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Weld Cheyenne 8 wheels (pics)
- Thread starter BCrane
- Start Date
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Very nice looking wheels.
I see a Graphite 3500 SRW LB around Los Lunas NM with the same (or very similar) wheels every day on my way to and from work (we must be on the same schedule only opposite direction!) and it always catches my eyes.
Saving my money for other bombs, though.
Juast sign me:
Plain old chrome wheelskins (and loving it!)
Juan
I see a Graphite 3500 SRW LB around Los Lunas NM with the same (or very similar) wheels every day on my way to and from work (we must be on the same schedule only opposite direction!) and it always catches my eyes.
Saving my money for other bombs, though.
Juast sign me:
Plain old chrome wheelskins (and loving it!)
Juan
That thing gotta lift, it looks a lot bigger than my truck w/ 315's and a spacer?
Those wheels look sweet on that truck. . Im resisting the urge to lift my truck now.....
Scott
Scott
BCrane,
If you didn't get them through T-Rex, I'd be curious where you got them and if the price was comparable to that offered by T-Rex. I think T-Rex was offering them to TDR members at $425 or there abouts.
Thanks
Chris
If you didn't get them through T-Rex, I'd be curious where you got them and if the price was comparable to that offered by T-Rex. I think T-Rex was offering them to TDR members at $425 or there abouts.
Thanks
Chris
It was my understanding that the T-Rex Cheyenne 8's with the special backspacing is only available in 18x8. 5 and are hub-centric (meaning a center cap would not fit as the inner part of the wheel rests directly on the hub). Regular Cheyenne 8's are available everywhere in 17" sizes with less backspacing than the T-Rex version.
TShaver,
You are correct about the specs of the t-rex wheel. I'm curious if the wheels in the picture are 17" or 18". They look like 17s, but it might just be the picture.
You are correct about the specs of the t-rex wheel. I'm curious if the wheels in the picture are 17" or 18". They look like 17s, but it might just be the picture.
hmmmmm. I see that there are some misconceptions about our wheels. There is even some implication that we aren't the only ones selling our wheel. 
Let me explain a couple of things. T. Rex Engineering doesn't B. S. people. We never have and never will. We don't advertise falsely. There are no "salesmen" around here using canned or hyped up verbiage to coerce people into spending their money on our products. We make good stuff and sell it by explaining how it works. We don't have a staff of clever marketing guys coming up with tricky or misleading slogans, nor do we follow normal methods of advertising. Our salesmen are our products and our marketing agents are our customers.
This is what our website says about our wheel, "Designed and built specifically for the high positive offset 2003-2004 Dodge Rams. THIS IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY AFTERMARKET WHEEL THAT WILL FIT CORRECTLY ON THESE TRUCKS"
If there is some uncertainty about the meaning of the word "correctly," an adverb we use to describe the application of the Weld wheel _we_ designed, the Weld wheel that only _ we_ sell, please allow me to clear that up.
It is possible to go to your local tire guy and purchase a Weld Cheyenne 8 that can be attached to your Dodge Ram. These wheels have an 8x6. 5 lug pattern and will _work_ - meaning they can be bolted to your trucks. This wheel is available in a 17x8. 5, 18x8. 5 or 20x8. 5. This is a "universal" wheel made to fit a variety of vehicles. It comes in a +10 mm offset which equates to a 5. 14" backspace. Center Bore is 4. 93" Weld part numbers are 408-785952 for the 17", 408-885952 for the 18" and 408-085952 for the 20". For those seeking maximum glamor, there is even a 22x9. 5" Cheyenne 8 that will _fit_ your Dodge truck - p. n. 408-295953. Prices range from $525 to $990 per wheel. These wheels are high quality Weld product and represent the best that the industry has to offer. We will sell any of these wheels to TDR members at discounted prices.
No matter which of these wheels you choose, they will situate your tires _well_ outside of the fenderwells. The wider the tire, the more they will hang out. The added leverage will contribute to premature wheel bearing wear and possible failure, bump-steer, brake steer, premature steering linkage wear and ball-joint fatigue. Every time you accelerate over loose terrain, you will throw that terrain onto your rocker panels and the rest of your truck. With moderate lifts of 2. 5-3," due to caster, camber and toe changes during the function of steering, your tires may rub in various places - especially the rear corners of the front fenderwells. If you like these characteristics, then "correct" means that if the wheel can be attached to your truck or that a certain aesthetic is being achieved, then it's "correct. " That's fine. We're all about freedom to choose whatever you want. It don't make no nevermind to us...
