The stock Offroad edition 17" wheels are 17x9, the 16" and new 17"(non-offroad) wheels are 16x8 and 17x8 respectively. and a 265/65R16 is much smaller than the 275/70R17 or even a 265/70R17. And yes the do not exceed warning is due to the tire being of a smaller diameter than the originals.

My advise is to get a full sized spare ASAP unless you are running 35's or better at which point I wouldn't worry about it because you are screwed if you blow one anyway, unless you have an in-bed tire carrier.

 

My current spare is a 245/75/16, because that is what the factory tire size was on all corners. Before I bought the pickup, the owner changed the tires to 265/75/16, but the spare is still 245/75/16. The reason I originally asked this question is because I am changing all four 16" wheels to a set of four 17" wheels from an '01 Off-Road Ram. I plan to run either a 275/70/17, 285/70/17, or 33x12.50R17, depending on availability and fit when I buy tires.

So, once I do the wheel change, I will just need to buy a tire for my 16" spare rim that is very close to the diameter of whatever tire I end up getting on the 17's. Then, I shouldn't have any problems if I need to use the spare. Sound right?

 

Yes that is a viable reason for this topic. Try this...


Tire Size Conversion


Play around with that until you find the equivalent in a 16" tire. I believe you will find that the 295/70R16 is gonna be your best bet. The 275/70R17 is 32.2 inches whereas the 295/70R16 is 32.3 inches.

 

FYI- My 01 sport came with 265/65/16 goodyears. The spare was the same tire but a steel rim. I got a 5th aluminum rim to replace the steel spare but the metal retainer on the spare hanger wire would not fit through the smalled hub hole of the aluminum rim. I had to cut off the hanger and modify another cross piece to use as a hanger for the spare.