looking to get a lift kit and bigger tires on my 1996 dodge ram, i was wondering if i can fit 37's with a 5in lift, i can fit 33's stock with a decent amount of spare room. also would the combo of 4.88 gears and 37in tires still be good for heavy towing

 

more than likely yes. my buddy had a 95 reb cab short box with 35s and a 3 inch body lift.
you will need rims with some sort of heavy backspacing.
4.88 is a good choice
but i dont know how much you would wanna tow (especially heavy towing) witha 5 inch lift and 37's
thats a lot of rubber to turn.

 

37" are on the to big side you will rip threw ball joints and hubs with them.

 

To run 37's you need entirely new suspension. Simply put.

 

so does a 3in lift and 35's sound like a better option for towing and driveability

 

Yes with a 3" and 33" lift I have to use an adjustable drop hitch as is. I would say between 4-8" depending on the trailer. A 2" drop was a freaking joke.

 

dont feel too bad, I bought 6 inch drop and an 8" but the 8 got cut up to make a 10 inch drop with reinforced spine.

 

5-6in lift and 35's and 4.56 gears

 

Oh I don't i got the drop from my boss who just let me use it until I could get a real hitch to use. Looking back i should have just sucked it up and bought a 3 in 1 ball mount and drop hitch combo. Didn't want to spend 120 bucks thats almost the cost of a pintal hitch.

Heres a pic of what I'm use

Harbor feight 40 bucks. Just sucks having to change between the 1 7/8 and the 2 5/16 about once a week.

 

Thats why i convert everything to the same size ball, keep everything a 2 inch and i dont have to go around changing *****.

To the OP I would stick with the 35's on stock axles especially if towing