I just picked up my 1st Dodge truck over the weekend. It is a 1500 4x4, short bed, regular cab. I got it knowing I would have to replace the tires. What's on it now are 315/75/16. What I am finding out is that a 16 in that size tire is not in stock anywhere, but they can be ordered. So, my question is, are 16" rims an oddball size in the bigger tires? Do I need to go to a 17" rim? If I drop to a 33" tire I could drop to a 15" rim. Anybody else done either of these? Like I said new to Dodge and a 4wd too.

 

Are you interested in staying with a tire that large? For not too much smaller you could drop to a 285/75/-16

 

The 285's seem to be quite popular, and should be easy to find. If you have 3.55 gears in the differentials, your transmission will thank you for the smaller tires. (by lasting longer)

Welcome to DF!

Also, what year is your truck? 15" rims won't fit on the 00 and newer trucks with the dual piston calipers in front.

 

Its a 96 1500 4x4, short bed, single cab, 5.2 V8. Haven't looked at the gear ratio yet but I think it's been into because the rear diff cover is new. I can go down to 33's or 285's and still be up. The price difference between 33's and 35's is up there. I appreciate the info.

 

I run 265/75/16. I've had bf goodwrench all terrain and mastercraft mud terrains(two good tires imo). Thats plenty of meat for me. You could also try wider like 265/70/16 but I've found that size is even more limited. 265/75 or 285/75 should be pretty common

 

I also recommend 285's. You will see many options for this tire size.

 

I've got BFG 265/75/16's on mine... I'm a happy camper.
The GY Wranglers that came on it didn't last 38,000... I'm coming up due for another set soon, so that's an average of 73,500 miles per set of BFG's.

During R&D, the BFG's were the best tire for the 98 RAM 1500, but the bean counters went with GY.

PS, if you're on 3.55 gears, I don't think a 5.2 will be all that spritely with bigger than 265/75/16's.

 

BFG what's??? What tire lol

 

BF Goodrich.

 

Yup... All Terrain T/A KO