I'm putting new tires on my 2000 ram 1500 I Put the 3" leveling Kit on Now just for tires a has 8" wide rims a call for 245 but was curious to know if anybody has 265 and what they look looks like like trying g to go for a little beefier look thanks

 

265s will fit fine. 285's would even fit. But, with stock gearing, may slow ya down out of the hole.

 

The rule of thumb I always used was a max of 2” over or under the rim width... so an 8” rim would take from 6” to 10” wide tyre (tire).
Narrower tire for handling/stability, wider tire for sidewall protection (stakes/rocks) and floatation (soft sand).

I have 265/75’s on mine.

 

I've run both 285/75/16 and 265/75/16 on mine. It really pulled just fine with the 285s... I run off road a good bit, on soft sand and often pull a 3,000 pound boat... all worked just fine on 285s...

 

All depends on gearing and engine size. 285s suck with anything taller than 4.10 or smaller than the v10. I've run three sets now since 09 and the 318 has done a ton of work with them but it's been slow going. And a gear swap costs more than my truck is worth so that's out.

 

my 95, (5.9 engine) is fine with 285/75/16 and 3.5 gears... and with 265/75/16... if you have doubts, go with good 265s... you won't be disappointed...

 

Quoted the wrong person, there. But to be clear I have had 265s and the truck was still a dog.

 

actually, no I didn't quote the wrong person... I was making the point that with a 5.9 in decent running condition, I had no trouble doing whatever I wanted with 285s and 3.54 gears in my 1995 ram 1500... including running hours in deep sand, mud and the like down near the coast, up and through the mountains. While it would likely be a different story out west... In the Appalachians, I've not had problems even pulling a car trailer, 3,000 or 5,000 boat... expecting anything more of a half ton truck would be silly... I do have a stronger transmission than stock and a slightly higher (and better) stall converter, extra transmission cooler and better radiator, etc... but the 5.9 was perfectly capable of managing 3.54 gears even dragging a car through the mountains at speed (except when curves made it foolish to do so). Granted, cruise control won't keep the 280,000 mile 5.9 at highway speed like it does in one of my corvettes... ;-) ...but with the overdrive locked out and a little foot on the pedal, she rolled right up the hills... I was surprised myself... anyhow, to the op, see what fits your needs best... ;-)

 

This is getting off topic but two things make your truck much stronger and faster than mine: being a 95 and being the 5.9. Years ago when these trucks were all over the road it was common conversation that the earlier trucks had more 'felt' power than the later 98+ years. This was especially interesting coming from owners who traded in earlier Ram for later Rams. Some say it is the deathflash, some blamed OBD2, some blamed the geography or elevation, etc. that caused the newer trucks to feel less powered. Either way, my 99 is deathflashed and has been since 02 which means when it warms up it is a dog. The other thing is the noticeable 10percent increase in power and torque your engine has which is apparently enough to make it into the 2500 base engine while the 5.2 is the 'starter' 4wd offering and only in the 1500. But the 318 is stout and lasts a long time for sure. It just takes a while to get there. I can feel better power on the hwy and keeping it rolling versus around town. But taking off from stops and going through the gears takes a lifetime. I get beaten by semis all the time from stop lights. Again, the 285s don't help this situation but I'm stuck with them because I tuned and lifted it over a decade ago for 33s but the tuner was stolen. So thanks for the advice but its moot at this time. Cheers.

 

advice / experience was for the op... didn't want him to be afraid of running 285 with his 3.5 gears if he has a 5.9. sorry for your "deathflash" seems like there ought to be a way to get that dealt with...

as an aside... my heavy pig 99 4wd van has a 5.2 in it on 33's (285/70/17s), and does fairly well for what it is... but it's got 4.10 gears in the axles and is set up so I can run 4 low without the front axle engaged if I need more torque on solid, dry pavement... The van also has dual 3" high flow cats that Y into 3" and just a resonater from there back. combined with a free flowing intake / filter woke it up a good bit... when (if) the 5.2 craps out, I'll consider a 4bt swap or build a 5.9 for it... anyhow, I digress... cheers!