Since the Tire posts are absolutely overwhelming , I decided to make this thread about what WILL fit. To add what Hammer posted HERE


If you have a unique truck/lift, chances are that's not true. Use the link above before asking questions as I'm more than sure all possibilities have been covered by now. The newest truck in this section is 6yrs old now, so chances are.... it's already been done before!
*scroll to bottom for tire size calulator.

16" rims won't fit. Neither will 16" wheels. Nor will 16" tires. They won't clear the calipers. Hopefully that's clear enough?.lol MINIMUM of 17" wheel is required.
Also, OFFROAD PACKAGES, You will fit the same tires everyone else.

*I will not be held liable for any improper fitment issue's. This is only meant to be a guide. Fitment is at your own risk*

--->This is assuming standard widths(11.5" for 34" diameter and 12" for 35's(most 35's say 12.5" but are only 12" wide)

To start..
Stock tire sizes for 17" wheels are 31.5" diamater 17x8.5" wheel size and I believe these are 4.75" backspaced(1500) and 5.75" backsdpaced for MC1500/2500/3500's
Stock tire size for 20's is 275/60/20 (10.8"wide x 33" tall) 20x9 wheel size(5.75" backspacing w/+19mm offset) Lug spacing is 5x5.5" for 1500's with 5 bolt lug pattern.

Use THIS guide to explain wheel backspacing/offset and to also compare widths and offsets using the handy chart.
(The smaller the backspacing, the further out your fender the wheels will stick, the larger the backspacing, the more recessed they will be)
HERE is a tool for side by side comparison for wheels and tires
HERE is a Lug Pattern Reference Chart for ALL Dodge vehicles

Dodge Ram 1500 2wd 2002-2008
stock truck/wheels...you can fit 33's no problems(go bigger and you need a 2"lift/level)
2"+lift w/stock wheels....fit up to 35" no problems
5.5"-4.5" backspacing is ideal for anything larger/wider than 33"/12"
4"+ lift fitment will vary, use the above link and Search to find your size.

Dodge Ram 1500 4wd 2002-2005
stock truck/wheels...you can fit 34's with no issue's(relatively normal width of 275-295)
stock truck/wheels...35's rub at full lock and are really big in fenders for stock height.
2"lift w/stock wheels.......Barely fit 35's with minor rubbing
Either addding 1.25" or 1.5" spacers to stock wheels OR aftermarket wheels w/backspacing 5.5"-4.5" will fit 35's no rubbing.
2"+left/level AND 5.5"-4.5" backspaced wheels will allow up to 36" but will slightly rub. You need a 4-6" lift in order to clear 36's.


Dodge Ram 1500 4wd 2006-2008
Stock everything...fitment is limited to width on these trucks more than height with stock wheels. 34" x 11.5" is the absolute widest possible! Any wider and tire contacts upper a-arm balljoint.
stock wheels w/1/4" spacers will fit 35" x 12". They WILL NOT fit 35" x12.5" as that extra .5" makes the difference. Your tire will be about 1/4" away from the ballljoint with a 34" x 12" tire WITH 1/4" spacers. Fitment is up to you. Don't hate if they don't fit.
5.5"-4.5" backspaced wheels will allow 35"x12.5" tires silght rub at full lock.
aftermarket wheels as above PLUS 2"+ lift/level will fit 36's no problems(standard width of 12.5)

Dodge Ram 2500 2002-2008
Fit up to 34's on stock everything.
35's will scrub at full lock on stock everything
2"+lift/level will clear 35's no rubbing at all.



If you don't want tires sticking out of your fender I HIGHLY suggest sticking to factory sizes. If you need an aftermerket offset wheel, chances are the tires are going to stick out as factory is flush with the fenders. For this, you need largest size to fit stock wheel! That's posted above.


Link--> THIS ONE for speed, sidewall, revolutions per mile.

