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jms
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2003
23:44:20
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 Subject: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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I am the first to admit that I don't have a clue what any of this stuff means. I realize the hight/width part of tire sizes, but that is about it. What is throwing me off is that I really don't know anything else about rims/offset and rubbing. However, I realize many of you do, so I thought I'd ask for help.
Here's the situation: I have a 97 V-6 Dak, 2wd SLT. It has 15 inch wheels on it [I am unsure about width. Current tires are 225/75R15s.]. I want more ground clearance for camping trips and hiking trips, but I plan on driving logging/fire roads at a bit over a crawl-not as if it were a baja race. I am probably going to just put a 3" Fabtech suspension lift on it [I would add the 2" body, but then I can't use a short-throw shifter] as it will be 90-95% freeway/daily driver. But I am at a loss about this rim/tire stuff.
I would like to put 32" tires on it, but don't want wide ones: 10.5" wide would be PERFECT for my needs, as I don't want the 'look' of a lifted truck, just the ground clearance. My first question is: will I be able to run 32's on my Dak?
The second question is: will I NEED to change my rims? I would rather not if at all possible, as long as the lack of changing them won't cause the tires to rub.
This brings me to the offset questions. If I HAVE to change my wheels/rims [whatever you want to call those things we mount tires to. :) ], the Fabtech site lists an offset of 3.75". Is this a case of 'the smaller the number, the less rubbing' or is this a case of 'the larger the number the less the rubbing'? I mean, if Fabtech says '3.75', will mounting a 4" off-set decrease the amount of rubbing of the tires on the a-arms when the wheel is cranked? Or does it INCREASE the rubbing?
My Ultimate goal would be a 32" tire [or 33 if I can still use a short-throw shifter!] for the ground clearance, but maintaining the ability to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock without any rubbing or other adverse affect on the steering, and maintaining utmost reliability: all at the lowest possible cost to myself.
I know, I AM asking for the moon. And for both Salma Hayack and all of the S.I. swimsuit models, and thirty million dollars, and, and, and.... Being clueless, I have to start getting ideas of what I need to plan for and start saving for that expense.
I REALLY feel no need to change wheels/rims unless I can't run the tires I want [32x10.5r15] without rubbing due to the need for different amounts of offset, so I am not looking for an excuse to get new rims, just tires/height.
Lastly, what do these companies mean by 'moderate trimming required'? Is this trimming inside the wheelwell of metal or plastic? or is this the edges of the fender? any and all 'obvious' advice about this stuff would be GREAT!!! make it obvious, as I am a novice to suspension changes of ANY form.
Thanks for any/all constructive input!
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
00:58:02
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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I'll try and tackle this one .......for what you ask about ,the trails and the look ,what you want is this .............. fabtech 3" with 15x7 rims with 4" backspacing 32" tires .......The fabtech kit says minimum of 3.75 but you can go to 4" , but no more , the backspacing ( the width of the rim to the inside can't be more than 4") the blue truck on their site or who ever sells them has 15x7 ae 589's with 4" backspacing ............with that set up you will have to do some trimming to the valance in the front and to the plastic on the bottom fender well toward the back of the truck , if you do it with a sharp knife you can't even tell it has been trimmed ...........Oh the reason for the backspacing , it will hit your upper balljoint when the truck gets lifted , you can't use your stock rims they're 5 1/2 backspacing.......you can go with 15x8 and will throw the rim out and you will rub on the inner fender ( like mine ) and you wont be able to put a tire bigger than 31 "................. good luck and send pics when done , if you wnat to see pics of mine , leave your emmail and I'll end you some , I have a quad cab 4.7 3" fabtech ea589 15x8 31" tires ( mudterrain )
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97_blk_dak
GenIII
1/20/2003
06:14:05
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
Basically, the deal with the backspacing is, the larger the backspacing (ex. 5.5"), the more the wheels and tires will be tucked in the fenderwells, possibly causing rubbing issues on the frame. The lower the backspacing (ex. 3.25"), the farther they stick out of the fenderwells giving a wider stance and possible rubbing issues on the bottom corners of the fenders.
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1997 5.2L 4X4 CC
PICS
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97_blk_dak
GenIII
1/20/2003
06:17:43
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
And rivermaniac, I'd like to see some pics of your setup if you wouldn't mind emailing me a few.
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1997 5.2L 4X4 CC
PICS
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
09:58:41
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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the problem with the 2wd at least is not rubbing on the frame , it's it will hit the upper ball joint because they go 3" up ............
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Dennis
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
18:22:21
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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97_blk_dak With your rims that are 3.25" of backspacing, and you have 33" tires (Whats the tire width?) Did they rub at all on your fenders or front valance? And if so how bad? I ask because I saw that you cut your valance? why?
Thanks
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97_blk_dak
GenIII
1/20/2003
18:46:20
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
Mine are 33x12.50x15 tires on 15x8 wheels. I had to trim a little off the valance because the low backspacing caused the tires to stick out farther and rub on hard turns. It wasn't too bad, but enough to get on my nerves.
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1997 5.2L 4X4 CC
PICS
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Frank Gandt
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
20:17:45
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
can u use a billet spacer with a bigger backspacing
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
23:39:20
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
yes , but you will put alot of stress on your balljoints and bearings .............ask chaximus .................
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conig
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2003
12:05:07
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
rivermanic I think you already sent me pics but am unsure. I would like to see some.
MConiglio@fbmc-benefits.com
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conig
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2003
12:57:12
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
one thing you might want to consider is useing coilspacers. I have 2 inch coil spacers for a 2wd dodgeram. which for what ever reason lifts the front of a dak 3 inches. then I have add-a-leaves in the back to level the truck out.
one reason some say not to do this is it leaves very little downward travel. I have only about an inch in between my upper a-arm and my frame. however I ride gas lines often and powerline trails often have never recalled my a-arms hitting the frame.
another reason to do it this way is it is cheaper then the fabtech lift. it also allows you to run the stock rims and tires or a higher back spaceing. I previously had 17x8's on my truck with 5.00 back spaceing and 265-70-17 mt. basicallt a 32-10.50 tire with very minor trimming.
heres some pics below.
http://photos.msn.com/viewing/album.aspx?m7A!X9U3q6bynoZEhFj0U87uFz7XOdGj1BOOhQnYzFHEgMrwv*dFmlSgDTpOB1FADugwaCYUEXMdniU9FwYWccXm3lUI9LKZs*v*9Tir1b8ozC1ias!Khw$$
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jms
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/24/2003
01:04:06
| RE: Tire/rim & offset? I'm clueless! [long]
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Message:
I want to thank ALL of you for your contributions. I think I understand it better now, so I can make an informed purchase. I'll get pics up when it is done. Thanks!
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