone M704s I had sang, but I only got about 45K miles from them. The Hankook DH01s I have now have around 30K miles on them, and there's a lot of tread left yet. Too bad I couldn't get the front end aligned sooner. If you do not need all-season tread, ordinary ribbed tires will probably wear far better and will likely be nearly silent. (I run the all-season tires because I drive when I have to, regardless of the weather. )

Having pointed out some of the negatives, I'll move on to the positive. The truck drives like a sports car. Driving through twisty mountain roads here in VA, I'm usually running 10-20 MPH over the posted warning speed. Load range F 19. 5s pretty much grip the road in almost any dry or wet condition. (Snow and oil are a different story). If the brakes on my truck are adjusted properly, stopping is not a problem at all. The tires are actually softer than the OEM Goodrear 245-75/16 tires; I don't hear or feel most of the pavement cracks because the tires roll right over them.

I cannot imagine ever driving a pickup on less than loadrange F tires again. I once switched back to the OEM tires for a short while. I couldn't stand how the truck wallowed down the road. When Dan says safety is a factor in buying 19. 5" tires, he ain't kiddin'; the 19. 5's add a good safety maring under nearly all road conditions.

Dave Fritz, down at VT, used to wear out a brand new set of tires during each of his trips to Alaska. (Truck with camper weighed in at around 12K#. ) When he switched to 19. 5s, he returned with at least 1/2 the tread left.

If I ever find the funds to buy a new truck, I'll immediately put 19. 5s on it. And I'll get 'em from Dan. They're part of the reason I still like driving my '98 12V after 10 years and 242K miles.

N