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Lifting my Ram on Wednesday. Should I do 33” or 35” tires?

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BeesNuts

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Hey now. How you doing? I’m lifting my ram on Wednesday 3.5”. Should I ride on 33” wheels at like a -24mm offset or should I ride on 35s with a 1mm offset?

I realize it’s two completely different looks. I just want to make sure whatever I choose, will work well.
 
All personal preference of course, but I would find something that's around a 34, like a 295/60r20, or a 35 but not 12.5 wide if you don't want to do a lot of trimming like a 285/65r20 or the equivalent 35x11.50r20. I like a -18mm offset, but I think you can run any of your choices on anything from 0mm to -24mm without a problem. Again, it's all personal taste, but 33's are just way too small for me, especially with a 3.5" kit.
 
Since you are lifting that much may as well go big as long as they don't rub and require much trimming anywhere. You might be ok at 3.5” though.

Guy I work with had a 3” and 35’s, went to a 6” RC and 37’s, looks “balanced”. He's had tire wear problems though, some installers don't get the parts and alignment figured out. Its a pavement princess so never even gets into 4x.


It cost my buddy a set of tires to be replaced wayyy before they should have.
The original shop tried new tie rod ends and an alignment but the accelerated wear continued, so they just rotated his tires! 😖

A custom place figured it out, said his RC lift has “bad geometry” and it will eventually wreck his front end. All the guy wanted was a bit more height to clear the 37’s he got, now he’s pissed. Lots of $ spent and still not right.

I (was) just a stock truck look driver so have no “dog in this fight”, just noticed how bigger ain’t always smarter. One issue begets another it seems.
 

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The shop I’m bringing it too says 35’s will kill my front end. Axles etc. also my gas will go right down.

Is all that true?
 
A heavier tire will definitely drop MPG. How much will depend tires weight and driving habits and terrain. It will not kill your axles as many run them, otherwise if that was true you wouldn't see many running bigger tires.
 
It does reduce gas mileage sure. Evidently from the popularity of lifts and bigger wheels/tires, its an acceptable tradeoff for the look.

Simply adding heavier tires/wheels doesn’t kill suspension components. There’s going to be additional wear and stresses though.

More weight (big tires) equals higher rolling resistance. Changed suspension geometry can/will affect handling. Effective gear ratios change with taller tires. The higher body will cause the engine to work harder to push the truck especially at highway speeds. All issues that you will likely encounter.

Lots of additional costs can/will be encountered, different shocks, springs, extended brake lines, heavier duty suspension components, regearing, not to mention the wheels and tires. Not cheap if it is done right.
 
It won't KILL your front end. Lots of factors involved like how you achieve your lift, ball joint angles, weight of the tire, a good alignment, type of driving you do etc. This is my 3rd Ram with a 6" lift (13, 21 and 22) and it's been smooth sailing. I've also ran 34s - 36s on every truck I've had since 2013 and have never ever had an issue.

I choose to live a little, and I like what I like. I run on Smiles Per Gallon.
 
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