We simply have a different standard for the word, "correct. " This standard is reflected in the design of our wheel.
Q: So how does the T. Rex wheel differ from the wheels mentioned above?
A: Our wheels are designed specifically to replace the OE wheels on on the 2003-2004 Rams. The OE cast wheel is 17x8 , has a +40mm offset, a 6. 1" backspace, and a 4. 77" centerbore. Our wheel is 18x8. 5 has a +45mm offset, a 6. 25" backspace and a 4. 77" centerbore. Our wheel positions stress points over exactly the same geometric locations that the OE wheel does.
This is what we mean by "correct. "
Q: What is hubcentricity and why is it important?
A: A hubcentric wheel centers the wheel on the surface of the axle hub. Although the wheel is ultimately retained by the combined clamping force of the lug nuts, having zero tolerance between the wheel and hub facilitates proper alignment and balance, increases the load bearing area (especially on the vertical plane) and multiplies strength. The OE wheel is designed this way for a reason. We're following that lead.
Q: If the wheel is hubcentric, how does the centercap work?
A: The centercap does not fit sloppily behind the wheel like other brands. A goove is machined into the inside edge of the centerbore of the wheel. The centercap snaps into that groove.
Q: Why is the T. Rex wheel 18" in diameter?
A: When people modify suspension, they often want to go up in tire size. Little O. E. tires and wheels look lonely in the big Dodge fenderwells. Advantages to larger tires are increased true ground clearance and improved absorption of initial impacts. To maintain or improve handling characteristics when jumping to a larger diameter tire, aspect ratio needs to be controlled. Tire sidewalls flex and forged aluminum wheels don't. This limits lateral roll during hard cornering or evasive maneuvering and tire squirm during hard or emergency braking. Another advantage of the 18" diameter is that when you hit something hard enough to bend one of these wheels (and because they are forged and not cast, they _will_ bend instead of cracking or shattering) you can keep rolling because the bent wheel will still clear the brake caliper. Look at the clearance between a 17" wheel and the calipers on an 03-04 Ram. It's really tight - off the top of my head I would say it's less than 1/4. " Not enough to make me comfortable on a true off-road vehicle that will be run with cold tire pressures of 30-40 psi. During the Baja 500 we hit something so hard we bent the lower driver's side control arm and the inboard part of the wheel rim. We did not flat the tire, so we didn't even stop. We just kept rolling. There was still at least 1/8" clearance between the caliper and wheel. I'll post pictures about why this is so important.
Q: Why is the T. Rex wheel rim 8. 5" wide?
A: Our design theory is to seek performance over aesthetics and value over hype. Our suspension systems permit increased wheel travel while retaining a low center of gravity. 9. 5" or 10" wide wheels require negative offsets and "lift kits" to provide enough clearance to prevent body rub. We don't sell cosmetic "lift kits" because they don't offer any valid performance improvements over stock. We designed a wheel that would work with our suspension systems, not a non-functional suspension system to provide clearance for a certain wheel.
Q: Why did T. Rex choose the "Cheyenne 8" style:
A: Aside from its good looks, we chose the "Cheyenne 8" pattern because eight spokes radiating from each lug is an inherently strong design. During thousands of miles of prerunning and racing in Baja, we still haven't been able to break or impede the function of these wheels. We have bent them, but they have never _failed_.
Our wheel is only available through us. You can't even buy it from Weld. Call them and they'll tell you - 1. 800. 669. 9353. Our wheel does not appear in the 2004 Weld Racing catalog because it's not available through Weld - or the tire shop down the street.
