How big of tire on a jeep wrangler


Largest Tires on a Stock Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK/Rubicon) – 4WheelDriveGuide

If you’re interested to know the maximum tire size and rim combo for your stock Jeep without a lift then this article is for you. Let’s face it, big tire upgrades immediately improve the aesthetics while improving offroad capability at the same time. It also adds an extra level of ruggedness to an already capable, tough-looking 4WD such as the Wrangler platform. So let’s see what the largest tire size is for a stock Jeep Wrangler.

What are the biggest tires you can fit on a stock JK and JL Wrangler? The biggest diameter tire you can fit on a Jeep Wrangler with a stock suspension is 33 inches. The common 33-inch tire sizes are any of the following:

  1. 285/75/16
  2. 285/70/17
  3. 275/70/18.

Determining the largest tire size for your Jeep Wrangler is also governed by what you intend on doing with your Jeep. For off-road applications, the 33-inch tire will be too big for maximum articulation (flex) without any scrub on the body in stock form. However, for highway, mall-crawling, and the occasional gravel roads, 33-inch tires will suffice. Remember, we are referring strictly to stock suspension JK and JL platforms.

There are other factors to take into consideration when deciding on the max tire sizes. These include but are not limited to:

  • Year model of your Jeep
  • Body shape
  • Suspension setup
  • Backspacing
  • Centre of gravity
  • Intended application

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.

Table of Contents

Interested in finding the best leveling kits for your Wrangler, click here

Year Model of your Jeep

So being a Jeep owner, you are probably aware that not all Jeeps are created equal. This is a major consideration when determining a big tire upgrade on your Jeep. The tire that will easily fit on a stock Jeep Rubicon might not necessarily fit as snugly on a TJ or JL model.

Why is this the case?

Well, every Jeep, like most car models, is built for a specific application and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. So what might be a relatively straightforward fit for one model will require some minor or even major modifications to another. Manufacturers are constantly tweaking top-selling models to keep them on par with safety and emissions standards, so there are always variables between the years.

For example:

The Wrangler JK is produced stock with various tire sizes depending on the model Wrangler you buy; Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, etc. The stock tire sizes are 255/75R17 (32″x10″), 225/75R16 (29″x9″), and 255/70R18 (32″x10″). Now the Rubicon, which was built for heavy-duty off-road applications even in stock form will easily be able to accommodate a bigger tire without much modification since the body and suspension are primed for off-road use and serious articulation.

Suspension Setup

If your intention is to run heavy off-road trails and rock crawling which will require maximum suspension articulation, ground clearance, and ride height, then the 33” tire on a stock suspension might not be the best option. You will be wise to upgrade your suspension first to accommodate the bigger wheels and allow for maximum flex through and over obstacles.

Also bear in mind, when venturing off-road you are advised to be well prepared. This involves carrying all the necessary safety and recovery equipment. You might even go so far as to start fitting protection to your Jeep in the form of steel off-road bumpers, roof racks to carry accessories, and recovery gear. Communication equipment and other essentials all add weight and before you know it the stock suspension load-carrying ability will be maxed out.

Hence, an upgraded suspension will allow you to not only increase your load-carrying capabilities but also stiffen up the ride for more off-road stability.

Watch them fit 35’s on a JL:

Backspacing

What is this backspacing all about?

The backspacing measurement is an important consideration in the fitment of a bigger wheel and tire to the vehicle.

Backspacing is described as the distance from the hub mounting surface to the inside lip of the wheel (measured in inches). Increased backspacing puts the tire closer to the center of the truck. Hence a rim with a closer to 0 or negative offset will sit further out and allow you to fit wider tires.

Centre of Gravity

When you add bigger tires you are essentially increasing the center of gravity. What does that mean?

Well, we’ve all heard the saying, “what goes up, must come down” meaning the force of gravity pulls everything downwards. Gravity acts in complex ways and what that means for your 4WD is that a high center of gravity can make things turn and topple over, especially if they are high up and unbalanced.

SO, with that being said, adding more height to your 4WD makes it more prone to toppling over, if you do not compensate with a wider tire and wheel with a more negative offset to decrease the backspacing to create more stability.

Adding wider rims and tires will make it handle a lot better off-road and look sexier too!!

Intended Application

Yes, as mentioned in the introduction, a 33-inch tire will do just fine if it’s purely for aesthetics and you never intend to do hard rocky trails. Yes, the 33inch will do just fine in that case where maximum articulation is not an issue. 

Largest Tires on a Stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

So the Rubicon comes out stock with a 33-inch tire. This means you should be able to safely upgrade to a bigger tire without any dramas and still be well within the manufactures specs. Your speedo should still be reading accurately and no strain on drivetrain components or transmission.

There are several Jeep Rubicon owners who fitted 315/70R17 tires and went “wheeling” disconnected with no rubbing or body scrub. