I know there are a million forums on this but I could not find my specific answer. I have a 96 Ram and I'm putting third gen rims on it. My truck is 2x4. I know I would need wheel spacers for them to fit but I'm going low with my truck so that's a last resort. So I was wondering if anyone has ever put the newer 2nd gen hubs on an older truck.

 

Not that I have seen on here... I do believe it is possible to modify the wheels to fit properly though, just need to machine out the center hole to fit your current hubs. Now, who would be able to do that for you? Good question. Maybe a local machine shop would take it on?

 

That's kind of a last resort for me also as the rims a bought are brand new.

 

Don't have many choices...... Massaging the wheels means you don't need to worry about 'odd' parts on your truck when replacement time comes.

 

Instead of machining the rims I think I'm going to machine the hubs. I'll keep you posted on how it works out

 

On the 96, the hubs get replaced when you need to do rotors. (as they are the same piece....) So, you get to do this again when you need new rotors. The 'good thing' though, is that you can probably do what you need to on a frigging brake lathe. I think I would pick up a NEW set of rotors, have them machined for the rims, and that would put off having to do it again soon.

 

If you have the right guy and the right machine you wouldn't even be able to tell they were altered. Done the right way they would look like they came stock from the factory to fit.

 

Yes have them machined or if you're comfortable with it, do it yourself with a carbide bit and a die grinder. I know for sure the dust covers/grease caps will stick out and push out the center cap of the rim. To fix that you can either run w/o the center cap or buy smaller grease caps.

If you really wanted too, you could do a swap. By putting on 99-01 upper and lower control arms, knuckle, wheel hub, and calipers you get an upgrade. This gives you a newer style one piece hub in which 3rd gen wheels with be a direct fit with no modification, and you get two piston calipers instead of the original one piston. But then again it'll be costly both time and money wise.

 

check this video out on Youtube. Also has other tire/rim applications:

 

here's one more: