Do ya'll prefer a 20inch rim or smaller? I'm trying to figure out while I have the opportunity to do it right what size rim will look best on a moderate lift I'm doing (2.5F, 1 1.5 R).

 

I personally prefer the 20" rims, mainly because they still allow a good amount of sidewall for flex, but keep the tire weight down (less rubber to turn than with smaller rims).

 

excellent point

 

It depends on if you are doing it for looks (street queen) or functionality.

20's have the look, but if you are actually going to use your truck off-road then you want the smallest wheel that will clear the calipers (17s in this case) for the most sidewall you can have. Off-road is all about flex, floatation and footprint ALL of which are better with the smaller wheel. Ever try to air down a 33" tire on a 20" wheel? Ain't happening, and it ain't much better with 35s.

Personally, I wouldn't do a 20" wheel unless I was looking at a 38" tire or larger for any type of serious off-road use...

 

In most cases I would agree... when I lived in Arizona the rocks would shred many of the tires I see on the rigs here. That being said, it seems like *most* Ram owners aren't into serious rock crawling and probably don't have to worry about sidewall damage when traversing the occasional mudhole or backwoods trail.

For me, the 20" rims and 35's will work well. Outside of snow, the only wheeling this truck will see are some trails and mud during hunting season, and the combination should work well.

Jeez I hope I didn't just jinx myself...

 

I like my 20's because they look cool. 17's will probably ride better because of more sidewall and will be cheaper to buy new tires. However the cost of the new rims would offset any money saved by using the smaller rims. Where you live I would be a little comcerned with ride quality because of the Frost Heaves. Be smart in the tire you get and research the ride quality. Look into the Goodyear Dura trac tire in the 20. They have a excellent snow rating and they are designed to not be noisey on the highway. I am trading out my tires for a set of these on Monday. I am running the 275/65/20 right now and that is the same size I am getting Monday.

 

I liked the Dura Trac as well, however, I heard they had a weak/flimsy side wall or road too soft. I don't run "road queens", but I also don't off road. I say what I do is more respectable than either and I use my truck for towing/hauling, which I think demands a tire that is more capable than either categories. I need my tire to be able to go 80-85mph, be able to handle moderate to heavy loads, handle snow, and job site terrains etc. My tire needs to be versatile, just like me. I can't over compensate in any which category. I will wait until I find that tire, no way will I rush this decision when were talking over $1,000 in tires.

Hammer: You make a good point and I do recognize that the bigger the rim the less off road capabilities I have, although as tempting as it is to want to get a bigger sidewall tire for play, I must fight that temptation with functionality in mind. Its not that I particularly want a 20, but its what I have an abundance of lol, so I figured I best use them if it wasn't going to be off-roading all that much. I'd much rather sacrifice some off road capabilities than my on road behaviors seeing im 90% of the time on roads towing and hauling.

I guess I don't mind the look of a 20 because I personally don't think the 4th generation ram warrants a smaller rim, they're a sport truck not much of a off road truck, so I think a 20 does a nice job of cutting down sidewall on the tire, while also keeping it flashy and sporty.

Thank you all again for your helpful responses.

Jeez these arn't cheap. $357 a piece from Discount Tire. My local guys will match this but then add in alignment, mounting, road hazard. I'm pushing 1600-1700 $$$. Damn. Thats in the 305/55/20E

 

i like the 20 myself, i had to get rid of my 20's when my lift went in and i thought id just put 17's on..i think they look to small with a 37" tire. wanna buy some xd monster 778 chrome 20's!

 

I like these too

Dick Cepek Radials

 

I found the 275/65/20 for $308 off of discount tire shipped. Add about 25 per tire for mounting and balancing and the total package is about $1350. Not to bad in my book for what you get. As for the softer sidewall, I like that. My BFG's ride tough for me. I want the softer sidewall for ride quailty. I to have been doing a lot of research on tires lately. For me I do not want my tires to stick out past the fender's or mudflaps. To many stones and chucks of salt to throw all over the side of the truck. That is why I am such a big fan of the 275/65/20. As for the last part of alignment and road hazard that is really up to you. It has always been a waste of money for me. I carry a speed patch kit that I got from Wal-Mart for 8 bucks. I haven't had to patch my tire but I have patched two others one on a 2500 and it is still holding up fine for me.
PS my BFG's are for sale and I will be in NH next weekend. Again just saying!