Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Dodge Wheels on the Front
| Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81453] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 10:46  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Okay Guys,
I did something unusual. Not unique. Not revolutionary. Not even new. Just different.
Background: Before I even bought my coach, I did some research into the traction issues these GMCs have. One of the reasons I wanted a Motorhome was for my annual trip to Southeastern California's Imperial Sand Dunes. To get to our preferred camping area, we have to negotiate a sandy, loose,gravel road. This has not really been much of a problem, but I can't go as far back the road as I used to and have to be really careful to not get into the really soft stuff. Add to this the fact that I am towing a trailer with a Jeep on it with a total weight of about 3,800 pounds. I have consistently gotten stuck when I have pulled off the road into the dirt campsite.
I talked to, and e-mailed various people and found out that some have run wider tires on the front (Jim B. on Larry for instance), so I knew it was possible. I also saw, on The photo site, a coach with 16" X 8" Dodge truck wheels all the way around:
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=8352&cat=3731>
It just so happened that Dan G. was parked a few coaches from that coach at GMCMI-Dothan. I asked Dan to ask the owner about them and he said they worked well, so I kept a look out for a set of them on Craig's List. In very short order, I found a set that were in very good condition for a fair price, bought them and split the set with another GMCer.
After doing extensive research, I narrowed down my choices of tires using the following criteria:
As low profile as I could find (closest to the 225/75R16)
Would have to fit on an 8" rim
Relatively wide tread
Able to handle the weight.
Here is what I found:
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33298&title=dodge-front-wheels&cat=3>
There are five photos.
Here are the specs on the tires:
<http://www.jackfurriers.com/productdetail.htm?productId=10693050&catalogId=321&width=255&height=70&diameter=16>
I just put the wheels on the coach last night and took the pics this morning, so I haven't had a chance to drive it yet. I'm confident it will improve the overall handling characteristics of the coach and provide more traction in the loose stuff. My next mod will be to install one of Jim K's 3.70 posi final drives.
I'll let you know the results as soon as I'm able to get it out on the road and go for a test drive.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81454 is a reply to message #81453] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 10:57  |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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I'm interested in hearing about how they work out. I want to do something similar since I don't really like the look or the price of the dually wheels.
As an aside, to go farther into the dunes, have you considered towing the trailer the rest of the way with the Jeep?
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81458 is a reply to message #81454] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 11:30 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I usually wait until I'm in trouble, then unload the Jeep and tug the motorhome out with it. Once the motorhome gets some momentum, it will usually keep going. It only takes a little bit of a tug to get it moving again, especially with most of the weight off the trailer. I'm thinking, with these All Terrains, I could let the air pressure down somewhat and get even better traction.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81484 is a reply to message #81473] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 15:37 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Yeah, those are the same ones. I didn't pay that much for them and got them locally, so no shipping cost. I had to drive across town though, about $3.00 in gas! 
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81528 is a reply to message #81521] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 20:44 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Yes Rob. The front track now matches the rear track almost exactly, 89-1/2" + or - 1/4" outside to outside.
Although that was not my primary objective, but the combination of a 2" wider wheel, plus the shallower back-spacing, made it work out almost perfectly.
And, yes, the rims are from a 3/4 ton 4WD (2500 series). But I have seen identical (looking) wheels on a 1 ton (3500 series) single rear wheel Dodge. I guess I'm making an assumption that they are the same part number.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81530 is a reply to message #81528] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 20:51 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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As a P.S. to this whole story, I was advised to make sure my front end was in tip top condition so it would handle the different offset. Right before Pueblo, I rebuilt the front end from the control arms out, with new urethane bushings, ball joints (thank you Steve), and hubs, bearings and knuckles (thank you Dave). The wheels are lug centered and I will be checking the torque on them frequently until I am satisfied that they will not loosen.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81536 is a reply to message #81453] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 21:24 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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The way it should have looked OEM. The 8" is great looking on there and 2" wider than stock. Though the outboad track is now wider I'll bet the inside edge of the tires is about the same distance from the centerline of the coach, so in theory this would put less stress on the FE and bearings than adding spacers that brought the entire stock tire footprint outboard.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81553 is a reply to message #81453] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 23:16 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Hmmm... I like the Hummer H2 wheels that have the same bolt pattern, only problem is they are usually 17" so less sidewall may make for a harder ride. Anyone try 17's?
