2000 Ram change from 16" wheel to 18"?

[zzyzxpat]

I am looking to see if anyone has changed up their 16" wheels to either 17" or 18", whichever can handle more weight. Having read posts on going to 19.5", I don't think I want to go there. Something that would handle 3800-3900 lbs should work I think. If you have done this, could you suggest a wheel vendor and what tires did you go with. Thank you for your time. Pat

[burningman]

I have two duallies, one has Alcoa wheels and the other has a set of look-alikes on it.
One day not long ago while polishing the look-alikes I noticed they had a fairly low weight rating.
I’ve forgotten what it was but it was lower than the tires! (235/85/16)
I’ve run that truck way heavy for many years and no issues, but I probably wouldn’t have bought those wheels if I’d thought to check that at the time!
I went and checked the “real” Alcoas (same size) and they had a higher rating, again I don’t recall the number but I do remember it was high enough for the truck loaded heavy.

[billtex]

ajriding wrote:

What are we talking about here? Stock, stamped-out cheap steel rims or after-market alloy?

Stock, stamped out cheap steel wheels are typically rated higher than alum alloy after market wheels.

[ajriding]

I have 17's, up from stock 16's.
Yes, limited tire choices. Go for the 18 so you have way more choice and more chance to find a replacement tire when out on the road traveling.

I have never thought about how much load the wheel can carry on the truck (trailer yes), and never heard of a wheels failing under load. The tire is always the weak link I thought.
What are we talking about here? Stock, stamped-out cheap steel rims or after-market alloy?

[Grit_dog]

Fir those that think that the 33-34" dia tires are low profile on 18-20" rims and they somehow makes them rougher riding or less capable, stop and look at the sidewalk height and then compare it to stock 16-17" size truck tires, for HDs.
You 100% will get better overall performance out of an equal diameter tire on a bigger wheel, except maybe in low psi off road situations and even then, the bigger rim tires air down fine. Plenty of sidewall. Comparing say 285-75-16 to 285-60-20.
The 16s are a marshmallow compared to the 20s especially when stiffness and stability are the preferred trait like for hauling a camper.

Edit sidewall not sidewalk...

[d3500ram]

zzyzxpat wrote:
I am looking to see if anyone has changed up their 16" wheels to either 17" or 18", ...

I would recommend against 17" wheels as an upgrade because the tire selection for increase Load Index is limited for this dimension. I have researched the sheet out of this size for my application as was able to make a Nitto 285/17 with LI126 work for me.

Truck mfrgr's went to 17's for the larger brakes for the clearance required. I learned this when researching the various options and wondered if I could go down to 16's.... the tires were vast, but the wheels would not fit my Dodge. I considered 18's but was able to run the numbers from CAT scale slips to make he Nittos work for my situation.

I have not looked at LI's and ratings for 16's in a long time but IIRC there seemed to be quite a lot of selection. If this is not the case anymore I would look closer at 18's bit in conjunction with higher load capacity tire, make sure to look at the weight capabilities of the wheels... what good is a capable tire if the wheels that host them cannot support it... wheels most likely could be the weakest link even with a qualified tire.

[zzyzxpat]

Thank you all for the great info. Not sure which way I will go but you have given me some great info. I appreciate it very much. I am a transmission builder, almost 35 years, so if I can help with any questions, feel free. Pat

[billtex]

zzyzxpat wrote:
I am looking to see if anyone has changed up their 16" wheels to either 17" or 18", whichever can handle more weight. Having read posts on going to 19.5", I don't think I want to go there. Something that would handle 3800-3900 lbs should work I think. If you have done this, could you suggest a wheel vendor and what tires did you go with. Thank you for your time. Pat

I am running BFG 295 x 75 x 16 129 LI at 3950# ea.

Stick with the 16’s.

[billtex]

zzyzxpat wrote:
I am looking to see if anyone has changed up their 16" wheels to either 17" or 18", whichever can handle more weight. Having read posts on going to 19.5", I don't think I want to go there. Something that would handle 3800-3900 lbs should work I think. If you have done this, could you suggest a wheel vendor and what tires did you go with. Thank you for your time. Pat

I am running BFG 295 x 75 x 16 129 LI at 3950# ea.

Stick with the 16’s.

[Grit_dog]

FireGuard wrote:
Look on Craigslist for a set of wheels and tires from a new Ram.
Numerous brand new sets for $1000 or less. 285/70/18

^This. 100% bolt on. Have done it multiple times. Cheap easy upgrade for an old set of wheels.

[boogie_4wheel]

The 17" are at 3195lb with a couple tires having a 3450lb rating. 18" has higher load rated tires available (I can't remember what the capacity is without googling).

We thought hard about going to a TC, and I was planning on getting stock ram 18" alloys to replace my 17".

[burningman]

Ask that question on Cumminsforum.com.
There’s even a specific “tires and wheels” section.
You’ll get good info specific to your 2000 Dodge there.

[FireGuard]

Look on Craigslist for a set of wheels and tires from a new Ram.
Numerous brand new sets for $1000 or less. 285/70/18

[romore]

I don't like low profile tires on trucks

[twodownzero]

romore wrote:
I don't think you will be happy. It will be like changing your diff gear to a higher ratio (lower numerically) which will kill towing ability.

Tires that are the same height with larger wheels will not affect effective gear ratio.

Op,

18s will carry more weight.