Do You Need to Regear With 35 Inch Tires On A Ram 1500?

Putting 35-inch tires on a Dodge Ram 1500 is great because you get a lot of ground clearance, and the truck can handle more weight. 

However, you may wonder if you need to regear your Ram to maintain good performance.

Do You Need to Regear With 35 Inch Tires On A Ram 1500?

You need to regear your Ram 1500 when you get 35-inch tires. If your Ram has the stock 3.21 gear ratio, regearing is an integral part of upgrading to a larger set of tires. Otherwise, you may experience decreased performance and fuel economy.

Today, we’re going to focus on why it’s crucial to regear your Dodge Ram after installing 35-inch tires. 

We’ll even walk you through the easy yet time-consuming process of how to do it.

The Importance of Regearing

Regearing is essential if you have a 3.21 gear ratio and upgrade to 35-inch tires. 

If you have a higher gear ratio and are going to a larger tire, it is not as important, but it would still be a good idea. 

You can regear your truck at home or take it to a professional. 

Either way, you should have it done to make sure you are getting the most out of your vehicle.

Decreased Performance

If you don’t regear your Dodge Ram after putting 35-inch tires, you risk decreased performance. 

This is due to the larger size of the tires and the fact that your original gear ratio may not be suited for them. 

The Dodge Ram 1500 is a powerful truck, but if you don’t have the proper gear ratio, you may not be able to take advantage of that power. 

Let’s look at some of the things impacted by not regearing.

Fuel Economy

One of the most significant things impacted by not regearing is your fuel economy. When you have a larger set of tires, your engine has to work harder to turn them. 

The result is decreased fuel economy and more money spent at the pump.

Towing Capacity

Another impact of not regearing is your truck’s towing capacity. It takes more power to move them. 

This means that your truck’s engine and transmission have to work harder to pull a trailer or tow something. 

You likely will experience decreased performance and tow capacity.

Increased Transmission Temperatures

If you don’t regear, you may also see increased transmission temperatures. 

The larger tires cause more friction and make the transmission work harder.

It can lead to decreased performance and even damage to your transmission.

What is the Best Gear Ratio with 35 Inches Tires?

According to the Dodge forum, The best gear ratio for 35-inch tires is 4.56.

It is the best solution to getting the best performance without creating new problems.

The Regearing Process

Whether you choose to regear your Dodge Ram at home or hire a professional, understand the importance of correctly doing the job

You want to be patient and take the time needed to perform the job

It is a good idea to plan ahead. 

The process is simple but time-consuming. 

Here are the steps involved in the regearing process:

1. Remove the differential cover and inspect the gears
2. Remove the old gear oil and replace it with new gear oil
3. Coat new gears and bearing with fresh gear oil
4. Install the new gears and bearings
5. Reinstall the differential cover
6. Check the backlash and adjust if necessary
7. Road test the truck to make sure it’s performing correctly
8. Repeat if necessary

Break-in Procedure

It’s essential to follow the break-in procedure when new gears are installed. 

The break-in procedure will help ensure that the gears are properly lubricated and that they’re not experiencing any wear. 

Here are the steps involved in the break-in procedure:

1. Drive gently for 20 minutes
2. Avoid hard acceleration and braking
3. Keep the truck in the low gears
4. Avoid towing or hauling heavy loads
5. Check the fluid levels and make sure they’re correct
6. Monitor the temperatures of the transmission and engine
7. Allow the axle to cool down completely.
8. Repeat the process three times
9. If all goes well, repeat the process and drive the truck on the highway up to 65 mph.

If you follow these steps, you’ll help ensure that your new gears are adequately lubricated and that they’re performing as they should.

Helpful Tips

Here are some helpful tips for regearing your Ram 1500:

• If you’re doing the job yourself, make sure you have the right tools and know what you’re doing.
• If you’re taking it to a professional, make sure you find a reputable shop that will do the job right.
• Be prepared for some downtime while your truck is being regeared. You won’t be able to drive it until the job is done.
• Be prepared to spend a little bit of money. Regearing isn’t cheap, but it’s a necessary step if you’re upgrading your tires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you install 35-inch tires on a Ram 1500?

This question can be a little tricky to answer. It depends on the gear ratio of your truck and the size of the tires.

If you have a 3.21 gear ratio and upgrade to 35-inch tires, you will need to regear. 

If you have a higher gear ratio, then you may not need to regear. 

Always check with the manufacturer to be sure.

How hard is it to regear a truck?

Regearing is a relatively simple process. However, it will take a lot of time.

If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, recruit a friend, or take your truck to a professional.

While it may take some time and a lot of trial and error, it’s not impossible as long as you have patience. 

Be prepared ahead of time not to drive your truck for at least a weekend while the work is being done.

Can I still tow with my truck after regearing?

Towing capacity is impacted by a variety of factors, including the size of your tires.

If you have larger tires, your towing capacity will be decreased. 

This is because it takes more power to move the larger tires. 

Regearing will increase your towing capacity, but it’s important to remember that it will never be as high as it was with the stock tires.

Is it worth regearing my truck?

That depends on a lot of factors, including the size and type of tires you’re using, the gear ratio of your truck, and how you use your vehicle. 

If you’re using larger tires and don’t regear, you may see decreased fuel economy, decreased towing capacity, and increased transmission temperatures. 

If you regear, you can expect improved performance overall. 

Wrapping Up

While regearing isn’t necessary for all trucks or all sets of tires, it’s important to know the consequences if you don’t do it.

If you’re using larger tires, be prepared for decreased overall performance as well as more money spent at the pump not being able to tow safely.

If you continue to drive your truck without regearing, you risk damaging the motor and transmission. 

Make sure you weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to regear your truck. 

Regearing is an integral part of maintaining your Dodge Ram 1500.