I'm planning on getting 22's next week and I work with the guy that I bought the truck from(he's a little upset about that). But he told me that I'd have to change out the rear end if I go to the bigger size rims, they'll be 31.6" overall 305/40x22 and I think the factory wheels and tires are 30" overall 1.6" can't make that much of a difference can it?

 

Well....no and yes. The size won't be that much different, but the weight that your turning will surely go up. 22" rims weigh quite a bit more than 17" rims. It's surely going to stress the axle, and you'll probably take somewhat of a gas mileage hit...as well as lose some power....not to mention ride quality [:'(]

 

I understand the weight, factory vs aftermarket issue and I plan on modding the engine so I guess I have to live with the gas milage also, but should I mod the rearend also?

 

There's not much you can do to "mod" the rear end. An axle girdle would be about the only thing that would increase it's strength structuraly, but that would look kind of strange on a street truck.

You might want to look into regearing though, depending on what gear ratio you have right now. If your truck is 4wd, you have to re-gear both axles as well

 

It's 2wd with 3.55's. Guess I'll probably have to change the gearing, thanks for the advice.

 

Are you going to be lifting a 2wd truck? (Larry the Cable Guy Quote) That's like wipin your butt before you poop, it just dont make sense. LOL.

 

haha.. well 305's are about 34 inch tires.. so really your jumping up 4 inches.. plus that extra weight of those 22's.. my friend has a 2002 dodge ram (new body style) 2 wheel drive sport with the factory 20 inch dodge wheels.. that thing can barely power brake.. it has the 4.7 in it ( not a hemi) but its still faster then my 5.2

 

Correct me if i am wrong but 305's measure out to be 33" tires. I have 305/70/16 tires and i believe that they are 32.8". (just correcting 20dodgeram01)

 

i have 285's and they are about 33's

 

my 285's are 33.1"