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Suspension, Tire, and Wheel Guide

138K views 176 replies 101 participants last post by  Dragon62 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thought I would start this to help answer a lot of questions. Please don't post in this thread to keep from having page after page that somebody has to read through to find an answer. PM or email me with any information you have to fill in the question marks, add, or correct any information and I will update this post. If you have any year model dodge and know what size wheels and tires came stock on it, backspacing, bolt pattern, etc., what size tires and wheels you have on it now and what you did to get them to fit leveling kit, lift, spacer, etc let me know by PM or email. For example just shoot me a PM that says: 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd, stock 275/60R20 bolt pattern 5on5.5 backspacing 5.5", currently running 35x12.5R20 to make them fit you need 2"+ leveling kit and 1/4" spacer. If you have a really good picture of it email it to me or if you have it on this forum send me a link and I'll post it to give people and idea of what their truck will look like with x year model dodge with x lift and x tires.

06-08 4wd
Stock suspension: front - struts, rear - leaf springs
Stock tires: 275/60R20, ?R18, 265/70R17
Stock wheels: 20x9 5on5.5 backspacing ?, 18" 5on5.5 backspacing ?, 17x8 5on5.5 backspacing ?

2"+ leveling kit:
stock 20" & 18" wheels and 1/4" spacer - 35x12.5 tire
aftermarket 20" wheel max backspacing 5.5" - 35x12.5 tire
aftermarket 18" wheel max backspacing 5" - 35x12.5 tire
4" lift:
aftermarket 20" wheel max backspacing 5.5" - 35x12.5 tire
aftermarket 18" wheel max backspacing 5" - 35x12.5 tire
6" lift:
aftermarket 20" wheel max backspacing 5.5" - 37x12.5 tire
aftermarket 18" wheel max backspacing 5" - 37x12.5 tire


02-05 4wd
Stock suspension: front - torsion bars, rear - leaf springs
Stock tires:275/60R20, ?
Stock wheels: 20" 5on5.5 backspacing ?, 18" 5on5.5 backspacing ?, 02-03 17x7 Steel 5on5.5, 02-03 17x8 Aluminum 5on5.5 backspacing 5 9/16", ?
2"+ leveling kit or crank torsion bars:
stock 20" & 18" wheels and 1/4" spacer - 35x12.5 tire
aftermarket 20" wheel max backspacing 5.5" - 35x12.5 tire
aftermarket 18" wheel max backspacing 5" - 35x12.5 tire
4" lift:
aftermarket 20" wheel max backspacing 5.5" - 35x12.5 tire
aftermarket 18" wheel max backspacing 5" - 35x12.5 tire
6" lift:
aftermarket 20" wheel max backspacing 5.5" - 37x12.5 tire
aftermarket 18" wheel max backspacing 5" - 37x12.5 tire


94-01 4wd
Stock suspension: front - coil springs, rear - leaf springs
Stock tires: ?
Stock wheels: 94-99 16x7 Aluminum 5on5.5 backspacing 5" offset +13.97mm, 00-01 17x7 Steel 5on5.5, 00-01 17x8 Aluminum 5on5.5 backspacing 5 9/16", ?
2"+ leveling kit:
stock ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
aftermarket ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
5" lift:
aftermarket ? wheel - 35x12.5 tire
7" lift:
aftermarket ? wheel - 38x12.5 tire


94-08 2wd
Stock suspension: front - coil springs, rear - leaf springs
Stock tires: ?
Stock wheels: 94-99 16x7 Aluminum 5on5.5 backspacing 5" offset +13.97mm, 00-03 17x7 Steel 5on5.5, 00-03 17x8 Aluminum 5on5.5 backspacing 5 9/16", ?
94-01 2"+ leveling kit:
stock ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
aftermarket ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
00-01 3" lift:
stock ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
aftermarket ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
02-05 3" lift:
aftermarket ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
02-05 6" lift:
aftermarket ? wheel - 35x12.5 tire

Good list of manufactures of lift kits: http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/

Good site with information on wheel dimensions, backspacing, offset and bolt circles: https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html [MADDOG]
 
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#4 ·
Yeah they are the stock 20" wheels with a 1/4" spacer. My tires were rubbing the front sway bar slightly. Assuming the sway bar is in the same place and the stock 20" wheels have the same backspacing then you will probably need a 1/4" spacer. The brakes on my 08 are huge too.
 
#6 ·
[QUOTE
02-05 3" lift:
aftermarket ? wheel - 33x12.5 tire
02-05 6" lift:
aftermarket ? wheel - 35x12.5 tire[/QUOTE]

In a way this is wrong. I have a 2wd 05 1500 with no lift or level and I'm running 35's by 12.5 on a 20" rim. No rubbing issues whatsoever.
 
