New Member here and my 2011 Ram Sport

[raydenn403]

Beautiful truck!

Thanks Cruizer!

 

[raydenn403]

Hey all!

Installed the bushwackers today!

BUT now that they are on and all, i noticed the truck doesnt have the aggressive loook with the tires sticking out!

Anybody heard or seen about the Smittybilt M1 flares? They say they have 1" coverage instead of 2" like bushwackers doo..

Or what about them stock flares?

I dont know what to do!

1. Stick with Bushwackers
2. Go factory flares
3. Smittybilt flares
4. Bare - stock

Opinions all?

BEFORE:







AFTER:

 

[Cruizer]

IMO Bushwackers are hard to pull off if you're not riding on 37's or have a side wheel and crazy offset. It's almost like they're too much and they over power the wheels/tires. Not familiar with the Smittybilt. The 2500's are what I have, they end a little awkward on the Sport bumper. The 1500's look even worse as they go a little further down the bumper and end oddly. They sell a Sport version that goes to the bottom of the Sport bumper, but not sure how they'd look on a lifted truck.

For me it came down to this, I liked how it looked without them. But rocks were getting my quarters and I didn't want to repaint my truck next year. So I chose 2500's and had them color matched. They were the minimal I thought I could go with and get the protection I needed. Not sure I helped, but I thought a lot about flares and still am not 100% in love with them. But rocks aren't beatin' the hell out of my truck now.

EDIT: I have a pic in my build thread. I have a few more pics and I'll try and upload tomorrow sometime.

 

[raydenn403]

IMO Bushwackers are hard to pull off if you're not riding on 37's or have a side wheel and crazy offset. It's almost like they're too much and they over power the wheels/tires. Not familiar with the Smittybilt. The 2500's are what I have, they end a little awkward on the Sport bumper. The 1500's look even worse as they go a little further down the bumper and end oddly. They sell a Sport version that goes to the bottom of the Sport bumper, but not sure how they'd look on a lifted truck.

For me it came down to this, I liked how it looked without them. But rocks were getting my quarters and I didn't want to repaint my truck next year. So I chose 2500's and had them color matched. They were the minimal I thought I could go with and get the protection I needed. Not sure I helped, but I thought a lot about flares and still am not 100% in love with them. But rocks aren't beatin' the hell out of my truck now.

EDIT: I have a pic in my build thread. I have a few more pics and I'll try and upload tomorrow sometime.

And how are the 2500 ones holding up to rocks and all now? I drive on and fown alot of lease roads so i kind of need the protection in a sense.

Was thinking of a 37 and just end up with some gatorback offset mudflaps but, thought id run the bushwackers first?

May be a dumb question, but is a 325/70/18 bigger than a 35x12,5x18 ??

 

[Cruizer]

And how are the 2500 ones holding up to rocks and all now? I drive on and fown alot of lease roads so i kind of need the protection in a sense.

Was thinking of a 37 and just end up with some gatorback offset mudflaps but, thought id run the bushwackers first?

May be a dumb question, but is a 325/70/18 bigger than a 35x12,5x18 ??

325/70R18 comes out to 35.9x12.8R18. So a hair bigger. I'm going to get some 3M clear vinyl to cover the inside of the flares. Nothing bad yet, but I can see them gettin' scuffed or scratched in the wheel well area.

EDIT: It keeps the rocks off the body and I'm running 20"x10" wheels and -24 offset, with 13" wide tires. I still stick out a little but the rocks aren't really hitting it anymore. I'm sure the corners are about the same risk they were at stock.

 

[raydenn403]

Hmm,

Im thinkin either run a bigger tire or buy a new set of rims, 18x10 or even a 18x9 with more offset? Im only running -12.

Not sure what to do! Maybe take em off and sell em?

 

[Cruizer]

Well, new flares would be the most cost effective. Buying new wheels and/or tires gets pricey, especially the tires part. Like I said earlier, takes some beefy tires to pull off pocket flares IMO. Do some Google image searches for pocket flares and such and see what you think. I'd search "Ram pocket flares" or something get start getting ideas. Can also search for images of the 2500 and 1500 flares on our trucks. There's quite a few in the 4th Gen Lifted Truck thread as well.

http://www.ramforum.com/f40/pics_lifted_trucks-16717/