Lift w/ Pentastar, 3.21, and 34s

[MidTennMtneer]

Ok. 2017 1500 Big ***** Crew Cab 4x4. I had settled on sticking with 33's due to what a few have said about 3.21 gears. But I'll be honest. I really want bigger tires. Based on my measurements 2.8 with a .75-1" rear spacer would be best, but 33" tires would look awful with that. Especially since based on my previous post I've decided to stick with 20" rims.

I have searched here (really wish you could search a particular post by the way), searched Google, Custom Offsets, and that other Ram message board. I haven't flat out found anyone who says what I need to know.

They say that if you have a 3.21 rear end especially with a Pentastar that it will hunt back and forth between 7th and 8th. But most of what I have found is people with Hemi/3.21 not Pentastar/3.21.

How much will that kill mileage? (Avg right at 20 now) How much long term effect will that have on the tranny and engine?

I drive 30 miles one way to work, mostly highway. Put 20k miles a year on her. Full street queen and proud of it.

Thanks..and if anyone can find a post on this that I couldn't, feel free to call me out and point me to it.

 

[Jbp19classic]

I’m in the exact same boat. Having previously stated that I was sticking with the stock 33’s, I really don’t think I’m going to be happy with that. I have 2” front and 1.5” rear and I love how it looks, but it could use a little more tire. I don’t have a link, but was googling yesterday and found an old post on here from someone with the pentastar, 3.21, and 275/65/20 (34”) and he said he honestly couldn’t tell any difference at all over stock. There’s a good chance I’ll be taking that route sooner than later.

 

[rwhjr]

I’m in the exact same boat. Having previously stated that I was sticking with the stock 33’s, I really don’t think I’m going to be happy with that. I have 2” front and 1.5” rear and I love how it looks, but it could use a little more tire. I don’t have a link, but was googling yesterday and found an old post on here from someone with the pentastar, 3.21, and 275/65/20 (34”) and he said he honestly couldn’t tell any difference at all over stock. There’s a good chance I’ll be taking that route sooner than later.

I have 321/8speed but with a 5.7 and I’m running nitto 35x11.5s on oem wheels

No complaints here but I also don’t tow etc where I think I’d be most affected?

Normal street driving I can’t complain. Not sure what difference the pentastar makes to the equation though.

 

[Quyonmob]

3.6/3.21 here and I won’t even consider going bigger than my 265/70/17 as is see limited used of 8th gear already.

I should have got 3.92 and a 285/70/17...

 

[MidTennMtneer]

3.6/3.21 here and I won’t even consider going bigger than my 265/70/17 as is see limited used of 8th gear already.

I should have got 3.92 and a 285/70/17...

Now I'll admit that is confusing. That's only a 31.6" tire. What I have now that is stock for 20" rims is 275/60/20 which comes to 33". Mine purrs like a kitten now. Drove it today over some hilly terrain and it didn't hunt at all with cruise set at around 62. But that is the feeling I want to keep.

 

[Quyonmob]

Now I'll admit that is confusing. That's only a 31.6" tire. What I have now that is stock for 20" rims is 275/60/20 which comes to 33". Mine purrs like a kitten now. Drove it today over some hilly terrain and it didn't hunt at all with cruise set at around 62. But that is the feeling I want to keep.

Sure you are locked in 8th?

 

[novelmike]

^^^ first question that comes to mind is variables.
What are elevations are you driving in?
How much of a change in elevations were these hills you’re comparing along with percentage of climb?

I noticed a difference when I’m leaving the beach and doing a climb to when I’m at 4,000’ and doing a climb.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

Well, I live in southern West Virginia so we are nothing but hills. I work in a river valley in Virginia so I drive from 2611’ to 1532’ and back every day.

I admit I don’t count the shifts so it’s possible I’m hanging around in 7th but I do know I’m not hunting for gears in any way. I’ve had that happen with an old Explorer I put bigger tires on.

Another factor I thought of overnight is tire weight. I’m at around 47 lbs with the stock Goodyears now. I stay 33” I’d only be going to 51 with the Ridge Grapplers I’m looking at. If I go 34” it means an LT tire and we are talking pushing close to 70 lbs. I’d be willing to bet the poster above with 17” wheels has LT tires that weigh more.

I should’ve gotten a 3.55 rear end but I found what I wanted in everything else and got it. Never gave gearing a thought. I may be stuck with 33s.


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[stimpy433]

Here's my truck with 2.8" set at the front and nothing in the rear with 295/60R20 tires and -25 offset rims....



Here's with stock rims.....

 

[Quyonmob]

1300rpm @ 59mph is my locked in 8th, with 265/70/17 Grabber AT2s (they run big for size).

I average 23.5mpg (US gal) per tank commuting.

 

[ram1500rsm]

You'll be looking at 1-3mpg less depending of tire tread/size/weight etc.
You got the 8 speed so you should be ok even with a 35 except you’ll probably feel 7-8th gear being a bit more sluggish. Worst case look into wider 33’s something like 33x12.5 with an aggressive MT tread. You would think you have 34’s.

