If you're planning on upgrading your truck's look, you need to start with the ram 1500 2017 bolt pattern so you don't end up buying a set of expensive paperweights. It's one of those things that seems small until you're sitting in your driveway with a floor jack, a pile of new parts, and a wheel that won't actually slide onto the studs.
Honestly, the 2017 Ram 1500 is a bit of a sweet spot for truck owners. It's got that classic Fourth Gen look that people still love, and it's arguably one of the most customizable trucks on the road. But before you start scrolling through endless pages of deep-dish chrome or matte black off-road wheels, you've got to get the technical stuff out of the way.
The Magic Number: 5x139.7
So, let's get right to it. The ram 1500 2017 bolt pattern is 5x139.7mm. If you're more used to the imperial system—which a lot of us are when we're working on American trucks—that translates to 5x5.5 inches.
What this actually means is that your hub has five lug nuts, and if you were to draw a circle through the center of those five studs, the diameter of that circle would be exactly 139.7 millimeters (or 5.5 inches). It sounds simple, but even a tiny deviation will keep the wheel from seating properly. If you try to force a 5x135mm wheel on there, you're going to have a very bad day and probably break something expensive.
The 5x5.5 pattern has a long history with Dodge and Ram. It's been the standard for their half-ton trucks for a long time, stretching back decades. This is actually great news for you because it means there is a massive aftermarket for these wheels. You aren't hunting for some obscure, rare fitment; you're looking for one of the most common truck patterns ever made.
Why You Can't Just Guess
It's tempting to look at a wheel and think, "Hey, that looks like it'll fit." But guessing is a recipe for disaster. The thing about the ram 1500 2017 bolt pattern is that it's physically very close to some other patterns used by competitors. For example, some older Ford trucks used a 5-lug pattern that looks nearly identical to the eye but is off by just enough to be dangerous.
Using the wrong bolt pattern, or trying to use "wobble nuts" or adapters that aren't high-quality, can lead to some scary situations. We're talking about wheels vibrating at highway speeds or, in the worst-case scenario, the wheel actually shearing off the studs. Since your Ram is likely a daily driver or a workhorse, you don't want to play games with safety just to save a few bucks on a used set of rims that "almost" fit.
The Shift to Six Lugs
One thing that trips people up is that they see newer Rams on the road and assume the parts are interchangeable. It's worth noting that when Ram redesigned the 1500 for the 2019 model year (the "Fifth Gen"), they switched to a 6-lug pattern.
This makes the 2017 model one of the last few years of that classic 5-lug setup. If you're buying used wheels from a buddy who has a 2020 Ram, they won't fit your 2017. Always double-check the year of the donor vehicle. If it's a 2019 or newer, those wheels are going to have six holes, and your truck only has five studs. It's a simple distinction, but you'd be surprised how often people overlook it in the heat of a Facebook Marketplace deal.
Understanding Offset and Backspacing
Once you've nailed down the ram 1500 2017 bolt pattern, you aren't quite out of the woods yet. You also need to think about offset and backspacing. These two measurements determine how far the wheel sticks out from the fender or how tucked in it sits toward the suspension.
The stock wheels on a 2017 Ram 1500 usually have a positive offset. This keeps the tires tucked neatly inside the wheel wells. If you want that "aggressive" stance where the tires poke out a bit, you'll be looking for wheels with a lower or even a negative offset.
Just a heads-up: if you go too crazy with negative offset, you might run into rubbing issues. This is especially true when you're turning the steering wheel all the way to one side. You might find your shiny new tires scrubbing against the plastic inner fender liner or, worse, the frame. Most guys find that a slight offset change works fine, but if you're going big, you might need a leveling kit or a lift to clear those tires.
Hub-Centric vs. Lug-Centric
Here is a bit of "pro-tip" info that often gets ignored. Most factory wheels are "hub-centric," meaning the hole in the center of the wheel fits perfectly over the hub of the truck. This helps center the wheel and supports the weight of the vehicle.
A lot of aftermarket wheels are "lug-centric," meaning the center hole is larger so the wheel can fit multiple types of trucks. In this case, the lug nuts do all the work of centering the wheel. If you buy lug-centric wheels for your 2017 Ram, it's a really good idea to get a set of hub-centric rings. These are cheap plastic or metal rings that fill the gap between your truck's hub and the wheel's center bore. It stops that annoying steering wheel shake you sometimes get at 65 mph.
Don't Forget the Lug Nuts
Since we're talking about the ram 1500 2017 bolt pattern, we should probably mention the lug nuts themselves. The 2017 Ram 1500 typically uses 9/16"-18 or M14x1.5 threaded studs, depending on the specific production run (though M14 is the most common for this era).
When you buy new wheels, your old factory lug nuts might not fit. Factory nuts are often "acorn" style with a large base, while aftermarket wheels often have narrow "tuner" style holes that require a thinner lug nut. Make sure you match the seat of the lug nut (usually conical/tapered) to the seat of the wheel. If you use a flat-seat nut on a tapered-seat wheel, it's not going to stay tight, and you're asking for trouble.
Torque Specs Matter
Once you finally have your new wheels mounted, don't just ugga-dugga them on with an impact wrench and call it a day. For a 2017 Ram 1500, the recommended torque for the lug nuts is usually around 130 lb-ft.
It's a good habit to check them again after driving about 50 to 100 miles. Wheels can "settle" a bit, and the nuts can loosen up just enough to be a problem. A quick pass with a torque wrench gives you peace of mind that your wheels are staying exactly where they belong.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, finding the right wheels for your truck is one of the best ways to make it feel like your own. Whether you're looking for something rugged for the trails or something sleek for the street, it all comes back to that ram 1500 2017 bolt pattern of 5x139.7.
As long as you keep that number in mind, pay attention to your offset, and make sure your lug nuts are tight, you're going to end up with a truck that looks great and drives safely. Don't be afraid to ask a shop to double-check your fitment before you hit "buy" on a big order. It's always better to be safe than stuck with a set of wheels that don't fit. Happy hunting for those new rims!