ETA:
Just a quick update, This project is going to be on hold for a bit, 4-6 weeks at least, probably more, while I heal from a broken ankle.

I decided to edit the OP rather than bump it.

Hi guys, some of you may know, I am the guy that has been rocking 325/60R15's under a stock '99 Dakota [4x4] without so much as a torsion bar crank for going on 140k miles.

So, now I have this new-ish 2008 Dakota and it is getting to where it is going to need some tires, probably before winter. The Previous owner put 17" RAM steel/chrome rims on the truck and 265/70r17 Goodyear Duratracs on it.

They are OK, but I don't agree with some of the forums that seem to think they are all that and a bag of chips. They were pretty good in the snow, but they howl louder than my BFG Muds do on my '99

So, I did a little research, and since BFG doesn't make any 17" tires in a comparable size to my 15's, but I am REALLY attached to the wide tire look and feel, I discovered the 305/65r17 size. A quick call to my local shop and they got one shipped in for me to test fit. Here are the results:






So, the only place the tire hits plastic right at the corners, and a small bit on the back of the fenderwell. Actually they don't even touch the frame rail at full lock, which is an absolute miracle on it's own.

My current plan is to break out the heat gun and see if I can melt and roll that plastic back far enough that I don't have to trim any. If I do end up trimming, at worst it won't be much. I already intend to put a bumper on the truck, so I am unconcerned with the little rubbing on the front. There seems to be plenty of room in the back of the wheel well for "adjustment".

I figured I would post a thread with my progress and results, so here is the beginning.

 

Nice! I'm planning on going 305/70/16s on my next set. I fear that you may be trimming way more than you ever thought of. With 285/75/16s (same diameter as your 305s, but skinnier by an inch), I had to remove sections of material.

 

I have to agree with Donkey...I think your in for more trimming....I was running one size up from stock on mine with a 2" leveling kit and still had a good amount of rubbing going on during turns. That is one stuffed wheel well!

 

Dude I ran my Cooper AT3's which are the factory size (265/70/16) and even those rubbed on the wheel well liner next to the bumper. That was before my leveling kit but I was still pissed I had to trim because of rubbing at full lock

 

Well, everything that touched is plastic, so in theory, I should be able to carefully heat it up and bend/mash it out of the way. I know, famous last words, but I am not afraid of doing mods...

 

I have a 2" lift in the front end and had to cut into metal behind the mud flap to run 285/75/16 on factory 16x7s with 5 inch backspacing. I'm pretty sure those ram wheels poke out quite a bit further than mine, which is why you may not see rub on the frame. You will most certainly have to cut more than plastic the first time you hit anything more than a pebble in a corner.

 

Theres metal behind the fender well where the body pans are pinched together. You'll likely be cutting those too...

edit: and the first time you get any flex going in the rear, youll roll the bedsides out.

 

Well, there is a reason I called this a project rather than a how-to guide.

 

No need to start on the defensive-train. There's a few of us that have been around the block with our trucks before and are just trying to help. For example, you are mentioning that you should be fine with rolling the plastic and we are telling you that you are in for a big surprise. If Cody (being one of the most knowlegable members in the section regarding tire fitment on our trucks) mentions that you will run into a problem with the bed, then you should probably take that into consideration. Not to mention, he is the only one to pull bedsides to tuck 33" tires....We are just being informative.

I would love to see some more pictures of this setup on your truck and applaud your path, as we are always aiming to stuff the most rubber we can on our trucks.

 

Oh, terribly sorry, the internet always makes things seem more harsh than they are. I was in no way intending to be defensive. When I typed that, I had a smile on my face, honest...