Rickson's Installed

[COBRAJET]

I received the Rickson's today. I am very pleased with this set up. The factory tires were shot and I was not happy with the non existant choices. I got the black powder coated with trim rings which retain the factory center caps. The tires are Michelin 245/70's M/S. There is some serious tread on these things. The truck does not seem to ride any harsher even with the H rated tread. The speedo is a little off. The truck now runs 73 mph at 2K instead of 68. 5 according to the Garmin. The tires are 33. 8 inches tall versus the factory 31's. I head to the Valley tomorrow and will be looking forward to seeing if any mileage gains can be expected

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Right on Cobrajet. Looking forward to some pictures! I am interested in how you think they handle and ride over rough roads due to the higher mass/unsprung weight.



I am very interested in going with the forged aluminum wheels when my stockers wear out. Those look sweet

I will also go with 245/70s but not sure what tire, probably a decent A/S such as Dunlop SP-431A or Michelin XDE.



What model did you get? One thing I've always wished for is the availability of 65 or 60-series tires so you could go with 265s or 285s without getting real tall.



Vaughn

 

[BIG BOB]

COBRAJET,



Can you give me a ball park on cost. I will have to make some choices in the future on the same topic.

 

[jjdiesel]

Sounds nice!!

Looking forward to your report!

 

[SKelly]

Can you keep us posted on the wear? I also have a DRW. I am very happy with the truck overall but the tires are wearing very fast! I have 15,000 miles and it looks like they may last to 20,000 before I need new ones.

 

[SRadke]

I'm getting really tired of waiting for mine. I ordered back in October before they had even begun production on the aluminum wheels and they said January. I guess I'm almost there.



To give an idea on price. Wheels will run from 250 to 400 each and tires around 300. Check out the Rickson site for more details.



-Scott

 

[PLaFrombois]

I'm thinking about getting a new truck and have thought about putting on the Rickson's after the stocks wear out. If I'm doing a lot of towing, would I be better off getting 4. 10's or the 3. 73 gears?

Paul

 

[SRadke]

You're getting into an area of much dispute with gear ratios. Everyone has an opinion and there is no right answer. I prefer higher gears so I can do my towing in direct reather than overdrive. It's a lot tougher gear and puts less heat in the transmission. I also like to have a high gear to keep my RPM's down while cruising down the highway.



Some people prefer low ratios so their gears are closer together. This is a strong arguement but with a six speed or automatic it becomes less important. I figure if I have to shift down for a hill, I must need more power.



-Scott

 

[COBRAJET]

I just got back after 900 miles of driving today... had a copilot. The tires and wheels are great. The cruise was set at 2K RPM... about 73mph 95% of the way. I averaged 17. 4 over the trip. About . 5 mpg better than the average I usually get on this trip without the shell and tools. The original Goodyears made it to 52. 5K with two rotations. There is enough tread left on them to reinstall when it is time to get rid of this truck.



I chose the Michelin XDE's... they were M/S rated and one of the taller 245's at 33. 8 inches. They also had the deepest tread. The ride seems the same most of the time. However, on choppy sections of road it is noticeably harsher... but tolerable. I would have preferred "F" rated tires over the "H's", but they were on a national backorder. I was also running without the Glastite cap and 600-700lbs so this likely is a contibuting factor. The tire pressure can likely be lowered a little. It was at 90 all the way around. I need to look into safe tire pressures on these tires for the weights I usually haul... . anybody know of a source for that info



The combo I chose is around $500. 00 for the wheel and tire with a little more going to the tire. The trim rings were around $100. 00 bucks and shipping was close to $175. 00 for a total around $3400. 00.



I like the extra tire capacity on the front. I will own the truck up to 300K or so and felt I would break even over the life of the truck. I will remount the stock ones when it is time to sell and keep the Ricksons for the next Cummins or sell them to one of you "fine" gentlemen.



My truck has 3. 73's. With the 6 speed I am not a 4. 10 fan. The two gear sets are so close it seems a little silly to even offer the two. I wish a 3. 55 was still available.



The wheels were ordered the last week of October. They were delayed a little due to the SEMA show. They are 6. 75 inch steel, not the highly sought after aluminum... . CJ

 

[geusterman]

I run 60 front and 80lbs rear on my 245's and they are wearing fine. Call Rickson for any other opinion. geusterman