Truck Owner Finally Gets Wheels And Tires Onto His Fifth Gen Cummins After A Very Long Wait And Bolts On Spiked Studs For A Wild Tow Rig Look

Anyone who has ever ordered a part and then waited, and waited, and waited some more will understand the relief in this one. @Brandon24v opens by saying he has been waiting a very long time to get wheels and tires onto his fifth generation Cummins, and now the day has finally come.

A Cummins truck wheels and tires video cover beside a stock photo of a lifted white pickup truck.

The truck is a fifth gen Ram dually that he bought a couple of months back, the kind of heavy-duty diesel rig that already turns heads parked at a gas station. Until now he has been riding around on the stock wheels, and he says he misses the look of a tire sticking out past the side of the bed. Today that changes.

The first problem is getting the parts together. He bought a long bed truck to have more room for his activities, and he jokes that he still needs a car trailer to haul wheels and tires to be mounted, because six 37 inch tires and six 26 inch dually wheels simply do not fit in the bed. He says he learned that the hard way after losing three tires on a back road.

The Wheel and Tire Package

The setup is big. The tires are 37 inch Venom Swamp Thing tires that are 13.50 wide, one of the tire sizes he had always wanted on a 26 inch wheel. They go on 26 by 8.25 forged dually wheels with what he calls a 10 lug simulated look. Behind the floating cap sits a direct bolt-on for the stock lug pattern on the fifth gen, so it looks like a classic ten-lug wheel but fits the truck the easy way.

He calls the floating caps his favorite part and gives credit to the company that makes them. The same caps are already on his black truck, a 2022 Ram 2500 that also wears 26 inch wheels, although a smaller cap goes on that single rear wheel setup. He points out that 26s are the new thing, and that everything seems to need forged wheels these days.

Spikes and Studs

Here is where the look turns wild. Once the tires are mounted and balanced at a friend’s shop in Indiana, he gets to work on the spikes. He has 40 plastic studs that he cut down, and they push right into the wheel and are then covered with a cap. The front wheels and the outer dually wheels get the spikes, while the inner wheels get nothing, since nobody will see them.

It is not subtle, and it is not supposed to be. Spiked lug nut covers have become a signature of the heavy-duty truck world, a little menacing and a lot of fun, and plenty of owners love the attitude they bring to an otherwise plain wheel. On a dually with a tow rig stance, the effect is hard to miss.

Mounting Them on the Truck

With the spikes in, it is time to put the wheels on. He installs half-inch spacers on the front, which he says keeps the tires from rubbing the control arm, noting that the factory control arm was not designed with 26s and 37s in mind. The rear spacers are still on the way, so he starts with the front and then moves to the back.

Once the stock wheels come off, the difference is obvious. A tire that is proportionate to the wheel well changes the whole look of the truck. While the rear is jacked up he notices that one inside tire is bald, which he plans to change soon, and he mentions that the truck has been dealing with emissions problems.

Why Wheels and Tires Change Everything

A new set of wheels and tires does more than change how a truck looks. It changes how it stands, how it rides and how it drives. Bigger tires fill the wheel wells and give a truck a stronger stance, but they also affect gearing, speedometer accuracy, fuel economy and braking. A heavy diesel pickup that tows is already hard on tires, so the choice matters.

If you are shopping for a similar upgrade, there are a few things worth settling before you click buy. Start with the load rating, since a diesel truck that carries a heavy engine and pulls trailers needs tires rated for the weight. Confirm the wheel’s bolt pattern, offset and center bore match your truck, because a wheel that almost fits is a wheel that does not fit. And make sure the wheel and tire combination clears the brakes, suspension and fender, especially if you plan to turn the steering all the way.

A Few Words on Spiked Lug Nuts

Spiked lug nut covers are mostly cosmetic. They slip over or replace your regular lug nuts and add a row of pointy accents. A few common-sense cautions apply.

Check your local rules. Some places have regulations on protruding wheel hardware.
Think about people. Sharp spikes can hurt anyone who brushes against a wheel, including kids and pets.
Mind the torque. The real lug nuts underneath must be tightened to the manufacturer’s specification, ideally with a torque wrench and a star pattern.
Recheck after a short drive. Wheels can settle, so check lug tightness after the first fifty miles or so.

Keeping a Diesel Truck Looking and Running Right

A truck like this is not only about looks. Cummins diesels are known for durability, but they reward owners who stay on top of maintenance. Regular oil and fuel filter changes, clean air filters and attention to the cooling system go a long way. If you tow, pay special attention to brakes and tire pressure, and follow the weight ratings in your owner’s manual.

Fresh wheels deserve fresh care, too. Keep a good wheel cleaner and soft brush on hand, since brake dust builds up fast on heavy trucks, and wax the finish so dirt and road salt do not stick. Rotate the tires on schedule and have the alignment checked after any major change.

The Joy of the Long Wait

There is something satisfying in a build that takes patience. When parts are slow to arrive, it is easy to get discouraged, but the payoff is bigger when the pieces finally come together. Brandon says he has been looking at these wheels for the last two months and could hardly wait, and that excitement is catching.

To see how the spiked, tow-rig look turns out, follow @Brandon24v on YouTube.

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