So while I was driving my 98 5.2l I noticed a noise that sounded like the tire rubbing when turning sharp. I look at the tire size and they are 285/75/16 and while I was searching the net some people had them on their dodge and they sometimes rub against the control arm. Should I get 265s? I need new tires anyways but what sucks is that the spare tire is a 285. Also, theres this tire winch that lowers the spare from the bottom of the truck and I noticed that the metal wire is fraying. What should I do about that? Just throw the spare in the bed, or get a new wire or get a bed mounting kit?? Thanks guys

 

Look in the door jam and see what size of tire came on the truck. I had a 01 ram sport that had 285's on it and it didn't rub. If you just heard this and the tires have been on there for some time there may be another problem.

 

I have 285's and yes they will rub if you turn them all the way to the left, but I have 265's and they look to small. You will get use to driving the truck with 285's you don't lose hardly any steering with it stack, but you could always get a leveling kit and they are cheap. I would get a new cable, but that is just me.

 

Leveling kit won't help if it is rubbing on the control arms. Just don't turn quite so sharp.

 

okay cool. I also noticed that when I put it in 4hi and was driving in the snow, I went to the gas station to fill up and the truck was jerking once i went into the gas station parking lot. Whats that all about? Also, i have the stick shift and was wondering if it can go into 4hi on the go. I dont want to mess anything up or grind any gears if its not 4wd on the go.

 

The t-cases in these trucks are shift on the fly but I would just press the clutch and give a firm shift to 4 high.

Jerking in 4wd is common when turning tight as the t-case will split the wheel speed front and rear (shafts turn same speed).

 

Do you happen to know where I can get the replacement cable for it?

 

depending on where its messed up, you might could make a new one, or get one from the junkyard, or the stealer.

you could try here. http://www.mintonmotorsinc.com/

on a friends truck, the dome thing at the end of the cable broke off and got lost. i made a bar about 5 inches long and used some cable clamps to secure the cable to it. its still working years later.

 

Dont use 4 wheel drive on dry/damp pavement. You will break things. putting the truck in 4 hi locks the front and rear drivetrain together, trouble is, when you turn a corner, change direction at all, the front wheels travel a different distance than the rears..... causing the driveline to bind up. The usual result of that is some part or other doing its grenade impression, followed by an expensive repair bill.

 

You can shift into and out of 4hi while traveling, but for 4low you should be nearly stopped or moving extremely slow with the trans in neutral.