Frustration with Dodge wheels/rims

[Pilgrim Dan]

Maybe this is a little off topic for this discussion board, but I saw so many good ideas about problems tightening/loosening lug nuts on a Dodge Caravan that I think someone here will know my problem and have an answer. I have a 2006 Dodge Cargo van C/V. It's just a regular Caravan with no seats or windows in the back part. I recently bought 2 new snow/ice tires for the front, and rather than mount/dismount the tires twice a year, I sought to buy a couple of extra rims. My van was built in 2006 and equipped with 6.5" x 16" stamped, plain jane black steel rims. It has the silver plastic wheel covers. Everywhere I've looked, they tell me my van doesn't exist, that the only 16' wheels that ever came on that model were aluminum spoked wheels, which is kinda weird because the tires on it are 16" and the manufacturer's label on the driver door says built 4/2006 and the tires/rims specified are 16 x 6.5. I just spent $165 on two 16 x 6.5 wheels that looked perfect, but the lug pattern is different (5 hole in both cases, but wider on the ones I bought, which were off a 2008 Caravan) Since I'm sure my van wasn't the only one built that way, and since the tire shop says they see them all the time, I'm hoping someone has had the same headache and can help me out. Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[HOTFR8]

Welcome to the GJ. May I suggest you post more of an introduction here and post your question again in Free Parking as I am sure some one will offer some advice and help to you.

 

[iceman510]

Try this link.

http://www.stockwheels.com/c-8788-rims.aspx?section=-4907-4918-4606-

2006 model year did not work, but 2005 showed a 16 x 6.5 option.

 

[Pilgrim Dan]

Thanks!

Looks like maybe mine is from a tail-end production run of 2005s, since it was built in April of 06 or maybe they just had a lot of leftover 16 x 6.5 rims and didn't want to waste them. In any case, it's us slobs out here that use these vehicles that get thought of last. I think a streak of masochism is a prerequisite to being an automotive design engineer (along with absolutely NO practical shop experience!).

I'll check these guys out. Thanks again...

 

[Pilgrim Dan]

Sorry if I violated posting etiquette. Inexperience with your board. How do I make amends?

 

[iceman510]

As an automotive engineer, I can tell you it is the cost guys that are the sadists (not masochists).

Good luck.

 

[HOTFR8]

Sorry if I violated posting etiquette. Inexperience with your board. How do I make amends?

Do not worry about it this time. Would be good if you told us more about you garage and then you will find this place addictive.

 

[Pilgrim Dan]

I should have chosen 'Jack of All Trades' as a handle instead of Pilgrim Dan. I don't do auto repair as a significant source of income. Mostly I fix /repair farm tractors for friends & neighbors, older trucks, some cars, keep my own stuff going. I have most of what could be called a vintage machine shop, including a 6' x 14" Lodge & Shipley lathe, a couple of shapers, an ancient Milwaukee mill, a big Sibley drill press, a 1900 vintage Hendey lathe (which had been working 12 years when the Titanic sank...). I have a home-refurbished 100-ton '50s vintage Hannifin press, so I can bend, break or straighten just about anything (which endears me to some farmers). I'm into old John Deeres, have 3 of them, do a little hobby farming. I'm a former steam locomotive engineer on an excursion railroad, have worked on and run several steam tractors. I'm a retired transmitter engineer from Fox Television and a life-long Ham radio operator, built my own gear. I've worked on and with everything from steam engines to integrated circuits. 76 years old, officially--but not really--retired, own and operate a Wireless Internet Service Provider network serving about 200 subscribers. Yes, I am a J of AT for sure, and when it all gets me down, I grab my guitar and sing or write a couple of songs.