Jeep Wrangler 35-Inch Tires No Lift: PERFECT FIT
Fitting 35” tires on a Jeep Wrangler JK with a stock suspension requires the following:
This article will explain the fitment of 35” tires to a stock Jeep Wrangler and what you can expect in terms of clearance, articulation, and any additional modifications needed to make them function properly.
So without any further ado – let’s find out what is required to make 35-inch tires fit on a stock Jeep Wrangler JK
- Removal of splash guards
- Fit a Rear Spare Wheel Spacer/Extender
- Fit Wider Aftermarket Wheel Flairs
- Leave the front sway bar connected
In short, yes it can be done but not without additional modifications first.
If you intend to go off-road, it is highly recommended to fit a minimum of 2” lift to be able to disconnect the front sway bar to take advantage of the Wrangler’s legendary articulation.
When flexing, the wheels will scrub heavily against the wheel arches and possibly rip off some plastic if you don’t take it slow.
It won’t be a pleasant experience off-road – believe me!
If the modification is purely for aesthetic purposes and you don’t intend to do more than just a dirt country road and no wheeling difficult off-road trails, then you can get away with 35’s, but you will be limited!
Let’s look closer at the fitment options
Fitment Guide
So let’s see what the largest tire size is for a stock Jeep Wrangler without a lift and still be able to take it off-road without additional mods.
The biggest diameter tire you can fit on a Jeep Wrangler with a stock suspension is a 33-inch. The common 33-inch tire sizes are any of the following:
| Tire Size | Description |
|---|---|
| 285/75/16 | This tire size indicates a width of 285 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 75 (the tire’s height is 75% of its width), and a 16-inch rim diameter. It features a broader profile and a taller sidewall, potentially offering increased off-road capability and ground clearance. |
| 275/70/18 | With a width of 275 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 70, and an 18-inch rim diameter, this tire size is slightly narrower but has a larger wheel diameter compared to the previous size. It might provide a balance between on-road handling and off-road performance. |
There are other factors to take into consideration when deciding on tire sizes.
These include but are not limited to:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Year model | Refers to the specific production year and model of your Jeep vehicle. |
| Wheel Clearance | Denotes the available space or gap between the wheel and the other components within the wheel well or fender area. |
| Wheel Offset | Indicates the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the mounting surface, impacting how the wheel sits within the wheel well or fender. |
Let’s take a deeper look into the pros and cons of fitting bigger wheels to your Jeep and what you need to take into consideration before you proceed with the tire upgrade.
Year Model of Your Jeep
Well, every Jeep, like most car models, is built for a specific application and each has its strengths and weaknesses.
So what might be a relatively straightforward fit for one model will require some minor or even major modifications on another.
Wheel Clearance for 35” Tires
If you intend to run heavy off-road trails which will require maximum suspension articulation, then the 33” tire on a stock suspension will work much better.
It’s still recommended to upgrade your suspension first to accommodate the bigger wheels and allow for maximum flex over big obstacles.
an upgraded suspension increases your load-carrying capabilities and improves off-road stability.
Fitting 35s, however, will require some additional work.
There is enough clearance to drive on a flat road since there is enough clearance between the tire and the chassis/frame and other suspension components.
The story isn’t so good for behind the front bumper.
There you’ll be scrubbing and scraping all day when clearing off-road obstacles since the clearance is very minimal.
On the rear it’s clear for everyday travel, however, once you flex the JK you risk ripping off a fender.
Largest Tires on a Stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
So the Rubicon comes stock with a 33-inch tire.
This means you should be able to safely upgrade to a 35-inch tire without any dramas and still be well within the operational specs.
Your speedo should still be reading fairly accurately.
Several Jeep Rubicon owners fitted 315/70R17 tires and went “wheeling” disconnected with no rubbing or body scrub.
Others claim to have fitted 35/12.5R17 which rubbed off-road without disconnecting the sway bar.
Backspacing On A Stock Jeep Wrangler JK
The backspacing comes into play again.
The backspacing on stock JK wheels is 6.25″, which means that the mounting surface of the wheel is 6.25” from the rear lip of the wheel
So you could, and many have fitted 33-inch tires on a stock JK, again depending on what the intended use was for, but there could be scrubbing against the fenders and inner wheel arch.
Disconnecting front sway bars most definitely results in a body scrub.
So if you want to fit a larger but not wider tire on the stock suspension and still have no issues off-road and achieve full flex without scrubbing you are pretty much limited to 255/80/17.
This is the same width as the stock JK tire but with a higher sidewall.
This will also give you increased ground clearance since your Jeep will be sitting higher off the ground and improved clearance on the diffs and lower hanging components.
The bottom line here is if you fit tires much wider than the 11” tire on stock wheels, your chances of making contact with your rear sway bar end link are high.
Here fitting wheel spacers will rectify this issue.
Biggest tires on a stock Jeep Wrangler TJ
The biggest tire you can fit on a stock Jeep Wrangler TJ is a 31×10.50.
That is on a stock suspension and stock wheels and no other modifications.
With this size, you can run comfortably off-road without causing any damage even during full articulation.
In the event there is somebody scrubs at full lock, simply adding a few washers on the steering stops can rectify this.
If aesthetics is what you are after and have no intention of going off-road then you could squeeze up to 33 inches on the stock JK.
However, you will not be able to venture off-road without a lift.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Wranglers offer vast modification potential within various budgets.
They serve as an ideal base for upgrades, especially for off-road use.
For regular off-roading and challenging terrains, consider a 2”-2.5” lift with 35s or opt for aftermarket flares to ensure ample clearance during full flex.
