Y2K aluminum wheels

[Archive]

Someone told me that the forged aluminum 8" wide wheels from the new 2000's won't fit any earlier models because DC made changes to the front steering/suspension to clear the wider wheels and they'll hit the steering/suspension on the older models.
The local Dodge parts guy says he's sure the 2000 wheels will fit the older trucks.

Anyone know anything about this?

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1995 Ram 2500 Reg. Cab 2WD, SLT, Red/Silver, 4. 10 gear, A/T, 100% stock, under 50K orig. miles

 

[Archive]

This is a really good question.

Does anybody know the backspacing on the new 16x8" wheels? I have 16x8" wheels on my '98 with 4-5/8" backspacing, but I'd have to look at it to see how close they are to the steering components. It wouldn't surprise me if the new 16x8" wheels are backspaced over 5". If so, they might be a problem.

Unfortunately, I can't look at my truck until Saturday since it's parked at the airport and I'm in CA... .....

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Mike B.
Masters Candidate in BOMBology

'98 RAM 2500 4x4 CC LWB Auto 12v 4. 10s Intense Blue, Sport, TST Power Kit, TCS Converter, TransGo
Diesel Shift Kit, M/T 16x8 Classics, BFG AT LT295/75R16, PIAA 90 Pro, ISSPRO Boost,Pyro,Trans Temp

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me a JRE Death Plate"

http://www.geocities.com/baja/cliffs/2182/dodge1.html

 

[Archive]

Hey Cap,funny you should ask...
That "someone" was pretty much right... They won't simply fit on the earlier models. I bought a set of wheels for my '99 and test fitted them to see what hit. It seems Dodge designed the wheel,then made mods to the '00 afterwards so the truck would fit the wheel. On the front,the wheel hits the the steering knuckle and quite a bit of grinding has to be done so it will seat up to the hub. I already finished that part. The second snafu I came across is the rear... The '99-older models have drums that are way too big for the rim to slip over. Now I have two choices: Buy a new set of drums(at $120ea),or turn the outer part of the original drum on a lathe,about 3/16-1/4in. I haven't decided what to do yet,but I may just turn the drums myself. I don't know the backspacing off hand... I left the wheels stored at work for now. It's a BOMB project in itself! I think it would just be easier to just buy an aftermarket wheel!

-Mike

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99 QC2500 4x4, 5spd, LWB,
LSD, 3. 54, Amethyst, Agate, SLT, Fogs, Camper, Trailer, Slider, Midland CB, 2wd-low,
Smittybilt bars, Y2k alloys, Straight pipe 3", 6-disc Clarion changer, No silencer ring, Sill guards, Tailgate marker lights, and a big chrome foot gas pedal!

Mike Ramos Disciple of BOMB
"RATTLE & HUM"

 

[Archive]

So will rear drums from the Y2K fit on the pre 99 trucks?

 

[Archive]

There goes the idea for putting those wheels on my truck. Ill have to find a good A/M wheel now.

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1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

[Archive]

Last time I checked the Dodge page, the 99 forged wheels were 16x7 not 16x8. Or did they change them already for 2000?
I was hoping to put a set on my 97 (16x6. 5 stock).

 

[Archive]

Zeeew,
I'm pretty sure the '00 drum would fit. The brake shoe size is listed the same last I remember. I would like to try a '00 drum,but I would have to order one in and I'll have to see if the dealer would take it back if it doesn't work.

adiabatic,
The 99's don't have a forged wheel. Dodge has been using the same 16x6. 5 chrome SLT wheel from 94-99. The 2000 model is the one that now has the 16x8 forged aluminum wheel.

I've already got the front of my 99 modified
and I'm determined to finish this mod,so I'll keep you posted.

-Mike


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99 QC2500 4x4, 5spd, LWB,
LSD, 3. 54, Amethyst, Agate, SLT, Fogs, Camper, Trailer, Slider, Midland CB, 2wd-low,
Smittybilt bars, Y2k alloys, Straight pipe 3", 6-disc Clarion changer, No silencer ring, Sill guards, Tailgate marker lights, and a big chrome foot gas pedal!

Mike Ramos Disciple of BOMB
"RATTLE & HUM"

 

[Archive]

The 2000 wheels won't fit.

This is what I've been told but I really don't know what it means -- I need to be shown with pictures:

Y2K wheels have a backspacing of zero, pre-Y2K wheels have a backspacing of one (no, I don't know what that means in inches). It's obvious the backspacing was reduced since they still have good clearance between the 235s on duals.
[ edit: Based on what Mike says below maybe what they should have told me was it moved from MINUS one to zero? ]

The front spindle had to be narrowed on Y2K trucks so it wouldn't strike the zero backspaced wheel.


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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 4" Exhaust elbow down, PowerMax1, dang near everything else
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com



[This message has been edited by Mark Kitchell (edited 12-17-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Let me clarify a few things here.

Backspacing is the distance from the wheel's inside mounting surface to the outer edge of the rim. The higher the number (measured in inches), the more chance the wheel will come in contact with brakes and steering components.

Offset is the distance the mounting flange is from the imaginary center line of the wheel. It is also measured in inches and can be positive or negative depending on whether the flange is on the left or right side of the imaginary center line. Dually wheels have big offsets and huge backspacing (relative to the width of the wheel) because the mounting flange is outside the edge of the wheel.

Since DC went to an 8" wheel from a 6. 5", it's likely they increased the backspacing at least an inch to keep the wheel/tire from sticking out past the fender (which is illegal in some states). If this is the case, the wheel needs at least an inch MORE clearance on the inside. I seem to recall that my 16x8" wheels are REAL! close to touching things now with 4-5/8" backspacing. Add another inch of backspacing and they'd surely have problems.



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Mike B.
Masters Candidate in BOMBology

'98 RAM 2500 4x4 CC LWB Auto 12v 4. 10s Intense Blue, Sport, TST Power Kit, TCS Converter, TransGo
Diesel Shift Kit, M/T 16x8 Classics, BFG AT LT295/75R16, PIAA 90 Pro, ISSPRO Boost,Pyro,Trans Temp

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me a JRE Death Plate"

http://www.geocities.com/baja/cliffs/2182/dodge1.html

 

[Archive]

Will these wheels fit on the old body style Dodges. I would like to have a set for my 89 D250. Will they work??

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1989 D 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust, still looking for more power
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbed definitely in need of MORE POWER!!