Ultimate Dodge Ram Wheel/Tire Fitment Guide
Even though this guide is targeted towards vehicles with Carli or Thuren performance suspension systems, the fitment details are the same with lifts from most other brands. Another important factor to consider is that trucks getting hard off road use will require more tire clearance. While a 3” level may be enough to clear 40’s for day-to-day use, fully cycling the suspension travel off road will tell another story. If you want to clear big meat and still run the truck hard, you will need to carefully select your wheel, tire, and lift combination.
It’s important to purchase wheels with the correct offset and backspace to ensure perfect fit. For a detailed explanation on wheel offset and backspace, check out this guide. Offset and backspace only tell half the story however. Many tires measure wider and taller than the printed size. This is compounded by wheel width. Putting a 13.5” wide tire on an 8” wide wheel will cause the tire to balloon outward. Thankfully, we took the guesswork out of the process. This guide tells you exactly what specs you need for a given tire or wheel size.
Before we start let’s take a step back. It’s easy to get carried away with wheels, tires, and lifts. However, before you add strain to your stock steering or suspension components, it’s a good idea to give them a thorough check. If you need steering components, ball joints, or any other accessories, check out our store. You may also want to consider re-gearing, especially if you plan on towing heavy with 35” or larger tires.
Below we’ve compiled a list of popular wheel and tire combinations that will fit at each lift height on each truck. If your wheel and tire options aren’t included, send us an email or phone call and we’ll help you get everything perfect.
RAM:
2014+ Ram 2500/2013+ Ram 3500 Guide:
Stock:
A 2014+ Ram truck with stock wheels and stock suspension will fit 285-295 metric sizing tires on the factory wheels with no trimming or very minor plastic trimming on the inner front fender liner with aggressive mud terrain tires.
Wheels with +18mm or similar offset that are 8”-9” inches wide with anywhere between 5.5” and 6” backspacing will fit a 35”x12.50” tire with no rimming. If you want a more aggressive stance (wider with maybe 2" of poke from the fender) a 0 offset wheel that's 8.5-9" wide can be used. With that spec you might have to trim a small amount of plastic fender liner.
2-3” lift Level and 3” kits
On stock wheels, you can fit up to 295 tire with no trimming. This Is the same as a stock height truck since the factory wheels are the limiting piece of the puzzle. They are so tucked in that they cause rub on the suspension when turning to full steering lock. Tires with large side lugs such as Toyo MT’s will have more radius arm contact at full steering lock than rounder tires like an all terrain. 37”x12.5” tires can be run on stock wheels, but there will be moderate radius arm rubbing at full lock. Trimming of the plastic fender liner will also be necessary. Using a high clearance sway bar and radius arm will help, but there will still be some contact.
+18mm offset wheels that are 8-9 inches wide with anywhere between 5.5” and 6” backspacing can fit up to a 37”x12.5” tire with minor plastic fender liner trimming. When running a 37”x13.5” tire, slightly more trimming of the pinch weld and plastic is necessary. Keep in mind the larger the side lugs, the more trimming is necessary.
0mm offset wheels that are 8”-9” inches wide with anywhere between 4.75” and 5” backspacing will fit up to a 37”x12.5” tire with more pinch weld trimming than the previous spec. A 0 offset wheel will have about 2" of poke from the fender line. With a 37”x13.5” wide tire on the same wheel, more significant trimming will be needed for full clearance.
-12mm offset wheels that are 8”-9” inches wide with 4.5” backspacing will fit a 37”x12.5” tire with moderate pinch weld and plastic liner trimming. At full articulation this setup will always have some rub and contact.
With -24mm offset wheels that are 10” inches wide, 35’s can generally be run with mild trimming. They can also be run with moderate trimming on a 12” wide wheel. Anything with more than -24mm offset must be run with a 33” tire and trimming. If you want wide wheels, you have to accept cutting and rub!
2010-2012 4thgen Ram 2500/3500 Guide:
2010-2012 Ram trucks have almost the same frame and suspension as the 2003-2009 third gen trucks. As a result, the wheel and tire fitment options are nearly identical.
Stock:
On a stock height third generation Ram truck, 305 metric tires can be run with minor plastic liner trimming. Tires with big side lugs such as Toyo MT’s will rub on the arms at full lock, and will require more plastic fender liner trimming.
Aftermarket wheels 8-9" wide with +12-22mm offset or 5”-5.75” of backspace will fit a 35” tire with VERY minor trimming. This set up will clear the arms better than the stock wheels, but because they move the tire outward. This will fit a true 35" tire at stock height with VERY minor plastic fender liner trimming.
Wheels with 0 and -12 offset and 4.5”-5” inches of backspacing can fit a 295 with no rubbing after a slight trim of the plastic. True 35” tires will require more trimming of the plastic fender liner.
2-3” lift Level and 3” kits
Stock wheels will fit 35”x12.5” tires with minor rubbing on the control arms at full steering lock. Tires with large side lugs will make contact with the control arms at full lock. With high clearance control arms, no trimming is needed. If desired, you can run 37”x12.5” tires on the stock wheels as long as high clearance control arms are used to center the axle and allow for tire clearance at full steering lock. 37x13.5 tires are possible on the same set up with moderate trimming of the plastic and cab pinch weld.
+12 to +27 offset wheels with 5.75” backspace are the optimal choice for fitting the largest tire on a third gen Ram. With factory control arms, 35”x12.5” tires will fit with minor plastic trimming required. With High clearance control arms and a high clearance sway bar 37x12.5” tires will fit with minimal fender plastic trimming.
18 offset wheels and high clearance control arms provide the most room possible on this platform. High clearance arms are necessary to avoid control arm rub at steering lock. Aftermarket control arms also help center the axle after the 3” lift providing for more clearance at the pinch weld and cab corner. 37”x13.5” tires will fit with aftermarket arms, moderate trimming of the fender liner plastic, and cab pinch weld.
Wheels with 0mm/-12mm offset that are 8”-9” inches wide with around 4.5” backspacing will fit a 37”x12.5” tire with moderate pinch weld and plastic liner trimming. Again, high clearance aftermarket control arms are recommended with 37” tires.
When using -24 offset wheels that are 10”-12” inches wide, 35’s can generally be run with minimal trimming on a 10” wide wheel, or with moderate trimming on a 12” wide. Anything with more than -24 offset requires a 33” tire to fit without substantial rubbing.
With all oversized tires, longer control arms are recommended with larger tires to center the axle after the lift and provide more clearance between the tire and cab corner pinch weld, reducing the amount of trimming required.
6” lift kits
With stock wheels, tire options are limited. This is because lifts over 3" require long arms or radius arms, either option has less inner tire clearance and the factory wheels have a lot of backspacing, anything larger than a 35”x12.5” tire will rub on the control arms at full steering lock.
Wheels with 0mm/-12mm offset or 4.5”-4.75” backspace that are 8.5”-10” wide can fit a 37”x13.5” tire with minimal trimming required. A 10” wide wheel will require minimal trimming as well. Those offset and backspace numbers are ideal for fitting the largest tire, and balance clearance between the cab corner, fender liner, and control arms.
12” or 14” wide wheels typically require a 35” tire. 37’s on 12-14” wide wheels will either require an 8” lift, sacrifice turning ability, or require extreme trimming.
2003-2009 3rdGen Ram 2500 Guide:
Stock:
On a stock height third generation Ram truck, 35”x12.5” tires can be run on the stock wheels with some slight rubbing. Tires with big side lugs such as Toyo MT’s will rub on the arms at full lock, and will require more plastic fender liner trimming.
Aftermarket wheels 8-9" wide with +6 to +25mm offset or 5”-5.75” of backspace will fit a 35” tire with VERY minor plastic fender liner trimming. This set up will clear the arms better than the stock wheels, but because they move the tire outward, will contact the body more than the factory wheels do with the same size tire. More plastic liner and or fender trimming might be necessary if you go with an aggressive mud terrain tire.
