Wheel Question for the Ages

[KKtrucking]

I just ordered a new 3500 Duramax/Allison LT. For reasons known only to GM they only offer Steel (gag w/shovel) wheels with CHEAP trim rings on a 1 ton. Tire size is 265/75R/16. I can get 2500hd wheels to replace these CHEAP deals BUT tire size is 245/75R/16 does anyone know if infact the wheel spec's are the same. ie 16x6.5 or 16x7"? Also whats this about cranking the torsion bars? I will put a 8' Fisher on it so some front end mods might be required. I've always bought new pickups but they were.....FORDS time for a change.....stay tuned for a critique.

[sonjaab]

KK........Could be because of weight rating on the PYO cast

wheels vs. the stock steel ones. Do you have SRW or DRW on

the rear ? How many bolts on the 3500 wheel....8 ?

Also do you have the VYU plow prep option ? Some Dura equipped

models you cannot get Plow prep. Dealers are getting picky about

plow related breakage on non VYU equipped trucks.

 

If your a "plowhead" check out:

http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/forums

 

Lots of help and such over there for plowing related issues.

Networking/advise/etc. Heck even a big BBQ get together in

Poughkeepsie NY in October ! Lots of folks from all over the

northeast...... ...............geo

[KKtrucking]

Shouldn't be a weight problem with the cast wheels, even though GM rates the truck at 9900# (SRW) the tires max out at 9000, which opens another can of worms! Ford does the same thing. I have a set of 2500HD wheels lined up soon as I find out the measuements. They won't put a plow package on a 25/3500 extended cab w/8ft bed, the reason being " weight distribution ratio". They will put the pkg on a 6 1/2' bed though, so go figure, again this is something Ford also does.

[sonjaab]

KK......There was just a discussion over at SPC about no plow prep

on any ex-cab Max truck. Only avail. on reg. cab models according

to GM web site.

 

Its gotta be a weight issue for the PYO wheels on a 3500 tho.

I have never seen a 3500 with them.

 

Could it be the 3500s have 10 bolt wheels...I never counted !

 

Funny tho..On a 1/2 ton Z-71 truck you get 265 tires. But they are

NOT LT rated. I read the largest LT rated tires are 245s that I see

on the 2500/3500s...........geo

[concours]

.... those would be FORGED alloy wheels gentlemen, not cast. Very big difference. The forged alloy wheels are much stonger than cast. You can get them on ebay... I just bagged a set off a 2004 for $290 with center caps.

[KKtrucking]

Alas, forged is correct. I bagged a set for $500 from a wheelguy 70 miles from here, he will take the 4 boat moorings that come on that ride for a $250 credit. Which nets those cast jobs for $250. Which is about what Chev would want for them...now all I need is the TRUCK TO PUT THEM ON!!!