We’ve written extensively about the RAM 1500 and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we will talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your 1500. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:
RAM 1500 manufactured from 2019 onwards have a bolt pattern of 6×5.5 inches (6×139.7mm), a center bore of 3.07 inches (77.8mm), and six lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 130lb-ft (176Nm) of force.
RAM 1500 manufactured between 2012 – 2018 have a bolt pattern of 5×5.5 inches (5×139.7mm), a center bore of 3.07 inches (77.8mm), and five lug nuts with a thread size of M14 x 1.5 that need to be tightened with 118 – 140 lb-ft (160-190Nm) of force.
RAM 1500 manufactured in 2011 have a bolt pattern of 5×5.5 inches (5×139.7mm), a center bore of 3.07 inches (77.8mm), and five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.25 that need to be tightened with 118 – 140 lb-ft (160-190Nm) of force.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined the bolt pattern in more detail for each generation. We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts. Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. You should know precisely what you can and cannot buy this way. Read on!
Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation
To fit a wheel properly on your 1500, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the 1500. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.
We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The 1500, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.
Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.
Also, read our main article in which we outline the bolt pattern for all RAM models.
2019 – 2021
- Ram 1500 with a 3.0 D V6, 3.6i V6 or 5.7i V8 engine has a standard tire size of 275/65R18 and a standard rim size of 8Jx18 ET19.05.
- Ram 1500 with a 3.0 D Rebel V6, 3.6i Rebel V6 or 5.7i Rebel V8 engine has a standard tire size of LT275/70R18 and a standard rim size of 8Jx18 ET19.05.
2012 – 2018
- Ram 1500 with a 3.0TD V6 engine has a standard tire size of 275/60R20 or 285/45R22 and a standard rim size of 8Jx20 ET19.05 or 9Jx22 ET19.05.
- Ram 1500 with a 3.6i V6 engine has a standard tire size of 265/70R17, 275/70R17 or 275/60R20 and a standard rim size of 7Jx17 ET25.4, 8Jx17 ET25.4 or 8Jx20 ET19.05.
- Ram 1500 with a 3.6i Rebel V6 or 5.7i Rebel V8 engine has a standard tire size of 285/70R17 and a standard rim size of 8Jx17 ET25.4.
- Ram 1500 with a 5.7i V8 engine has a standard tire size of 275/60R20, 275/60R20 or 285/45R22 and a standard rim size of 8Jx20 ET19.05, 9Jx20 ET19.05 or 9Jx22 ET19.05.
- Ram 1500 with a 5.7i TRX V8 engine has a standard tire size of 265/75R16 or 275/70R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET25.4 or 7Jx17 ET25.4.
2011
- Ram 1500 with a 3.0TD V6 engine has a standard tire size of 275/60R20 or 285/45R22 and a standard rim size of 8Jx20 ET19.05 or 9Jx22 ET19.05.
- Ram 1500 with a 3.6i V6 engine has a standard tire size of 265/70R17, 275/70R17 or 275/60R20 and a standard rim size of 7Jx17 ET25.4, 8Jx17 ET25.4 or 8Jx20 ET19.05.
- Ram 1500 with a 5.7i V8 engine has a standard tire size of 275/60R20, 275/60R20 or 285/45R22 and a standard rim size of 8Jx20 ET19.05, 9Jx20 ET19.05 or 9Jx22 ET19.05.
Retightening The Bolts
As said before, most generations of the 1500 that we discussed have five or six lug nuts. These need to be secured in a specific way when you mount the wheel to the car again. This information is stated in the owner’s manual, but we’ve gone through the effort of instructing you here. RAM advises you to bolt these nuts in the way that’s shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.
You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.
In the second round, you tighten them with the wheel wrench to the appropriate lbs-ft or Nm that we’ve stated earlier. Please note that the newest generation of the 1500 needs to have the bolts tightened to 130 lb-ft.
It’s expected that your wheel also have a center cap or cover. These need to be secured in the same pattern. Please tighten them first-hand snug with your hands. Then, use the wheel wrench to tighten them another one-quarter turn.
It’s also important to check if the lug nuts are still secured after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Please make sure they are all in place and still tightened with the proper force. If not, tighten them again and recheck. If this keeps happening, you’ll need to replace the wheel.
When Or Why To Rotate/Change Tires
Suppose you’re changing your tire. You also need to know when to change or rotate it precisely. Let’s first talk about changing your tires. Tires usually last around 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years. After this period they need to be replaced. Sometimes this happens earlier, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the tread wear indicators. These are shown in the image below. These indicators show when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining.
Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the RAM 1500, it’s said that this needs to happen every 5,000 – 7,500 miles for vehicles with FWD or AWD. Rotate the tires every 3,000 – 5,000 miles if your vehicle has AWD. It’s advised you rotate the tires in the exact way that’s shown below. The front tires are moved to the back, and the front tires move crisscross to the front.
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Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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