The bolt pattern on the Dodge Ram 1500 has changed over the years. The early years show that Dodge did not think changing the bolt pattern was feasible, so they all stayed the same.
New ideas were created as new technology rolled out, and changes were made to the Ram truck, including the bolt patterns used on the wheels.
The newest trucks have a 6 x 5.5 inches pattern, covering the trucks from 2019 up until now.
From 2012 to 2018, the previous generation had a bolt pattern of 5 x 5.5 inches. Before that, from 2011 down to 1981, the Dodge Ram lug patterns were also 5 x 5.5 inches.
Understanding The Dodge Ram 1500 Lug Pattern
To understand the Ram 1500 bolt pattern, you will need to start by imagining a large circle that goes from lug nut to lug nut.
This circle is the actual size of the pattern, which is an important number to know because it is the size of the wheel pattern.
So, to break it down into easy-to-understand language, the first number is the number of lugs the wheel has.
Let’s say your wheel is a 5 x 5.5. In this case, the wheel will require five lug nuts to hold the wheel onto the axle.
The second number is the measurement from any part of the circle from edge to edge. Using the same wheel as above, the circle would be 5.5 inches wide.
Using this example, the wheel on the truck would need a rim with five lug holes, and the imaginary circle through the holes would have to be 5.5 inches wide.
Dodge Ram 1500 Bolt Pattern
New innovative technology has brought changes to the 5th generation (2019 to present) of the Ram 1500.
The engineers realized it was safer and more secure to go with a wheel with 6 lug nuts instead of five like all the generations before them.
Six bolts make it possible to maintain the tightness of the wheel if one of the bolts should sheer off, which can happen at any time, especially when towing or four-wheeling.
The newer trucks’ wheel sizes have been more leveled out than the previous years, which means a more stable ride on and off the road.
- 5th Gen – The 2019 and newer Dodge Ram 1500 has an 18 to 20-inch rim.
- 4th Gen – From 2009 to 2018, the Ram had 17 to 20-inch rims.
- 3rd Gen – From 2002 to 2008, the third generation trucks had various rim sizes, ranging from 17 to 22 inches.
- 2nd Gen – 1994 to 2001 were the 2nd generation trucks with rim sizes from 16 to 17 inches.
- 1st Gen – The original Dodge Ram 1500s, 1981 to 1993, came with 15 to 16-inch rims and tires.
The older trucks had a much wider variety of truck wheel sizes. The base levels had smaller tires, which were engineered to haul, tow, and work at a lower level than the upgraded trim levels.
The higher up on the line-up you went, the bigger the tires and rims that came with them from the manufacturing plant.
Dodge Ram 1500 Wheel Patterns
The Dodge Ram 1500 bolt pattern is relatively similar when looking at the first four generations of trucks.
The newer models upgraded to more lug nuts because it offers a much safer ride in general, especially when towing heavy trailers or hauling extra loads.
Most drivers push their trucks to the limits, so the safer the wheels and tires can make things, the better off everyone involved is.
The Ram 1500 is only a ½-ton truck, but when drivers need to haul something over that, it is common to just do it without thought of the stress it causes upon the tires.
Every part of the truck is engineered to work in a particular way, up to the weight limits that have been set.
Going over that can cause blow-outs, bent rims, and a trip into the swamp on the side of the road.
Let’s break down each generation of Dodge Rams so it can be understood easily with one glance.
| Generation of Ram 1500 | Wheel Size | Bolt Pattern |
| 5th Gen (2019 to present) | 18″ to 20″ | 6 x 5.5″ |
| 4th Gen (2009 to 2018) | 17″ to 20″ | 5 x 5.5″ |
| 3rd Gen (2002 to 2008) | 17″ to 22″ | 5 x 5.5″ |
| 2nd Gen (1994 to 2001) | 16″ to 17″ | 5 x 5.5″ |
| 1st Gen (1981 to 1993) | 15″ to 16″ | 5 x 5.5″ |
The bolt patterns will be the same regardless of the size of the tires and rims on the Dodge Ram 1500.
This makes it easy to get a replacement rim if it is ever needed, as long as the rims on the truck have not been upgraded to allow wider tires.
If they have, it will have to be matched to ensure that all the tires on the truck are the same.
Fitting The Wheel To The Truck
Fitting the wheel to the truck may seem easy because all but the 5th generation have the exact bolt pattern.
That is the case if the rim is made to fit the Dodge Ram in question. The measurement from bolt to bolt needs to match the distance between the holes on the rim.
Otherwise, it will not fit onto the truck. Let’s take a closer look at what should go on the truck, ensuring a perfect fit when changing the rims and tires.
| Generation | Rim Size | Tire Size | Bolt Pattern | Tightening Torque |
| 5th Gen (2019 to Present) | 18-inch | 275/65R18 | 6 x 5.5″ | 130 ft-lbs |
| 20-inch | 275/55R20 | |||
| 22-inch | 285/45R22 |
| Generation | Rim Size | Tire Size | Bolt Pattern | Tightening Torque |
| 4th Gen (2009 to 2018 | 17-inch | 265/70R17 | 5 x 5.5″ | 130 ft-lbs |
| 20-inch | 275/60R20 |
| Generation | Rim Size | Tire Size | Bolt Pattern | Tightening Torque |
| 3rd Gen (2002 to 2008) | 17-inch | 265/70R17 | 5 x 5.5″ | 135 ft-lbs |
| 20-inch | 275/70R20 |
| Generation | Rim Size | Tire Size | Bolt Pattern | Tightening Torque |
| 2nd Gen (1994 to 2001) | 16-inch | 245/75R16 | 5 x 5.5″ | 135 ft-lbs |
| 17-inch | 275/70R17 |
| Generation | Rim Size | Tire Size | Bolt Pattern | Tightening Torque |
| 1st Gen(1981 to 1993) | 15-inch | 225/75R15 | 5 x 5.5″ | 130 ft-lbs |
| 16-inch |
The size of the tire will need to be taken into account. The big, wide tires look amazing on any truck, but if any part of them is not up to the manufacturer’s standards or the weight ratings, the tire is not safe to drive on.
