i accidently started this thread in towing



where can i obtain a lug wrench designed for the 5500.
didn't come with the truck,
dodge parts department can't find a number for it,
it appears to be a 15/16".
local truck supplies in my area do not have anything.

need it for CA truck inspection, presently carry socket and breaker bar.

Are you looking for a 4-way type or some other style?

Kentool T90 would be a good 4-way.

http://www.gemplers.com/product/T90/25-long-3-4-stock-Light-Truck-4-way-Lug-Wrench

Owners manual says that it is unsafe to change the tires yourself. Further it goes on to say to call a tire company to get the tire canged like a big rig! Funny that I got a full size spare bolted to the frame aint it.

State law is state law so you have to have this item.

But man, I would hate to try to change one of my trucks tires my self.
I ordered the spare tire with the truck, but with my dump body, I don't know where to put it!

The spare tire has to weigh 100+ lbs. You'd need a big arse jack to lift the truck.

Best thing to do is have a PTO driven air tank installed on the truck and keep a hose and air gun with a large bottle jack on board.

thanks Wannadiesel i'll see if i can get one locally by this thurs.

i have absolutly no intentions of changing a tire, i just want to pass the inspection and get my class A CDL and make the DMV, CHP's, and whoever else happy. not only is my reg. renewal due next month at $735.00, but all of the other fees i have to pay; CA number, DOT equal hundreds more. God bless CA.

i have the spare, a floor jack, 3 reflective triangles, two types of fire extinquishers, mud flaps to 8" from pavement, DOT reflective tape halfway up the sides of the truck.

what else could I need?

If it was me, I'd stick with the socket and breaker bar. I can't see you failing the inspection with those in the truck, and I think they would actually be more effective than the average lug wrench.

You would have more mechanical advantage with a 3/4" breaker bar. I looked in my book and I think that it said something like 480 ftlbs. So now I will need 3/4" wrachets when the truck is on the road.

thanks folks for the info, i will carry a 3/4" ratchet and breaker bar, even if at 62 i'd be unable to change it myself.[coffee]
(cafeine to clear thought process)

I bought a high strength socket and a reputable 1/2" drive breaker bar with a lifetime guarantee. With a 3' piece of 3/4" pipe it makes removing the nuts a simple job. Beating the wheel off becomes the real job.

2007 3500 dually 4X4
2008 5500 4X4 Utility

how much is a service truck?
that's whats nice about craftsman you break it they replace the breaker bar!

Be sure to keep a sledge hammer handy as well.. the rear dually to center hub tolerance is pretty tight and the wheels tend to rust into place..

I am glad I found out via a tire rotation in my shop vs a flat tire on the road.. I used a little anti-seize compound on the hub during re-assembly..

Is the torque on those lug nuts really 480ftlbs? Will a 2 1/2 ton floor jack lift the truck? It will lift my W3500. Are they that much heavier?

I cant comment on the lug torque other than it wouldnt surprise me. I always install them as tight as i can with a breaker bar on all my diesels. I had one work loose on a gasser that was properly torqued years ago and got to watch it go flying past the truck! Weel studs are cheap. As for the jack, my truck is 10k lbs empty with a partial tank of fuel and will be over that soon. I would keep an eye out at Northern tool for a heavier wieght bottle jack. Rear is probably around 2-3k lbs empty so once the trailer is hooked you may be surpassing the jacks wieht capacity. I picked one up for approx $45 a few months ago.

no way the lug torque is 480ftlbs on that. if you're useing a 15/16" socket on the lugs thats the same size as the 3500 and 2500. just theres 10 of them right. class 8 highway tractors with 30mm studs are 450-550 ftlbs lug nut torque. thats stamped right on the lug nuts. IIRC the 3500 dually is 160-175ftlbs.