T1N Sprinter Wheels
For NVC3 and VS30 6 bolt wheels check out our other blog post here.
The Mercedes Sprinter came stock with 5x130mm bolt pattern steel wheels or as we like to call them, “steelies”. The shorty 2500 118” Sprinter came with 15” steel wheels and the other 2500 (non-dually) T1N Sprinters came with 16” wheels. Check out our post on upsizing a 118” T1N to 16” wheels and larger tires. In the US we never officially got a Mercedes badged T1N. They were either Freightliner or Dodge badged vans and had subtle cosmetic differences with hub covers.
The best thing about stock steel wheels is their beefy and robust built. Many of the allow wheels look cool but can’t handle the load of bigger vans. So be careful when building out a van. Especially a LWB and fully loaded 2500 (non dually)
The stock Mercedes Sprinter wheels used these simple centercaps (905 Wheel Hub Cap A6014010325)
You can modify the Dodge hubcaps with a Mercedes emblem. It’s not a bad option and looks great.
The main reason you would go to an alloy wheel is to go to a larger diameter. There is a smaller selection of proper E load rated tires at smaller sizes, but can find most E load rated tires at the bigger sizes like 245/70r17 (front fender and mudflap trimming needed)
Some examples of weight ratings for aftermarket alloys:
Ultra Toil 17x8. ET60 3500lbs
Moto Metal 970 17x8 ET 50 ???lbs
Black Rhino Havasu 17x7.5 ET45 3300lbs
Black Rhino Journey 17x7.5 ET45 3300lbs
Gear Alloy 17x8 ET60. 3500lbs
If you want to go even bigger, like an 18" wheel you might find it difficult to find proper E load rating tires that will fit a T1N Possibly something like a 255/60r18 ? The Mercedes G-Wagen has the same bolt pattern and many of it’s stock sizes are 18" wheels. These are strong forged wheels but not rated for heavy loads like a van.
2WD 1994-2006 T1N Sprinter (Mercedes Benz, Dodge, Freightliner)
Bolt Pattern: 5 x 130mm - Stock tire size: 225/75/16 (not dually)
(118” wheelbase vans have 15” wheels and smaller tires)
245/75/16 Largest size before you need a lift
255/70/16 Largest size with a lift on a 118”
235/85/16 Largest size that will fit (taller but skinnier)
265/75/16 Largest size but you need to cut the body to fit.
Unsure if 17” wheels will fit… Check back
Ultra Wheels
G wagon wheels are a common upgrade. Here Bryce Currently has 235/65r18 Nokian Hakkapelitta R2 .with Mildly trimmed fenders. A 60 series tire would fit a bit better but you can see how it fits.
G550 wheels with some way to low profile tires
Wheels by Ultra which are occasionally found on NVC3 vans, seen here on a T1N.
