FINALLY got the widened factory R/T wheels back today. Went over to
Discount Tire and mounted one of my Comp TA 305/45-17s on the wheel for a
test fit (to see if spacers would be needed). The wheel/tire combo fit like
they were designed for the truck and just plain look wicked on the Dakota! No
spacers will need to be used!
For those of you who would also consider doing this to their Dakota, I
would have to caution you. First of all, is the cost. I had to buy two 17"
cores (since the R/T wheels are only $121.00 each, I just bought an
additional two to be chopped up). The cost to have the wheels widened is
$125.00 per wheel, PLUS the cost of the cores. So the final price to get the
wheels widened was $492.00 plus tax. Next is tires. I got lucky and snagged
up the LAST two 305/45-17 BF Goodrich Comp T/A HR4s in the country. They have
been discontinued. I didn't think I would like the tread pattern of the HR4s
but honestly they look great on the 305/45-17 tire. Your only other choice
would be the Goodyear F1 "Super-Car" Fioranos in a 315/45-17 size. These are
OE tires for the F1 McClaren. Problem with this is it is an "import" tire.
meaning they are made in Europe and EXTREMELY hard to get your hands on.
Goodyear will produce only 200 sets (they are left and right part numbers).
These will be produced in March (I have a set pre-ordered). They are NOT
cheap. Tire Rack sells them for $488.00 a tire, but I've seen as high as
$750.00 a tire other places.
The HR4s were $175.00 each.... I plan on putting these on the 4.7L Sport
after the Goodyears show up. Final price to do this modification? $875.00
dollars (but doesn't inlude an extra $210.00 to have them chromed to match
the R/T wheels I already have)....
In my opinion this set-up really makes the R/T look KILLER (especially with a
roll-pan), not to mention the added performance (awesome street traction, and
MUCH better handling).
I'll take some before and after pictures as soon as they come back in a
couple weeks from being chromed.
James
'99 Flame Red RC Dakota R/T (ATI Procharged)
'01 Black 4.7L RC Dakota Sport (5-speed & 3.92 gear)
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