18" wheels and caliper clearance

[Skearns]

I am taking delivery of a 26 Laramie 1500 in the next 2-3 weeks and want to swap out the 22" wheels for 18". I’ve read on here about possible brake caliper issues with some 18" aftermarket wheels. After far too much shopping around I decided on the Fuel Beast D564 wheels in 18x9 +19. I called 4 online retailers and received 2 "yes, it will work" and 2 "no, it will not work" answers. I was told my best bet would be to go to 20" wheels to ensure brake clearance.

Has anyone here had experience with these wheels in 18" with a 25’-26’ RAM?

 

[H2OMAN]

Those are seriously good looking wheels. I'm glad to se something good come out for once. I don't think I can help you. I have 18x9 Fuel Shoks on my '19 but they are -12. So maybe not apples to apples. But I would love to see your truck when you get them on.

 

[stevj]

On my 2019 Ram, I replaced the stock 22" wheels with some 18" wheels from a Ram Bighorn of the same year. They fit fine, bolt pattern matches of course, and the ride is not as harsh as with 22's.
-BUT-
My tire shop discovered: with those Bighorn wheels, there's just enough space between the caliper and wheel for one layer of stick-on wheel weights.
If your tire shop stacks them, you might hear angry noises from the caliper dust shield.

Steve

 

[boogielander]

these are confirmed fit.

 

[Skearns]

Those are seriously good looking wheels. I'm glad to se something good come out for once. I don't think I can help you. I have 18x9 Fuel Shoks on my '19 but they are -12. So maybe not apples to apples. But I would love to see your truck when you get them on.

Thanks, they really jumped out when I first saw them. I think they look nice, are simple, and hopefully easy to keep clean.

On my 2019 Ram, I replaced the stock 22" wheels with some 18" wheels from a Ram Bighorn of the same year. They fit fine, bolt pattern matches of course, and the ride is not as harsh as with 22's.
-BUT-
My tire shop discovered: with those Bighorn wheels, there's just enough space between the caliper and wheel for one layer of stick-on wheel weights.
If your tire shop stacks them, you might hear angry noises from the caliper dust shield.

Steve

Great info, thank you. I went ahead and ordered 20x9 wheels. Not my first choice but I prefer to swim with the current. I’m leaning towards 265/60 tires so I can stay near OEM size but get a little more sidewall than the stock 275/55 tires. I’m looking into possible downsides to having a narrower tire.

Now to decide between Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascents and Falken Wildpeak A/T3 or A/T4. I prefer Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT (I have them on my current truck) but they don’t make them in my desired size.

View attachment 210237
these are confirmed fit.

I’ll keep this in mind but I’m trying to stay as close to stock as I can for now. I’ve enjoyed reading about your truck mods. Very detailed write-ups and your truck is really freakin nice! I like the dark bronze wheels with a blue body. I almost went with dark bronze wheels to match the forged blue metallic paint but bronze can either look really good or really gaudy if not the right shade. I didn’t trust seeing them online as in-person can be very different.

 

[boogielander]

Thanks, they really jumped out when I first saw them. I think they look nice, are simple, and hopefully easy to keep clean.

Great info, thank you. I went ahead and ordered 20x9 wheels. Not my first choice but I prefer to swim with the current. I’m leaning towards 265/60 tires so I can stay near OEM size but get a little more sidewall than the stock 275/55 tires. I’m looking into possible downsides to having a narrower tire.

Now to decide between Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascents and Falken Wildpeak A/T3 or A/T4. I prefer Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT (I have them on my current truck) but they don’t make them in my desired size.

I’ll keep this in mind but I’m trying to stay as close to stock as I can for now. I’ve enjoyed reading about your truck mods. Very detailed write-ups and your truck is really freakin nice! I like the dark bronze wheels with a blue body. I almost went with dark bronze wheels to match the forged blue metallic paint but bronze can either look really good or really gaudy if not the right shade. I didn’t trust seeing them online as in-person can be very different.

most will fit just fine, it's the wheel weight locations that can be problematic.
here's the key thing to remember: stock positive offset you can mount the weight on the inside of the barrel, but once you move the wheel out either using spacers or negative offset you'll need to put the weight on the front of the barrel.

and for the bronze wheels... you are correct. Fresh off wash or under direct sunlight they pop, but once dirty or when the lighting is not right they are more dark and not really the right shade.

This is how the bronze looks under normal late afternoon lighting, taken with iPhone 17 pro max. No touch up or editing.

BUT!!! given that color shade shifting nature of the wheels, sometimes it does look like I have different sets of wheels and that's a plus LOL

if you wanna stay close to stock then Rebel wheels with 33s will work just good for you, or run 35x11.5. Running 12.5 wide will require negative offset to clear upper arm.