The specific truck at hand is a 2nd generation 2500 Dodge Ram diesel. 4x4, manual transmission, 3.54 gears, that is completely stock.
It will be used for long distance expedition-like travel on highways, country roads and light trails, with a very light camper on its bed.
The tires I have in mind, in this size, are either the Toyo Open Country AT's or the Cooper Discoverer St Maxx, but I am also open to consider others, if you have any to suggest.
It looks like that a 2" leveler kit should clear these tires, that are about 35" tall and 11.5" wide, on a 2nd generation Dodge Ram diesel 4x4. Initially, I thought of keeping the 16"x8" wheels that are currently on the truck and going for 315/75R16 tires. However, the 285/75R18 tires seem to be a much better choice in that, while being as tall as the 315's and therefore providing the same ground clearance (and decent RPM's with the 3.54 gears on this truck, with highway fuel economy in mind), they are more than one inch narrower and about 7-8 lbs. lighter than the 315's, which is a plus when it comes to expo travel. They are some sort of "pizza cutters" when compared to the 315's.
I would love to get some feedback and comments on this from those of you who have gone this route. Also, what would be the proper wheel backspace/offset needed for 18"x8" rims in order to optimally use this tire size on a 2nd generation Dodge Ram? I'd much appreciate suggestions as to what specific wheels I should look into from those of you who own or have owned these specific trucks and done that. Many thanks in advance...
It will be used for long distance expedition-like travel on highways, country roads and light trails, with a very light camper on its bed.
The tires I have in mind, in this size, are either the Toyo Open Country AT's or the Cooper Discoverer St Maxx, but I am also open to consider others, if you have any to suggest.
It looks like that a 2" leveler kit should clear these tires, that are about 35" tall and 11.5" wide, on a 2nd generation Dodge Ram diesel 4x4. Initially, I thought of keeping the 16"x8" wheels that are currently on the truck and going for 315/75R16 tires. However, the 285/75R18 tires seem to be a much better choice in that, while being as tall as the 315's and therefore providing the same ground clearance (and decent RPM's with the 3.54 gears on this truck, with highway fuel economy in mind), they are more than one inch narrower and about 7-8 lbs. lighter than the 315's, which is a plus when it comes to expo travel. They are some sort of "pizza cutters" when compared to the 315's.
I would love to get some feedback and comments on this from those of you who have gone this route. Also, what would be the proper wheel backspace/offset needed for 18"x8" rims in order to optimally use this tire size on a 2nd generation Dodge Ram? I'd much appreciate suggestions as to what specific wheels I should look into from those of you who own or have owned these specific trucks and done that. Many thanks in advance...