2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wheel offset

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Need a little information! Just turned over 150,000 miles on my Michelin 215's. I will need some new tires pretty soon. A set of Michelin 215's cost about $1055 and a set of 235 Michelins cost about $750 so I am thinking about the larger but cheaper tire. A friend just put 235's on his 97 cab&chassis but he has about half the gap between the duals that the stock tires had. We checked at the dealer and found that the 2000 and newer 3500 wheels are different and have more offset. Dodge wants $153 a wheel and aftermarket about $70. I have thought about a spacer plate between the wheels to get the gap back, but I'm wondering if that would put too much strain on the lugs? Also does anyone know if an older Dodge or Ford wheel with the proper offset would fit? One last thing, in actuality how much "seat of the pants" power loss would I get from the bigger tires. I have an auto with 3:54 gears and haul some heavy loads on my flatbed.

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1997 3500 club cab, 10' flatbed, auto, 3:54,dual Firestone air bags, 224,000 miles+

 

[Archive]

Mike. . check out michlen XPS in the 235 size. . available in both traction and highway... they are a very ruggid commercial tire. .
steel sidewall much heaver duty than the other mich... they don't have the sidewall crush or flex that gives you worry about the air gap. . little extra $$ but well worth it in miles

my factory tires lasted 20k. . the XPS are at 60k and still have a few more left. . My driving is heavy mountain twisties that grind off the rubber, and I drive it like a slot car. . so to me well worth the $$
just one mans opinion

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OL' # 1 [now deceased] 98 24v 5sp Qcab 4x4 3500 4. 10, SLT em. grn. , alum. rims235/85/16's. .
Scotty system. . DDIII's & 4 wire box,McLeod Dual Disk,pacbrake,Isspro ga. Rancho 9000's soon 4"exhust,HX40cm2...

NRA

 

[Archive]

MikeJ, I don't think there would be much of the seat of the pants decrease in performance with the larger tires. I think the only difference might be an extra downshift or two when hauling a load up a grade. Not really sure about your other questions. I don't think a spacer plate would put any more stress on the lugs than a stock wheel, it's just there to get the depth correct.

 

[Archive]

FYI THE CENTER HOLE IN THE RIM MOUNTS OVER THE HUB AND CENTERS THE WHEEL, IT ALSO
CARRIES THE LOAD. THE LUG NUTS ONLY HOLD THE WHEEL ONTO THE HUB REDUCING LOAD ON THE AXLE STUDS. FORD HAS A LARGER CENTER MOUNTING AREA AND GM SMALLER SIZE. DODGE IS IN BETWEEN, IF YOUR WHEELS USE CONE TYPE LUG NUTS THAY ARE STUD CENTERED.

 

[Archive]

Mikej
I carry a 4000# slidein truckcamper, and I tow a jeep on a trailor. Tongue wt. 500#.
I put Prospector A/T 235's (made by Michelin) on my 96 3500 Dodge, and they work fine. Plenty of clearance.
I started with 70# air, and had about 3/4" between sidewalls. Dropped air to 60# for better ride and better footprint. Have about 1/2 sidewall clearance.
From Oh. to Ut. and back at speeds ranging from 60 to 80 mph, for extended nonstop driving(4 to 6 hrs. )I had no problems.
I chose A/T because of our Oh. winters, but Prospector also makes a street tread.
Also, my speedometer was always about 2+1/2 mph fast. The 235's brought my speedometer to within 1/2 mph.

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96 3500 ext. cab 4x4 auto. tst 230/605 kit. haul 11. 5 slidein camper, and tow cj7 on trailor. gross wt. 16000+lbs.

 

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Mikej
price for 5 tires mounted, balanced, installed less than 800$

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96 3500 ext. cab 4x4 auto. tst 230/605 kit. haul 11. 5 slidein camper, and tow cj7 on trailor. gross wt. 16000+lbs.

 

[Archive]

MikeJ
Sorry about price of tires. I should have said 7 tires for less than 800$
Also, these Prospector tires are made by Michelin, but are not a Michelin model.

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96 3500 ext. cab 4x4 auto. tst 230/605 kit. haul 11. 5 slidein camper, and tow cj7 on trailor. gross wt. 16000+lbs.

 

[Archive]

Thanks everyone for the information.
I didn't really think about the center hole carrying the load so I think I might try the bigger 235's and use my stock wheels and a spacer. I have grossed 16,860 on my truck alone and definitely do not want any tire rub. I will also probably use the XPS Rib tire. Just hope it has the wearability that my old tires have.
Thanks again

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1997 3500 club cab, 10' flatbed, auto, 3:54,dual Firestone air bags, 224,000 miles+

 

[Archive]

As said earlier the hub carries the weight not the stud. I think the spacer will work. I hope so 'cuz that's the route I am planning when my rubber wheres out. I think you could run into a problem with the spacer and aluminum wheels though. The aluminum wheel is much thicker than the steel and you will run out of stud length. As a general rule of thumb you should have about 5-6 or more threads sticking out of any bolt / stud when the nut is fastened down. The 235 will not hurt your power. I'm actually thinking P255/85R16's when I need rubber. Kind of a "cheap" overdrive if you will.

 

[RJ2]

I am in need of tires and was wondering if there are

any updates to increasing from a 215 to a 235 on a 97

3500?