I want to run old school steelies w/ 35" pizza cutters.

[ThreeBearsHD]

I'm picking up my brand new 2024 Ram 2500 4x4 crewcab with the 6' bed and 6.7L Cummins tomorrow. I love building vehicles for my needs, and the Ram is replacing a 2021 Tundra that just wasn't beefy/big enough to accommodate all of my gear and toys while overlanding in Idaho.

Anyway, I want to keep the new truck as stock as possible while equipping it for tackling the mountains. I know the tires I want to run; 255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs. These are a 35" tall tire with a narrow 10.5"tread width. I also know the rims I want to run; retro plain Jane OEM steel wheels in a 17x8" size with zero offset.

US Wheels makes such a rim with the 8×165.1 mm bolt pattern.

I will likely add a 2.5" leveling kit to the front in the future, but am pretty sure the narrow 35s will fit with no lift, even with a zero offset. I know a plus offset of at least 15 is preferred for the 12.5" wide tires, but think the setup I am planning will work.

I've done a bunch of searching and can't find any other Ram with the set-up I'm planning. Has anyone else seen a similar set-up? Anyone else tried running the narrow tires?

 

[Great White North Eh]

I think it will look great. Post pics when you get them mounted.

 

[whitexc]

I think it will look great. Post pics when you get them mounted.

I agree. Pics!


Sent from me

 

[AH64ID]

That’s a great tire size! I’ve always liked the performance of the skinner tires, just not the longevity of them under the Cummins.

Looking forward to the pics.

You probably won’t find a lot of folks switching to 17’s on HD trucks due to the reduced load index of 17’s. There are some exceptions, but generally they are limited to 121 vs the OE LI of 125 for the 18/20” options.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I prefer the old D window steelies but I like the way you are going with it, it reminds me of the good ol days

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

That’s a great tire size! I’ve always liked the performance of the skinner tires, just not the longevity of them under the Cummins.

Looking forward to the pics.

You probably won’t find a lot of folks switching to 17’s on HD trucks due to the reduced load index of 17’s. There are some exceptions, but generally they are limited to 121 vs the OE LI of 125 for the 18/20” options.

If they had the 129s like I have in the 18s I would be willing to switch to 17s but they don’t seem to exist. I like a smaller wheel bigger tire look. I miss the 40”tires on 15” wheels I used ti run on my older jeeps

 

[AH64ID]

If they had the 129s like I have in the 18s I would be willing to switch to 17s but they don’t seem to exist. I like a smaller wheel bigger tire look. I miss the 40”tires on 15” wheels I used ti run on my older jeeps

I’ve come to like the added stability from the larger wheels, but the old school look is still very appealing on some combos.

 

[jsalbre]

Fallen has AT4/w in various 17” sizes ranging from 125-128, though they don’t have a 255/85r17.

I stayed away from the Mickey Thompson because it couldn’t support my GAWR.

 

[ThreeBearsHD]

Fallen has AT4/w in various 17” sizes ranging from 125-128, though they don’t have a 255/85r17.

I stayed away from the Mickey Thompson because it couldn’t support my GAWR.

That's an angle that I haven't had to be concerned about before since I have only owned half-tons, Jeeps, and 4Runners. Looks like I better do some more thinking...

I currently run the 315/70R17 Mickey Thompsons on my Jeep and love the performance in the snow, sand, mud, rocks, and street...



I won't be towing anything over 5k lbs for a while. I'm hoping to retire in six years and will be moving a larger 5th wheel between Idaho and Arizona twice a year. Would the tires I'm planning on using be OK until then? I can always go with larger rims and wider tires when I get the 5th wheel in a few years.

 

[jsalbre]

That's an angle that I haven't had to be concerned about before since I have only owned half-tons, Jeeps, and 4Runners. Looks like I better do some more thinking...

I currently run the 315/70R17 Mickey Thompsons on my Jeep and love the performance in the snow, sand, mud, rocks, and street...

View attachment 86264

I won't be towing anything over 5k lbs for a while. I'm hoping to retire in six years and will be moving a larger 5th wheel between Idaho and Arizona twice a year. Would the tires I'm planning on using be OK until then? I can always go with larger rims and wider tires when I get the 5th wheel in a few years.

The Baja Boss in the size you’re looking at have a max load of 3195# per tire, or 6390# per axle. Since your axle ratings are 5750 front and 6000 rear you should be fine with those.

All that said, a 2500 Cummins isn’t ideal for a 5th wheel. You’re going to likely be way over your GVWR and possibly over your axle ratings unless it’s a pretty small 5th wheel.

 

[ThreeBearsHD]

I got the new truck home and am loving how it drives! There is a fair amount of "clunkiness" however. It is felt in the transmission when downshifting around town and lower speeds. I did 20+ miles today around town and then on the highway back to my small town and averaged over 19mpg, which I think is outstanding. My Tundra averaged 14mpg, and the hybrid Jeep does 15.5mpg average.

I'm hoping to keep it over 16mpg average with the 35s.

 

[ThreeBearsHD]

The new Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs in 255/85R17 have been ordered and will be here next week. I want to call US Wheel on Monday to confirm some things before ordering the wheels. They are $239 each, which seems ridiculous for plain steel wheels, especially when similar black steel wheels with round holes are half the price.

 

[Great White North Eh]

Ya I don’t know why when I want something it often comes with ‘’special pricing’’.

 

[Deleted member 47449]

The Baja Boss in the size you’re looking at have a max load of 3195# per tire, or 6390# per axle. Since your axle ratings are 5750 front and 6000 rear you should be fine with those.

