If you own an Amarok and would like to know what your tire and suspension upgrade options are then this article is for you. Upgrading to an oversized tire on an Amarok was not always a straightforward procedure. In recent years, depending on where you live in the world, suspension and body lift options have become more readily available for the Amarok.
The Amarok was never renowned for massive ground clearance, so naturally, a bigger tire upgrade would be the obvious upgrade to do, especially if you intend on going off-road.
So what is the biggest tire you can fit on a stock Amarok? The biggest tire that fits on an Amarok with a stock suspension is a 32”. That will include all of the blow sizes.
- 265/75/16
- 265/70/17
- 265/65/18
- 275/55/20
If you are prepared to give her a 25mm body lift, you’ll have a few more options available, and if you add a 50mm suspension upgrade to that body lift, you’ll be able to run even bigger 33”+ off-road tires without too many modifications.
Alternate 16” tires that fit:
| Size | Diameter | Width | Wheel |
| 31X12.5R16 | 31″ | 12.5″ | 16″ |
| 275/70R16 | 31.2″ | 10.8″ | 16 x 7-9″ |
| 265/75R16 | 31.6″ | 10.4″ | 16 x 7-9″ |
| 235/85R16 | 31.7″ | 9.3″ | 16 x 6-7.5″ |
| 285/70R16 | 31.7″ | 11.2″ | 16 x 7.5-9.5″ |
Some alternate 17” tires that fit on an Amarok:
| Size | Diameter | Width | Wheel |
| 255/70R17 | 31.1″ | 10.0″ | 17 x 6.5-8.5″ |
| 275/65R17 | 31.1″ | 10.8″ | 17 x 7.5-9.5″ |
| 245/75R17 | 31.5″ | 9.6″ | 17 x 6.5-8″ |
| 265/70R17 | 31.6″ | 10.4″ | 17 x 7-9″ |
| 285/65R17 | 31.6″ | 11.2″ | 17 x 8-10″ |
| 235/80R17 | 31.8″ | 9.3″ | 17 x 6-7.5″ |
| 255/75R17 | 32.1″ | 10.0″ | 17 x 6.5-8.5″ |
| 275/70R17 | 32.2″ | 10.8″ | 17 x 7-8.5″ |
So, what is involved in fitting a bigger tire on an Amarok?
Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
Tires That Work For Amarok
I will say this from the outset, I was fortunate enough to own an Amarok 2.0 BiTdi for a few years, and boy was that a fantastic vehicle. I still miss it. It’s just such a well-rounded package, both on and off-road. Today I drive a Japanese Ute, not due to personal choice so much, but rather due to the economic situation in SA. At the moment it’s really bad and I needed to make some sound financial decisions, so, unfortunately, the Rok had to go.
Why am I telling you this?
Well for one, I used to often search the InterWeb high and low to find any information I can get about upgrading the Amarok suspension and what the biggest tires are I can fit on the darn thing.
Needless to say, if you are an off-road enthusiast and venture into the outback with your Rok, you’ll agree with me when I say, they are super capable off-road machines, however, they just lack a bit on the ride height.
If you are an off-road enthusiast and venture into the outback with your Rok, you’ll agree with me when I say, they are super capable off-road machines
So, to come back to the original question of the biggest tire, unfortunately, you’re rather limited with tire options in stock suspension form. I’m referring to those that make a significant difference, that is. And to add to that, have you seen what a lifted Amarok looks like? OMG! Beast mode activated!
So basically it boils down to this.
If you do not want to do a BMC (Body Mount Chops) and some fender cutting and a bit of relocating of plastic wheel liners, then your next best option is at least a body lift.
Note, a body lift does not necessarily give you more ground clearance, technically. Yes, the body sits a bit higher off the ground, improving your approach and departure angles slightly, however, your lowest point on the vehicle still remains unchanged. This is usually your diff. So to improve the ground clearance you need to increase your diameter tire size. Width is irrelevant.
Some popular sizes that fit on 18” Rims:
- 265/65/18 (Perfect fit and will improve your ground clearance by a minimum of 20mm)
- 275/65/18 (Will see an increase in Consumption + slight drop in performance)
So if you want some alternate sizes which equate to roughly the same 18” wheel size of 30” you can fit any of the following:
Alternate 18” Tire Options
| Size | Diameter | Width | Wheel |
| 235/70R18 | 31″ | 9.3″ | 18 x 6-8″ |
| 275/60R18 | 31″ | 10.8″ | 18 x 7.5-9.5″ |
| 255/65R18 | 31.1″ | 10.0″ | 18 x 7-9″ |
| 285/60R18 | 31.5″ | 11.2″ | 18 x 8-10″ |
| 265/65R18 | 31.6″ | 10.4″ | 18 x 7.5-9.5″ |
| 255/70R18 | 32.1″ | 10.0″ | 18 x 6.5-8.5″ |
| 275/65R18 | 32.1″ | 10.8″ | 18 x 7.5-9.5″ |
| 305/60R18 | 32.4″ | 12.0″ | 18 x 8.5-11″ |
If off-roading is not your thing, then you can even opt for a 20” rim. This will be purely an aesthetic upgrade and not recommended for off-road applications. 20” tires are very low-profile tires and cannot be deflated when venturing off-road in sand or mud, so it’s not the best tire choice. 20” tires are also more expensive than 17” or 18” and offer a bumpier ride.
