Well, I went to the local truck shop this weekend and was going to get my truck a 6 inch suspension lift and new weld rims with some nice swamper 36's. Turns out that on the 02 models and up you need to run 17" rims and nothing smaller? The guy at the shop told me that this was because of the bigger brakes. Also, he told me that with a 6" lift all that I'll be able to clear are 35's. Is this true? Seems pretty ****ty that I need to but the expensive 17's when all I really want are 16's. Anyone's feedback would be appreciated...

 

Not to sure but when i looked into this for my buddy and his '03, all the suspension compaines i called, about 6 of them, all told me that the stock 17's wont clear teh new tie-rod ends after the truck is lifted. Not enuff backspacing. The only company that did offer a kit and not force you to change your rims, was Rancho, and they offer two kits for the '03.. one with smaller tie-rod ends to remidy this. Just check Rancho, same goes for your truck as my buddies.

 

Not only won't 16" wheels fit the new-style Rams, some aftermarket 17" wheels won't clear the brake calipers either.

 

The reason that he stock 17's will not fit the lift kits is not due to the diameter of the wheel, but it is due to the offset. Since a stock wheel sits so far in, that is what will hit the new suspension components. Yes. you have to use a 17, plus and with the change of the offset, you would have to go with a smaller diameter tire, like the 35". If you wan to go with bigger tires then just put a body lift on it... it is pretty cheap and will enable another 3" of lift and couple of tire sizes. I was able to run 37" tires on my 2wd with all bolt on kits...