#8 ·
hmm who knows. I guess my truck was the factory freak of the 05 2wds. Lol jk.. I'm going up 3 inches in the back and about 4.5 in the front and I'm gonna throw some 37's on there with wheel spacers to see how they fit. My gut says theyre not going to fit
 
#9 ·
My thoughts after I wear out my rubber (Cooper Discoverer Tires) is that when I replace them I will be putting on a 35" Nitto Terra Grapler tires on my Monster XD's. I have a 2" leveling kit on the front and I am really hoping that I don't have any rubbing issues. Really don't want to put on any spacers. So who can tell me exactly what size tire I will need. I currently have 275-60-20 and I am thinking 315-60-20 or 325-60-20.
 
#13 ·
i have a '10 1500 slt big horn and i am getting rid of the sh*t factory tires, and im going to put on 305 55 20 nitto terra grapplers on my truck will they fit with out a lift? i also was thinking about having a 2' leveling kit installed on my truck, does anyone recomend a brand? and are there any draw backs to having a leveling kit installed?
 
#15 · (Edited)
The 305s will fit with stock ride height. I have a set of 305/55/20 BFG A/T KOs on my truck right now. I do have aftermarket rims on it but they have a +18mm offset so its not far off stock. I get rubbing on full lock but with a little speed, in reverse. Other then that they fit fine
 
#19 ·
From experience I would not go with a 305/55/20 on the 1500 unless I was going to lower it. I put them on mine last year and while the width looks AMAZING you actually lose about an inch of height. I'm trying to figure out what size I could put on mine without a leveling kit to gain width and height compared to stock size. I have an 09 btw, any help is much appreciated
 
#21 ·
hey all im going to be putting a ready lift 2.5 up front and 1.5 rear here soon hopefully and im going to be getting new 20inch rims in the spring with some mud tires and the kit says you can run a 35' but i think thats too big im leaning more towards a 33' what do you all think???
 
#23 ·
You should be able to fit what they recommend. If you are getting some aftermarket wheels then look at getting a negative offset. If you do that then you should be able to fit the 35s.

i have a 06 2500 hemi im going to put the 2inch leaveling kit should i be able to fit a 35 by 12.50 tire with a 17"x9 with -12 offset
Yes you will definitely be able to fit that size tire. Your suspension is HD so you already sit a couple inches taller then a 1500. If you level it then you will for sure be able to fit some 35s
 
#24 ·
oh ok thanks bud..much appreciated:)
 
#27 ·
Ya those will definitely fit the truck. To be honest I think a bigger tire would be a better idea. That measures out to be a 31" tire which seems a little small. Take a look at the Nitto Durra and Terra Grappler they make a 275/60/20 which should fit your truck. It measures out to be almost a 33" tall tire but the width is narrow enough to fit without any worries. You can even add a leveling kit to that and it will look good.
 
#28 ·
I know that everyone hates these questions but there are so many variables and it's a costly decision to make..

2006 1500 TRX4 with 2" level. I am not worried about height, but rub on the UCA. I would like to get the largest tires that will fit. Willing to get aftermarket wheels if necessary. With 4.5" backspacing do I still need to get a negative offset? Would like to squeeze 33x12.5s on if possible with zero rub.
 
#29 ·
The offset is the amount the tire is shifted inward or outward. The stock rims have a +20mm offset, so if you get a 0 offset rim you will go outward 20mm. If you go with a negative then you will be just fine with the tire width. I would recommend going with a negative offset since the truck will look really aggressive sine the tires are sticking out
 
#30 ·
quick question on the short arm vs long arm lifts for the 2500. looking at the 6" or 8" lifts, just wondering if the long arm is necessary? i don't like how you have to completely remove the factory control arm mounts. 6" should clear 37's without trimming correct?
 
#32 ·
yea on a 2500 a 6" lift can fit 37" tires. Only thing you have to worry about is the whole rim and tire width issues. that being you would need to make sure the tires dont rub on the suspension. that can be fixed with either wheel spacers or an aftermarket wheel with a negative offset. You can always install everything and see if there was rubbing, then you can fix it if there is
 
#34 ·
how about peoples opinion on the tuff country 6" lift. has long arms that don't require the removal of factory control arm mounts. thats huge in my book.
 
#36 ·
nope tuff country. http://www.tuffcountry.com/
they make a 6" long arm kit that does not require you to remove the control arm mounts.
 
#38 ·
i see in your sig that you put a 2" spacer on your 6" lift. what else did you have to do to the 6" lift?
 
#39 ·
Thats all I did to the lift.The only reason i added the spacers was because of the nose dive it had.When i got my lift the lift for these trucks were new.They didn't know about the rake difference and neither did i.So now you can get the BDS in a 3" rear lift or a 5".I have the 5" so I had to get the spacers to level it a bit.I love the way my truck came out :).I am getting my flares painted next month too :).
 
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