2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 98 3500 dually in need of some bigger shoes!

[CDenton]

Hey guys I got a 98. 5 4wd 3500. I'm looking into airbags from rear and leveling kit for front. My hopes are to also throw some new bigger rubber on the big girl too! Wondering what you guys and galls think of the wheel spacers? wanting to keep original wheels and wanna go bigger on tire sizes. I have 235/85r16 with the leveling kit and if spacers are ok what's the largest size that'll fit? Will i need to regear the axles? Anybody done this setup? How is it and pictures of your rig would be helpful too! Thanks!

 

[CAPTPHIL]

I have 255-85r-16 Cooper on mine no spacers needed as there is no side wall contact. 30k on them now, looks like 15 to 20 left. They are load range D, but weight cap. as E`s in 235-85-16. Hope this helps.

 

[Road Dog]

If the truck came with 215/85R16 then you can go to 235s. If it came with 235s then you can go to 255s (if you can find them). Apparently the rims were different. The rims are only 6" wide so that limits the tire too. For 85 series tires the tire clearance is 1. 25 - 1. 5". The tires flex and you don't want them picking up and throwing rocks.

 

[JMcCoy]

Spacers will actually hurt your clearance. With spacers, your tires will rub more on the rear of the fender while turning. I had 33x12. 5x16. 5 and had no rubbing issues with the 2" level kit. I currently run 35x12. 5x17. It doe run when I cut the wheel hard. Longer control arms should correct that issue.



As far as gearing goes, It depends on what tires you go with and what gears you have now. You will probably be fine with either the 3. 54 or the 4. 10 gears. I currently have 3. 55 gears. When I went from the 235s to the 33s, the truck was noticably more sluggish, but not too bad. Power upgrades would have helped at the time. I have since gone to 35s and the 3. 55 gears are just unacceptable (for me). I have a 4. 10 dana 80 waiting to go in as soon as I find a 4. 10 front dana 60. Hope this helps. Good luck

 

[CAPTPHIL]

I am running the 255`s on the rear only as mine is a 2wd. The rims are stock steel and Alcoa`s. It is turning 2100 to 2200 at 70mph in 6th gear with 4. 10 gears. 1. 25 in between sidewalls. Sorry I missed this in first post, They might be a little too tall for 3. 54s and stock engine. Hope this helps.