Wheels with 0 and -12 offset and 4.5”-5” inches of backspacing can fit a 305/70 or metric 34” tire with no rubbing. True 35” tires will require a little more trimming of the plastic fender liner.
2-3” lift Level and 3” kits
Stock wheels will fit 35”x12.5” tires with minor rubbing on the control arms at full steering lock. Tires with large side lugs will make contact with the control arms at full lock. With high clearance control arms, no trimming is needed. If desired, you can run 37”x12.5” tires on the stock wheels as long as high clearance control arms are used to center the axle and allow for tire clearance at full steering lock. 37x13.5 tires are possible on the same set up with moderate trimming of the plastic and cab pinch weld.
+18 offset wheels with 5.75” backspace are the optimal choice for fitting the largest tire on a third gen Ram. With factory control arms, 35”x12.5” tires will fit with minor plastic and pinch weld trimming required. We highly recommend high clearance arms to center the axle, and allow for full lock to lock turning without contact at the arms. With High clearance control arms, 37x12.5” tires will fit with minimal fender plastic trimming. 13.5 wide tires will fit with some pinch weld trimming.
18 offset wheels and high clearance control arms provide the most room possible on this platform. High clearance arms are necessary to avoid control arm rub at steering lock. Aftermarket control arms also help center the axle after the 3” lift providing for more clearance at the pinch weld and cab corner. 37”x13.5” tires will fit with aftermarket arms, moderate trimming of the fender liner plastic, and cab pinch weld.
Wheels with 0mm/-12mm offset that are 8”-9” inches wide with around 4.5” backspacing will fit a 37”x12.5” tire with moderate pinch weld and plastic liner trimming. Again, high clearance aftermarket control arms are recommended with 37” tires.
When using -24 offset wheels that are 10”-12” inches wide, 35’s can generally be run with minimal trimming on a 10” wide wheel, or with moderate trimming on a 12” wide. Anything with more than -24 offset requires a 33” tire to fit without substantial rubbing. Longer control arms are recommended with larger tires to center the axle after the lift and provide more clearance between the tire and cab corner pinch weld, reducing the amount of trimming required.
6” lift kits
With stock wheels, tire options are limited. This is because lifts over 3" require long arms or radius arms, either option has less inner tire clearance and the factory wheels have a lot of backspacing, anything larger than a 35”x12.5” tire will rub on the control arms at full steering lock.
Wheels with 0mm/-12mm offset or 4.5”-4.75” backspace that are 8.5”-10” wide can fit a 37”x13.5” tire with minimal trimming required. A 10” wide wheel will require minimal trimming as well. Those offset and backspace numbers are ideal for fitting the largest tire, and balance clearance between the cab corner, fender liner, and control arms.
12” or 14” wide wheels typically require a 35” tire. 37’s on 12-14” wide wheels will either require an 8” lift, sacrifice turning ability, or require extreme trimming.
1994-2002 2ndgen Ram 2500 Guide:
Stock:
Second generation Ram trucks have notoriously little space for aftermarket wheel and tire set ups. To clear on a stock height truck and avoid rub at full suspension compression in a turn, 285/70/17 tires are the largest size for a stock truck. 35”x12.5” tires will clear, but only with aftermarket high clearance control arms to eliminate the arm rub at full steering lock.
3” lift Level and 3” kits
With a 3” level or suspension system, 35”x12.5” tires will clear with 0-12mm offset and 4.5”-4.75” backspace wheels that are 8”-9” wide. If you want a more flush fit, +18 to +25 offset wheels will work great. With stock arms, slight plastic liner trimming is required. With aftermarket arms, no little to no trimming is required.
37”x12.5” will clear with aftermarket control arms. To run 37” tires wheels with 0mm offset and 4.75” backspacing are needed. +18mm offset wheels with 5.75” backspacing can also be used, but are not ideal since the tires will rub most aftermarket arms at full lock. No matter what wheel or control arm is used, fender trimming is required. To clear at full suspension travel while turning, the front fender must be cut, have a section removed, and then be re-welded.
