What Are The Biggest Tires You Can Fit On A Ram 1500?

The Ram 1500 is a big and exceptional pick-up truck; it is designed to offer an immensely comfortable interior, which is furthered by relaxed handling.

Much like its size, its trims come with powerful engine options, you can choose between a V6 and a V8 or go for the diesel option.

Given its considerable size, owners often find themselves contemplating fitting even bigger wheels on their Dodge Ram 1500. 

These tires are believed to improve the design and appeal of the pick-up truck, this sentiment is especially true for the Ram 1500s.

Before spending your hard-earned cash on tires that will not fit, there are a few things you should first consider. 

Below you will find an elaborate look at this topic. 

What Are The Biggest Tires You Can Fit On A Ram 1500?

The largest possible tire size you can fit on the Ram 1500 without any hindrances is 35 inches. But with a little truck modification, you can fix bigger tires measuring 39″ or even more. However, this may require you to cut bigger wheel wells, trim the body mounts, and roll the fenders.

Contrary to widespread belief, the vehicle’s suspension may not be quite limiting as people point it out to be. 

The biggest consideration in this endeavor should be practicality. 

The bigger tires should not hinder the vehicle’s mobility.

You should also consider the vehicle’s intended use, whether it is for off-roading or casual driving.

Bigger tires are supposed to complement the performance of your truck. 

Where possible, they should even improve their attributes in all aspects.

By first fitting larger tires on your vehicle with its stock suspension, you eliminate the need to modify the suspension system.

35-inch Tire Upgrades

This is the easiest big tire upgrade you can make with the Ram 1500. 

This size fits well into the stock factory suspension. It also goes well with the stock rims (12.50) without influencing the intended offsetting.

With this size, the vehicle can entirely turn its wheels without rubbing against the body panels. You will also not need to modify the suspension. 

This option is as simple as taking off the stock tires, bolting on the bigger ones, and driving off.

A slight speedometer adjustment may be necessary to calibrate the accuracy of the readings. You are very unlikely to run into problems with this tire upgrade.

The truck will also be able to retain its capabilities when it goes off-road.

Maneuverability and handling stay commendable. These tires ensure there is no drastic change in fuel consumption and allow you to retain the usual MPG. 

35-inch tires are enough to give your truck the aesthetics you desire.

33-inch tire upgrades

This tire size is a definite fit. It will require no trimming or suspension adjustments. 

When fitting these tires, you must make sure that they are well distanced beyond the brake calipers.

The offsetting and backspacing of these wheels will determine how well the braking, steering, and suspension systems will work towards better handling and smooth driving.

37-inch tire upgrades

Thirty-seven inches by 12.5 are the biggest tires you can forcefully get away with on a Stock Ram 1500.

These tires are slightly larger than what is recommended. While these tires may fit into the wheel arch, they may pose a problem for maneuverability.

This size of tires will possibly keep rubbing on the sway bar. They may also frequently touch the radius bar fastener.

These tires will also rub against the inside of the wheel well liner. 

You may even realize changes in handling and have to replace your suspension system sooner due to the new stresses being imposed on them.

These complications hamper a smooth driving experience. 

To cope, you may have to trim the inside of the fender liner. 

This will allow the tires to fit into the wheel arch and complete the intended wheel lock.

Aftermarket Rims

Going for bigger tires may require you to consider getting aftermarket rims. 

This measure helps you balance the wheels offsetting and backspacing.

Avoid rims that give your wheel extreme negative offsets, making them pop out to a great extent.

Going for a more negative offset may push you to consider irreversible modifications such as trimming the fenders.

In some areas, these wide stances could pose legal problems and give you a hard time when trying to sell the vehicle. 

Before settling on an aftermarket rim, consider its offset.

The offset is the distance between the wheel mount and the inner face of the rim. 

Positive offsetting places the wheels under the truck by moving the wheel mount nearer the wheels outside, resulting in larger backspacing.\

It is recommended that you stay between +18 and +27mm of offset when fitting the new aftermarket rims. 

This fitting is meant to ensure adequate articulation. 

The wide stance that comes with a negative offset may make the truck look good but place a heavy strain on the suspension system.

It also lowers the truck’s ability to venture off-road

For the stock ram 1500 negative offset rims (-18mm) may force you to cut and trim for them to fit without grinding against body panels.

Such modifications are irreversible and are therefore not recommended.

Leveling Kits

Adding a leveling kit to your Ram 1500 raises its front and may considerably add to the size of its wheel well. This is also heavily dependent on how much lift you add to the vehicle.

Lifting the vehicle by 2 inches allows you to fit 35 by 12.5 by 20.

This will give you big tires without grinding against body panels and fenders.

Adding a leveling kit has no performance benefits. It only makes the vehicle look good. 

You will realize notable reductions in performance while off-road. 

The truck will also consume more. A leveling kit may also allow you to fit a 39-inch tire (12.5 by17)

Lift Kits

Those intending to raise their trucks beyond the recommended tire sizing should consider lift kits.

These kits increase the ability of your truck to accommodate bigger tires. 

Not only that, but they also improve ground clearance and increase off-road abilities to a considerable extent.

However, installing lift kits is not an easy venture. 

These kits require a lot of work and modification for them to fit into the vehicle properly. 

Lift kits also tend to be very costly to purchase and install, which can be quite discouraging. 

Consequently, bigger tires remain the friendliest option.

Conclusion

Bigger tires are not always better. When going for bigger tires, you should bear in mind the impact of your modifications on the truck. 

The gained aesthetic appeal, if not executed with finesse, could ruin your truck’s performance.

You are going bigger changes the functionality of your truck.

This will require you to make any modifications to the vehicle, which you cannot turn back.

Wheel modifications will also require you to re-calibrate your speedometer.

Increasing tire size may also require you to modify your transmission and or add power to the engine. 

Most people who fit bigger tires realize that the truck needs more power to roll off the line. 

This necessitates installing a supercharger and hauling the engine to give it more compensating power and return to optimal performance.

Bigger tires could reduce the MPG you get from your truck. 

We, therefore, recommend staying within reasonable limits while upgrading your Ram 1500.

The 35-inch tires are the best consideration.

If you must go bigger, try not to exceed the 37-inch recommendation.