I got new 18" Riddler wheels - Before and After Pictures

[jason999]

Here are my old wheels. I believe they were 255/70 15.

[jason999]

Here are my 18x8 Chrome Riddlers with Nitto NT420 S tires. 255/55 18. My old tires were dry rotted. The truck rides great with the new setup! Some reviews complained about tire noise with these tires, while others said it wasn't an issue. They are great right now. Ive never had Nittos or directional tires but Discount Tire had a 2 day sale which allowed me $160 refund on my 4 tires ($260 after rebate!) and $160 rebate on my 4 wheels ($635! AR).

I had been debating on the best wheel, tire size, etc, but I couldn't pass that deal up.

My stock suspension looks much better than I expected! I couldn't find a photo of a stock suspension shortbed fleetside on 18 inch wheels. The few that I found were lowered. So, here it is if anyone is curious. I will likely lower it, though. If so, I will provide before after pics.

Im just getting the truck really drivable and I realized yesterday that installation of my Vintage AC, sitting in the box, should be moved up on the list! It was 98 here yesterday. It will likely get body and paint work at the end of the year.

For ride height researchers, I will mention that the old tires and wheels were in the bed in the Dicks Sporting Goods photo, so the rear may have been an inch or two lower, in that photo.

[slowcpe]

Looks good! I really like my Riddlers and think they are a great wheel for the money. Just wish they made a 12" wide wheel.

[jason999]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Looks good! I really like my Riddlers and think they are a great wheel for the money. Just wish they made a 12" wide wheel.

You may have a little more truck than me. I don't think I'll need 12" wide wheels anytime soon! I was going to get slightly wider rears, until I realized that not all tires are available in all sizes. It would have been over $250 more to get the tires that had both sizes that I needed...

[Greg63]

Looks good.
Greg.

[McStuffin]

Looks great! how do you like the 55 sidewall height?

Also... are thos 4.5" backspaced? If so, any issues?

[Cooper197]

I run those Nittos on my SRX. Love them. They do get a bit louder after about 20,000 miles, but they grip very well. Love them.

[jason999]

Originally Posted by McStuffin

Looks great! how do you like the 55 sidewall height?

Also... are thos 4.5" backspaced? If so, any issues?

I really like the 255/55-18's. The sidewalls look great to me. To my eye, that tire size looks like something that a modern manufacturer would use on this truck if it were made today. We have a Corvette and factory low profile tires look good on it, but I would not want that look on a truck.

My old tires had sat for 10+ years, so the ride is much improved! It rides and handles great in my opinion!

I ordered these over the phone. I told Discount Tire that I expected that I would need 4.5" BS. He said that he would confirm that when he ordered them. Mine was a little different with the 1981 Axel. I am pretty sure that's what I ended up with. I was fine with them making the final decision since they would have to take the loss if they didn't fit. That is the nice part about buying local.

They fit fine and I will be able to lower it with no problems, but the outside top of the back tires will be a little closer (to the inside of the bedside) than I expected, if I lower it. They should be ok though.

I am really surprised at how great the truck looks at stock height with these wheels/tires.

[dwcardfan]

I liked them so much I ordered a set of the gray 695's yesterday. I went with the 18x8 and 18x9.5.

[jason999]

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

I liked them so much I ordered a set of the gray 695's yesterday. I went with the 18x8 and 18x9.5.

Great! The gray ones seem much more prevalent and they look great! I had to get the chrome, though.

What brand/size tires did you get?

[dwcardfan]

I have not got them yet. I just bought the wheels. A friend is bringing his wheels over tonight to let me mount them on my truck. His are 18x9 with 255/55/18's on them. I am leaning towards 245/55/18 front and 255/55/18 on back. A local tire shop has falkens and coopers and I will probably use one of them. My truck has a 3/5 drop and I dont have my bed on yet but I sold my other wheels and need to make a decision soon.

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by dwcardfan

I liked them so much I ordered a set of the gray 695's yesterday. I went with the 18x8 and 18x9.5.

This is what's have on my truck currently. I've got 235/60s up front and 255/55s out back had considered moving the 255sup front and running a 275/285 out back before my project took a major left turn.

[dwcardfan]

Ridler 695 18x8 front with 235/60/18 and 18x9.5 rear with 255/55/18.

[DaddyOh]

Very nice. Do you know the backspace you went with for the front wheels?

[dwcardfan]

Originally Posted by DaddyOh

Very nice. Do you know the backspace you went with for the front wheels?

Thanks. The front was 4.5 backspacing and rear was 5.5

[jason999]

The wheels look great!

I like the silver on your truck. I have considered making my truck that color when I have it painted. I would consider a white top, though.