Swap OEM 20s for 17s?

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Dumb question: would swapping the OEM 20s for 17s on our 2018 RAM 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab give us more "cush" when it comes to suspension?

Some background: we're 60 somethings retired to a sweet little mining town in southern Colorado. We love it... but the streets don't love us. Old, steep, bumpy as hell - and that's given our dry (no snow) winter thus far. We also like to hit county roads and National Forest camping trails.

Bike sales rep made me think of this when explaining that 29" mountain bike tires provide plenty of cushion so you don't necessarily need full suspension. Also plenty of local 4x4s running big tires with 15s or 17s too.

Plenty of reasons NOT to do this, but... 1) is it possible? And 2) would it be worth it? Not interested in lifts or super big tires - already have running boards to get in the RAM, don't want a stepladder!

TIA
 

crash68

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Yes a the taller sidewall of the 17" would give a little more cushion to the ride. If you go with a 285/70/17 tire is would be close enough in diameter to the 265/60/20 that are in your truck now that the speedometer will be correct without any programming needed
 

drakon543

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if you dont do alot of hauling stick to the lower load range tires rated for the truck aswell.
 

kurek

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heh if you run "E" or 10-ply rated tires you won't get a softer ride.
 

Tim7139

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Dumb question: would swapping the OEM 20s for 17s on our 2018 RAM 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab give us more "cush" when it comes to suspension?
...
Plenty of reasons NOT to do this, but... 1) is it possible? And 2) would it be worth it? Not interested in lifts or super big tires - already have running boards to get in the RAM, don't want a stepladder!
I have my winters on OEM 17's and all seasons on OEM 20's, but I've put many miles on both sizes with the stock goodyears. The 17's have a softer ride that's more comfortable off pavement, and make it harder to rub the rim on curbs or bend the 17's on pot holes with the extra inch of sidewall.

The 20's give more road feel and allow for more aggressive paved highway driving, you feel more of the road imperfections but there is less squish for the spirited driving on twisty parts.

Truck ride height does not change noticeably with stock sized tires (about 1/2"), but the spedo goes out by 4% (I use AlphaODB to correct).

You can increase diameter on either rim for more drastic differences.
 

Gary2

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I used to sell the oe 20s and replaced with a 17" for better selection of tires and better ride plus more sidewall. It worked better off-road and looked more like a 4x4. I didn't on this one as someone paid quite a bit more money for the everything black on this truck a so I went with a light 20" tire and over 34" tall
 
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