22.5 questions

[TJT-Rav]

I'd really like to get a set, but I'm hearing two different stories about them. I've read posts on here about the good tread life, and they look awesome. I've had people say my truck will ride as good or better than stock, then some say it will ride like a hay wagon. Had another guy tell me they will kill my truck on hills and I'll be downshifting a lot. I probably drive 70% highway 25% town 5% gravel backroads when camping, quading etc. I'm thinking I'll be fine with these wheels but I just wanted to put the question out there to the people that own them. How did making the step up to these wheels change the characteristics of your truck overall? Are they a pain in the a$$ but you live with them for the looks? Or do you love everything they've done for you? Pros? Cons? Any info is a big help thanks!

__________________
'01 3500 Dually 6 spd, AFE stage 2 intake, AFE 4" exhaust brake back, 50hp injectors, 65hp Bulldog + boost elbow, HD clutch, AD 150 in the box in the spare bedroom..ugh, Amsoil dual bypass, NOT a 53 block, big and shiny.

[TJT-Rav]

Really? nobody out there? lol

__________________
'01 3500 Dually 6 spd, AFE stage 2 intake, AFE 4" exhaust brake back, 50hp injectors, 65hp Bulldog + boost elbow, HD clutch, AD 150 in the box in the spare bedroom..ugh, Amsoil dual bypass, NOT a 53 block, big and shiny.

[Performance]

Well, its a give/take kind of thing. You have to give a little to gain something in return. Most people look at the 22.5s from a Big Rig standpoint which doesn't compare to the setup you will run on your truck. A good ride starts by having a good balance. This is very important and often overlooked. It's really the most important thing. Most commercial tires are out of round new. To true them, they have to be shaved. Onced they are true, then a good spin balance will get them right. With that said, not all commercial tires need to be shaved. The Sumitomos on my truck now only needed a spin balance. Another key is air pressures. 60psi in the fronts and 40psi in the rears is plenty. The more air pressure you run the stiffer the ride gets. The 22.5s will work perfect with the manual trans and even better if you have 3.73 or lowers gears. There is no trouble with the straight drives, but the autos need lower gears especially when towing. Now, the 22.5s are a little heavy as far as rotational mass and you will notice the difference when pulling out on steep grades or during sudden stops. But, it is about the same as if you had a set of heavy mud tires on the truck. So, all in all the 22.5s are a good setup if you get the correct balance and keep the pressures low. The biggest gains are in the looks, tire life, and mpg on extended highway use. I also use my truck for towing my Polaris RZR and I do run on some short gravel roads with no problems. Let me know if you have anymore questions and I will try to help the best I can.

ERIC

__________________
2006 DODGE RAM 3500 - Silver, Reg. Cab, 4x4, Dually, 6spd, Quadzilla X2 Race Module, CFM+ Intake, AEM Workhorse Intake, Banks Monster Dual Exhaust, MBRP Cat. Delete Pipe, Isspro Gauges, Air Horns, ReadyLift Leveling Kit, 22.5" Classic Alcoas, 255/70 Sumitomos.

[lravey]

Performance,

Thanks for the input. You've had this setup on for a while now. How are your front wheel bearings & ball joints holding up?

__________________
2007 3500 Mega Cab, 4X4, DRW, 5.9, 48RE, Debadged, PacBrake PRXB Exhaust Brake & Air Horns, AMP Research Powersteps, & just a few performance mods

[Performance]

Originally Posted by lravey

Performance,

Thanks for the input. You've had this setup on for a while now. How are your front wheel bearings & ball joints holding up?

Anytime, buddy. I have 16,000 miles on this setup. Everything is in check so far. No problems what so ever.

__________________
2006 DODGE RAM 3500 - Silver, Reg. Cab, 4x4, Dually, 6spd, Quadzilla X2 Race Module, CFM+ Intake, AEM Workhorse Intake, Banks Monster Dual Exhaust, MBRP Cat. Delete Pipe, Isspro Gauges, Air Horns, ReadyLift Leveling Kit, 22.5" Classic Alcoas, 255/70 Sumitomos.

[03_Dodge_4x4_tx]

Performance,

You know your stuff . How is the braking on them since the rotating mass is larger? Does it wear out your breaks more or do you have an exhaust brake? Also how do you know if the person selling you the tires have trued up the tires? I have a single cab like yours but mine is an auto, what do I have to look after and what type of mpg did you get when you put them on?

