My 96 need shoes but CFO says new Michelins ain't gonna happen any time soon. I have found a set of new takeoffs (tires/rims/centercaps) from a 2015 2500 but the question is whether the backspacing will be an issue. Dodge dealer parts guy says same bolt pattern (8 on 6.5) but no idea on backspacing/clearance issues. With my 96 being a rear drum I had to clearance the drum lip OD to get the 2006 aluminum rims it is running to fit over the drums. With the 2015 rims being steel I presume this will make them a little thinner and not an issue with drum clearance.

2015 tires are 245/70/17 versus original size 245/75/16 and I am currently running 265/75/16s on 2006 aluminum rims (looks good, minor scrub of full right turn).

I am not terribly fond of going back to stock steelies but the monetary difference is substantial and the CFO is a little less unhappy about this option than a grand for 4 new Michelins on the existing 16 inch rims.

Any guidance much appreciated. I am taking an original rim with me to compare measurements so I will not buy them without checking for compatibility first.

 

look on google.

there are a few threads already on this question for 2nd gens.
They have a huge positive offset. So this is going to suck into the wheel well.
so the drums may be an issue. you can always talk to the owner and pop off a back wheel and put that 4th gen on and see

comp D. or Cumminsforum.

 

Look on craigslist, there's a set of 2014 Michelin take offs on there here for 150 bucks for all 4.....mine were free.

As for backspacing I am not sure, do as stated above if possible.

 

The backspacing (mounting face to rim lip) is the same on the Gen4 steelies as the Gen3 aluminum rims I have been running. The Gen3 16s scrub the left front wheel inner lip on the shock absorber bolt head on full left lock. I compensated by running stickon wheel weights inside the rim edge with no issues.

16" Gen2 chromed steel rim has 4-1/2" backspacing
16" Gen3 aluminum rim has 5-3/4" backspacing
17" Gen4 stock steel rim has 5-3/4" backspacing

Only issue I have is that the Gen4 steel rim center cap is too shallow to fit over the rear axle stub. I am going to retrieve my original center caps from storage and see if they look decent on the steel rims.

Time will tell if the scrub issue is a problem with the 17s. Neither of the tires I put on the front had inner wheel weights and a test drive did not find any vibrations I could attribute to the new rubber.

I have run Michelin LTXs for many years now but these Firestone Transforce HTs will have to do until I get tired of them and find some funds or they wear out. Since my truck just turned 300K it will be easy to keep track of how many miles these Firestones survive.

 

Waking up this old thread. I'm looking at a set of 20s with 285/60R20 Firestone ATs to put on my 1996 2WD 2500.
These wheels are a pretty good drive away and the 96 isn't really in a good place to drive that far to try them on.
Has anyone tried this particular conversion?
Redramnc , have you had any problems since installing your?

 

Glad to see this topic come up. I don't have any answers, but am thinking about getting some newer OEM style aluminum wheels to put on my 96 as well, such as pictured below. They definitely look like the backspacing can be an issue on the older trucks. Not trying to hijack the thread, but hopefully to generate some conversation.

 

Well I just put one of the 17s from my 2010 on the front of my 96. I had the wife turn the wheel left and right several times. I saw nothing rubbing but the lower shock bolt on the drivers side was really close to the tire. I had the wife pull it all of the way and hold it so I could get a closer look. It's not touching but while under there I heard something squawk and the steering wheel jerked back a little on her. It seems she thought she needed to put a lot of pressure on the wheel while holding it. Ugh!!! Now I have no power steering. Awesome, I get to hunt down a problem instead of just upgrading my wheels and tires!!!