Tire Size

[StingerZ16]

Just to add to the pile.

 

I tried it both ways.

I had new 285 x17 tires installed recently (on a '12 2500)

when they installed the tires, they cranked the torsion bar bolts all the way down.

this gave about 2" of lift and plenty of clearance.

This provided a very firm ride at the same time.

 

I had keys, but the tire shop did not feel comfortable installing them.

So, over the next week, i installed them myself (simple) and then only cranked the bolts enough to level the ride side to side. This left the bolts close to stock while still providing about 2" of lift.

the ride softened a lot...back to stock ride.

 

So, do keys make a difference?

 

YES.

 

use the keys if you want to retain ride quality.

if you want a stiff ride, then crank the bolts.

 

don't forget to get an alignment either way.

[brantjs]

StingerZ16,

 

From what I've been looking at, it seemed that the '11 and newer 2500 trucks required a special tool to remove the keys and install new ones? What did you use to replace your keys? Which indexing keys did you end up going with for your lift?

[blackout07]

To all you guys arguing about the torsion keys... Here is the ansewer ...The stock height and keys put a certain amonut of load on the torsion bars and that loads controls the firmess of the ride...raising the truck with the stock keys will male the ride firmer....the indexed keys will raise the truck without putting more torque on the torsion bars. This gives you the height without giving up the ride....FYI Pickle does not know his ass from a hole in the ground.

Also any body running 275/65/20 on the leveled truck with stock rims.

 

 

Back in 2009 when this thread was active, he might have been interested in your assessment of his ass.

[seasled]

StingerZ16,

 

From what I've been looking at, it seemed that the '11 and newer 2500 trucks required a special tool to remove the keys and install new ones? What did you use to replace your keys? Which indexing keys did you end up going with for your lift?

Truxx brand on my 11

 

[HEMICAT]

I have 305-65-18 ( 33.7x12.5x18) BFG's on my '12 HD no rubbing and suspension never touched.

[Wintersun]

The 285/70R tires are only 1/2" taller and 1/2" wider and half the width is on each side of the rim so the tire itself is only going to need have the increase in overall width for clearance. Check your present tires with them cranked all the way in each direction.

 

Another option is to set the wheel stop so the tire does not crank as far and keep it from hitting on the inside. The likely increase in turning radius is going to be negligible.

 

The tires are 4% larger so your MPG measurements will be off as will your speedometer (65 MPH will show as 63 MPH on your speedometer). Not a big deal unless you drive into a speed trap.

 

I installed 285 Nitto tires on my 2011 2500 4x4 and had no clearance problems at all. It is also able to work on the factory rims as the width of the rims is also important in choice of a tire.