fitting 35's

[4bydak]

How do you fit 35" tires without rubbing the frame?

[nigolbipples]

What are those on your truck right now? Your going to want a rim with a 4.5" backspacing at least. Then you shouldn't have any problems hitting the frame.

[HemiDak]

Either spacers or rims with much less backspacing will work. I'd recommend 3.5" backspacing to prevent frame rubbing with 35's.

[therumblefish]

The only alternative to switching to rims with a proper backspacing is getting narrower tires. 35" x 10.5" tires should give minimal frame rub at full lock even with the stock wheels.

If you're looking for new rims check out American Racing Baja's. They are one of the few off-roading style wheels that are available in the 6 bolt pattern.

[HemiDak]

The only alternative to switching to rims with a proper backspacing is getting narrower tires. 35" x 10.5" tires should give minimal frame rub at full lock even with the stock wheels.

Though it will help some, it won't come close to solving the problem. For every 2" in tire width increase, it is the same (effectively) as going physically taller by 1/2".

This means that a 35x10.5 tire is (effectively) the same as a 34.5x12.5 tire. Any tire taller than 33" tall, is hard to find in a 10.5" width. The standard is 12.5" wide on 35's or larger.

If you don't follow along with what I'm saying, I can explain in more detail. I've done a little math on it, and you can see what I mean if you need to.

[nigolbipples]

You must have a body lift if you still have your stock rims on...if you go to a suspension lift you are going to have to change your rims to a bigger back spacing.

[lilguido1]

You must have a body lift if you still have your stock rims on...if you go to a suspension lift you are going to have to change your rims to a bigger back spacing.

Nope, he has a suspension lift (you can see the brackets and links below the truck)

Backspacing is the key - unfortunately like 2k said, you are not going to find many options in tire widths when you get over 33".

Right now, I have the Toyo OC 33x12.5's on mine (overall width is 12.7") I rub at lock to lock, but I only have the PA body lift. However, if I do go up another 3", that will not happen. The rims I'm running are Helo Spec's 18x9 (and a 1/2 I think)...not sure what the backspacing was (damn). The diameter (as advertised) is 33" exact.

[nigolbipples]

When I had my 3" suspension lift put on, I HAD to put new rims on, because the stock rims wouldn't fit over the ball joints. So I had to get a 15" rim with 3.75" backspacing. Then I tried a stock 16" rim and the tire rubbed on the ball joint, eventually ruining the tire. Then I moved up to an 18" rim (which I really didn't want to do, but thats all they had in stock to fit my truck) and that cleared the ball joint with a very little backspacing to the rim (I think it has 1.5" backspacing). I am running a 33x11.50x18 on my truck with no rubbing anywhere at all. I just had 35's measured up on my truck about 3 days ago and they will fit my truck with no rubbing (supposedly), but I am waiting for the 37x12.50x18 to come in at the end of this month.

[HemiDak]

Yours was different because the Rancho and Tuff Country lifts are very different. Yours included a new steering knuckle to drop it down rather than lowering the upper a-arm. His on the other hand dropped the upper a-arm and kept the stock steering knuckles. He can keep stock rims because of this, where as the Rancho lift is obviously different.

[4bydak]

i think ill keep my 33" till i find some good rims i like such has bead locks

[lilguido1]

When I had my 3" suspension lift put on, I HAD to put new rims on, because the stock rims wouldn't fit over the ball joints. So I had to get a 15" rim with 3.75" backspacing. Then I tried a stock 16" rim and the tire rubbed on the ball joint, eventually ruining the tire. Then I moved up to an 18" rim (which I really didn't want to do, but thats all they had in stock to fit my truck) and that cleared the ball joint with a very little backspacing to the rim (I think it has 1.5" backspacing). I am running a 33x11.50x18 on my truck with no rubbing anywhere at all. I just had 35's measured up on my truck about 3 days ago and they will fit my truck with no rubbing (supposedly), but I am waiting for the 37x12.50x18 to come in at the end of this month.

I would very much like to see pic's as soon as you get them...37's I have yet to see on a D. Please post!

[nigolbipples]

Oh I plan on it!!!

[QuaTscH94]

I would very much like to see pic's as soon as you get them...37's I have yet to see on a D. Please post!
There's a member on the boards here that runs 37s, bdechenzio :biggthump

[nigolbipples]

Yours was different because the Rancho and Tuff Country lifts are very different. Yours included a new steering knuckle to drop it down rather than lowering the upper a-arm. His on the other hand dropped the upper a-arm and kept the stock steering knuckles. He can keep stock rims because of this, where as the Rancho lift is obviously different.

Ah...he has a Dakota older then 2000???

[lilguido1]

There's a member on the boards here that runs 37s, bdechenzio :biggthump

Thanks man, i'm going to check it out!

[HemiDak]

Ah...he has a Dakota older then 2000???

Yup. The Tuff Country lifts are for 97-99.

[Kya]

What size gearing are you using with 33s?

[HemiDak]

What size gearing are you using with 33s?

4.56's, and I love it. :biggthump