20's vs. 18's?

[Kapt]

Right now I run a 33/12.50/20 tire on my 2016 Ram 1500 Eco. I noticed that the winter has not been kind to the wheels on my truck and I'm contemplating on new wheels and tires. Looking at the 20's I don't see anything I like. I did see a set of 18's I liked though. What would the difference be between the 20's and the 18's if I still ran a 33/12.50 tire? Would the ride still be the same? Or would it ride like bucky the bronco board?

 

[Dinky]

The ride will be better with 18s with 33in tire more side wall. Also you will be able to air down more with 18s. Also with a 20in wheel the tires will cost more. I am buying new wheels and tires once I get my bonus. I am going 17s and 33s.

 

[ilovemyramlaremie]

Shouldn’t change the ride at all, if anything, it might ride even better then the 20s, do to the fact you’ll have more sidewall on the tire

 

[Kapt]

Thank you for the replies

 

[Fatbob Frank]

I'm a fan of more sidewall and less wheel myself.
And as mentioned, price and selection are definitely better with 18s.

 

[Jrod]

18’s are also easier on the wallet.

 

[BruceMorgan]

Right now I run a 33/12.50/20 tire on my 2016 Ram 1500 Eco. I noticed that the winter has not been kind to the wheels on my truck and I'm contemplating on new wheels and tires. Looking at the 20's I don't see anything I like. I did see a set of 18's I liked though. What would the difference be between the 20's and the 18's if I still ran a 33/12.50 tire? Would the ride still be the same? Or would it ride like bucky the bronco board?

What’s wrong with your stock wheels? Are the chromed 20” OEMs? I’d expect them to last decades.

 

[Kapt]

What’s wrong with your stock wheels? Are the chromed 20” OEMs? I’d expect them to last decades.

They have been painted custom. The winter has been harsh on the paint and they look pretty bad now. After pricing wheels and tires yesterday though, I will try to touch up the paint before spending a ton of money

This is what we did to them:

 

[BruceMorgan]

I've never had any luck with painting wheels myself. You could get those powder-coated black and that might last longer than paint.

 

[Kapt]

They're plastic. You can't powder coat plastic

 

[Buddy]

I keep my stock 20's for summer and run 18's for winter. Keeps my stocks looking no-salt good.. cause I really like the look of the stocks as well. And for winter, just as said above, I get more sidewall to absorb for the rough awful roads and I go slightly narrower too - I run dedicated winter tires, so in snow I can cut right through. There is a definite difference in ride quality switching between the two rims/tires every season(s)

 

[DarthMegaHD]

I switched from my stock 20s to 18s, and the ride is definitely smoother. Some of it could be contributed to being a different tire though

 

[moparpeetie]

I switched from 20's to 18's same BFG'S different size and the ride is better than with 20's. I was running 275 65 20 now 35 12.50 18. Seems bigger but new tire is just wider... Here's a before and after ( these are with bils @2.8 only before I put zone 1.5"body lift and 3/4"TGC rear spacer)

 

[BruceMorgan]

They're plastic. You can't powder coat plastic

Hmm. Never heard of plastic wheels.

My web searching indicates these are OEM part number 1UB19SZ0AA (or close) and are chrome clad aluminum.

20 INCH 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 DODGE RAM 1500 OEM CHROME ALLOY WHEEL RIM 2454 20x9 5x5.5 1UB19SZ0AA 1UB19SZ0AB 1UB19SZ0AC 1UB19TRMAA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01INMZGJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_njaECb48KESK8

 

[moparpeetie]

Hmm. Never heard of plastic wheels.

My web searching indicates these are OEM part number 1UB19SZ0AA (or close) and are chrome clad aluminum.

20 INCH 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 DODGE RAM 1500 OEM CHROME ALLOY WHEEL RIM 2454 20x9 5x5.5 1UB19SZ0AA 1UB19SZ0AB 1UB19SZ0AC 1UB19TRMAA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01INMZGJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_njaECb48KESK8

the wheels are clad but the clading is chrome plated plastic.

 

[Kapt]

Therefore cannot be powder coated

 

[JoshR104]

Your probably better off with a wrap or spray on coating that can be removed like superwrap or plasti dip. They will hold up much better than paint will for sure.

 

[BruceMorgan]

the wheels are clad but the clading is chrome plated plastic.

I had no idea. I just assumed "clad" was a synonym for plating, but that's completely wrong.

http://www.haweka-usa.com/cladwheelissue.html tells me that

"A clad wheel is a cast wheel with a chromed, plastic cover bonded to the face of the wheel. Their presence in the marketplace is growing like wildfire because auto manufacturers have realized that the same cast forgings can be used for several makes and models with the clad cover providing the difference in appearance. So, what was once primarily considered a Chrysler wheel design, is now being used on Chevy, Ford, Audi, Mercedes, Toyota and Nissan to name a few. By 2015, it is estimated that over 60% of new vehicles entering the fleet will come equipped with clad wheels."

You can peel it off, but it's junk underneath.

 

[moparpeetie]

I had no idea. I just assumed "clad" was a synonym for plating, but that's completely wrong.

http://www.haweka-usa.com/cladwheelissue.html tells me that

"A clad wheel is a cast wheel with a chromed, plastic cover bonded to the face of the wheel. Their presence in the marketplace is growing like wildfire because auto manufacturers have realized that the same cast forgings can be used for several makes and models with the clad cover providing the difference in appearance. So, what was once primarily considered a Chrysler wheel design, is now being used on Chevy, Ford, Audi, Mercedes, Toyota and Nissan to name a few. By 2015, it is estimated that over 60% of new vehicles entering the fleet will come equipped with clad wheels."

You can peel it off, but it's junk underneath.

exactly...although there have been people who have removed the cladding successfully. The cast wheel without the cladding is not all that horrible but the center cap cannot be used and they have had to have new ones machined. So it's not junk underneath to some but it is work to get it done.

 

[MegaHemi5811]

I went from 18 on a metric 32” tire to a 20 on an 35” tire. To me the ride was noticeably different, not as smooth but not too bad but also $$$$.