Do 35's hurt the tranny? Only when you are not geared correctly. Lets take a look of my setup vs. your setup. My truck comes with aabout a31" tire stock (245/75/16) My truck came off the lot with 3.55's as well as many other trucks. With my stock configuration with 31's, I was beyond the gas mileage range (reference attached picture)which means I dont really have that much low end, but top end speed is better off, and keeps my rpms lower in OD for increased gas mileage. Most of my driving is notcity driving, so it really isn't that big a deal for me. I am putting 32" on this summer which was also an option from factory for my truck (265/75/16). Since I am putting those tires on this summer, and other people from factory came with 265's we will do our compairason (sp) lol... from here. We know your truck came with 4.10's minimum from stock so lets have a look from there. Will my 32's be harder on my transmission? probably, but if we geared your truck up equivelient to mine (2 sizes beyond the last yellow mark for gas mileage) .. you could run 37's. That would be our equivilent. Your 35's are not hurting your transmission. Trucks came taller geared from factory.

A body lift would be fine. Go to an off road shop if ya have one around ya. Get them to install the body lift for ya, and remove your hat's and blocks while they are at it. Just like cereal said. (and prb others.. i remember cereal) The body lift doesnt cost much, and forking 200-300 for a body lift + install would finish your lift. I think you need brackets for the rear bumper? Look for people with body lifts. If ya have the old taken out, and new put in at the same time, you can still run your 35" and wear them out. Save up ur money and get ur rims and tires u want (way down the road) Get that tranny done, and... consider a body lift. Thats your cheapest route with little $$ in hand.

Good luck as always!


[IMG]local://upfiles/60925/A761611E742E422AA4C403BBB907D64E.jpg[/IMG]

 

Where did you get that chart at? What speed is that supposed to be, because the RPM's look way out of whack for the standard 60mph?

Unless you're at a 1:1 3rd gear ratio, even then it's about 200RPM's too high for what it states I'm running from my known.

 

I know that when I was going 65mph on the highway, I was at about 2200 rpms, so I dont know what that says about the gearing. Does anyone have pictures of a vehicle with a bodylift? I don't know though, I've never really cared for body lifts, the way they over expose the frame and ****. Maybe some pictures would be nice just so I can get an idea of what a 3" bodylift will look like on my truck. Again, Im leaning more towards just dropping it completely and running 285s so I can have a smooth ride, and it to be better in all conditions with a smaller sized tire. I'm still up for a ton of options. I need to find out first whats wrong with the transmission first. I also need to see some pictures of 3" bodylifts with 35" tires, to see if I like it or not.

 

Body lifts on these trucks don't look bad on these trucks. They don't show the gaps in the fenderwells really like other trucks with them do and they don't show too much of the frame imo you might can see it a little but not bad like on other trucks. I usually don't like them either as far as looks but on the Rams they actually look okay to me. The only thing is you will probably have to relocate your rear bumpre for it to look right so you will probably have to have your exhaust raised up. Then the trailer hitch have some taken out for it to look stock although they don't look bad if you leave them alone and raise the bumper to me.

 

Tire Diameter = 35" Final ratio= 4.56 at 1 to 1

4.56(0.69)= 3.14 Final Gear Ratio In OD

1000RPM= 33.1 mph
1500RPM= 49.7 mph
2000RPM= 66.2 mph
2500RPM= 82.8 mph


You definitely have 4.56 gears in your truck

 

Uh, I just get so confused with what I want to do. I mean, if I keep the 35" tires and the lift, I definalty want to get rid of the mud tires, I can't stand the noise, and they suck in all road conditions. Then I get annoyed because the lift I have on the truck now is faulty and is eventually going to keep destroying my front end. Also, I'm not sure if it's because of the coil spacers or if its because of the unfinished lift thats giving me the really wavy ride on the highway. I know for certain that any of my driving conditions will be PERFECT if the truck is lowered and has 285s put on it. It will do good in all road conditions, and it will be stable all around. BUT, I know I'm going to want the fricken truck high up again at some point, so it's kind of redundant to buy brand new 285s if I plan to raise it. If I do infact have 4.56s, then this means the truck is very appropriate for 35" tires. I don't think I want to do a bodylift, I'd rather just keep this lift I have on now, or buy a complete whole new one. I know I revisit this constantly, but if you guys were in my position, what would you do. Keep this in mind..

1.) I love being up high and I love the look of a lifted truck.
2.) I want to make sure that my truck will be as stable as possible on highway speeds.
3.) I want to make sure my truck's front end isn't being destroyed, and have all suspension components replaced to make it drive straight and safe.
4.) I want a smooth ride
5.) May possibly need a new transmission completely, or might need a simple fixing..

As it stands now, truck has a pieced together liftkit. Do I ride it out with the rigged lift until I can afford a real lift? Do I lower it and put 285s on the truck until I can afford the real lift so I don't mess up my front end anymore? Just tell me what you guys would do with my specific situation, and knowing that your truck is in a tranny shop. For all I know, maybe once I get a smooth treaded tire, this could put away half my issues with the current lift now because I won't hear all that nobby tire sound anymore, and the tread will perform better on the roads, especially in rainy and wintery conditions. I know this is a lot, but I got a lot going on right now, so I'm just trying to weigh my options. I want to know what I'm doing before my transmission is fixed, so help me with a gameplan. I mean how much more money will it cost to make my lift up to par? I need longer control arms, and new front shocks? What else was it that I need to make this complete. IF I can get a way with just making the liftkit I have now finsihed with EVERYTHING it needs, I will do that. Let me know if you think its worth trying to make my existing lift work now or not, or if I should buy a fabtech or skyjacker like many of you have suggessted in the past. Lets here what you would do in my situation. Thank you all.

 

I would get 285/75/16 all terrain tires with stock height lift. That way you wont have to pay for another lift because its stock height. So all youd need is tires.

 

Let this thread die.......somebody needs to start making there own desicions

 

LOL ok, I was doing that, and people were throwing fits on me because I wasn't listenting. Now everyone is getting mad because I'm asking for their opinion...whatev.

 

You ever hear the saying, you can lead a horse to water but you cant shove his fat head in? I havent been following, but Im going to guess thats the case.