I know this question has been posed on lots of different forums, but there hasn't been a good definitive answer, and I hope I can get one here. I have a 99 Ram 1500 4x4, SLT, 5.9. Only mod so far is K&N filter. I am almost in need of new tires. I would like to hear from people who have changed tire size. I am looking at bigger, but don't want to do a lift kit. How big can I go on the 16x7" aluminum wheels? What kind of tires would be recommended for use on/off road- I am unimpressed with the current treads on my truck- Goodyear Wrangler (GM tread style), they just don't work well in snow and off road. I do commute highway from Bailey to Denver, CO, and enjoy off-roading on the weekends, so I am hoping to get recommendations for tires that will do well in both conditions. Thanks in advance!
hairlip71
05-09-2002, 07:01 PM
Go with the Swampers...They are a great tire for Mud..Snow and Wet and Dry Pavement...http://www.intercotire.com/assets/images/ssr_sswamper_radial-200.jpg They measure 32x11.50x15LT and diameter wise they are 32.5"!!! I had the 16x8 rim but I bought new 15x8 rims when I purchased the Swampers!!! Click on my Website and you can see pics of My Ram with those tires before I lifted it...there was no rubbing except at full turn lock...which you could deal with...The only reason I lifted the truck was to go higher to run 35's!!! My next set of tires will be PJ Dirt Grips...which is also a awesome tire!!!:rolleyes:
BTW... I have 30000 plus miles on the SSR's and they still have plenty of tread!!
ddgecwboy
05-10-2002, 01:40 PM
Those tires are about perfect, I had 33x12.50 Thornbirds on a 99 4x4 and they only rubbed at full turn, every time I have seen 32X11.50s they fill up the wheel wells and never rub
Chip
05-17-2002, 04:14 PM
Thanks to both of you for the help and info- and the pics of the truck are cool!
There is only one problem. My wife will not allow me to purchase new rims, I have to stick with the 16's. I know, I know, I wish I could talk her into new wheels to go with the tires, but that just isn't going to happen.
Will I lose ride quality on the road or MPG's in going to a tread like the swampers? They look awesome, and I may try to find them to fit a 16" wheel.
Thanks!
hairlip71
05-17-2002, 05:24 PM
If you pick the tire thats in the pic...Its a really smooth ride and they act well on all kinds of conditions...the only thing is the mild Swamper Hum ...which is nuthin as compared to the Swamper TSL's...As far as the gas mileage you'll do all right with these...But what the hell its a truck...not a Honda Accord...but it ain't bad!!!:D
REALM
05-19-2002, 08:46 AM
What about for the new 2002 Ram's?
Due to the IFS I wasn't sure what the max tire/wheel combo for them would be, but it looks like 32x11.50's would fit. Anyone know for sure?
disturbedracing
05-20-2002, 08:05 PM
I have the 99 half ton 4x4 QC and went with 33x12.50's on 15in Konig rims and have no problems with turning at all. and thats with the stock suspension, no mods. i like those super swampers but they sing really bad down the road and wear out quick if you use it as a daily driver. the 33's ive got are the bf goodrich all terrain ko's and they do awesome in the sand, snow and still give a good ride, although they arent the best for mud, but they also make the mud terrains and ive heard from friends that those do great too.
hairlip71
05-20-2002, 08:18 PM
Originally posted by disturbedracing
i like those super swampers but they sing really bad down the road and wear out quick if you use it as a daily driver!!
Yep they do sing ...but I got 34000 on my SSR's with a lot of tread still showin...they're radials not bias ply...and you can get a lot more out of them than the TSL's!!!;)
Dom
05-21-2002, 01:17 PM
Chip,
Since you want to stay with the stock wheels, here are some choices you have. I have a '98 Quad 4x4 and have run two sets of 285/75/16s on the stock wheels. These tires measure just under 33" tall and I had no rubbing at all on my truck. Since different manufacturer's tires measure differently, even for the same size tire, you may run into some minor rubbing with this size. I had the Pathfinder Radial ATRs:
These tires are good in both dry and wet conditions and are fairly quiet on the interstate. It is recommended to run these tires on an 8" wide wheel, so you will get some premature wear in the center...both sets only lasted between 35K and 40K miles.
Now I have Dunlop Radial Rover RVs in 255/85/16. These tires are narrower than the 285s but are about the same height measuring just under 33".
These are also good in both wet and dry conditions and I have heard from other members that they do quite well in the snow. They will wear much better and are quiet on the road. They should last the 50K they are rated for. I don't have pics of these on my truck, but can provide pics on another Ram if necessary.
You will notice a slight decrease in performance going with either of these tires, especially with the 3.55 gears; with them, your final drive ratio will be around 3.41. I can cruise at 75mph at 2000 rpm.
Let me know if you need any more info.
Thanks,
Dom
Chip
05-31-2002, 08:52 AM
Dom- Thanks for the info. I am seriously considering the Dunlops- in the 265/75/16 size. The mechanic where I take my truck runs them on his 4x4, recommends them for anyone looking for a good tire that can do about everything. Just wish they were made in 285- but oh well- they seem like the best for the money that will fit on the 16's.
Thanks again for the advice-
Chip
DaReaper
06-07-2002, 04:06 AM
Chip,
When I bought my truck in '95 it came with 245/75/16 all seasons, I'll never figure out why they call them "all season" when they cant even run on snow, and they lasted on my truck for one winter till I could afford 285/75/16 BFG/AT's. These tires lasted on my truck for 70,000 miles and the only reason I replaced 'em was because I was going on a 5000 mile road trip and just didnt want any trouble, and I installed a lift and went with 35" BFG/AT's. The only downside to BFG's though are the price, but I've always belived in you get what you pay for. Just my .02 worth.
'95 Ram 1500ccsb 4x, 360, auto, 3.55's, Turbo City dual air intake, headers, high flow cat, custom 3" exhaust (no muff), 180 T-Stat, IAT relocate, 3" lift w/35" BFG/KO's
'
Chip
07-24-2002, 08:55 AM
Thanks to all for the advice and help. I ended up going with Dunlop Radial Rover A/T's in 285/70/16 size, I went in to get a tire rebalanced, and came out with a killer deal on these tires! They've been on the truck for about a week now, and the ride is better than before. The only problem I feel so far is the speedometer issue- I am now doing 70 when it says 65, and have to remember that I can still do the same speeds climbing the mountains, but the speedo reads slower! I get to take them 4 wheeling this weekend- if they perform as well as they have on road, I am gonna be thrilled with this set of tires!