 

[Quyonmob]

I’d be willing to bet the poster above with 17” wheels has LT tires that weigh more.

P265/70/17

 

[MidTennMtneer]

You'll be looking at 1-3mpg less depending of tire tread/size/weight etc.
You got the 8 speed so you should be ok even with a 35 except you’ll probably feel 7-8th gear being a bit more sluggish. Worst case look into wider 33’s something like 33x12.5 with an aggressive MT tread. You would think you have 34’s.

That may be an option. I wasn't crazy about going wider due to snow. Don't want to turn it in to a snowboard. But still. The Ridge Grapplers are made in a 305/55/20 P Metric that is only 51.6 Lbs. That's a 33.2x12.4 and 15 Lbs less than the 33x11.5.

Custom Offsets has a video posted of a '13 with a level and 305/55. Looked sharp with an even lower offset than what I am planning. Might go for that with Bils at 2.8, Mevotechs, and .75" rear spacer.

Right now,
Front 36.25
Rear 38.69
Difference of 2.44

P265/70/17

Yup. I looked it up after you said Generals. Maybe it just doesn't hit 8 much for me. If that is the case around here, then going to 34s won't matter.

 

[ram1500rsm]

That may be an option. I wasn't crazy about going wider due to snow. Don't want to turn it in to a snowboard. But still. The Ridge Grapplers are made in a 305/55/20 P Metric that is only 51.6 Lbs. That's a 33.2x12.4 and 15 Lbs less than the 33x11.5.

Custom Offsets has a video posted of a '13 with a level and 305/55. Looked sharp with an even lower offset than what I am planning. Might go for that with Bils at 2.8, Mevotechs, and .75" rear spacer.

Right now,
Front 36.25
Rear 38.69
Difference of 2.44



Yup. I looked it up after you said Generals. Maybe it just doesn't hit 8 much for me. If that is the case around here, then going to 34s won't matter.

That's you money tire right there. It'll appear bigger than your factory 33 and be light way considering your going AT's. Try to find wheels in the low 30lbs range.
For example all these ones have a -12offset and weight between 31-35lbs

https://www.americastire.com/buy-wheels/xd-series-xd-798-addict

https://www.americastire.com/buy-wheels/level-8-enforcer/p/40020

https://www.americastire.com/buy-wheels/vision-manx-2

https://www.americastire.com/buy-wheels/raceline-twist

https://www.americastire.com/buy-wheels/vision-creep

 

[Jbp19classic]

Well, I’ll be able to provide first hand feedback towards this thread soon enough! I stopped by a local tire shop after work and ordered a set of the new Milestar Patagonia XT hybrid in 275/65/20. They should be in tomorrow afternoon. There’s not much info out there on this tire yet, but I’ve ran other models of Milestar tires and been very impressed. Also their MT gets great reviews across the board. I’ll update the with driving impressions once I get them installed. Here’s a pic of the Patagonia XT.

 

[Jbp19classic]

Alright, I got these installed today! First off, looks wise I love them. Very very similar tread design to the Nitto ridge grapplers, but without the Nitto price tag. Not necessarily cheap either, but very reasonable in my opinion at $940 out the door. I drove around about 20 miles with a mix of city driving and a quick jaunt on the highway at 70 mph after picking it up because I was really worried about how the pentastar/3.21 combo would handle them and honestly I couldn’t tell any difference at all. If I had been dropped in the drivers seat with no knowledge of anything being different I never would have picked up on anything. I’m sure there will be some difference in mpg, but as far as seat of the pants I can’t tell anything. The specs on these tires are LT275/65/20, E rated, 3 ply sidewall, weighing 67lbs per tire. So along with being a 34 vs the stock 33, they’re 27lbs heavier per tire than the original Goodyear’s. I legitimately love this pentastar, never ceases to impress me the more I drive it! Here are some pics.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

That’s a good look. Not a bad looking tire either.

I made the plunge and got 305/55/20 Ridge Grapplers. Only 51 lbs so not too heavy. SL rated. No. They weren’t cheap. But like my wife said. Get what you want now to keep from complaining and wishing different later.

Got them and Monster Off Road M08 from Mr Wheel Deal.

Hopefully they will be in within 2 weeks. I’m gonna order my flares and suspension parts tonight. Can’t wait! Thanks for the help everyone!


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[Wyatt Blakeley]

This is my pentastar on a six inch lift and 35’s. 93 octane tune, spectre cold air intake, pedal commander. Runs amazing. 3.21 gears. No issues. I could confidently run 37’s. Went with 35’s because I was nervous too. Don’t worry about 35’s. It’ll do just fine

 

[Quyonmob]

Does it hit 8th gear anymore? Would be like 1000rpm @60mph.

 

[Random_Walk]

3.6/3.21 here and I won’t even consider going bigger than my 265/70/17 as is see limited used of 8th gear already.

I live in the mountains... what's this 8th Gear that you speak of?

(I get the chance to experience flat road in/near Portland, so I'm fibbing, but only a little.)