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81554 is a reply to message #81553] |
Fri, 23 April 2010 00:41 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Chr$ wrote on Thu, 22 April 2010 21:16 |
Hmmm... I like the Hummer H2 wheels that have the same bolt pattern, only problem is they are usually 17" so less sidewall may make for a harder ride. Anyone try 17's?
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If you are willing to use lug centered wheels, your options on wheels widen considerably. Ford, Dodge, GM... 16, 17, 18 inch... 6, 8, 12 inches wide... take your pick, it has always been the pilot hole size that limited the wheel selection.
BUT...
While I understand how the "mag wheel" style lugs of the non-hub centered Eagles sold by Jim K will work, I am not as sure about the cone style lug nuts used by many wheels.
Make sure whatever you install can handle the weight.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81558 is a reply to message #81528] |
Fri, 23 April 2010 01:35 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Carl,
As we say Downunder; "that's Magic!"
Now all we need to do is find the same wheel with a 6" wide rim and the same
offset as the Alcoa or Eagle wheels for the rear!
I just looked at all your pictures again and noted that you had already
noted that info in the head on picture, sorry to have bothered you.
Are there any clues as to the manufacturer?
I blew up the picture to see if I could tell from the hub cap but that
didn't help as it is Dodge Ram.
I would be interesting to know the ID between the wheels to compare with a
coach with Alcoa wheels to compare the centerline of the tires.
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Carl Stouffer
Sent: Friday, 23 April 2010 11:44 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front
Yes Rob. The front track now matches the rear track almost exactly, 89-1/2"
+ or - 1/4" outside to outside.
Although that was not my primary objective, but the combination of a 2"
wider wheel, plus the shallower back-spacing, made it work out almost
perfectly.
And, yes, the rims are from a 3/4 ton 4WD (2500 series). But I have seen
identical (looking) wheels on a 1 ton (3500 series) single rear wheel Dodge.
I guess I'm making an assumption that they are the same part number.
--
Carl S.
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
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GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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GMCnet mailing list
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81632 is a reply to message #81558] |
Fri, 23 April 2010 11:25 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Rob,
I'm generally a "function over form" guy, but I think a set of Alcoa Hot Shots, although they wouldn't be a perfect match, would look good on the rear. Maybe Jim K will expand his selection of Eagles to include a similar design at some point.
The wheels have a Chrysler part number on them, but no other identifying feature that would lead to a manufacturer (other than Chrysler):
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=8358&cat=3731>
I can take some further measurements this weekend, but since the front outside dimension is about the same as the back, and the tires are one and one half to two inches wider than the back tires, I would surmise that the inside to inside dimension between the front tires is about three to four inches narrower than the back tires.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81671 is a reply to message #81453] |
Fri, 23 April 2010 17:27 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Anyone try using lug centered wheels with the adapter rings for the hub? I had no luck getting a set to fit my Ford Explorer and the wheels I was using. The OEM of the rims (VOXX) sent every size they had to discount tire and nothing worked.
I have Cobra Look a-likes on it now. Mustang's and Explorers use the same hub.
I'm a bit leery about going through all of that crap again, but I really would rather use a different offset rim than a wheel spacer at the front.
Alcoa makes a non-dually LTS wheel that matches the Dually ones. I'm leaning towards doing something like that for the coach.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81690 is a reply to message #81682] |
Fri, 23 April 2010 19:08 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
I'm about as far from Reading, PA as you can get but - these wheels don't
look like the ones that Carl fitted:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=8355
They look like they're dished inwards to me?
http://tinyurl.com/2coay2d
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&item=1903896
78607&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.
m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D190389678607%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&vi
ewitem=
Or is that an optical contusion?
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Larry
Sent: Saturday, 24 April 2010 9:37 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Dodge Wheels on the Front
Anyone in Reading, Pennsylvania, area? Check these on eBay
#190389678607
--
Larry :)
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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