All that said, a 2500 Cummins isn’t ideal for a 5th wheel. You’re going to likely be way over your GVWR and possibly over your axle ratings unless it’s a pretty small 5th wheel.

On our 2024 Ram 3500 4x4 Tradesman 6.7L the tire OEM size of 275 70R18 with the Toyo C/T's are a max load of 3,640# per tire. Handles great under heavy load. I wouldn't want a 3,195 # per tire on our diesel. It's a 9K # truck, empty. The truck's payload capacity is 4,074 pounds. Sure a 3,195 # load capacity tire meets the minimum specs, but will it handle as good under load?

Our 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 Tradesman Power Wagon 6.4L has 35 12.50R17 Toyo C/T's which have the same load capacity as the OEM 285 70R17 tires of 3,195 #'s per tire. Same #'s as the 255 85R17 Baja Boss. Our OEM tires got squirrelly under heavy load. Thought it was the Load Range D. So I went with a 285 75R17 S/T Maxx which had a higher Load Capacity of 3,970 #'s per tire in Load Range E, but they had poor winter performance without the 3PMSF rating. So I upsized to a 3PMSF rating on the next set of tires in a 35 12.50R17 in Load Range E, but in that size it went back down to 3,195 # load capacity per tire. Squirrelly under load once again. The S/T Maxx tires handled the loads better.

Back to the 285 75R17 size at 3,970#'s per tire on the next set if tires soon. It's a 7K pound truck empty. Upgrading the shocks too.

The Cummins is a heavier truck empty than the gas in both the 2500 and 3500. A higher Load Capacity tire than 3,195 #'s should handle the loads better, but it still will handle it. More squirrelly at times when at maximum payload capacity.

I like the 3PMSF and 3 ply sidewall of the Baja Boss. Both are needed where we reside.

 

[jsalbre]

On our 2024 Ram 3500 4x4 Tradesman 6.7L the tire OEM size of 275 70R18 with the Toyo C/T's are a max load of 3,640# per tire. Handles great under heavy load. I wouldn't want a 3,195 # per tire on our diesel. It's a 9K # truck, empty. The truck's payload capacity is 4,074 pounds. Sure a 3,195 # load capacity tire meets the minimum specs, but will it handle as good under load?

Our 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 Tradesman Power Wagon 6.4L has 35 12.50R17 Toyo C/T's which have the same load capacity as the OEM 285 70R17 tires of 3,195 #'s per tire. Same #'s as the 255 85R17 Baja Boss. Our OEM tires got squirrelly under heavy load. Thought it was the Load Range D. So I went with a 285 75R17 S/T Maxx which had a higher Load Capacity of 3,970 #'s per tire in Load Range E, but they had poor winter performance without the 3PMSF rating. So I upsized to a 3PMSF rating on the next set of tires in a 35 12.50R17 in Load Range E, but in that size it went back down to 3,195 # load capacity per tire. Squirrelly under load once again. The S/T Maxx tires handled the loads better.

Back to the 285 75R17 size at 3,970#'s per tire on the next set if tires soon. It's a 7K pound truck empty. Upgrading the shocks too.

The Cummins is a heavier truck empty than the gas in both the 2500 and 3500. A higher Load Capacity tire than 3,195 #'s should handle the loads better, but it still will handle it. More squirrelly at times when at maximum payload capacity.

I like the 3PMSF and 3 ply sidewall of the Baja Boss. Both are needed where we reside.

3195 per tire is 12780 pounds total. More than enough for just about anything.

Tires rated for 3970# gives you a total of nearly 16000 pounds. Far more than is necessary for our trucks.

Edit for typo…

 

[ErikTheRed]

I like a smaller wheel bigger tire look. I miss the 40”tires on 15” wheels I used ti run on my older jeeps

Exactly. Huge wheels and low-profile tires looks absurd, especially on a HD truck. I'm barely ok with my 35" Kendas on the stock 18" wheels (which are 129 load index).

 

[AH64ID]

3195 per tire is 12780 pounds total. More than enough for just about anything.

Tires rated for 3970# gives you a total of nearly 19000 pounds. Far more than is necessary for our trucks.

Over the years I’ve found it pretty easy to exceed a RAW of 6,390 on all my trucks when towing or hauling, so it makes sense to me to want run something with more than a 121LI, plus 17’s just aren’t as stable loaded IME.

FWIW, 3970x4=15,880.

 

[jsalbre]

Over the years I’ve found it pretty easy to exceed a RAW of 6,390 on all my trucks when towing or hauling, so it makes sense to me to want run something with more than a 121LI, plus 17’s just aren’t as stable loaded IME.

FWIW, 3970x4=15,880.

I should have clarified that I don’t mean you can’t exceed that, just that if you are then you’re beyond the capabilities of a 2500.

Thanks for the catch on my math. Should have been 16000, not 19000. My calculator works but my fingers don’t.

 

[AH64ID]

I should have clarified that I don’t mean you can’t exceed that, just that if you are then you’re beyond the capabilities of a 2500.

Thanks for the catch on my math. Should have been 16000, not 19000. My calculator works but my fingers don’t.

Definitely beyond the placard ratings, but even at placard ratings the 18” tires just handle better and the 1” difference in wheel height won’t have an appreciable difference off-road on a vehicle this size.

 

[Deleted member 47449]

There's one benefit of having a 35 inch tires on 17 inch wheels versus on 18 inch. Our local Rocky Mountain roads are rocks. Less chance of smashing into the wheels with a higher sidewall height.

Photos of our Ram 2500 4x4 Power Wagon in the distance and our family's Jeep Rubicon. Both with 35's on 17 inch wheels at the time due to the Jeep currently runs 37's.