Difference Between 33-inch and 35-inch Tires (Size/Height/Weight)

What is the physical difference between 33-inch and 35-inch tires? A 35” tire offers approximately 1 inch more clearance at the axle compared to a 33-inch tire.

Now that might not sound like a lot, however, that 1 inch can mean the difference between being hung up and just managing to scrape over the obstacle.

So are big tires the holy grail of off-roading or are there other components and factors that are just as important, if not even more so?

Let’s find out!

Experiment with the tire comparison calculator below to see the physical differences.

Yes, there are other more important factors than squeezing the biggest tire possible on your 4WD.

Those factors include but are not limited to:

• Can The Drivetrain handle the weight
• Minimum Suspension lift
• Is there sufficient Torque to accommodate the added unsprung weight
• Articulation/Down travel
• CV Angles (IFS)

Yes, a larger diameter tire will in many cases be better for off-roading, provided your vehicle has enough torque to move those heavy tires off-road.

We have since established that the 35” tire will offer approximately 1” of clearance on the axle, but let’s look at some other factors you need to consider first.

• Diff Strength
• CV Joints (IFS)
• Fender Clearance
• UCA Clearance
• Wheel offset /Backspacing
• Gear ratios
• Speedometer accuracy
• Fuel Consumption
• Torque at the wheels

35” Tires And Your Drivetrain

Because the weight sits below the sprung suspension it falls part of unsprung weight.

This added weight has a direct effect on fuel economy, performance, gearing, and other drivetrain components.

Let’s look in more detail at the pros and cons of each tire.

Pros and Cons of 33-inch tires

Pros

1. Increased Ground Clearance
2. Improved looks
3. Improved Traction on the road
4. Not excessive strain on Drivetrain components
5. Minimum 2” lift required (Vehicle Dependent)
6. Not too much cutting involved (Vehicle dependent)
7. The speedometer is still relatively accurate
8. No re-gearing is required in most cases
9. Improved off-road traction

Cons

1. Sluggish performance vs. Factory tires
2. Increased fuel consumption
3. Removal of Front mud flaps (IFS Vehicle Dependent)
4. Cutting of fender liners and guards (Vehicle Dependent)
5. 2” lift required for off-road use

Pros and Cons of 35-inch tires

Pros

1. Improved Ground Clearance
2. Improved Aesthetics
3. Improved traction
4. Improved Stability on and off-road

Cons

1. Expensive
2. Diff requires re-gearing in most cases
3. Speedometer reading will be inaccurate
4. Increased fuel consumption
5. Higher lift kit required (2.5”-3” Vehicle Dependent)
6. Sluggish performance
7. Added strain on drivetrain components
8. Aggressive CV angles (IFS Trucks)

33-inch Tires vs. 35-inch Tires: Your speedometer

When you upgrade from a stock tire to one with a taller aspect ratio (Sidewall), increasing the wheel circumference, your speedo can be thrown out.

In the case of 33” tires, the diameter will be larger and have an increase in the aspect ratio.

• This might throw out your speedometer reading slightly.
• The increase in tire circumference means the actual speed will be higher the faster you travel.  

The below table will give you an indication of how the speedometer reading is affected between a 33” and a 35”.

33” Speedo reading	20mph	30mph	40mph	50mph	60mph	70mph	80mph	90mph
35” Speedo Reading	21.3mph	32mph	42.7mph	53.4mph	64mph	74.7mph	85.4mph	96mph

Below are the physical differences between 33” and 35” tires both on a 16” rim

Measurement	33” Tire (285/75/16)	35” Tire (35/10.5/16)	Differences
Diameter	32.8″ (883mm)	35″ (889mm)	+6.7%
Width	11.2″ (285mm)	10.5″ (267mm)	-6.2%
Sidewall	8.4″ (213mm)	9.5″ (241mm)	+13.1%
Circumference	103.1″ (2619mm)	109.9″ (2791mm)	+6.7%
Revs/Mile	615 (382mm)	577 (359mm)	-38

How Much Lift Is Required To Fit 33” Tires – FITMENT GUIDE

Fitting 33” tires to any off-road vehicle will enhance the off-road capability, improve ground clearance, and provide better traction on and off-road.

Unfortunately, it’s not always a straightforward procedure and the fitment can become complicated, depending on the vehicle.

• Most IFS vehicles require a minimum of 2.5 to 3-inch lift
• This is combined with additional trimming of fender liners
• Additional Clearance to body mounts is necessary to accommodate a 33” tire.
• A Solid Front Axle vehicle can accommodate a 33’’ tire more easily with fewer modifications.

