Hi there,

I am a new 1999 Dodge Ram ST 1500 2WD owner. I recently acquired a set of wheels, however they aren't quite fitting properly.(20x9 Factory Original Mopar Dodge RAM 1500 wheel rim. Silver spoke with machined lip to be specific/Also in the pictures). The lug pattern fits perfectly, however when putting them on the axle doesn't fit due to the center cap area being too small on the wheel. How can I make these wheels fit? Wheel spacers? Machine out the center of the wheel?? Any suggestions please! Thank you!

 

Take them to a machine shop and have then machine out the center a little more. Btw, I've seen a couple of 2nd Gen's around here with those wheels on them, it looks pretty damn good.

 

^^^ what he said.



Post pictures before and after when done!

 

Hi all. New here. I wanted to add a bit to this thread... as this topic is of interest to me.

I'm also trying to fit the 20x9 five spoke '04 rims on my '99. Couple of things I've noticed and a couple of things that concern me.....

First, I'm getting the feeling that machining the center hole in the wheels will be fruitless. I've read on this forum and others that the inner sidewall of the tire (and I'm using the factory size 275-55R 20) will rub on the suspension parts due to the negative offset (going inside the wheel well) if mounted straight on the factory hug.

Second, I'm seeing alot of spacers for sale in varying sizes from 1/2" all the way to 2-1/2" in depth. I don't want my wheels to stick out at all or at least very minimally. From my estimation, I think I only need 5/8" spacing to get the wheel to mount to the hub. To clear the tires from the suspension linkage and chassis may require more. I haven't checked that part yet. I will mount these 20" wheels on as far as they will go and turn the steering wheel all the way to see what the spacing really is. If there is interferance, this will definitely require a spacer- no question. The wheels right now will go on up to about half an inch from fully seated position on the hub.

Also, there's the issue with the spindle nut cover to deal with as well. That thing sticks out too far for the little center cap to fit over it. This is the biggest precluder to the machining suggest. Becuase even if you bore out the center holes on the 20" wheels, you still have that cover sticking out the middle of the wheel and you won't be able to get the cap over it. So the spacer is looking to me like the only option. Again, 5/8" spacer is what I think would be needed to clear that.

I've seen many 2nd gen trucks in my area with these wheels- so there's no question this can work. If anyone in here knows someone that has done this conversion- please ask them to post in here with all details and pics if possible and references to where to get stuff.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to seeing responses.


oh... btw small tip: Do NOT under any circumstances attempt to draw the wheel onto the hub using the lugnuts! you will find the threads on the lugnuts are no match for the tight fit.

 

I have actually used a drenel tool and made the center hub of the wheel larger before with great success. Took me about 1.5 hrs to mill all 4 a 1/2" bigger.

 

Did you get those wheels on your truck? how did you account for the spindle cover sticking out? Does the dremmel cutter bits work on steel?....

Today I tried the same thing. I used a 1" grinding cylinder attached to a power drill and after 45mins of forcefull reaming of that hole on one wheel, I found that it didn't work (wrong tool maybe?...prolly should've used a cutter.). I even tried hi temp wheel bearing grease around the edges and still no luck when mounting them.

Like I said tho... I don't think that matters anyway. Even if I get the wheels on the hub... I still can't use the center cap. And it will look bad if the spindle cover sticks clear through the center.

I think a 1" spacer is the solution. I hate to have any part of the wheel sticking out of the wheel well but I don't see any other cost effective solution. Upgrading the hub, rotors and calipers is really expensive. The only thing is finding a hub-centric spacer. Most of the ones that I see on ebay for the Gen II truck are not hubcentric. If anyone in here knows of some good ones let me know.