Dodge RAM 1500 wheel/tire size/weight debate

[SteveLNew]

Originally Posted by ECONORAM

Steve, you are right. Now I'm even more disappointed. 16x4=64. Bummer. What's even better (or worse, depending on how you look at it) is the fact I discovered the OEM 20" wheels weigh 36# each if painted (like mine), 37# each if chrome plated. So, even less weight change per wheel. I still may go with some 17s like tvago if I can find a set for less than $110/wheel that don't look like ragged crash survivors...

I hear you there... I have a 2010 and it has the 20" with the chrome plastic cover. Not sure how heavy they are, but it's the price that kills me... I want to go with a 34-35" mud terrain, but I can get a set of 17" or 18" wheels and tires for the price of just the tires alone on a set of 20's.

I've been looking on Craigslist. I may try and sell mine on there before buying a new set somewhere else. I have seen the stock 20" wheels and tires go for $1500 and up. My set only has about 3000 miles on them. They look brand new. I did plasti dip them back a month or two ago, but that stuff peals right off.

Have you found any set that would weigh less than stock set yet?

[ECONORAM]

The only 20s I found lighter than stock were Centerlines. There are some factory 17s that are the hot ticket: 0ZR75TRMAA and 0ZR76TRMAA. 17x8 wheels, 23 pounds each. There are a couple on Ebay... I could always get a set, and install a higher gear in the rear end.

[slowmover]

Anything new?

[ECONORAM]

Nothing new. I've been trying to sell a house for the past five months, move from San Antonio to OKC, and keep myself out of hot water.

Haven't been able to pursue the manual tranny swap yet either (sigh).

I did end up getting some Firestone Destination LE2s to replace the Factory Goodyear Wrangler HPs. Looking back, I should have stayed with another set of Goodyears. The LE2s are 45# each, where the Wrangler HPs were 43# each. Better yet, I just discovered Michelin Premiere LTXs are 37# each. Should have bought a set of those it seems... All are the 275/60R20 size.

[ECONORAM]

I have been musing on this the past few days. It dawned on me that HEMI powered pickups and 4.7L powered pickups share the same 545RFE automatic. And since HEMIs were sold in much greater numbers, I'm guessing the 545RFE is geared for it, not for my 4.7. HEMIs had another 110hp from the factory; I think that may have some impact...but is it enough to notice? Hard to say.
So, I began to muse about getting a little shorter tire next time around, say 275/55R20s--32 inches tall, to potentially put this engine in a better operational rpm range.
All that said, the Firestone LE2s have been good tires. They wear well (53k miles so far), and have good traction, even in rain. I won't get another set because I want something lighter.
Admittedly, 275/55s only change gearing from 3.55 to 3.67, and will raise engine rpm from 1900 to 1964 at 70mph in top gear.
Or, I could take the plunge and get those lighter factory wheels...

[slowmover]

Wheels, not tires if it comes at expense of tire quality. At 215k on my one ton my second replacement set is still new.