Will 35 Inch Tires Fit Dodge Ram 1500? (Solved!)

Ram is known for manufacturing durable trucks that can make a statement both in power and looks. Many Dodge Ram owners add to their truck’s looks and performance with larger tires. However, Ram 1500s can only fit a certain size of tires without modification. 

35-inch tires will not fit on a Dodge Ram 1500 unless the truck is modified. This means the truck will probably need a two-inch lift kit to accommodate the tires completely and correctly. Modifications required will vary depending on the truck’s specific trim package.

If you want to fit 35-inch tires on your Dodge Ram 1500, it will need some modifications. Keep reading to learn about the options you have for fitting larger tires on your truck.

Lifting a Dodge Ram 1500

As said earlier, a lift kit is almost always a necessity if you wish to outfit your Dodge Ram 1500 with larger tires. The 2022 Ram 1500 comes with either 20 or 22-inch stock tires. Wheel size may vary depending on the vehicle’s trim package. Fitting 35-inch tires in a space meant for 20-inch tires will be a tight squeeze. In fact, the largest tires one can fit safely on a Dodge Ram 1500 are 33 inches tall. However, with some modifications such as a lift kit, 35-inch tires can fit.

A lift kit does exactly what it sounds like: it lifts the body of the truck, creating more room for larger tires. Lift kits also increase the vehicle’s ground clearance. Since the Dodge Ram 1500 already has a running ground clearance of 8 to 12 inches, a lift kit isn’t necessary to improve this aspect.

That said, lifting the truck and fitting larger tires will allow the truck to drive over taller rocks and obstacles damage-free. With 35-inch tires, your Dodge Ram 1500 will have almost 20 inches of ground clearance at all times. It is not uncommon for off-roading trucks to have a lift kit of some sort.

You can install most lift kits at home with a few basic tools, but many people usually elect to have a professional do the job. It won’t be too difficult if you know what you’re doing, but if you have little to no expertise in this area, then you’ll be risking some pretty severe mistakes. An improperly installed lift kit could damage the truck beyond repair.

You should read reviews carefully before purchasing a kit since all kits are different. Amazon is probably one of the most reliable sources for getting good lift kits, but still, read the reviews before taking action.

You can also purchase lift kits from local vehicle customization shops. You can always call a local auto shop and have them recommend the best lift kit for your Dodge Ram 1500.

Having big, 35-inch tires is always fun, but you should be aware of all a lift kit entails before you make any final decisions. Here are some basic pros and cons to help you decide if a lift kit is worth it or not.

Pros

First of all, having a lifted truck greatly enhances a truck’s towing and off-roading abilities. With the body of the vehicle higher, it makes it easier for the tires to take the brunt of the impact when you decide to hit the trails. You’d be surprised at how much ride quality improves with 35-inch tires.

Having a lifted truck also means you’ll have a better view of the road ahead. Even if you’re only lifting the truck a couple of inches, you’ll have more of a bird’s eye view. It can be quite helpful when off-roading. Lifting the truck high above obstacles means you’ll never be caught off guard by a tall rock. Not to mention, the truck will be too tall for most rocks to damage it. 

Cons

There are also a few downsides to installing a lift kit. Among these is the danger of having a top-heavy vehicle. Lifting the truck will increase the height of Ram 1500’s center of gravity. A higher center of gravity increases the risk of rolling the truck, especially on uneven terrain.

Once you lift your Dodge Ram 1500, it can’t be undone, not without a lot of time and money. If you don’t want your truck to be lifted forever, then you shouldn’t lift it in the first place.

The Benefits of Bigger Tires

Now that you know more about the benefits of lifting a Dodge Ram 1500, let’s talk more about what you’ll get out of doing it. After lifting your truck, you can fit much larger tires on it. Larger tires offer many benefits such as better handling, increased ground clearance, and looks.

However, 35-inch tires will not fit on a stock Dodge Ram 1500. Some modification options include spacing the tires, lifting the truck, or trimming the fenders and wheel wells. 

Spacers are placed between the tire and the axle. They push tires outside the wheel wells to keep them from rubbing. While this allows you to fit larger tires, you would need several inches of spacers to fit the 35-inch tires. This would make your truck too wide to drive on public roads. 

Another option is to trim the fenders or the wheel wells. If you remove the plastic casing around the wheel well, the 35-inch tires should fit without rubbing. However, this exposes your engine and other mechanical features to the elements, which could lead to a variety of severe repairs.

Not only could this damage your vehicle, but many states have strict fender laws. A certain portion of the tires must be covered to prevent rocks from being thrown at other vehicles. Trimming your Dodge Ram 1500’s fenders to fit 35-inch tires will likely violate these laws.

The final, and most appealing, option is to install a lift kit. To fit 35-inch tires on a Ram 1500, all you need is a 2 to 3.5-inch leveling kit. This small upgrade will allow you to conquer every off-roading obstacle that comes your way.