The Automotive Aftermarket has historically been very unfriendly to Dodge owners. Dodge trucks have weird, uncommon dimensions that are difficult to work with and defy logic. To most manufacturers, there's just not enough market share to warrant the time, expense and risk of making correct products for these trucks, so Dodge owners have always been relegated to substandard, "universal" product applications. It took us over a year and no small amount of effort checking clearances, machining prototypes, trying different rubber, and shipping product back and forth to Weld. We had to buy 200 of these wheels to get Weld to produce them for us. In return Weld promised to give us the exclusive right to sell them. T. Rex has stepped up to the plate because we feel that there is growing loyalty to Dodge and to T. Rex and that this is a worthwhile product and a worthwhile vehicle in which to invest our energy. T. Rex has faith in Weld. Weld has faith in T. Rex. Both companies believe in Dodge.
Not everyone knows what they're talking about, so please think twice when some unknown agent speaks authoritatively about a product that fits "correctly" on your Dodge Ram.
He may not share your understanding of the word "correct. "
Cheers,
Kent Kroeker
T. Rex
Let me explain a couple of things. T. Rex Engineering doesn't B. S. people. We never have and never will. We don't advertise falsely. There are no "salesmen" around here using canned or hyped up verbiage to coerce people into spending their money on our products. We make good stuff and sell it by explaining how it works. We don't have a staff of clever marketing guys coming up with tricky or misleading slogans, nor do we follow normal methods of advertising. Our salesmen are our products and our marketing agents are our customers.
This is what our website says about our wheel, "Designed and built specifically for the high positive offset 2003-2004 Dodge Rams. THIS IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY AFTERMARKET WHEEL THAT WILL FIT CORRECTLY ON THESE TRUCKS"
If there is some uncertainty about the meaning of the word "correctly," an adverb we use to describe the application of the Weld wheel _we_ designed, the Weld wheel that only _ we_ sell, please allow me to clear that up.
It is possible to go to your local tire guy and purchase a Weld Cheyenne 8 that can be attached to your Dodge Ram. These wheels have an 8x6. 5 lug pattern and will _work_ - meaning they can be bolted to your trucks. This wheel is available in a 17x8. 5, 18x8. 5 or 20x8. 5. This is a "universal" wheel made to fit a variety of vehicles. It comes in a +10 mm offset which equates to a 5. 14" backspace. Center Bore is 4. 93" Weld part numbers are 408-785952 for the 17", 408-885952 for the 18" and 408-085952 for the 20". For those seeking maximum glamor, there is even a 22x9. 5" Cheyenne 8 that will _fit_ your Dodge truck - p. n. 408-295953. Prices range from $525 to $990 per wheel. These wheels are high quality Weld product and represent the best that the industry has to offer. We will sell any of these wheels to TDR members at discounted prices.
No matter which of these wheels you choose, they will situate your tires _well_ outside of the fenderwells. The wider the tire, the more they will hang out. The added leverage will contribute to premature wheel bearing wear and possible failure, bump-steer, brake steer, premature steering linkage wear and ball-joint fatigue. Every time you accelerate over loose terrain, you will throw that terrain onto your rocker panels and the rest of your truck. With moderate lifts of 2. 5-3," due to caster, camber and toe changes during the function of steering, your tires may rub in various places - especially the rear corners of the front fenderwells. If you like these characteristics, then "correct" means that if the wheel can be attached to your truck or that a certain aesthetic is being achieved, then it's "correct. " That's fine. We're all about freedom to choose whatever you want. It don't make no nevermind to us...
We simply have a different standard for the word, "correct. " This standard is reflected in the design of our wheel.
Q: So how does the T. Rex wheel differ from the wheels mentioned above?
A: Our wheels are designed specifically to replace the OE wheels on on the 2003-2004 Rams. The OE cast wheel is 17x8 , has a +40mm offset, a 6. 1" backspace, and a 4. 77" centerbore. Our wheel is 18x8. 5 has a +45mm offset, a 6. 25" backspace and a 4. 77" centerbore. Our wheel positions stress points over exactly the same geometric locations that the OE wheel does.
This is what we mean by "correct. "
Q: What is hubcentricity and why is it important?
A: A hubcentric wheel centers the wheel on the surface of the axle hub. Although the wheel is ultimately retained by the combined clamping force of the lug nuts, having zero tolerance between the wheel and hub facilitates proper alignment and balance, increases the load bearing area (especially on the vertical plane) and multiplies strength. The OE wheel is designed this way for a reason. We're following that lead.
