Ramforums

Hey all,

I'm new to the forum and just picked up a new Ram. It's a 2012 quad cab Outdoorsman with a Hemi in it. Sorry, no pics just yet. As most of you know, the front end sits too low. I have a few questions about leveling the truck. It looks like the HBS 2" leveling kit will be the way I'm going.

Is there any difference in the front suspension of the Outdoorsman compared to other models? I assume the standard HBS kit will work?

I plan to keep the stock 17" wheels but I'd like to put a larger tire on it. I really like the look of a wheel well stuffed full of tire so I'd like to go as big as possible without rubbing. HBS says they test their kits with 33's and have customers running up to 35's but they don't indicate width. I'm looking at BFG All Terrain T/A KO. Will a 305/65/R17 fit? Per a size chart I found that tire measures 32.7"X12.2". Is that too wide? If so, could I go with a 285/70/17 which measures 32.8"x11.5". According to Tire Rack, the 315/70/17 isn't rated for severe snow, so I'm not interested in it. Wheel spacers aren't legal here in PA, so they really aren't an option.


Any input is welcome. Thanks guys and gals!

btw- there are some GREAT looking trucks here!!

My girlfriends run wheel spacers on her trucker for 2.5 years now here in PA
Her tires also stuck outside of the wheel wells for 2 years

The 285 tire is probably going to be your best bet if you don't want any rubbing, same height as the 305 but you won't rub
A 315 is what would probably give you the best look but it's gonna be iffy on the width

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Technically, a spacer 1/4" thick or less passes inspection, but will that give me the clearance I need?

So you think the 285/70/17 should fit without rubbing?

A few more Q's about the leveling and tires-

Does anyone know how far the speedo will be off with the over sized tires? What's the best way to correct it? (if it's even enough to worry about)

I'm not a fan of stability/traction control, but will the system continue to work properly when leveling the front end? I assume there are sensors that detect body pitch which will no longer read zero?

Maybe I'm just over thinking the whole thing...

I think your just worrying yourself to much lol
If you really look into pa vehicle code most cars on the road wouldnt pass

Your stock tires are a 265/70/17 which is about 31" (stock 20" tires have a 275mm section width an are about 34" tall for comparison)
285/70/17 are just about 33", that would make your speedo about 6% slower then what you are actually doing, when your speedo says 30 you would be doing about 32mph, 60 would be about 64mph and so on

I highly doubt 285 will cause rubbing, I believe there is someone here with 295 section width on 20s and they had a little but of rubbing and had to use to a 1/4" spacer

My girlfriends dad has 285/70/17 dynapro mt on his 09 2500 the tires look great and have no clearance problems
I've never heard of any problems with the stability control, I don't think it's really that advanced

Another option is trying to find a 285/75/17 tire
Btw welcome to the forum, it's always nice to see others from PA!

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Thanks for your input. It's much appreciated. I guess I'll worry about getting the truck leveled first, and make a decision on tire size later.

Thanks for the welcome, fellow PA'er!

You can run a 285 without a spacer. Some trucks can do 295 and some can't. When you go above that you most likely will definitely need a 1/4" spacer

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I still rub at full lock. 295s, 1/4" spacer, 2" level. Wheels (if I remember correctly) are -18mm offset

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heres my truck when i had the RCX 2.5''/.75'' leveling kit with Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/75/17, no rub at all with them. i think your truck sits higher than other 1500s being an outdoorsman so you should definitely clear a bigger tire. my truck rode a tiny bit rougher going over bumps than stock with the spacer kit but not to any extent that i wouldnt do the leveling kit. hope this helps!

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2009 Dodge RAM SLT 1500 4x4 - Flowmaster 40, K&N drop in, Mopar Chrome Grille, Mopar Clearance Lights, Mopar Tow Package and Mirrors, Bilstein Struts Maxed @ 2.8'', RCX 1.25" BL + .75'' Rear Spacer(4'' of lift and level!), Dick Cepek DC-2 wrapped in 33'' Nitto Terra Grapplers, bed lined fender wells, 2.5% tint

Are the wheels you have now the same offset as the factory wheels? Do your tires stick out past the fender flares? It doesn't look like it from the pic, but it may just be the angle.
Great looking truck, btw!


The 285/70 would be the smallest I want to go, and a 305/70 would be the largest. I'll keep looking around for pics and info on what other guys have found that fits/doesn't fit, rubs/doesn't rub, and what doesn't stick out past the fender flare. I'm not really a fan of spacers, but I may have to go with a 1/4" to fit the tire I want to stuff under the truck. I'm not really worried about a rough ride. It is a truck, after all. LOL.
Thanks for posting a pic! That looks much better than stock.

I'll probably order the leveling kit within the next week or two. Tires will probably have to wait a little while. Dang things are expensive.

Thanks for the input guys!!

factory offset on the chrome 20's is 19.4mm. Honestly i believe 0212353's are an 18mm offset not -18mm. So his wheels are very close to stock.

I would say to definitely figure on using 1/4" spacers since you want wider tires.

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