So I've had my truck for a couple of years now, and ever since I've got it I've wanted to level it out and and beef up the stance just a bit. It's a 2006 Ram Quad Cab Sport. I want to get that forward lean out of it. My question is how should I do it? i understand that I can put a leveling kit on the front, but then I think the stock tire size would leave too much gap in the wheel well. They are 275/60/20. How big should I go in order to fill up the space? Do I HAVE to buy new wheels? I actually like the ones that are on it. This is the kind of the look I want, but with maybe a slightly bigger side wall. Nothing too crazy. How big could/should I go? Is a 35" tire what I need? And what dimensions exactly is a 35" tire? I'm clueless dudes. Help me out...
I think you would like the looks of a simple leveling kit with 305 55 20s Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
I leveled my last Nissan and put 305/65/18 BFG AT TA's on it at the same time. Within 5k miles, I had multiple issues on the front end of the vehicle. It looked fantastic, but I ended up trading the truck in because of the issues that arose. My current F-150 now has 275/70/18 BFG AT TA's on it with no leveling kit. It looks great and I'm happy with it. Both times I put on the bigger tires my gas mileage went down pretty drastically. My ford was getting 17.5ish mixed highway/city driving and up to 19 or so on the highway before the new tires. I'm now getting 13 mpg mixed and 14.5 on the highway. While it looks great and the inch of clearance is nice, I'm not sure it was worth the extra gas money. I'm getting roughly 40 mile less per tank now.
I used to have a 2005 Ram 1500 that had 39" tires when I got it the went down to 35", it was a little bigger then what your wanting having 9" of total lift (3 body, 6 suspension) and like Rick said it'll cause more wear on a lot of parts with bigger tires. Also with the bigger 39" it would sometimes rub the fender if I had it cranked hard one way or the other turning. So that'd be something to think about. I would think you'd be able to fit 35's on it with a leveling kit or even a small body lift that will also level it out. Having almost the same truck I would say with the bigger tires you may run into what I did and haveta change breaks often, ball joint, and wheel bearings. As far as mpg mine didn't change much actually but it didn't get all that good to begin with having the engine I did, 5.7 Hemi. Like said all stuff to just think about, I can sau that after owning thag truck I'll never have one like it again. Too much maintenance. You shouldn't need to buy new wheels unless your wanting to go with a wider tire also. Here's what goin to big looks like ha ha Just to give ya a idea I'm 6'2.
The fords "sport rake" is not nearly as pronounced as the Dodge. I had 33s on my Ram w no lift or issues. That being said I have a brand new leveling kit in box that will fit your truck. Bought it w plans to install once weather warmed up, then traded my Ram for a new Wrangler before I got around to it. Was too late to send back to Amazon. PM me if you want details.
If you go with bigger wheels and tires, save money for 2 sets of ring and pinion gears. If you go too tall with the tires you could turn your nice truck into a stone that you won't like. A lot of people leave this important step out.
I think my truck, stock, is technically a "33". So reading this chart, could I just go with the 275/70/20, and be able to keep the same wheels? I'd basically just be increasing the size of the side wall right? Is that advisable or should I also go wider if I'm going taller?
You shouldn't have any problems just going taller on the same wheels. My truck stock had 265/75r16, and I swapped them out with 285/75r16 on the stock wheels. Any wider than that I heard they had problems with bubbling, or the center of the tire wearing out faster than the outsides at standard air pressure.
Ha, I've been complaining that my F250 sits too low in the rear. I have a fuel tank and a toolbox in the back and the rear end sits down a bit, I like the lower in the front stance on a pickup. I ordered a set of airbags to put in the back to raise the rear end a little and increase load capacity. Set was almost $500 though. Good luck getting it like you want it.
I had the dealer put a leveling kit on my new Ford F-150 and left the stock wheels and tires on it. I think it looks fine and now it sits like a truck. I still may throw 20's on it, but for now, it does not look bad.
Fletch - Is there a leveling kit they sell that still provides warranty? I'm still well within my 60k powertrain warranty which basically covers everything between the hub and tranny and I'd consider going this route if I knew it wouldn't be a problem. I already have the bigger tires on my 11' F-150, the kit would be nice but after the experience I had with my Nissan I'm hesitant.
You shouldn't have much of a rubbing issue going to a taller tire on the same wheel. You start to run into issues going wider, or when you run a different BS wheel than the factory. I like a LITTLE rake to a truck, but I know plenty of people who tow and haul heavy loads with a leveled truck with little issue. I'm not super familiar with Dodge up front, but is the kit keys, spacer, or coils? Back when I was offroading and lifted my truck, I always went with the best possible up front. I hate compressed springs, even if it's a small spacer. It just makes the ride too harsh. If they have leveling coil kits, I think I would go for that.
Not real sure with dodge since I have only had chevy. But if you put a level on it you should be ok with the tires you have. It does not lift it up as much as you think. If you wanted to go with a bigger tire probably a 305 no bigger. But like everyone says you wont want to go much wider cause then you will run into some rubbing (nothing a little trimming cant fix, had to do this with both my chevy but running after market tires with different back spacing)
Another thing to consider would be to turn up the torsion bars. My buddy I work for has a 08 GMC 3500 with a ranch hand brush guard. Ever since he got the truck it squated in the front end, we took it to the dealer to get checked out because the bruah guard would hit if went over a good bump. Everything checked out and this is what the dealership suggested so they truned them up. It pretty much leveled the truck out. Don't know if that a option but something might try.
I was told by the dealer that it would not change my warranty. That's the main reason I had them put it on new at the dealership.
I cranked the torsion bars in my 97 GMC, along with torsion bar keys. My truck rides really rough now, but I wasn't too worried about it, so...
have to be careful with cranking up your torsion bars though. Typically will want to get longer shocks if you do other wise you can run into problems where tour top stud on your shock will break. Had it happen to me twice before I finally backed them back down
Ha yea this was on a work truck so a smooth ride was kinda out of the question anyway. Its still not too bad until you put s load on it but the weight we're pulling is gonna make anything ride rough.
Thanks for the input guys... Another question... My truck has stock 33s, they are 275/60/20. If I went with a 275/65/20 with a 1.5" level, would that get me the look I'm after? Thoughts?
