The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 sits in the heavy-duty pickup era when three-quarter-ton trucks had to balance work capability with everyday usability. Buyers often chose them for towing, hauling, four-season use, and the tougher stance that came with the Ram’s bold early-2000s design. Tire selection on this truck starts with a straightforward radial fitment question, but the exact size changes by sub-model: 265/70R17 on Laramie and SLT, and 245/70R17 on ST. Available choices stay within a practical all-terrain theme with raised white letter styling. The key is matching the truck’s exact trim and wheel setup before comparing load, rim-width, and use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference comes down to sub-model rather than a change in rim diameter. Both sizes are radial tires for 17-inch wheels, so the first step is identifying whether the truck is an ST, SLT, or Laramie before choosing a tire.
Fit(s): Laramie 4x2, Laramie 4x4, SLT 4x2, and SLT 4x4
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
265/70R17 is a metric radial size in which 265 identifies the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500, this size is used on Laramie and SLT sub-models and keeps the fitment centered on a 17-inch wheel. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires with raised white letter sidewalls and differing load-capacity specifications. This size should be matched to the truck’s exact trim, wheel width, and intended work or road use before selection.
245/70R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500, this size applies to ST sub-models, making trim identification the main fitment step. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is available in this size with a raised white letter sidewall and an LT-rated specification that suits heavier-duty truck use. It is a useful choice when the truck still retains the ST wheel and tire setup, but wheel width and clearance should still be verified on any modified truck.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 because tire size changes by trim. Laramie and SLT use one size, while ST uses another, even though all of them stay on 17-inch radial fitments.
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2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 Laramie 4x2
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 Laramie 4x2 uses the 265/70R17 radial tire size. That keeps the decision focused on choosing the right load specification and confirming wheel width if the truck no longer has its original 17-inch setup.
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 Laramie 4x4 also uses the 265/70R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. Tire selection comes down to matching the truck’s actual wheel fitment and intended towing, hauling, or mixed on-road and off-road use.
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 SLT 4x2 uses the same 265/70R17 radial fitment as the Laramie models. That means the main comparison points are product specification, load capacity, and whether the truck still carries the correct wheel width for this size.
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 SLT 4x4 uses 265/70R17 radial tires. Buyers comparing options in this sub-model should stay centered on the 17-inch wheel fitment and check for any suspension or wheel changes that could affect real-world clearance.
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 ST 4x2 uses the smaller 245/70R17 radial size rather than the 265/70R17 found on other trims. That makes trim confirmation especially important before selecting a tire or comparing load and rim-width specifications.
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 ST 4x4 uses 245/70R17 radial tires on a 17-inch rim. Selection is more straightforward once the ST fitment is confirmed, with attention then shifting to wheel width, load needs, and any changes from stock ride height or wheels.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 Tires for Sale
Available 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 tire choices stay focused on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 products in both primary sizes. Comparison points include the two 265/70R17 load specifications, the LT-rated 245/70R17 option, raised white letter sidewalls, and the rim-width ranges tied to each size.
Common questions for the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 usually come down to identifying the correct sub-model, confirming the 17-inch wheel fitment, and comparing the two radial tire sizes by load, sidewall style, and intended truck use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 uses either 265/70R17 or 245/70R17 radial tires. Laramie 4x2, Laramie 4x4, SLT 4x2, and SLT 4x4 use 265/70R17, while ST 4x2 and ST 4x4 use 245/70R17.
That means the first step is confirming the exact trim level before choosing a tire. Both sizes mount on 17-inch wheels, but they are not the same fitment, so a truck with replacement wheels, changed suspension, or a previous owner’s tire swap should be checked carefully before staying with or returning to the original size.
What size rim does a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 use a 17-inch rim diameter. The 265/70R17 fitment is used on Laramie and SLT models, and the 245/70R17 fitment is used on ST models, but the wheel diameter remains the same.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a heavy-duty truck. Tire choice should also be matched to the actual wheel width, especially since the available 265/70R17 and 245/70R17 products are built around different rim-width ranges, and that becomes even more important if aftermarket wheels have been installed.
