4th Gen Aggressive Suburban Highway-Warrior Build? (Tires/Wheels/Lift/Exhaust)

[Yak]

Many thanks for the info/suggestions, Guys! Soooooo I pulled the trigger and the parts are in transit right now... I made a few last minute modifications and ordered the 4" SST with the rear 5100 Bilsteins, along with two additional 5100 Bilsteins for the front, just to match shocks all around. I also last-minute decided to order 295/65R20s instead of 285/65R20s (KO2s) for the extra height and width...I know, more noise, weight, lower MPG but I figured it was the best balance of function/aesthetics (I may well be proven wrong).

I was feeling fairly good about my purchase until (3) new things have donned on me:

1. These are 35" tires on a truck with a 3.21 gear ratio. Hadn't really read too much about regearing until after the purchase. Would you guys recommend regearing if I'm not off-roading? I'd hate to add more cost to the build, but for the sake of the transmission, MPG, and the ride, I'd do it if it's recommended. I've heard 4.56 and 4.88 mentioned on the forums ( and here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=275-60r20-295-65r20 ), and a lot of guys say it's the best mod/update they've done. If recommended - should I get it done now, when the truck is already on the hoist, or would you recommend I experience the lift/tires at 3.21 for a few months and then upgrade in the spring? ( I won't exactly be ripping around at high speeds in the snow, I'd expect ).

2. My truck will likely be rolling out of the shop into salt-slush roads Should I be protecting the new Fuel Militia (matte black) wheels with anything before it leaves the garage? Would like to be able to clean/polish them up in the spring and have them looking like new. ( I could save my new wheels/tires for spring and put winter tires on my stock wheels, but now I'd have to buy new tires for the snow, which was the whole reason I started this build anyway...)

3. I have my truck Krown'd every year for rust-protection, and just had it done. I was going to take it back into the Krown shop after the mods to get them protected before too much salt exposure. Recommended? Will they coat the Bilsteins and if so, will that affect their function in any way?

Thanks in advance for all your help - point of no return

@Patola Must be a different Yak - I'm an Oilers/Sens fan

 

[Socalramfan]

Summers and winters are pretty much the same here in So. Calf.

Many have commented in the forum of having a summer set and a winter set, which is what it was like for me growing up in NJ.

Two points of consideration come to mind.

1. Corrosion. Last thing I want to do is take a great looking set of wheels and have them trashed in a season.

2. Traction. Width and depth of the tread directly affects the gripping ability over a contaminated surface.

That being said, if i lived in such an area, having a ‘winter’ set only makes sense

 

[RJL1]

Sounds like it's gonna be a whole new truck.

Post some pics when it's done.

 

[19warlock]

Any updates on the install? I’m liking the sound of what it is you have in mind. Kinda thinking about doing the same. I would love to see how it turned out.

 

[joeygster]

As others have said, if you're driving in salt use your OEM's with other tires for the winter. I've got my summer whees/tires and my OEM Sports with Goodyear Duratracs for the winter. My OEM's still look great (the factory resist the salt pretty good if you keep the truck washed) and my summer wheels still look brand new.

 

[hemihustlin]

Many thanks for the info/suggestions, Guys! Soooooo I pulled the trigger and the parts are in transit right now... I made a few last minute modifications and ordered the 4" SST with the rear 5100 Bilsteins, along with two additional 5100 Bilsteins for the front, just to match shocks all around. I also last-minute decided to order 295/65R20s instead of 285/65R20s (KO2s) for the extra height and width...I know, more noise, weight, lower MPG but I figured it was the best balance of function/aesthetics (I may well be proven wrong).

I was feeling fairly good about my purchase until (3) new things have donned on me:

1. These are 35" tires on a truck with a 3.21 gear ratio. Hadn't really read too much about regearing until after the purchase. Would you guys recommend regearing if I'm not off-roading? I'd hate to add more cost to the build, but for the sake of the transmission, MPG, and the ride, I'd do it if it's recommended. I've heard 4.56 and 4.88 mentioned on the forums ( and here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=275-60r20-295-65r20 ), and a lot of guys say it's the best mod/update they've done. If recommended - should I get it done now, when the truck is already on the hoist, or would you recommend I experience the lift/tires at 3.21 for a few months and then upgrade in the spring? ( I won't exactly be ripping around at high speeds in the snow, I'd expect ).

2. My truck will likely be rolling out of the shop into salt-slush roads Should I be protecting the new Fuel Militia (matte black) wheels with anything before it leaves the garage? Would like to be able to clean/polish them up in the spring and have them looking like new. ( I could save my new wheels/tires for spring and put winter tires on my stock wheels, but now I'd have to buy new tires for the snow, which was the whole reason I started this build anyway...)

3. I have my truck Krown'd every year for rust-protection, and just had it done. I was going to take it back into the Krown shop after the mods to get them protected before too much salt exposure. Recommended? Will they coat the Bilsteins and if so, will that affect their function in any way?

Thanks in advance for all your help - point of no return

@Patola Must be a different Yak - I'm an Oilers/Sens fan

1- if you have the 8 speed with the hemi you will be fine to drive around as you say you do. for sure if you want max performance at the strip or offroad or whatever then you will want more gear but the hemi and 8hp with its amazing gear ratios will pull those big wheels wherever you want all day long. try it out like you said you can always regear when you want but $$$$

2- apply a good wax or sealer and wash them often. be sure to clean and anti sieze your wheel hubs.
but theres always the chance of getting them sandblasted by the rocks and salt sand spray from passing trucks.
personally im a big fan of separate wheels/tires for summer/winter

3- I as well use krown yearly. but in this case I would go buy a can of their krown premium anti rust spray or whatever they call it in a spray can and coat the pieces yourself. will take 20 minutes.

 

[MartyZ]

Many thanks for the info/suggestions, Guys! Soooooo I pulled the trigger and the parts are in transit right now... I made a few last minute modifications and ordered the 4" SST with the rear 5100 Bilsteins, along with two additional 5100 Bilsteins for the front, just to match shocks all around. I also last-minute decided to order 295/65R20s instead of 285/65R20s (KO2s) for the extra height and width...I know, more noise, weight, lower MPG but I figured it was the best balance of function/aesthetics (I may well be proven wrong).

I was feeling fairly good about my purchase until (3) new things have donned on me:

1. These are 35" tires on a truck with a 3.21 gear ratio. Hadn't really read too much about regearing until after the purchase. Would you guys recommend regearing if I'm not off-roading? I'd hate to add more cost to the build, but for the sake of the transmission, MPG, and the ride, I'd do it if it's recommended. I've heard 4.56 and 4.88 mentioned on the forums ( and here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=275-60r20-295-65r20 ), and a lot of guys say it's the best mod/update they've done. If recommended - should I get it done now, when the truck is already on the hoist, or would you recommend I experience the lift/tires at 3.21 for a few months and then upgrade in the spring? ( I won't exactly be ripping around at high speeds in the snow, I'd expect ).

2. My truck will likely be rolling out of the shop into salt-slush roads Should I be protecting the new Fuel Militia (matte black) wheels with anything before it leaves the garage? Would like to be able to clean/polish them up in the spring and have them looking like new. ( I could save my new wheels/tires for spring and put winter tires on my stock wheels, but now I'd have to buy new tires for the snow, which was the whole reason I started this build anyway...)

3. I have my truck Krown'd every year for rust-protection, and just had it done. I was going to take it back into the Krown shop after the mods to get them protected before too much salt exposure. Recommended? Will they coat the Bilsteins and if so, will that affect their function in any way?

Thanks in advance for all your help - point of no return

@Patola Must be a different Yak - I'm an Oilers/Sens fan

@CheechDogg.0n37s Would have chimed in by now on the re-gearing. He was very good at convincing us. (Appears to be banned)
Take some time and read a few of the threads on here about re-gearing. There is a lot of information available.
My summary; In order to get power back to the road through my 37" tires , I need to re-gear to at least a 4.88 or a 5.10 range.
If you don't re-gear you feel a difference in your power band and your RPM when accelerating. (like you are pulling a trailer that is changing weights constantly)
Also look into upgrading your brakes, bigger tires = more weight to slow down when braking. (my 37's just needed better pads. they were dusting bad with the old ones.)
I bought the platinum line Duralast or other equivalent brand at Auto Zone that had a warranty. They work great and don't dust as bad.

 

[Socalramfan]

@CheechDogg.0n37s Would have chimed in by now on the re-gearing. He was very good at convincing us. (Appears to be banned)
Take some time and read a few of the threads on here about re-gearing. There is a lot of information available.
My summary; In order to get power back to the road through my 37" tires , I need to re-gear to at least a 4.88 or a 5.10 range.
If you don't re-gear you feel a difference in your power band and your RPM when accelerating. (like you are pulling a trailer that is changing weights constantly)
Also look into upgrading your brakes, bigger tires = more weight to slow down when braking. (my 37's just needed better pads. they were dusting bad with the old ones.)
I bought the platinum line Duralast or other equivalent brand at Auto Zone that had a warranty. They work great and don't dust as bad.

Correct, seems it got personal at some point. He’s on the other Ram site as well as instagram

Its so true that most want to go bigger, taller and/ fast but overlook the fact they….. ‘ Hey !!!! How are you gonna stop??!!’