Minimum Requirements For 35” Tires (Lift/Trim/Chop)

Fitting 35” tires to your truck is no longer a mystery or guessing game.

More and more 4WD owners have successfully pulled off this upgrade, so we know what is expected if you want to join the 35” club.

Fitting 35” tires to your truck requires a suspension upgrade of 3.5”-6” depending on the vehicle and if it’s an IFS or SFA front suspension.

Certain 4WDs with SFA can get away with a 2″ lift, however, that is the exception more than the rule. Other requirements for 35” tires could include:

• Fender trimming
• Relocation of crash bars (IFS)
• Adjustable aftermarket UCA’s (IFS)
• Minimum 16” negative offset rims
• Speedo Recalibration
• Diff Re-gearing

There’s no doubt that 35” tires will transform the look and performance of your vehicle.

There are, however, a few pros and cons when doing this upgrade, which we’ll look at in more detail next.

Are 33-inch Tires The Same As 285s (Metric vs. MM)

As mentioned, 285 and 33 are referring to two completely different measurements.

Metric tire sizes can be a bit more complicated when it comes to understanding what size they really are.

Let’s see what that means

Metric vs Millimeters

Because each tire manufacturer uses their own molds, and there’s no set industry pattern, the 285/75/16 is usually the accepted metric size for 33s, even though the physical diameter of the tire can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

• Two different 285s can vary in true diameter.
• Some tires are smaller than 33″ and some are larger, depending on the brand.
• A 33-inch tire can be wider by 11 1/2 or 12 1/2 inches in width.

One way to find out the exact diameter of a tire is by going to the tire manufacturer’s website and checking the manufacturing specs on that specific tire and then comparing “apples with apples”.

If you want to learn more, you can read the full article here: Are 33-inch Tires The Same As 285s (Metric vs. MM)

What 35” Tire Owners Have to Say?

Owner Experience #1

My Sahara with 35×12.5 KO2s on 18×9 rims with a Mopar 2″ lift.

The tires are closer to 34.5″ in diameter. All KO2’s for 18″ rims are E rated.

They are stiffer and heavier than C rated tires.

This translates to a firmer on road ride.

As for power loss, I can’t speak to that yet because I’m only at 1200 miles and haven’t really been above 4000 rpm.

I’m doing an oil change at 1500 miles and will know more about the power loss then.

I’m also not a lead foot. What I do know is that I haven’t seen 8th gear…ever. Though, I do see 7th.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/help-is-there-much-of-a-difference-with-a-33%E2%80%9D-vs-35%E2%80%9D-tire.51790/

Owner Experience #2

I noticed the difference right away; My All-Terrains’ performance for one – better traction (on dirt and in the mud) compared to the same tires in the 33″ size.

Rocky sections of trail that required me to get out of the Jeep to scope out a route don’t require that anymore.

After running 35s for 4 months, 33s for 12 years, etc.

I can’t see myself downsizing after running this larger tire size.

https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/how-big-of-a-difference-is-there-between-33s-and-35s-on-the-trail.249858/#:~:text=A%2035%20will%20give%20you,more%20important%20than%20tire%20size.

Owner Experience #3

I compete against a few guys that run 33’s, All i can say is I won’t be downgrading from the 35’s any time soon.

They are not better in every situation but here are a few where they have a distinct advantage.

1. The 35 has a substantially larger circumference which allows it to climb over a rock easier than a 33.

This is once of the biggest advantages IMO.
2. You can run lower pressures and still have reasonably good clearance.
3. Your foot print is a lot bigger, lower pressure, more tyre in contact with the ground = more traction.

If you looking at it for the TJ, there are a number of things to consider first though… 35’s are rough on the standard diffs, side shafts, UJ’s.

You will need a ratio change, at least 4.56.

The Dana 30 isn’t really up to a 35, you will start throwing money at the problem.

The next thing to go with 35’s is the rear prop UJ and saddles, they simply don’t last!

This is also due to prop angle and lift, but the strain the Tyres put on the drivetrain is crazy, those saddles and UJ basically act as a fuse… It blows often 

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/131730-33-quot-vs-35-quot-tyres

Final Thoughts

We have mentioned quite a few variables to consider before dropping a load on expensive oversized tires.

You should first determine what the primary application for the upgrade is.

Is it purely for aesthetics or will you need maximum practicality, and off-road ability, while maintaining maximum articulation?