Hey everybody I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 QCSB 4x4. Right now i have 285/75/17 BFG AT's on the factory 17x8's. I want a 35 but I don't want them to be sticking out of the fender well too much. I just don't want really wide tires. I'd like to step up to a 17x9 and a 35x12.50 but I feel like it might stick out too far? Does backspacing have a part to play in how far a tire sticks out? If so how. Thanks a lot guys, i'm really at a loss.

 

Offset is what determines wheel placement relative to the mounting surface. My DC-1s have a -12mm offset, which does kick the tire out a bit. I'm either looking for a wheel with a -6 or 0 offset or flares. I suspect flares will be the route I take.

 

With tires that large, you cannot change the backspacing too much. You will have issues with the tire rubbing on the inside. If you want bigger tires, they will need to stick out a bit....that's just the way it goes...

 

Imo with a tire the size you're wanting, sticking out isn't an option. It's gonna happen.

Backspacing is the measurement from the wheel pad(center part of the rim where it bolts to the hub) to the inner edge of the wheel. You say you don't want a really wide tire but a 12.5" wide tire is about the widest I've seen guys run on here. You'd need probably about a 4.5" backspacing. That will put the wheel pad closer to the inside edge of the rim causing the tire to stick out. The reason you want this is the tire will rub suspension parts such as upper control arm, etc.

Also, to safely run a tire that size you'd probably need a rim somewhere in the 17x10 area otherwise you may have too much sidewall flex and bust the bead.

I guess also, since I forgot to mention and your sig. says nothing about it. With having a 4by to fit 35's I think you're gonna at least need a 2" lift, preferably something in the range of 3" or more just so you still have articulation and proper use of your suspension without rubbing fender well.

So, in short here ya go:
2"+ lift
17x10 rims with 4.5" backspacing
35 x 12.5" tires
and it WILL stick out so you'd have to look at fender flares.
Just my .02. Good luck

 

No way you are gonna get 35" x 12.5" tires and getting them to fit without rubbing issues. To fit that wide of a tire, besides needing the lift, you have to have a 0 to negative offset and proper backspacing which would throw the tire out of the well a couple inches...

 

Yep, I'm with the others. My stock 20's with a tire width of 10.8" and a 5.75" backspace(-19mm offset) are flush with the fenders. Going any wider the tires will begin to stick out.
A 12.5" tire is 1.7" wider than stock. If you were to squezze a 12.5" tire on the stock wheels, you would be essentially widen the stance .85" on each side. That all by itself would stick out of the fender, not to mention you will rub on the inside and need to push the wheel out further with either spacers or smaller offset wheel.

HERE's a guide for backspace/offset

 

so I know with a leveling kit and 17x9 wheels I can get a 35 12.50 tire on and fit with no issues I know plenty of guys with the exact setup with my model and year I was just wondering if I could keep them from sticking out so far.

 

also the bfg specs on a km2 which is the tire I want says rim width for a 35 12.50 is 8.5 to 10

 

just get new rims, and some fender flares and be done with it, i have 12.1 wide tires so i had to get spacers because i use stock 17's, even if u get the right back spacing those tires are going to stick out so just invest into some fender flares and u will be set. i didnt get the 35x 12.5s because i was scared the tire wouldnt stay on my stock rim right and wear bad or pop off, going offroading or potholes

 

Oh, they will fit, and just miss rubbing on an '02-05. But they will stick out! Also, you'll be a pavement queen, because they will be too stuffed to offer ANY articulation...

I still fail to see what the fascination is with "fitting" 35s if you can't use them for what they, and the truck, were designed to do.

It ain't the size of the "stick" boys.... It's the magic in the "wand"...