Upgrading to 17.5 Inch Tires/Wheels

[Bigsky3625RE]

Well just got back from our trip. Tires and wheels did great. Saw a pressure increase of about 12psi max and the temps. stayed about 10 degrees above ambient.

I did not notice any more bounce or difference in handling.

The Hi-Spec wheels have ICF (improved clamp force) which they say your first torque will be your last.

Just for good measure, I re-torqued before we left for home. A few of the lugs moved a fraction but most were right on. For good measure, I think I will take the 5 minutes and continue to torque before each trip.

Overall I am very pleased with the upgrade.

[Art-n-Marge]

Congrats and I like the styling of the wheels, too. I had a prior truck that had that style of wheels and that would be a great looking match. Load Range H. Awesome! Since trailer wheels and axles don't have a differential it's a great idea to check torque every trip. After a while you'll find the torque will hold but you won't know that unless you check the torque every time, until you remove the wheel and this starts all over again. Good habits are good to have.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by Bigsky3625RE

Well just got back from our trip. Tires and wheels did great. Saw a pressure increase of about 12psi max and the temps. stayed about 10 degrees above ambient.

I did not notice any more bounce or difference in handling.

The Hi-Spec wheels have ICF (improved clamp force) which they say your first torque will be your last.

Just for good measure, I re-torqued before we left for home. A few of the lugs moved a fraction but most were right on. For good measure, I think I will take the 5 minutes and continue to torque before each trip.

Overall I am very pleased with the upgrade.

With aluminum wheels, you should only need to check/re-torque after driving 50 to 75 miles. The reason for it is the first time you torque the wheels, the hard lug nuts will slightly compress the softer aluminum. After driving a while, the aluminum might compress a bit more, causing the lugs to lose their torque setting and possibly loosening. Once re-torqued, you should be good to go - until you remove a wheel, in which case you should recheck again after driving.

[Bigsky3625RE]

quote:Originally posted by Tom S.

With aluminum wheels, you should only need to check/re-torque after driving 50 to 75 miles. The reason for it is the first time you torque the wheels, the hard lug nuts will slightly compress the softer aluminum. After driving a while, the aluminum might compress a bit more, causing the lugs to lose their torque setting and possibly loosening. Once re-torqued, you should be good to go - until you remove a wheel, in which case you should recheck again after driving.

Tom, actually, Hi-Spec has an insert that is not aluminum. That is why they claim you need to torque once.

But I will continue to check before we hit the road. Leaving home and the destination.

Just a safety thing......

[dmacy]

Keeping those Alcoa wheels looking new is a task. I use Mothers Aluminum and steel polish on mine. Putting tire covers on helps a lot also. polishing on a regular basis makes it a lot easier. If you let them go too long it takes a lot of work to bring them back. This in my estimation is the best upgrade anyone can make.

[Bigsky3625RE]

quote:Originally posted by dmacy

Keeping those Alcoa wheels looking new is a task. I use Mothers Aluminum and steel polish on mine. Putting tire covers on helps a lot also. polishing on a regular basis makes it a lot easier. If you let them go too long it takes a lot of work to bring them back. This in my estimation is the best upgrade anyone can make.

Actually they are from Hi-Spec......not Alcoa. Mine are polished......but will need to keep up on them as you mentioned.