The same goes for the height and width of the tire. If it is too big, it can potentially rub on the fenders, brakes, and suspension.
Properly Tightening The Lug Nuts
When changing a tire, the sequence is often not even considered, but it needs to be.
If the lug nuts are not tightened correctly, the rim could warp, which will cause issues when driving and decrease its strength. The way to properly tighten the wheels is to use a star pattern.
a) 5-lug Wheel
Start with the lug nut on the top. Tighten snugly but do not torque it down. From there, go straight down and tighten snug.
Now, you want to angle over to the right and snug the lug nut down. After that, straight across to the next and angle to the last one. You are basically drawing a star as you go.
b) 6-lug Wheel
Once again, start with the lug nut on top and snug it down. Go straight down and then angle over to the right.
Go straight across from there and then angle once again. Now all you have is one more, so snug it up.
Once the lug nuts are tightened down, snuggly drop the car onto the ground and finish tightening them up with a torque wrench set at the proper amount.
Most Dodge Ram 1500 wheels need to be torqued at 130 ft-lbs but double-check with your owner’s manual.
How Long Do The Tires Last?
The average Dodge Ram 1500 tire can last between 50,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on the type and brand of tire on the rim.
Some lower-end tires may only last 10,000 miles, so the warranty must be checked to see the length of the life expected from that specific tire.
The quarter test is the best way to tell if a tire needs to be replaced. Put the quarter into one of the lines in the tread. Make sure that the head on the coin is facing down.
If the tread protrudes above the top of the head (remember, the coin is upside down), the tire is still good to go. If it is below the head, it is time to change them.
Ways To Maintain Your Dodge Ram 1500 Tires and Rims
Maintaining your tires and rims will ensure they last as long as they should, or maybe even longer.
Some very simple things can be done to maximize the life of a tire and wheel so let’s check them out.
- Keep proper air pressure in the tires
- Rotate the tires every 5000 miles
- Check the alignment at least once a year
- Do not overload the truck
- Keep the wheels clean and free of excess debris
- Spray cleaner and protectant on the wheels and tires
If you keep up with the routine maintenance and ensure that the truck, and wheels, are kept clean, there should not be any issues.
The most important thing to keep an eye on is the air pressure in the tires.
They all need to be at the PSI that they should be, and they should be wearing out through the middle of the tire, not on the sides.
Related Questions
What Rims Will Fit on My Dodge Ram 1500?
That will solely depend upon the year of the truck you have and the size of the tires that were originally on it.
The critical thing to check is the wheel’s bolt pattern and compare it to the rim.
The rims will either have five or six lugs, which you will need to measure across them to find the actual size.
Now, measure across the holes in the rim and see if it is the same. If not, try again.
Why Does Bolt Pattern Need To Be Exact?
The bolt pattern on any vehicle is determined by the manufacturer. So it can’t be changed & should be kept exactly the same.
If the pattern is forcefully altered then it will cause severe damage to your car as well as overall driving skill will be unpleasant.
What is a 5 x 5.5″ Bolt Pattern?
The first number, which in this case is a 5, is how many lug nuts it will have.
The second, 5.5″, is the distance between two of the lug bolts, using an imaginary circle that connects all the bolts. In this case, the distance between the two would be 5.5 inches.
Do All Dodge Ram 1500s Have The Same Bolt Pattern?
Until the fifth generation of Rams, the bolt patterns were all 5 x 5.5 inches.
The new generation, starting in 2019, upgraded to a bolt pattern of 6 x 5.5 inches. This gives it an extra lug bolt to ensure a tight fit.
Will 5-Lug Ford Rims Fit Onto My 5-Lug Dodge Ram?
If the bolt pattern is the same, a Ford rim will work on your Dodge Ram 1500.
Ford uses a different type of lug nut, so make sure to change that to the proper ones that do not have the acorn shape.
Final Thoughts
When figuring out the bolt pattern on a Dodge Ram 1500, you will need to get the tape measure out and check the distance between the holes in the rim and the bolts on the axle.
These two numbers need to match; otherwise, the rim will not fit onto the truck.
The proper fit is imperative for safety and the comfort and control of the ride. Not just on one axle, either.
All four tires must have the same bolt pattern, size, and width, and air pressures must be set correctly and equally.
It may not seem like that big of a deal, but it is more than necessary in the truck world.
Bruce William is a professional content writer and vehicle engineer with extensive car maintenance and repair knowledge. His expertise spans all vehicle parts, offering practical solutions for various automotive issues. Bruce provides valuable insights through his website articles to help readers maintain their cars for optimal performance and longevity.