BFG 315/70/17 tire and level kit questions/opinions ?

[ECappleman]

Thinking of adding these to my truck, mainly for looks. I need a few questions answered though and your opinons.



You probably should use a level kit, correct?

Do the spacers hurt the steering at all?

How does the power compare, with the larger tires, when towing, ect? (I have an 03. 5 HO 3:73)

Fuel mileage differences?

Any negatives or positives to the level kit and/or tires?



See just a few questions... ... :-laf

 

[CLAYTON]

All positive!!!



Truck looks better with it leveled and with bigger tires. IMO

Spacers didn't effect steering. (Just make sure you get an alignment after)

Power feels the same and the gear ratio for all around driving is great.

My overhead reads more accurate with the bigger tires.

The only negitive is if you have something in the bed of your truck after it is level. It will look like the back end is saggin. Nothing some airbags won't fix though

 

[caseyd]

I installed 2" spacers the day I drove the truck home and added the 315's at 19,000 miles I now have 26,000 and have had no problems what so ever.

I have 4. 10 gears and my mileage stayed the same with the taller tires.

Power is still great!



Even If I lost a couple of MPG I would still do it for the look factor!

 

[ECappleman]

Has anybody towed with this setup?

Enough power?

 

[CAlford]

Towing:



Same setup on 04. 5 2500 with 3. 73 gears.



75mph with 38ft tripple axle 5th wheel double slide (heavy trailer) flat towing in TX with a little wind. Not scarry



Works great with a little car hauler and about 6K lbs also...



I do recomend the air bags in the back as it will keep truck level with pretty much any load as these trucks have no overloads / swaybars in the rear like the 2nd gen's.



Also expect to be able to travel around 75 at 2000 rpm vs around 70 stock tires, makes up a little for the extra weight and resistance of bigger tires :-laf

 

[evldsl]

I bought this truck just the way you see it except for the leer cap. The truck has skyjacker d25 springs installed. The springs are 2. 5 inches at install and are suppose to settle at the 2. 0 inch mark. I just bought a suspension system so I will be selling these D25 springs in the next week or two.

 

[NLamke]

Best thing I have done yet to my truck. I went for the Cooper Discoverers S/T's though. 35X12. 50's and a leveling kit made it look sweeeet. Mileage dropped maybe 1. 5 mpg with 373's and auto transmission. No noticable power probs. Went bear hunting last weekend and couldn't believe the places I was able to go. Only complaint is I have a slight bit of rubbing on the lower control arm when turning full right, but not bad at all. Would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

 

[CUMMINZ]

315s

I have 315s and 4. 10s... Power is great.

 

[ECappleman]

I guess you have to use the lift to fit these?



Also, max I would be pulling is a 5000lb (dry) travel trailer with an equalize hitch. Shouldn't have to worry with rear sag on that. Just wanted to make sure I would have plenty of power to pull.

 

[ECappleman]

back to top

 

[Coolslice]

My mileage has dropped almost 5 mpg since adding 35's. .

 

[CUMMINZ]

Coolslice milage

I would bet you have 3. 73. gears. .



CUMMINZ NC

2004. 5 CTD, Flip-Over/RV2, 32' KeyStone Sprinter, Tornado, TST, AMSOIL, 4x4, 4. 10LS, 315x70Rx17 BFG, 8" Factory cast aluminum, 2" front lift/w RC shocks, Line-X, Hellwig sway bar, Banks monster exhaust

My Truck at www.GoRowan.com/2004ram

 

[Coolslice]

I would bet you have 3. 73. gears. .



CUMMINZ NC

2004. 5 CTD, Flip-Over/RV2, 32' KeyStone Sprinter, Tornado, TST, AMSOIL, 4x4, 4. 10LS, 315x70Rx17 BFG, 8" Factory cast aluminum, 2" front lift/w RC shocks, Line-X, Hellwig sway bar, Banks monster exhaust

My Truck at www.GoRowan.com/2004ram

And you would be correct. :-laf

 

[CUMMINZ]

3.73 vs. 4.10 for 2004.5 and newer

One day maybe before Jesus comes back the CTD folks will realize that with the newer CTDs. . the 4. 10 is a much better gear... . Period... . Better fuel milage, better pulling, better wind resistance. . The old thought of lower 3xx gears for milage is out the window. These newer motors like higher RPMs.

 

[Coolslice]

One day maybe before Jesus comes back the CTD folks will realize that with the newer CTDs. . the 4. 10 is a much better gear... . Period... . Better fuel milage, better pulling, better wind resistance. . The old thought of lower 3xx gears for milage is out the window. These newer motors like higher RPMs.

I lurked on several forums for many months before I bought and I NEVER once came across anyone who said that 4:10's were better for mileage. . I can always switch though if I need to.

 

[CUMMINZ]

milage topics for many months on 2004.5

I have been making posts since April 2004 about the milage on 2004. 5s with 4. 10s.



TST mileage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 2004...

I recieved the 2004. 5 CTD in April and added the Banks exhaust (which I think was a waste). I started getting 14-15mpg. I have 10k miles on my truck now. Each month my milage seems to have gotten better by a mile per gallon. I installed the TST a month ago. The power is awesome. I run it mostly on 3/3 or 4/4. I feel pretty sure the first time I make an interstate run of 300 miles or so I could expect 22-23 mpg. I will say till that I die that the 4. 10 gear is the best for this truck.

About the Banks exhaust. I ordered this exhaust before I ever took possession of the truck. Banks told me it had 3. 5" from turbo to muffler. When I got the truck it had 4" all the way. The factory has done a great job on the exhaust. If I had it to do over again I would simply install a good quality high flow muffler.

 

[Po' Riggity]

Im gonna make the jump to 315's with my 6 spd an 3. 73 gears... If I don't like it, I will put 4. 10's in it... No biggie. . its only money. .

Scott

 

[Coolslice]

Im gonna make the jump to 315's with my 6 spd an 3. 73 gears... If I don't like it, I will put 4. 10's in it... No biggie. . its only money. .

Scott

You'll be fine with a 6speed. I'm still not buying the 4. 10= better mileage thing though, I need some proof to go against what I thought was a commonly accepted fact.

 

[RChamberlain]

I like my 373 would never chang to 410

 

[ECappleman]

5 mpg less?



Makes me stop and think, maybe I should get the 285s? (03. 5HO 3:73)



I had heard maybe 1-1. 5 mpg less. :{