I have a 1997 dodge ram 1500 extended cab and I am wanting to put 38 inch tires on with 17 in rims. what size lift do I need? I know that I want a suspension lift and I do not want to have a hugh a gap between my tires and the body of the truck. I only want enough clearance for the tires.

 

I'm gonna say a 5"...but it may require an 8". Some of the guys more interested in lifts could tell you for sure.

My question for you, is do you plan on regearing your rear (and front if 4x4) axles to 4.56 gears? Because if you don't, you can say bye bye to your gas mileage and power. Just wondering

 

I wasn't planning on regearing. I didn't know that you would have to do that.

 

Assuming you have 3.55s if you ran 38s you would notice a HUGE power loss as weel as big milage dip like Rom said. Do you have an Off Road Package? Cause if you do you probably have 4.10s

I'm thinking 7-8" to clear the 38s. You might want to even go to 4.88s, but that might require a seperate carrier for thw axles. Your gonna want 4.56's at a minimum.

 

No I do not have a off road package on my truck. How much of a difference does it make to regear?

 

Your stock tire size is probably 265/75R16, so about 31". Going from a 265 to a 285 (33") with 3.92 gears I noticed a bit of a loss, but nothing to serious. But thats only a 2 inch diffrence, and going from a 265 to a 38" tire is a 6" diffrence, so I imagine there would be a HUGE diffrence

 

Read this thread. I have 35's and can say it will make a difference. https://dodgeforum.com/m_448567/tm.htm


If you look at the pics of my truck you can see what 35's and a 3" body and 3" Rancho Sport lift does. The front and back edge of the front wheelwell is the tight spots.