How to Trim to Fit 37" Tires on a Ram 2500 and 3500 

Hi. I have a 2018 ram 2500 with a 2.5” leveling kit and I ordered 20x10 hostile sprockets -18 offset and 35x12.50 tires and I wanna trim before I go have them put on the truck. Being they are 35’s can I get away with doing the same trim you do here since the wheels are wider or do I need to grind the pinch weld with 35’s and 20x10’s? Hopefully I can do a basic trim. I got 20x10’s to avoid crazy trimming instead of 20x12’s. Thanks for your reply. Appreciate all the info you have about suspension and these trucks 👍🏼

Glad it was helpful!

I have more pics on my instagram @JayFlatOut

On the list!

It does!

The pinch weld will need a light trim to clear off road, but you might be able to get away without it for on road driving.

It doesn't work well sadly. You end up with a warped and funky liner! Thankfully the harness is still well above the trim line on this!

I was wondering the same thing. What if I heated up the square part you took out and cut a thick piece of wood about the same size as you are going to remove. Heat it up with a heat gun and just push it in and stretch the plastic a little without pulling it apart. I just ordered 3" soft ride coils from CJC off-road and I'm going to be putting on 35x12.5x22 with a -44 offset on a 2012 Cummins .I also bought Stryker off-road high clearance control arms. How much rubbing do you think I'm going to have. My truck never goes off road yes it's a pavement princess but nobody can believe my truck is 14 years old. I don't even drive it in the winter. I use my 05 Silverado 2500 for that. This is my build truck because I probably won't ever get to build another truck due to health problems. I'm trying to build my dream truck before it's too late.

All carli Hemi kits are compatible with the Power Wagons, and the trimming is identical to the Cummins trucks!

We actually just released a video about that last week! Give it a watch.

You might get some rub, it wont be bad at all. Definitely a doable set up.

The 3500 with leaf springs is by far the preferred option for anyone that uses the truck like a truck to go off road or haul/tow. With the 3500 you get the best of the best in terms of engine, trans and suspension options!

Here is what we recommend: www.cjcoffroad.com/Carli-Suspension-2014-Ram-2500-Fox-Leveling-Kit-p/cs-dleveling-14-d.htm

Sadly it's too thick to re-form. In our experience cutting works best.

We just use Steel-it to paint and protect it so it isn't bare metal.

Goat diamond hammer

Hi David, this is most likely due to the very narrow width of the stock wheels. A. You could switch to a metric tire which is usually roughly 11" wide. B. Change to aftermarket wheels.

Yes you will need to remove your mud flaps up front.

+12 will work, but will take a little more trimming than the recommended +18 to +25.

You will need a solid amount of trimming to turn with the suspension articulated, but definitely no spacers. That will only push the wheels out further and require more trimming.

AEV's suspension is simply spacers are drop brackets for the stock springs and parts, so really your best option is to combine AEV body styling with Carli suspension. There's no other system on the market that offers as much wheel travel, articulation and ride quality which is what you need whether you're going slow or fast.

Depends on the tire set up, but if you need to trim it, just slowly work it down with a flap disc on a grinder. It usually doesn’t make much.

You can still run a 35" tire with those wheels, or do heavy trimming with a 37! Clearance will be the same leveled or on a 3.25" setup.

Stock wheels will be similar. However you will rub your radius arms.

@@CJCOffRoad I'm planning something similar but no lift yet. I was curious if you think 37x11.5r18s would clear decently from the radius arms. This would be on stock tradesman 18" wheels.

I have the same truck. Running factory night edition wheels on 37×12.5s with a 1.75" Bora wheel adapter and a 2" level. Only trimmed the plastic fender liner, looks amazing

This is exactly what I want to do to my 2020 2500, would love to see how your truck stance looks

@@jimmywallace2782 I can send you pics

@@hg2blackcat411 Did you have to trim your wheel studs to fit those 1.75 spacers?

@@timward5303 Nope. Wheel studs are 1.5" so they clear perfectly. I'm actually running 37x13.5s with fuel 20x9 wheels now. Leveled on Thuren 2.75" leveling springs. Love both setups 🤘

Ultimately that's a personal decision. Will it be better for heavy towing re-geared? Probably, but you'll be fine without too. Ends up coming down to your individual needs.

This trimming is done to avoid rubbing in any situation.