Link--> Tire Calculator for changing sizes and odometer changes


MY Hand calculator:
EX size. 265/70/17
The above is measured as such....265mm/70%/17inches
That reads as; 265mm wide with an aspect ratio of 70%
OR
265mm wide and 70% of that width is how tall the sidewall is.
SO, to Math it out: 70% = 0.70 265x0.70=185.5mm
185.5mm is the height of ONE sidewall. Since there are a Top and Bottom to the sidewall you multiply the number by 2. 185.5mm x 2= 371mm
Okay. we have so far; 265mm width and 371mm in sidewall height. Now we need to convert 371mm into inches.
There's 2.54cm to an inch and 10mm to 1cm. That means 25.4mm per inch
That means 25.4mm per inch. 371mm/25.4mm= 14.6" of sidewall height. You take the 14.6" of sidewall in rubber and add that to the height of the wheel. 14.6" rubber + 17" wheel = 31.6" tall tire!

Please take the time to figure your own tire sizes. Don't ask what size a 265/60/20 is. Figure it out yourself.
1.) (First number) x (0.second number)= Xmm's
2.)(Xmm's)x2 = total sidewall height
3.) (total sidewall height)/(25.4mm's per inch) = total sidewall height in inches
4.)(Total sidewall height in inches) + (rim size) = Diameter of your Tire

**I will add corrections to this as necessary. I did this off the top of my head. if there are any conflicts..please PM ME the changes and I will edit as needed** Please don't clutter this thread with added information. I WILL ADD INFORMATION so it's easily viewed at the top of the page. Thanks

**This thread is open for anyone to ask their questions. Remember, do your own work prior to posting. Others won't help you if you don't first try to help yourself.
**If your having trouble with the calculator or doing the math...POST YOUR WORK. If you throw up a post just to ask what diameter a 215/65/17, your post will be deleted.

 

Shiznit!! Bow down to the Great and All Knowing DirtyDog. Kudos for the hard work and time it took to compile this info.

 

Great info Dirty.... Maybe this will avoid the broken record of "can I fit a ..... tire on my truck"

nateroach

 

Awesome post! One question...I'm planning in a 3" body lift on an 08 4wd, which should fit 35x12. But at the top you said most 35x12.5s are really 12, not 12.5. So, the largest I can go with 1/4" spacer is 12 but does that include or exclude so-called 12.5s?

 

Nm...read it a few more times and understand now...pls delete my ignorance!

 

Sorry, shoulda done this in the last post, I'd edit, but I'd have to repaste the quote and everything, so sorry again...

Anyway, does this apply to the 17" or 20" or does it not matter...Cuz I had 33.8" x 12" on stock 17" and they fit without rubbing...however, way too close for my comfort so I slapped on 5/16" spacers and I still didn't like it and went with 1/2" spacers.

I guess something that may be helpful is if you were able to give us an estimation of how much space we should have between the sidewall and upper control arm. I was worried that if I hit a bump and came kinda slamming down that the tire would compress enough, making it wider for a split second causing it to rub and damage the sidewall to the point of ruining the whole tire...am I being too extreme?

 

no mention of the "E" rated tires required for the cummins!!!!

 

So how do I know what rim I can use with the tire I have selected? For instance I have chosen to go with Toyo Open Country A/Ts 325/65/18 now I have the tire selected, I am still very confused on how I am suppose to take that number and know what rims it will fit. I get the 18 means 18 inch rims, but does what about the width of the rim? 18x9s for instance. What determines that the tire will fit the rim??? Does it not matter what the width of the rim is?

 

That is something the manufacturer tells you. There are specs for every tire out there, weight, speed, traction and Reccomended wheel width. 9" rim is kinda narrow for a 12.8" wide tire but will likely be within specs. Go to Tirerack or Discount tire to view their specs on the reccomended wheel widthds per the tire you purchase or call the manufacturer.

Fitting tires to rims is NOT what this article is about. It's about what backspacing will fit and what width and diameter tire fits. The rest is up to you as it has nothing to do with Dodge Ram fitment.

Again, that is not whatthis article is for. It's not to tell youabout the weight ratings or specs of the tires, just SIZE fitment!

 

how do i measure wheel backspacing on an existing rim that is not stock?