Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Going from 33" to 35" tires ?

I am thinking of going from a 33" tire to a 35" tire on my RAM 3500 diesel. I imagine I'll get worse mileage, but what about the RAM being able to handle the extra weight. Anyone who has done this has the front end held up? Anything else I should be away of should I go this route?

Something to also be aware of is that not all 35" tires are created equal with regards to actual size and weight. I've had a 33" Firestone and a 35" Dick Cepek that were almost the same actual size, with the Dick Cepek being the same weight.

I would think the front axles would handle the additional weight just fine. My concern would be that you have the 3500 diesel so you can tow and when you put larger tires on the truck your effective gear ratio becomes higher (lower numerically) and that take power away form the truck.

Good point. Some sites do show tires actual size so that may help.

I suppose it would take a little away. It does have plenty right now. I thought I would be towing a lot more with it, but that hasn't panned out. A 28ft bumper pull camp trailer and hay once a year has been about it.

The circumference of a 35 is 6% more than a 33, assuming those are the actual diameters. You'll be traveling 6% faster at any rpm and have 6% less power.

Something else to consider, will the 35's clear everything around them when turning tight?

From what I have seen and read 35 fit the 2018 Rams with no problems.

I could live with that

How would the tire chain clearance be?

Going to a 2" taller tire only adds 1" to your clearance. Is that worth the cost?

Based on all the ‘plus sizing’ I’ve done, I’m guessing they will probably fit but be real close to rubbing, chains will be a no go (but may be a no go with your current size already), and you probably will not notice a major loss of power.

With the Kelly TSRs I have had on them I have yet to need chains. There is quite a bit of room in the wheel well, but it would be something to check.

Thanks. That is helpful

If you have to change differential gearing, that's a LOT of money to gain an inch or two.

On my 2011 Duramax I went from a 31.6” stock size to a 34” and didn’t notice a loss of power or towing ability towing a load similar to yours. I never towed super heavy, but I drug the trailer across the Rockies several times. This was with a 3.73. Remember, the manufacturer puts out different sized tires on the same truck/transmission/rear ended. They can vary by an inch or 2.

On another gas 3/4 ton truck I went from a 31.6” to a 32.7”. I haven’t driven it enough (it’s my daughters truck) to tell, but I’m guessing I won’t notice the difference and mileage may improve (it has 4.10 rear end).

I had an 89 with a 350 that was a high geared 3 speed to begin with. I can’t remember the tire size but I did notice a loss of power when sizing up a few inches. But it had less power and worse gearing to begin with.

This was going to be my next question to find out if people had really felt much difference in actual performance with the power it has.

On my RAM I have 800 torque and 370 HP so a little loss won't be that noticeable I feel for what I do with it. It has 3.42 gearing and would go to 3.23 with the 35s.

Pretty tall rear end. How many forward gears in the transmission? It’s really the final drive ratio that matters. With a 5 or 6 speed you have more options when it comes to keeping the motor where it needs to be. My old 3 speed was a dog in third primarily because the jump from 2 to 3 was so much that it fell on its face until it got up and running.

It is a 6 speed.

You will lose some performance for sure, but may not really be noticeable.
If it's slow to get off the line now, it will be even slower. If it has to downshift now to get up hills, it will have to sooner.
Everyone's different in what they consider adequate performance. Some of these mall crawling jeeps couldn't get out of their own shadow, but most of the drivers don't care. My guess is it will do just fine.