Swap wheels from 20's to 17's ? ....makes sense?

[Homey]

I appreciate all your opinions and agree with all your valid questions and points,

Maybe the best option would be low profile tires.....

 

[Dave2018]

My neighbor has a 4 gen CrewCab 1500 with 20" wheels. They look great, I went over there with my tape measure and his tires are about 1" taller that's 1/2" diameter larger than my 17" with stock factory goodyears. So The overall diameter isn't that significant. I guess it just depends on what you want to show up with and pay the replacement rubber costs down the road.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

My '14 Express came with and calls for 10 Ply LT265X70RX17 tires and I have thought about going to 20's a couple of times but
1. 17" are cheaper
2. Guessing I would have to change something to re-calibrate the speedometer

So both times, I have decided to stay with my 17" wheels, tho I like the looks of the 20's.

1. Cheaper most likely but not necessarily.
2. Recalibrating would only be need if you change tire size. A 33" tire on a 17 is the same as a 33" on a 20. That's just an example not sure what the 17s come with I know my 20s have 33s.

 

[BWL]

There's a sonoma in my area with 16" steel wheels painted body colour with chrome rings and centre caps and white walls. If i see it again I'll take a pic. Very hot rod looking and I like it. This is a similar idea on a ram.

 

[Gom]

^ that is not my thing but I think it is cool looking!

 

[Sean Taylor]

Check out Boosted Motorsports on YouTube. He did this for the weight savings as he drags his truck.

 

[boblonben]

The tires will certainly be cheaper. Probably even ride smoother than on the 20’s.


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yep, when you go to the 178's you'll find the truck will ride much better (depending on the tire you buy). Actually have done this swap before and really like the change. But with a lowered truck you will really want to consider raised white letter tires so as to break up the wider sidewall of the 17 tires. Otherwise that bigger side wall will sure be noticeable. If you look you will find most off roaders use 17's over 20's. 20's are okay for the highway but not so good off-road. good luck.

 

[corneileous]

Yeah I'm aware of the pro's and con's but I guess what I'm asking for is more about the visual/ aesthetics....
I noticed this link https://www.ramforum.com/threads/pic-request-lowered-on-17-wheels.34519/
but this is from previous gen....would love to see if it's been done to our 4th gens....

My bad. lol. I didn’t even realize that was for the 3rd Gens. Just do a search on google. That’s where I came across this one and that last one. The search feature here even works good.


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[brentwasham]

I changed from stock silver spoke 17's to chrome clad Laramie 20's on my 2013 Tradesman. Both had the original Goodyear Wrangler tires. Like the look, hate the harsher ride and "twitchy" steering. Truck sits up higher on 20's but gear ratio change should improve fuel mileage since engine is turning slower (opposite effect to go down to 17's, but wind resistance will be slightly less and handling better). Maybe with custom rims you could get the look you want with 17's if you don't want to stay OEM. 17" tires have a taller profile so there's more rubber to cushion the ride. Wider tires will generally cause a car to wander more requiring closer attention to maintain a straight course down the road. From my experience with the 20's they tend to be very sensitive to movement of the steering wheel so there again requires closer attention to steering, you do get used to it after a while. Also the overall diameter is slightly different so your odometer and speedometer will be off, about 4% (2.5 MPH at 60), if you don't change the speedometer gear (there's probably an electronic fix in today's cars). If I could get some factory chrome spoke 17's I like would like to go back when my 20" tires wear out. Have seen some great deals on new "take-offs".

 

[muddy12]

I have the factory chrome clad 20’s, but I’ve been looking for a set of 17’s for a while now, just haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I’m just old, but I prefer the look of more side wall.

The plan,depending on the wheels I end up with, it to put summer/street tires on the 20’s, and winter/off road tires on the 17’s.



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[Hardracer]

Muddy,
I have a set of factory 17's I took off my truck I've been trying to get of..real good shape..prolly insane for shipping to get to ya though

 

[Rader]

I have the factory chrome clad 20’s, but I’ve been looking for a set of 17’s for a while now, just haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I’m just old, but I prefer the look of more side wall.

The plan,depending on the wheels I end up with, it to put summer/street tires on the 20’s, and winter/off road tires on the 17’s.