__________________
2003 Dodge 3500> 4x4> SLT> Stock>Auto> Straight exhaust>Banks Ram Air Intake & Super-Scoop

[Performance]

Originally Posted by 03_Dodge_4x4_tx

Performance,

You know your stuff . How is the braking on them since the rotating mass is larger? Does it wear out your breaks more or do you have an exhaust brake? Also how do you know if the person selling you the tires have trued up the tires? I have a single cab like yours but mine is an auto, what do I have to look after and what type of mpg did you get when you put them on?

Well, the truck still stops just fine at normal braking. Now, you notice the extra rotational mass during sudden stops and when towing extra heavy loads. With that said, I have also slide the 22.5s on a hard stop before. I just notice the braking difference more when towing. The stock brakes work just fine and Im still seeing normal pad wear. Now, this is with my driving style so this could vary depending on the driver and if towing heavy often.

As far as the tires, you can tell by looking at the tread most of the time. If you see high and low spots across the tread pattern, then they probably have been shaved. I wouldn't buy tires that were previously shaved on a different set of wheels. I don't know if it matters, but I would just prefer to fix the tires on the wheels that I would be using. I will say the 22.5s work best with a 6spd, but I know of a lot of people running the autos with no problems. Some say they need a little lower gear with the auto, but it's mostly when towing. You will also notice the rotational mass when pulling out from a stop and especially on an hill. My mpg averages out to about the same as stock. I lose a little in town during stop and go traffic, but I pick up on highway runs. My driving consists of both. So, really mpg depends on your driving habit.

Really, you give a little to get a little in return with 22.5s. Hope I answered some of your questions.

ERIC

__________________
2006 DODGE RAM 3500 - Silver, Reg. Cab, 4x4, Dually, 6spd, Quadzilla X2 Race Module, CFM+ Intake, AEM Workhorse Intake, Banks Monster Dual Exhaust, MBRP Cat. Delete Pipe, Isspro Gauges, Air Horns, ReadyLift Leveling Kit, 22.5" Classic Alcoas, 255/70 Sumitomos.

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Last edited by Performance : 09-18-2009 at 04:45 AM.

[swalldog]

Performance you know your stuff thats for sure. i've always liked the look of your truck buy the way. I throw my thought in also. my set up is a bit diffrent being how its a single wheel. but from all the recerch i have done and my experience spend the money on a good set of tires. you get what you pay for! and it all comes in to balance. a really nice tire will be more true / rounder than a cheaper one and in turn will balance better. i've been runnin the 255/70R 22.5 MICHELIN XD2 on and off for the last 2 years and really like them. they ride better than the 37 x 12.5 goodyear mt's that i also run.

i've got a 6 spd and 3.54 gears and it kinda sucks for towing. when i tow i put my 37's on and it tow's a bit better prolly cuz they are a little smaller and a little lighter. i've got some custom 8 lug 22.5 steel wheels and they are about 68 lbs each, add 100 lbs of rubber and your talkin 168 lbs per corner. if i remember right i think the 10 lug 22.5 aluminium dually wheels are like 50 lbs each? i've got some 4.10's that i'm working on getting installed right now that should take it back to about stock with the 22.5's.

in the last 2 years the heavy wheels have beat up my front end pretty good. my balljoints were old anyways but the wheels just killed them. i'm not runnin them right now tell i get the front end fixed. dont want the tires to ware funny. ya know. but it could have something to do with the offset of my wheels also. they stick out a bit more than i would like putting some leverage on my front end.

all in all i really like them. 2 years and the tires still look new. oh one other thing they rode alot better with my stock suspention. when i put the lift on my truck it rode worse, but that was due to the lift but the stiff tires just kinda amplified it. if ya go the way of 22.5's spend the extra and get a good set of tires. i mean you will prolly only have to buy them once. when i got mine all mounted up the guy was really suprised on how well they ballanced out and with not much weight.

__________________
01 QC/SB 6-SPEED, COMPOUND TURBOS, 255/70R 22.5 MICHELIN XD2
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/98...w-rig-fun.html

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Last edited by swalldog : 09-18-2009 at 05:52 AM. Reason: add pic's

[TJT-Rav]

Originally Posted by swalldog

Performance you know your stuff thats for sure. i've always liked the look of your truck buy the way. I throw my thought in also. my set up is a bit diffrent being how its a single wheel. but from all the recerch i have done and my experience spend the money on a good set of tires. you get what you pay for! and it all comes in to balance. a really nice tire will be more true / rounder than a cheaper one and in turn will balance better. i've been runnin the 255/70R 22.5 MICHELIN XD2 on and off for the last 2 years and really like them. they ride better than the 37 x 12.5 goodyear mt's that i also run.

