[GCally]

My 2017 Laramie Dually is a couple years old and I am finally ready to do some upgrades but need some advise from the pro's.
I almost traded the Ram in on a F-450 but decided I did not want to go another 40K into debt. I really like the look of the F-450 with 19.5 wheels and fender flares. I would like to get that same look for my Ram.

Questions....

Wheels/Tires
What are some good quality brands to look at for wheels?
What is the max size wheel and tire combo I can go without lifting the truck. I still want the truck to handle the trailer load just like a stock Dually would.
I was looking at Fuel Maverick wheels but from what couple pictures I saw it looks like the offset will make they stick out really far.

Fender Flares
What is the best quality fender flares on the market?
My truck came with OEM flares but I ended up removing them and selling them when the truck was new. (I did not like the silver flares)

Programmer
My truck has plenty of power but gas mileage is terrible. My truck only has 10K miles on it and I have the HO Cummins matched with Aisin/4.10 gears.

Uconnect with Apple Car Play
What options are out there to upgrade to the newer Uconnect 4C with Apple Car Play?
I mainly use WAZE and I really would love for it to display on the factory screen. I was looking at getting a used 8.4 4C on eBay but I do not know if it will just plug in and work. I also don't know if I can get one out of a Jeep or Dodge car. I also have seen options to mirror my iPhone screen but would really rather use something like Car Play.

 

[schmeg]

You say your getting terrible mileage. What exactly are you getting?
I have the exact same truck as you with the exception of the Aisin. I’ve got the 68RFE and 4.10’s
I get 15-17 bobtail and 8-9 towing my 18K 43’ 5th toy hauler at 65-70 mph. I consider those as very good numbers for an 8500 pound truck.

 

[GCally]

You say your getting terrible mileage. What exactly are you getting?
I have the exact same truck as you with the exception of the Aisin. I’ve got the 68RFE and 4.10’s
I get 15-17 bobtail and 8-9 towing my 18K 43’ 5th toy hauler at 65-70 mph. I consider those as very good numbers for an 8500 pound truck.

I am getting 11-12 combined when not towing and around the same as you when towing my 5th wheel. I am also getting some bad vibrations around 70 mph. It is so bad you can see the passenger seat shaking.

 

[Tim'sDiesel]

I have the exact same truck right down to the two tone paint colors.
I get 14-15 if I am hard on it in stop and go traffic.
If I go easy, 16, no problem.
I can get some highway miles it will go up to 18.

This is with the 4:10 Aisin also.

I believe the radio upgrade requires a harness change, but not a big deal. I have read on ramforum guy makes them and others have done the swap.

My wife has the new radio in her '18 Jeep. I personally like the NAV graphics in my truck over her Jeep. The streets show up as bigger lines than hers.

 

[the man in black]

Make sure you're hand calculating your mileage. Evic can be close or way off. Normally off. As for tuning to pick up mileage, well dont expect more than maybe 1 or 2 mpg if any at all. And at that rate how long would it take you to recoup the $1500 give or take, that the tune and exhaust cost?

 

[.44mag]

DODGE 3500 DUAL REAR WHEEL (DRW) - Rickson Wheel ...
https://ricksontruckwheels.com/wheels-dodge-drw.php


If you want 19.5" wheels and tires they have a 245/??19.5 tire (IIRC) that will fit without lifting. But they may ride rougher than you want unloaded. 12-14 ply instead of 10.

There are other companies also.

 

[El Pozzinator]

+1 on the rickson 19.5”ers. Had a set of them with toyo m608z m/t tires (just shy of 35”) and yes they’re heavy as all get out. Mileage change, if any, was imperceptible. I think whatever you make up by raising your effective drive ratio with the larger diameter you lose with the added weight. No lift necessary on the 06 I had them mounted to; same for the 08 I test-fit them on before deciding I wanted shiny on this truck and sold them. They ride smooth once they’re balanced but they’re going to be a little harsher over bumps owing to increased weight and ply count. If you go with a shorter 19.5” tire (rickson’s site has a diameter chart) you should be fine without a level. Vision and Eagle make aluminum 19.5” direct fit wheels also for a little more money, or there’s the Alcoa route if your pockets are deep enough (cuz dang are they proud of those things!).

Have you looked at the ram 4500/5500 flares? I think I recall reading the wide-track AAM 9.25 from those would bolt right under the 3500 without modification, and you get a significantly tighter turning radius. Not sure what all is different though other than the 4500/5500 running 10-lug hubs. Alternatively I guess you could just throw those flares on and paint match them if you feel froggy about it.

Tuning is a slippery slope with an extended “return on investment” period if you’re looking to use it to save money, much like the folks who say they’re fitting manual hubs for fuel economy. Well, that $1500 (not including labor) will buy a LOT of fuel... if you’re honestly just looking for economy it might be worth it to look into just unplugging your EGR. The ECM will pop a check engine light and derate the engine by ~40hp but it seems folks report a 1-2mpg improvement from it long-term (prob due to decreased soot loading requiring fewer regen cycles) and won’t trigger a countdown to limp mode.

Hope this helps.


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[BrianF]

Just FYI, the 4500, 5500 trucks run a Magna-Steyr front axle, completely different front suspension and crossmember. Not interchangeable. Ford runs a wide track Dana Super 60 front axle on their F450 as opposed to the regular D60 front.

 

[Bedlam]

DODGE 3500 DUAL REAR WHEEL (DRW) - Rickson Wheel ...
https://ricksontruckwheels.com/wheels-dodge-drw.php


If you want 19.5" wheels and tires they have a 245/??19.5 tire (IIRC) that will fit without lifting. But they may ride rougher than you want unloaded. 12-14 ply instead of 10.