Q: If the wheel is hubcentric, how does the centercap work?
A: The centercap does not fit sloppily behind the wheel like other brands. A goove is machined into the inside edge of the centerbore of the wheel. The centercap snaps into that groove.
Q: Why is the T. Rex wheel 18" in diameter?
A: When people modify suspension, they often want to go up in tire size. Little O. E. tires and wheels look lonely in the big Dodge fenderwells. Advantages to larger tires are increased true ground clearance and improved absorption of initial impacts. To maintain or improve handling characteristics when jumping to a larger diameter tire, aspect ratio needs to be controlled. Tire sidewalls flex and forged aluminum wheels don't. This limits lateral roll during hard cornering or evasive maneuvering and tire squirm during hard or emergency braking. Another advantage of the 18" diameter is that when you hit something hard enough to bend one of these wheels (and because they are forged and not cast, they _will_ bend instead of cracking or shattering) you can keep rolling because the bent wheel will still clear the brake caliper. Look at the clearance between a 17" wheel and the calipers on an 03-04 Ram. It's really tight - off the top of my head I would say it's less than 1/4. " Not enough to make me comfortable on a true off-road vehicle that will be run with cold tire pressures of 30-40 psi. During the Baja 500 we hit something so hard we bent the lower driver's side control arm and the inboard part of the wheel rim. We did not flat the tire, so we didn't even stop. We just kept rolling. There was still at least 1/8" clearance between the caliper and wheel. I'll post pictures about why this is so important.
Q: Why is the T. Rex wheel rim 8. 5" wide?
A: Our design theory is to seek performance over aesthetics and value over hype. Our suspension systems permit increased wheel travel while retaining a low center of gravity. 9. 5" or 10" wide wheels require negative offsets and "lift kits" to provide enough clearance to prevent body rub. We don't sell cosmetic "lift kits" because they don't offer any valid performance improvements over stock. We designed a wheel that would work with our suspension systems, not a non-functional suspension system to provide clearance for a certain wheel.
Q: Why did T. Rex choose the "Cheyenne 8" style:
A: Aside from its good looks, we chose the "Cheyenne 8" pattern because eight spokes radiating from each lug is an inherently strong design. During thousands of miles of prerunning and racing in Baja, we still haven't been able to break or impede the function of these wheels. We have bent them, but they have never _failed_.
Our wheel is only available through us. You can't even buy it from Weld. Call them and they'll tell you - 1. 800. 669. 9353. Our wheel does not appear in the 2004 Weld Racing catalog because it's not available through Weld - or the tire shop down the street.
The Automotive Aftermarket has historically been very unfriendly to Dodge owners. Dodge trucks have weird, uncommon dimensions that are difficult to work with and defy logic. To most manufacturers, there's just not enough market share to warrant the time, expense and risk of making correct products for these trucks, so Dodge owners have always been relegated to substandard, "universal" product applications. It took us over a year and no small amount of effort checking clearances, machining prototypes, trying different rubber, and shipping product back and forth to Weld. We had to buy 200 of these wheels to get Weld to produce them for us. In return Weld promised to give us the exclusive right to sell them. T. Rex has stepped up to the plate because we feel that there is growing loyalty to Dodge and to T. Rex and that this is a worthwhile product and a worthwhile vehicle in which to invest our energy. T. Rex has faith in Weld. Weld has faith in T. Rex. Both companies believe in Dodge.
Not everyone knows what they're talking about, so please think twice when some unknown agent speaks authoritatively about a product that fits "correctly" on your Dodge Ram.
He may not share your understanding of the word "correct. "
Cheers,
Kent Kroeker
T. Rex
everybody no they are not the t-rex wheels, just regular 17x8. 5 cheyennes.
Kudoes Kent K.
That is the very first explanation of wheel geometry and function that I have ever seen in my 62 years.
I commend you for taking the editorial time to make it perfect and "correct". I am filing this piece in my document book.
Thanks again,
John
That is the very first explanation of wheel geometry and function that I have ever seen in my 62 years.
I commend you for taking the editorial time to make it perfect and "correct". I am filing this piece in my document book.
Thanks again,
John
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