i've got a 6 spd and 3.54 gears and it kinda sucks for towing. when i tow i put my 37's on and it tow's a bit better prolly cuz they are a little smaller and a little lighter. i've got some custom 8 lug 22.5 steel wheels and they are about 68 lbs each, add 100 lbs of rubber and your talkin 168 lbs per corner. if i remember right i think the 10 lug 22.5 aluminium dually wheels are like 50 lbs each? i've got some 4.10's that i'm working on getting installed right now that should take it back to about stock with the 22.5's.

in the last 2 years the heavy wheels have beat up my front end pretty good. my balljoints were old anyways but the wheels just killed them. i'm not runnin them right now tell i get the front end fixed. dont want the tires to ware funny. ya know. but it could have something to do with the offset of my wheels also. they stick out a bit more than i would like putting some leverage on my front end.

all in all i really like them. 2 years and the tires still look new. oh one other thing they rode alot better with my stock suspention. when i put the lift on my truck it rode worse, but that was due to the lift but the stiff tires just kinda amplified it. if ya go the way of 22.5's spend the extra and get a good set of tires. i mean you will prolly only have to buy them once. when i got mine all mounted up the guy was really suprised on how well they ballanced out and with not much weight.

Did you have a problem with them rubbing before the lift? Just noticed your front bumper.
* Love the Caddy grill on the buggy*

__________________
'01 3500 Dually 6 spd, AFE stage 2 intake, AFE 4" exhaust brake back, 50hp injectors, 65hp Bulldog + boost elbow, HD clutch, AD 150 in the box in the spare bedroom..ugh, Amsoil dual bypass, NOT a 53 block, big and shiny.

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Last edited by TJT-Rav : 09-19-2009 at 03:11 AM. Reason: fghhfdgdhdghjgh

[Performance]

Originally Posted by swalldog

Performance you know your stuff thats for sure. i've always liked the look of your truck buy the way. I throw my thought in also. my set up is a bit diffrent being how its a single wheel. but from all the recerch i have done and my experience spend the money on a good set of tires. you get what you pay for! and it all comes in to balance. a really nice tire will be more true / rounder than a cheaper one and in turn will balance better. i've been runnin the 255/70R 22.5 MICHELIN XD2 on and off for the last 2 years and really like them. they ride better than the 37 x 12.5 goodyear mt's that i also run.

i've got a 6 spd and 3.54 gears and it kinda sucks for towing. when i tow i put my 37's on and it tow's a bit better prolly cuz they are a little smaller and a little lighter. i've got some custom 8 lug 22.5 steel wheels and they are about 68 lbs each, add 100 lbs of rubber and your talkin 168 lbs per corner. if i remember right i think the 10 lug 22.5 aluminium dually wheels are like 50 lbs each? i've got some 4.10's that i'm working on getting installed right now that should take it back to about stock with the 22.5's.

in the last 2 years the heavy wheels have beat up my front end pretty good. my balljoints were old anyways but the wheels just killed them. i'm not runnin them right now tell i get the front end fixed. dont want the tires to ware funny. ya know. but it could have something to do with the offset of my wheels also. they stick out a bit more than i would like putting some leverage on my front end.

all in all i really like them. 2 years and the tires still look new. oh one other thing they rode alot better with my stock suspention. when i put the lift on my truck it rode worse, but that was due to the lift but the stiff tires just kinda amplified it. if ya go the way of 22.5's spend the extra and get a good set of tires. i mean you will prolly only have to buy them once. when i got mine all mounted up the guy was really suprised on how well they ballanced out and with not much weight.

Thanks for the comments, buddy. I don't know everything about the 22.5s and I don't claim to, but I am learning on the best setups for these trucks. I just try to help with what little experience that I have. Things that work and don't. Sounds like you know a lot yourself. You are definitly right about the tires. The extra money spent on a good set of tires really pays off. It all ties in together. You just cannot go cheap and try to use 22.5s. You have to spend the money to get a good reliable setup. The extra weight difference from the steels and aluminum is quite a bit, mostly in rotational mass and I can see where you would want the 4.10s. As a matter of fact, I wish I had went with all aluminum wheels if I knew what I know now. But, its not a big enough difference for me to spend the money now and go with aluminum inners.

Anyway, I dig the 2nd gen single wheel 22.5 setup. Good job! Thats the first setup I have saw like that. It's different.

ERIC

__________________
2006 DODGE RAM 3500 - Silver, Reg. Cab, 4x4, Dually, 6spd, Quadzilla X2 Race Module, CFM+ Intake, AEM Workhorse Intake, Banks Monster Dual Exhaust, MBRP Cat. Delete Pipe, Isspro Gauges, Air Horns, ReadyLift Leveling Kit, 22.5" Classic Alcoas, 255/70 Sumitomos.