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My 2015 1500 winter tires are on a set of older but like new Ram 1500 17 X 8" 5 spoke aluminum wheels that I purchased from a wrecking yard at a low, low price. When searching for 17 X 8 I found that Ram used them for years on 1500s also on some Durangos and Dakotas. From 2002 - 2012 many different styles are available at reasonable prices, from 2013 up most that I found were either 17 X 7 or really expensive.

 

[RammerHarder]

Not quite on par with the thread, but... i think it sheds some light on what some others are talking about...
Normally, my 18 QC 4x4 sport has the 20 inch on for summer, then i switch to 17 inch wheels for wintertime. The 17 tire/wheel size gives you MUCH MORE options for winter tires, and the 17in winter tires are lot cheaper to buy, over the 20 inch winter tires. Not to mention, the salt on the roads aren`t corroding my nice 20in summer wheels. Being that my 20`s were 33 inches tall, i opted for the 285/70/17 winter tires so i wouldn't have to have my speedometer re-calibrated every time i switch back to my 20`s for summer. And the 285`s gave me more sidewall, so they actually ride alot nicer than the 20in. I found a brand new set of "take-off`s" in 17in aluminum OEM wheels on ebay. Shipped right to my door for $300 bucks. Had to buy new wheel sensors, but i`m ok with that, you only take the hit once. It saves me time AND alotta money by having the two sets of wheel... every time i would change tires twice a year, it cost me $100 each time for mounting & balancing. So in 2yrs, these wheels have already almost paid for themselves. And i can change my wheels out in the spring, back on in the fall for winter right in my own garage. Takes me 20 minutes at the most, back on the ground and running. When i go in for my oil changes, i get a free rotate & balance when they run their specials. Life is good!

 

[Redtruck-VA]

First off IMO build your truck (hot rod) to suit yourself. If it's, so much the better as long as you are happy with it. I built the rear on my truck to fit the wheels. Still working on what I'll do with the front. Having a hard time finding an appealing wheel thats 30" tall.

 

[Jim S]

*****, all I got to say is that I personally PREFER the 17's over the 20's. I have a '13 Tradesman work truck and the 17's are the stock tires. I prefer to have some rubber between me and the rim...can't stand the look of those skinny assed rubber band tires.

 

[Homey]

First off IMO build your truck (hot rod) to suit yourself. If it's, so much the better as long as you are happy with it. I built the rear on my truck to fit the wheels. Still working on what I'll do with the front. Having a hard time finding an appealing wheel thats 30" tall.View attachment 153552

View attachment 153553

Now that's what I'm talking about....that setup works!!
Can you give me your details? sizes?

 

[Redtruck-VA]

Used the 9.25 axle. Cut the tubes replacing the bearing collars with ford torino collars. This allow the C clips to be removed and brake kit for the ford to be used. In this case Wilwood brake kit with hidden ebrake. These connected up to the trucks parking brake cable nicely. Being small diameter, 15" rims easily fit. Used strange custom axles with 5x5 bolt pattern. These are basically ford axle cut to length. In my case 61" flg to flg. To maximize clearance the bed needs the wheel tubs moved in 4" to be even with the frame rails. I use weld wheels 15x15 with MS S/R 31x18-15 tires.

 

[Homey]

BTW, I'm not sure if it's my fault but it's not like i'm fixed on 17's....18's would obviously work as well.

 

[brentwasham]

I have the factory chrome clad 20’s, but I’ve been looking for a set of 17’s for a while now, just haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I’m just old, but I prefer the look of more side wall.

The plan,depending on the wheels I end up with, it to put summer/street tires on the 20’s, and winter/off road tires on the 17’s.



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[brentwasham]

I have the factory chrome clad 20’s, but I’ve been looking for a set of 17’s for a while now, just haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I’m just old, but I prefer the look of more side wall.

The plan,depending on the wheels I end up with, it to put summer/street tires on the 20’s, and winter/off road tires on the 17’s.



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You might consider the pop-on chrome skins available for the factory silver painted 17" spoke wheels standard on Tradesman trim (OE 2448). That's my plan, buy some new take-offs with new tires and pop on the custom chrome covers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-CHROME-D...1:g:j7QAAOxyAs9STJL~:sc:UPSGround!78209!US!-1.