There are other companies also.

American Force and Vision are two other companies making 8-lug 19.5's for the DRW.

245's will be over 33" tall and either a 14 or 16 ply rating while 225's will be about 31" with a 12-14 ply rating. Unless you are getting excessive sidewall flex or are looking for longer wear tires, there is no reason to go these higher rated tires since the stock cover the current axle ratings.

 

[GCally]

After doing some research I think I am going to go with a 20" aftermarket rim. I think the 19.5 tires are going to be to harsh and just overkill for what I need.
When talking to a wheel and tire place they said the Fuel Maverick comes in 20 x 8.5 with stock offset for a Ram Dually.

Do you guys know what the max tire size that can fit on the truck with stock suspension?

 

[Bedlam]

1. With 20" rims you may still have harsher ride since you will probably have less sidewall. It is doubtful you will gain any performance or capacity advantage, so this will be strictly for appearance.

2. 33" tall tires fit stock setups even if heavily weighed down.

3. Remember any extra overall height will be reflected in hitch height. Look at your fifth wheel setup and see how much higher you can go before going to taller tires.

4. Try to find tires and rims with a load index over 117 which is 2833 lbs. My personal choice would be a load index of 120 or better.
https://www.tiresplus.com/tires/tire-buying-guide/tire-load-index-chart/

 

[str8t six]

beautiful fiver! what model is it?

 

[GCally]

1. With 20" rims you may still have harsher ride since you will probably have less sidewall. It is doubtful you will gain any performance or capacity advantage, so this will be strictly for appearance.

2. 33" tall tires fit stock setups even if heavily weighed down.

3. Remember any extra overall height will be reflected in hitch height. Look at your fifth wheel setup and see how much higher you can go before going to taller tires.

1. This is for sure 100% about appearance. I really do not need any more capacity. With the way my truck is configured it has a max gooseneck towing over 30K.
2. What about 275/65/20? It measures out at 34" high, 10.6" Wide.
3. This is something I need to check. I think I have one more hole to drop the hitch down on the trailer. I am also running a Trailer Saver Air Ride hitch and it is also adjustable.

 

[GCally]

beautiful fiver! what model is it?

Keystone Alpine 3511RE. I got it as a bank repo. They guy only used it for a couple months before he gave it back. The thing is decked out it had a 110K sticker price.

 

[Bedlam]

With stock offset, 275/65R20 tires will be 1.5" closer to each other compared to your 235/80R17's. You do not want the sidewalls to touch each other under load or in turns unless you want to replace tires often. You will need to look at current clearances to see how those 20x8.5 rims compare to stock.

The height will not be a problem in the rear but up front may rub when the steering is at full lock with the suspension compressed. It will probably prevent you from running chains on the front if you drive in that type of weather.

 

[lpennock]

You forgot to account for the the extra 2.5" of rim width. The 275 will be same distance apart; however, the inside edge of the front and the inside edge of the rear dual will be about 2.5" closer to the suspension and the outer dual will sick out about 2.5" more. I'm not sure a 8.5" wide rim can work without spacers.

Personally I would do the XD 20x7.5 with the 275/65x20. Saw a thread where someone used that configuration with no clearance issues and no spacers required. Only got very slight rubbing at full lock.

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[GCally]

You forgot to account for the the extra 2.5" of rim width. The 275 will be same distance apart; however, the inside edge of the front and the inside edge of the rear dual will be about 2.5" closer to the suspension and the outer dual will sick out about 2.5" more. I'm not sure a 8.5" wide rim can work without spacers.

Personally I would do the XD 20x7.5 with the 275/65x20. Saw a thread where someone used that configuration with no clearance issues and no spacers required. Only got very slight rubbing at full lock.

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Do you have a link to that thread?
I was just looking at the KMC website and they show the XD wheels 20x8.5

 

[GCally]

When I was talking the sales guy for the wheels he said the "Stock Offset" Fuel wheels sat flush with the fender.
When looking at the fuel website this is what they say about the "Street Spacing".... I think they actually sit 2.5" out further than stock.


Quote from the Fuel web site....

Fuel Dually wheels do not need adaptors and are available for stock and lifted applications. 3 rear outer wheels available with offsets for street, mid level lift kit, and large lift kits with wider M/T Tires. Standard 1pc. Maverick with a lip available for front end conversions.

Street - 2.5” spacing for street and A/T tires as wide as 275 mm (This is the ones I was looking at)
Lifted - 3.5” spacing for street and A/T tires 285 - 325 mm wide and 12.50” wide M/T tires.
Extreme - 4.5” spacing for 13.50” wide M/T tires.

 

[.44mag]

American Force and Vision are two other companies making 8-lug 19.5's for the DRW.

245's will be over 33" tall and either a 14 or 16 ply rating while 225's will be about 31" with a 12-14 ply rating. Unless you are getting excessive sidewall flex or are looking for longer wear tires, there is no reason to go these higher rated tires since the stock cover the current axle ratings.

It's been over two years since I looked at that stuff. Hence the IIRC part. The price drove me away, got better stuff to do with that kind of money. Thanks for the back up and reminder.
Out of the six people I know personally that went 19.5's only two kept them. One stays loaded with welding/cutting tools and all sorts of other tools. The other always has a skid steer on a bumper pull with all kinda stuff in the bed.
These trucks do alot on the stock tires, even more but I didn't say that part.

 

[.44mag]

The front wheels have a matching off set? If not you will only able to rotate from side to side, right front to left front, left front to on right front and the same with the rear tires.