Rebirth Update #2...

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In this update, we will examine the newest (and possibly most expensive) add-on to date for Truckman's new ride: wheels and tires...As long time observers know, Truckman's previous Dodge was upgraded to 19.5" wheels and commercial tires at an early date in its life...I wanted the same thing for this new truck, but went into sticker shock at discovering the current prices for the Rickson wheels and Michelin tires worn by the 2003 until its dying day...I also checked the latest opinions from reviewers of the aftermarket wheel sources, and found that Rickson's reputation for service and delivery speed had slipped considerably from its previous highly rated status when I made my original purchase...Therefore new research was called for...

My staff did a diligent study of current sources for commercial wheels and tires before recommending American Force forged aluminum wheels...They are made in America (Florida) and enjoy a good reputation for quality...The tire search was even more extensive since price is a big sticking point in the Truckman budget, but quality is still a major concern as well...Michelin has priced itself out of the market for the more frugal buyers such as myself, and as soon as I saw the market seemed to be flooded with lower priced tires from China, Korea and Indonesia, my "buyer beware" light began flashing...I have always prided myself on buying American, but the present economy (especially for retirees) has forced my thinking to move globally...

A fair amount of research, including talking to local truck owners, tire shop owners and managers, plus the usual internet sources led me to take a chance on a previously unheard of Chinese brand, Roadlux...I wanted tires in the same size as my previous truck, 245/70R19.5...The previous Michelins had been 12 ply rated (Load Range F), and the tires I selected from the Roadlux catalog in that size are 16 ply rated (Load Range H)...Ordinarily a tire built that heavy, and inflated to its minimum pressure of 100 PSI will ride rough, but with slightly over a half inch of tread depth I decided to take a chance that the ride would be acceptable...I ordered six of the model R216, which is a closed shoulder, straight ribbed highway tread, suitable for my mostly town and some highway use...The tires were date coded for the 28th week of 2018 on arrival...These tires have been on the market for about five years, and reviews are mostly favorable with some criticism from recognizable suspect sources who never seem to be pleased...The majority of respondents liked the tires...

The American Force wheels I selected, in a high-polished aluminum finish, were ordered from WS Trading as a package, including four aluminum and two steel wheels, chrome lug nuts and polished center caps...Size is 19.5X6.75...On arrival it was noted that the lug nuts were metric threaded instead of the SAE size needed for my truck...WS Trading quickly sent the correct size, and today I went to Double R Tire Shop in Conroe where I had left the wheels and tires to be mounted and balanced...This is an older tire shop where I had been getting the required state inspection for many years, but had never had tire work performed...Their reputation for quality service is a good one, and it was upheld superbly by the work they did for me...I was told that the aluminum wheels were relatively simple to mount the tires, but the steel wheels (for the inside duals) had to be mounted by hand without power equipment due to the positioning of the wheel's drop center...Having been in the tire business many years ago, I knew what a pain that was, but the Double R crew did the job correctly, and without complaint...

The balancing of the tire/wheel assembly was a different story as the front tires balanced with no trouble using stick-on weights toward the inside where they won't show...The rear inner steel wheels also balanced with no problem using standard clamp-on weights...However the rear aluminum outer wheels could not be balanced without the stick-on weights showing on the wheel...The decision was made to install those two without balance to see how they ride...The drive home was smooth although full highway speeds were never reached...However no wobble occurred, and no symptoms of out of roundness was exhibited...If necessary in the future, balance beads can always be installed inside the tires, but at this point seem unnecessary...Considering the amount of work needed to have this tire work done (speaking from experience from years past), I can highly recommend the fine crew of professionals at Double R Tire Shop for what they accomplished at a very fair price...

The biggest chance I took seems to have been in guessing that the tires, being an inch and a half larger in diameter, wouldn't rub the fender wells in a turn...So far, no problems in that regard as plenty of clearance was noted after installation...Since the last update, a locking fuel tank cap was added, along with new rubber floor mats (Dodge branded of course) and Truckman's version of a center console - a .50 caliber military ammo can velcroed to the floor...This update will be appended after a suitable highway test...Pictures are available in Truckman's photo blog added to the bottom...

EDIT: I examined the sidewall markings on the takeoff tires as I unloaded them into my garage...The four rear tires were marked as "Made in Indonesia"...During the month I drove on them, they rode smooth, no vibration and I saw no signs of defects or unusual wear...These tires had approximately 2/3 of their usable tread depth remaining...That alleviates some of the concerns I had about Asian tires...

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Rebirth Update #1...

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Truckman's adventure with his new ride continues with this first update...The admittedly shabby looking finish on the flatbed was noted in the accompanying pictures on my photo blog...After deciding the show quality finish offered at my favorite paint and body shop was not what was needed on this truck, I went by TER Texas in Conroe (Truck and Equipment Repair), a manufacturer of new flatbeds of all description and other service bodies for trucks...A discussion of my needs with Richard Lyons of TER led me to leave the truck with them to refinish my flatbed...

There were many new trucks there already awaiting installation of new bodies and equipment, yet they worked my truck into the schedule just as if I was as important as their biggest customer...The flatbed was removed along with both Rawson/Koenig  sideboxes, and all the exterior surfaces including boxes and headboard were cleaned, sanded and repainted with an industrial grade finish...In addition a new trapdoor over the gooseneck ball was fabricated and welded in place with new hinges...New LED sidemarker lights were installed and the reflective DOT tape on sides and rear were replaced...The bed was reinstalled and the truck test driven to insure there were no rattles or unwanted noise...New photos for comparison here...

Edit: In my original discussion with Richard Lyons of TER, new mudflaps were to be installed...However they were inadvertently left off the work order when the truck was dropped off, and I never noticed the absence until I got home and started taking new pictures...A quick phone call to him got me scheduled for a while-you-wait appointment for the following business day to get them installed...As usual when two veterans get together, we swapped war stories over coffee while his crew installed the new mudflaps...The work was quickly done, and Truckman was again on the road...Kudos again to TER and their policy of seeing to it a customer is satisfied...Pics of the enhanced look can be found on the photo link in the preceding paragraph...

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