Do you have extended control arms on the truck? If so, what brand?

CJC Off Road it’s all stock now I just want to install that kit and I’d want to go with the long arm for better articulation

If you are going to run the Carli high clearance arms you can run up to 5.75” BS with those tires. With the standard Carli arms you want to shoot for 5” BS.

CJC Off Road okay so I don’t need to follow your advice with the 4th and 5th gen Rams where you’re suggesting positive 18-20 wheels I can go with a negative number?

What I gave were backspacing numbers. They interchange with wheel offset depending on the width. What I’m suggesting is roughly a +5-+20 but again it all depends on the wheel width.

You’ll have heavy rub when turning and flexing the suspension at all.

Where will it rub? Ran 35’s m/t with 1.75” pac brake levelling kit. Is the 13.50 the issue?

No you'll be way outside the recommended specs, so you'll need some heavy trimming and still rub. If you're okay with that to achieve the look though it's okay!

No you can still fit a 37” at stock height using this same technique, you’ll just have to trim a little more.

Typically +18 works well on these Ram trucks.

While it’s a cool kit, you may want to look at the instructions in regards to “trimming” for 40s.

CJC Off Road your correct with 40s there is lots of trimming if you consider the upgraded fender flares. I went with the 37” kit and the only trimming I had to do it to accommodate the AEV bumper.

Actually if you want to not trim, you can heat the plastic and form it carefully. It’s a little tricky but doable. Nothing important is exposed by trimming though.

So how would you keep the road Salt and grime out from underneath the wheel well under the plastic if it’s not sealed when you cut it?

You can do that no problem. To fit 37s on a Ram you need a 8.5-9” wide wheel with +18 to +25 offset

They will rub the radius arms.

@@CJCOffRoad what about if its a 12.5?

Exactly this! Just make sure you’re using the right wheel specs. We have a video covering that topic.

To fit 37s on a Ram you need a 8.5-9” wide wheel with +18 to +25 offset. As long as your wheels meet those specs you’re good to go running 37s with the trimming shown here.

0 offset rubs the body. To fit 37s on a Ram you need a 8.5-9” wide wheel with +18 to +25 offset. Anything more positive than about 28 will rub the arms on a Ram with a 12.5” or wider tire.

To fit 37s on a Ram truck we recommend a +12 to +27 offset wheel that is no wider than 9.5”

@@CJCOffRoad thanks you!!! If i go with the other configuration i'll need to do a lift kit first right?

You cant do that

Why not? I can’t just change out the springs and shocks?

Dana Reynolds it’s a lot more then just putting different springs on guy...

+12 and +18 are roughly .25” different. Both will work in the above situation. Method Race Wheels 18” and 20” wheels can be found in +18 while many Raceline 18” and 20” wheels are found in +12

@cjcoffroad thank you!

It's +12

@jayflatout thanks man!

@@CJCOffRoad I just put 17" wheels with +18 of offset and 37" toyo RT tires. I did the trimming as shown in this video and no rubbing whatsoever.

Ideally you want a new set of wheels. +44 will cause pretty severe rub on the sway bar and radius arms when turning to full lock!

@@CJCOffRoadwheel spacer should help I’m guessing

Most likely not. The mud flaps will increase the chance of rub with 37s

I have a 2.5 inch leveling

That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard. Purposely drive on unbalanced tires? Wtf

Substantial trimming will need to be done if you want to be able to do anything other than drive on pavement. We typically don’t recommend moving into the negative offsets with 37’s. +18 is what we recommend.

Would spacers help? REALLY dont want to have to buy new wheels☹

I looked into the synergy geometry correction brackets, I think that would help better the spacers....your thoughts

No sadly spacerswill only put the wheels out farther from the truck. With negative offset wheels, it puts the tire closer to the fender edges when turning. If you want to do 37’s you’ll either have to sacrifice some turning ability or get new wheels!

Actually since the cab is the same, the trimming is the same!

Those will fit with +18 to +25 but not on the factory wheels unfortunately. The factory wheels are too tucked in so anything over a 295 will rub the arms when turning.

@@CJCOffRoad Thanks, but the reply is not clear. For example 295x70x18 Nitro ridge grappler is 11.77” wide and a ridge grappler in a 37x11.5x18 is 11.42” or 0.3” narrower. I think the 11.5” tires are relatively new and limited to Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

Correct!