Tire size and Lift question
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It sounds like most guys running 35x12.50's have at least 5" of lift. I have 36x10.50's with 3" of lift.
Because you have the offroad package, you may not need as much lift. I have a 99 Quad Cab 1500 and to fit 35" x 12.5 x 15's without rubbing, I was going to have to put in a 5" lift. Check with your local 4x4 and offroad shops. They can tell you what you need.
I have a 99 Ram 1500 with a Rancho 3" lift. I also have BFG A/T 35x12.5/15 on 15x10 wheels. I get a slight amount of rubbing on the rear side of the tires when I turn all the way. As you'll find in another section of this board (under 33 vs 35's), I've taken a grinder to the seam of the body, at the back side of the front fender wells. This has cut down on the rubbing and more importantly has reduced the cuts my tires were getting. However, I would have to do some actual metal cutting to eliminate the rub. Also, if I'm ever out doing some serious 4-wheeling, I will run the risk of some serious damage to my body if I hit any deep ruts while turning.
However, when I purchased the truck, it had the same BFG 35's on a 15x8 rim and I had absolutely no rubbing - go figure!
I would recommend a 5" lift and 4.11 gears to do it right with 35's.
My moral is: I'm selling the 35's (want them?) and switching to 33's. The 35's are only two weeks old and I've even got a spare 35 to boot.
Good luck.
However, when I purchased the truck, it had the same BFG 35's on a 15x8 rim and I had absolutely no rubbing - go figure!
I would recommend a 5" lift and 4.11 gears to do it right with 35's.
My moral is: I'm selling the 35's (want them?) and switching to 33's. The 35's are only two weeks old and I've even got a spare 35 to boot.
Good luck.
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9,227 Posts
I am running 35x12.50r15 SSRs on 15x10" wheels. I have a 3" suspension lift and had to add a 3" body lift to clear them. Simply turning up a curb would rub without the body lift. If I had 15x8" wheels, I might be better off, but I used to have 315/75/16 (supposed to be 35x12.50 equivalent) on 16x8" wheels and they fit fine with my 3" lift. I stood the 315/75/16 next to the 35" SSR and the SSR was over an inch taller. Even if I considered the loss of tread on the old tires, it was still an inch or better.
If you check the specs of say a BFG 35" MT and most other 35" tires, they willbe anywhere from 33.9" to 34.8" tall. The SSR spec is 35.5" tall.
Don't forget that the standard backspacing on a 15" wheel is 3 3/4" while a 16" wheel runs 4-4 1/2". This make s ahuge difference on what hits and what fits. I could probably have fit teh 35x12.50r16 on my old 16x8" wheels, but I would be paying a premium for the 16" tires everytime, when I could buy a body lift one time for $180 and run standard size tires for cheaper. Besides, who can't use an extra 3" of body clearance?
If you check the specs of say a BFG 35" MT and most other 35" tires, they willbe anywhere from 33.9" to 34.8" tall. The SSR spec is 35.5" tall.
Don't forget that the standard backspacing on a 15" wheel is 3 3/4" while a 16" wheel runs 4-4 1/2". This make s ahuge difference on what hits and what fits. I could probably have fit teh 35x12.50r16 on my old 16x8" wheels, but I would be paying a premium for the 16" tires everytime, when I could buy a body lift one time for $180 and run standard size tires for cheaper. Besides, who can't use an extra 3" of body clearance?
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With the right size rim and backspacing I think you can fit 35's under the truck because the Off Roadsters come with a factory 2 inch suspension lift in them. I easily fit 36's on my truck with a 4 inch suspension lift.
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whatever you decide to do you're gonna need at least 16 inch wheels to clear the larger brakes on the off-road package. the local 4X4 shop here told me i needed at least a 16.5 inch wheel to clear, but the factory spare is on a 16, so go figure. the 16 on my spare barely clears, so i would messure before buying any wheels.
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Running a Pro-Comp Stage I lift on my '98 1500 Q-Cab w/ 315/75/16 Big-O XT's. Only a slight amount of rubbing on the drivers side only. Trimmed about a quarter of an inch off of my fender so I wouldn't cut my tires though.
SportRam,
I have always heard that you need to have the equivlant spare for the purpose of not binding your drivetrain. I know it's a bit more between a 33x12.50 to say a 35x12.50. What is the difference between a 265x75 to a 285x75, I don't know. I would think it could possibly work, but I personally don't want to take a chance. I would rather spend the little money to find a "used" 285 than have to fork out potentially much more money for drivetrain repair/replacement. Call me safe, but only cause my wallet isn't a deep as it used to be. <IMG SRC="/board/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif">
LUV24BY
I have always heard that you need to have the equivlant spare for the purpose of not binding your drivetrain. I know it's a bit more between a 33x12.50 to say a 35x12.50. What is the difference between a 265x75 to a 285x75, I don't know. I would think it could possibly work, but I personally don't want to take a chance. I would rather spend the little money to find a "used" 285 than have to fork out potentially much more money for drivetrain repair/replacement. Call me safe, but only cause my wallet isn't a deep as it used to be. <IMG SRC="/board/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif">
LUV24BY
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9,227 Posts
As long as you use different sized tires on an axle that has NO TRACTION AIDING DEVICES (i.e. locker or limited slip, LSD of any kind) you will nto have a problem. Open differentials are designed to have one wheel turn at a speed other than what the opposite side is (that is why the suck offroad).
I was running 285 BFG ATs when I lost a sidewall on a rear tire. Had a 245 spare. Changed the spare to the front axle and took the good tire from up front to change the flat on the rear because I had a LSD and everything was fine.
I was running 285 BFG ATs when I lost a sidewall on a rear tire. Had a 245 spare. Changed the spare to the front axle and took the good tire from up front to change the flat on the rear because I had a LSD and everything was fine.
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9,227 Posts
No problem, the different size tires makes the axle shafts turn at different speeds and that is what the LSD or locker is designed to not allow. Too excessive of a difference results in a lot of stress and can lead to breakage (u-joints, axles, side/spider gear, even t-case parts)
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