Just bought a like new set of 3rd gen alloys with stock bfgs. I also ordered 1/4 inch spacers to clear my tie rods, are my lug studs long enough for these wheels, and my spacers in the front? Are 9/16 lugs any longer? And Finaly, does anyone have any pics of 1st gens with 3rd gen wheels, can't wait to see what mine look like when i get them on.

 

Here's a couple of pictures of mine with 3rd Gen wheels. I replaced my 1/2 wheel studs with 9/16 and used 2" wheel spacers.

 

what does it take to press the old studs out and put 9/16 studs in?

 

sledge em out, and press or sledge em in

 

Here is a pic of them on with no spacers and alot of grinding...

 

Can you explain this grinding process dnr? Did you upgrade to 9/16 lugs? would the stock ones work in the front if you added a 1/4 inch spacer? Guess I have a lot of questions as this is all coming together.

I got valve stems for mine today. The guy I bought the wheels from put the stems on his aftermarket wheels, because there's pressure monitors in them. I bought stems at the local Farm and Fleet, but the washers didn't fit the counterbore on the rim, and I needed something that had a hair less OD. Fastenal had some stainless washers that I used, and they even had a rubber back on them, and the guy was nice enough, because the store was closing, to give them to me for free. The OD is perfect, and it looks factory. Its even got a rubber grommet on the back side. Stiffed the local Dodge dealer again. Every time I go there I get raped.

 

I want to get 9/16 studs, is there any major modifications to the brakes, rotors, brake drum, and any suggestions of what studs to use (brand)?

Best Regards

 

WEll, the grinding was because the idiot that put my wheels on the truck, didn't use any spacers and they were rubbing on everything... So you shouldn'
t have any problems with 1/4'' spacers I don't think... These wheels were on the truck when I picked it up, never upgraded the lugs... But if you get the right part number for the lugs let me know... I might have to upgrade because of my new rims... Doesn't seem like the little 1/2 ones are long enough, and bigger is always better!!

 

The part number for 9/16 lugs is in the sticky, under the "2nd gen wheels on a 1st gen" thread. There are part numbers for 1/2 inch lug nuts that will hold the 2nd gen caps on. I just bought some similar for my 3rd gens, but I don't think that they are right. I do want to convert at least the rears to 9/16 studs though, because I have all of the 9/16 lug nuts. They came with the wheels.

 

DNR, forgot in my last post, do you think that the stock 1/2 inch lugs are long enough with a 1/4 inch spacer? I plan on putting them on tomorrow, if I can.

 

Probably, the 3rd gen wheels aren't nearly as thick as the aftermarket Aluminum ones... But, the only thing is be aware of the seat area of the lug nut, it probably won't fit to good into the 3rd gen wheel...

 

For you 2wd Trucks, just an FYI (I know everyone in this thread is 4wd)

The 9/16" studs wont work on our hubs, I found out the hard way. No real option but to stick with the stock studs... I ended up replacing them all with stock new ones. The knurl is HUGE but they're only 1/2" threads... They are actually very funny looking unique studs that I believe only we use in our application. I replaced all of mine in the front, and use a Tq wrench on the lug nuts for my heavy Rickson 19.5 wheels with heavy 100 lb each tire. None have fallen off yet... And I've ridden over some really ugly freeway at their max recommended speed... I-80 from Sac to SFO is the worst!

I take that back there was another option, but it was for 5/8" studs same length as ours... pretty much just smaller than knurl. Problem is that I didn't want to machine out my ricksons to fit em. + they weren't long enough to get many threads on. the 1/2" ones worked great because I was able to put those lug nuts that grabbed the lug stud from inside the wheel bore, the cylindrical sleeve was on the end , threaded , then the bulge happened.

 

What's a fair price range for a set of 3rd gen wheels with decent tires?

Just curious..

 

I just saw a set posted for $50 with ~ 50% tires. Steel ones

 

eBay is the way to go. To get a good deal, wait until a desireable set is within a reasonable distance that you could pick up. Shipping costs too much. bid in the last 15 seconds, and hope. Mine are aluminum, and were $750. 6000 miles

i got lucky
good luck