Do all 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 does not use one tire size across every covered sub-model. Laramie and SLT models use 265/70R17, while ST models use 245/70R17, and all of these fitments are radial tires for 17-inch wheels.
That distinction matters because trim-based size changes affect more than appearance. A different size can also change the tire’s section width, overall diameter, and compatible rim-width range, so checking the door-jamb information, current wheel setup, and the truck’s actual trim helps prevent choosing a tire intended for a different Ram 2500 configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 265/70R17 or 245/70R17 tire for a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
Start with the correct size for the truck’s exact sub-model, then compare construction, load capacity, and wheel compatibility. On this Ram 2500, both primary sizes are radial 17-inch fitments, but the available products differ in load specification and in the rim-width ranges they are built to suit.
A three-quarter-ton truck often sees very different use patterns, from empty commuting to towing and hauling. That makes it worth checking how the truck is actually used, whether it still has its original wheel setup, and whether the chosen tire matches the vehicle’s trim, wheel width, and duty expectations instead of choosing by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 tires?
The available tires for the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 use an RWL sidewall, which means raised white letter styling. That sidewall treatment appears on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options offered in both 265/70R17 and 245/70R17 sizes.
Raised white letters give the truck a more traditional light-truck and sport-truck presentation than a plain black sidewall. Appearance still should come after fitment, though, so the practical decision is to confirm the correct size and wheel width first, then decide whether the RWL look matches the truck’s intended character and use.
What tire series are available for the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
The available tire series for the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. It appears in both primary fitments, with two specifications in 265/70R17 and one in 245/70R17, all built as radial tires for 17-inch wheels.
Because the series remains consistent, the real comparison is less about changing tread family and more about choosing the correct size and specification within that family. Load rating, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the truck is used for work, towing, or mixed-surface driving are the factors that deserve the closest attention.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
A period-style approach for a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 starts with keeping the correct sub-model tire size: 265/70R17 for Laramie and SLT, or 245/70R17 for ST. Since the available fitments are radial all-terrain truck tires, the most consistent visual direction is a proper-size 17-inch tire with traditional light-truck proportions.
Appearance should still stay tied to the truck’s real configuration. A Ram 2500 that retains its stock-style wheels and stance will usually look more cohesive on the correct original-size fitment, while trucks with wheel or suspension changes need an extra clearance and proportion check before trying to preserve that early-2000s heavy-duty truck look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
On the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial tires. That means appearance differences come more from the tire’s size, profile, and sidewall treatment than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction as a restoration decision.
The available raised white letter styling adds a recognizable period truck look that suits many early-2000s builds. Buyers focused on a restoration-oriented presentation should keep the correct trim-based tire size in place first, then compare sidewall presentation and overall stance against photos, brochures, or marque-specific references for their preferred finished look.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
Yes. Modifications can change how either 265/70R17 or 245/70R17 fits on a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500, even though both original fitments use 17-inch wheels. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, offset changes, lift kits, leveling kits, or lowering can all affect clearance and tire choice.
A truck that no longer has its original setup should be checked at the wheel wells, steering stops, and suspension travel points before settling on a replacement tire. Matching the original trim-based size is still the safest starting point, but the actual wheel dimensions and modified stance need to guide the final decision.
What should I inspect before driving a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 on new tires?
Before driving a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, verify the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the chosen size matches the truck’s trim. Tire pressure, valve stems, lug torque, and visible clearance at the fenders and suspension should also be checked.
A heavy-duty pickup places more demand on its tires than a lighter vehicle, especially under load. It is smart to recheck pressure after the first miles, watch for any rubbing during turns or compression, and confirm that the truck tracks normally once the tires are mounted and carrying real road weight.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500?
Before a longer drive, make sure the 2004 Dodge Trucks Ram 2500 has the correct tire size for its sub-model, proper inflation, and no signs of cuts, bulges, sidewall cracking, or unusual wear. Tread condition and slow air loss deserve attention, especially on a truck that sits for long periods between uses.
Longer trips also put more focus on load and heat, so the tire should match how the truck will actually be used that day. Checking the spare, confirming that the wheels are secure, and looking over suspension or steering components can help prevent a small fitment or maintenance issue from becoming a roadside problem.
