I have a 2 Wheel Drive 2004.5 3500 QC Auto w/4.10 - it is stock height/no daystar leveling - STOCK HEIGHT front and rear!! It has 64,438 miles on it.

I had the same questions many of you have about which shocks to install and will 285/75/17 tires fit with ZERO rubbing without using what I consider (I know I'll catch hell for this) Mickey Mouse spring spacers in front on a 2wd?? Also, how do you get the speedo and odometer adjusted?

OK, here's the skinny:

I just installed Bilstein HD shocks at all 4 corners. BIG difference!! Ride is much more controlled; less lean; more firm, but in no way harsh. I recommend these shocks - others may disagree, especially hardcore off-roaders, but these Bilsteins are darn good - IMO. The factory shocks are junk as they come from the factory. If I had it to do again, I would have changed out the shocks within a day of taking delivery of the truck in Aug of '04.

Tires - I just installed 4 Nitto Dura Grapplers in size 285/75/17 - I even bought a 5th Dura Grappler to mount as a spare. All five delivered to my front door for $1065. After $80 for mounting, new valve stems and lifetime balance and rotation, I have invested a total of $1145. Now, I think that is a good deal!! These tires replaced the original Michelin 265/70/17. Tires are very, very quiet. It's been raining here - these tires have MUCH better traction on wet highway/streets than the "slick as greased owl shiite" Michelins. Michelins tend to last "forever", but the Michelins that came with the truck had little grip. The ride is EXCELLENT - no bouncing; sidewall stiffness is appropriate to the tire's load rating (just under 4000#). So far, I like them. Durability - I doubt if I will come close to the tread life of the Michelins, but life is all about trade offs.

Fit - Looks great in the rear wheel well; the front wheel well is full of tire - BUT, absolutely no rubbing at all and plenty of vertical clearance. In short, yes, this size WILL FIT on a stock height 2wd Dodge 2500/3500.

Speedometer/Odometer Calibration - Here's what you do if you have a 2004 or '05 Dodge - take $50 (cost will vary) to your local Dodge dealer. Have him hook up to the truck's computer module to do the calibration adjustment. He will be shown a few tire sizes and also directions to "OTHER". He should go to the "OTHER" screen and, under Revolutions Per Mile, enter 614. Not 596, not 657 - NO OTHER NUMBER BUT 614!! 614 is the Nitto factory spec on Revs/Mile for their Dura Grappler 285/75/17 tire - and according to my GPS it is right smack dab on the money. Note, my tech first entered in 596 - was off by 2 MPH - took it back and told him to set it at 614 - he did and that's the number to use, PERIOD!!

My next project - Hellwig rear anti-sway bar on order, as are new poly bushings for front anti-sway bar and end links. This thing already corners well and after these other relatively small mods it should steer and corner like its on rails!!

Hope this information Helps.

MD

 

nice write up, you put down everything that was already said on multiple posts into one post. GJ. I think most of us 2WDers are switching to the dura-grapplers. I have my bilsteins on order and will switch them out this weekend. Also, there have been a few 04 2WDers on here that been having their end links of the front sway bar fail. I have my replacments sitting in the garage right now waiting for the shocks to come in. Got them from rockwell auto. You can search my posts to see which ones i picked up (lifetime warrenty ones)

my dealer wants $90 for the tire change, i have been using my smarty so far. my fear is that they will install that backward horn blow recall. I swear if they do that they will be replacing my ECU to get it off.

 

EDIT: After looking at Nitto's web site....are these the tires you purchased:

LT285/70R/17 E 128R stock number 205-370 (these have a significant load rating increase compared to stock size)


Not a single store in town sells them. I have to go at least 38 miles away to a Big-O store.

 

We need pictures!!

MikeyB

 

Where are people purchasing their Nitto tires?

Online? Local?

The closest to me is just under 1 hour away. I am willing to make the trip, however those guys are asking way more for the price than the OP paid....way more.

 

https://www.onlinetires.com/products...r%22+128r.html

Shipping about 145 for 4 tires

Discount tire will match online price. Bring them the 636.92 (4 tire)+ 145.00 (shipping) = 781.92 total and they'll match, then just add the mounting balanceing ect.

 

Plus with Discount you get lifetime rotation and balancing for free when you buy tires with them. And for I think 15% of the cost of each tire, you get lifetime hazard protection. So if you "Happen" to run over a screw that goes through the side wall they replace the tire for free.

 

Thank you very much. That will do the trick and save me a bundle. I love this site and its members.

 

Checkout http://www.treadepot.com/ too they had the lowest price I could find on Toyo's

Edit: Oh disregaurd. I just looked and they dont have them listed. Sry.

 

If the closest discount tire to you is an hour away you may want to call and make sure they have them in stock b-4 making the drive. I'm getting Hankooks myself, but made the price match deal over the phone and they need to order the tires in.

 

I live in Owensboro, Kentucky...have two more options with local tire dealers and Nittos. Otherwise everyone is at least an hour away.

If I can get them to match onlinetires.com price or even come close, I'll be set.

Otherwise, I'll just order them from online and find someone to mount them.

Big O is closer than the Discount Tire...I like the idea of road hazard and will certainly pay it if I can get the purchase price of the tires down to onlinetires.com price.

 

They will match it. They sell Toyo Open Countrys for like 410 each and they are matching Treadepot for 296 each. They all buy them from the same suppliers so they are not loosing any money.

 

Local guy will sell, mount, & balance a set of 4 Nitto Dura Grapplers for $838.00. He was $15.00/tire more than onlinetire.com...I can deal with that...He has to keep the lights on and the heat going too.

That is $209.50 mounted & balanced. That is far and away better than any other brand locally for 10 ply tires.

Now, I can purchase the Bilstein HDs and I'll be all set by Wednesday next week.

Thanks for the thread and the great information.

 

Tony, you have the number right, but the size wrong. N205-370 in 285/75/17. Got to eBay and search for 285/75/17 tires in eBay Motors. Racing Imports out of Missouri is the dealer.

Good luck - I think the sale ends soon.

 

I know this is a old thread but it is hard to find ANY info on 2WDs'

Thanks,
-David