Let’s look at 31”-32” tires options in 20” sizes:
| Size | Diameter | Width | Wheel |
| 255/55R20 | 31″ | 10.0″ | 20 x 7-9″ |
| 285/50R20 | 31.2″ | 11.2″ | 20 x 8-10″ |
| 245/60R20 | 31.6″ | 9.6″ | 20 x 7-8.5″ |
| 295/50R20 | 31.6″ | 11.6″ | 20 x 8-10.5″ |
| 275/55R20 | 31.9″ | 10.8″ | 20 x 7.5-9.5″ |
| 255/60R20 | 32″ | 10″ | 20″ |
| 305/50R20 | 32″ | 12.0″ | 20 x 8.5-11″ |
| 285/55R20 | 32.3″ | 11.2″ | 20 x 8-10″ |
| 265/60R20 | 32.5″ | 10.4″ | 20 x 7.5-9.5″ |
Next, let’s look at our tire options with a 2-3” suspension lift
Amarok Lift Kit
A bigger rim and tire not only enhance the look of your 4WD but often provides grip and handling if done in conjunction with a suspension upgrade.
If you do a complete suspension upgrade, your kit should consist of the following components:
The Kits dedicated to Volkswagen Amarok include the following components:
- 2 x Front Coil Springs
- 2 x Rear Leaf Spring
- 1 x Bushes Kit
- 1 x U-Bolts Kit (4)
- 2 x Front Shocks
- 2 x Rear Shocks
The Bilstein B6 is a popular choice for the VW Amarok and allows you to carry heavier loads both in the front and the rear. The Bilstein B6 will raise the front by 35 mm and the rear by 25 mm. This allows for a bigger tire upgrade of up to 33.3 inches and more if combined with a body lift.
Depending on where you live, there might be some legal restrictions regarding how high you are allowed to go and how much the tire is allowed to poke outside the fender.
In Australia for example, In Victoria, the overall diameter of the rim can’t be more than 15mm more than manufacturer specifications, while the rim and tire are also not allowed to foul the bodywork or suspension.
In NSW, OZ, wheels that are up to 26mm wider than the manufacturer’s specified wheels are allowed, without needing to notify the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA). Increases in wheel track (the distance between the left- and right-hand wheel) can’t be greater than 25mm beyond the manufacturer’s specification.
In Queens, the maximum increase in the combined wheel and tire diameter allowed is plus 15mm or minus 26mm. Within those limits, any rim diameter is allowed. No poke is allowed from the bodywork of the car when in the straight-ahead position.
So with a suspension kit and body lift, let’s see what our options are.
| Size | Offset | Lift | Body Lift | Scrub | Poke |
| 265/70 16 | Stock Rim | No | No | No | No |
| 265/75/16 | +20 | No | No | No | Yes |
| 265/75/16 | +25 | No | No | No | 15mm |
| 285/75/16 | +20 | 35mm | 25mm | Yes (Full Lock) | 20mm |
| 285/75/16 | +30 | 50mm | No | Yes (Full Lock) | No |
| 285/75/16 | +34 | No | No | Minor | No |
| 305/70/16 | +5 | 50mm | 43mm | Yes | 25mm+ |
| 315/75/16 | +6 | 50mm | 43mm | Yes (Full Lock) | Yes |
| 255/85/16 | +20 | 60mm | No | Yes | yes |
When you go as big as 315/75/16 you can expect the following:
- 43mm body kit
- 3” Suspension upgrade
- Scrubs the chassis on full lock
- Front Castor needs to be rolled forward by 3.5 min.
- Need to chop 1.5″-2″ of the guard away at the bottom and curve up to stop catching on full flex with turned wheels.
- Fuel consumption will be down by approx. 10%
- Speedometer reading out by 8km @100
Next, let’s see what 17” combinations will work on the Amarok with suspension lift and body lift combinations.
Amarok 285/70r17 and more
| Size | Offset | Lift | Body Lift | Scrub | Poke |
| 265/70/17 | Stock | 30mm | 25mm | No | No |
| 265/70/17 | +20 | 50mm | 25mm | No | No |
| 285/70/17 | +20 | 50mm | No | Yes | yes |
| 295/70/17 | +20 | 50mm | 43mm | Yes (Full Lock) | Yes |
Next let’s see what 18” combinations will work on the Amarok with a suspension lift and body lift combinations.
| Size | Offset | Lift | Body Lift | Scrub | Poke |
| 265/65/18 | Stock | No | No | No | No |
| 285/65/18 | +10 | 50mm | No | Yes | No |
Resources
https://tiresize.com/comparison/
Bilstein B6 4600 Series Shock Absorber – 24-195690
Nitto 305/70R16 Tire, Mud Grappler – 201-040
Mickey Thompson 285/70R17 Tire, Baja MTZP3 (59731) – 90000024267
Mickey Thompson 265/65R18, Deegan 38 – All Terrain (51811) – 90000029945
Conclusion
Whatever wheel and tire upgrade you decide to do, make sure you stay within the legalities of your state. If there is some poke, you will have to fit fender flairs to abide by state laws, since tire poke is illegal. When you go wide tires, be aware of the clearance at the upper control arm. Once you get close to 5mm you are entering dangerous territory. Simply because when venturing off-road with deflated tires, bulging while flexing over an obstacle you could risk major catastrophic damage. So be mindful of your backspacing and clearance of suspension components.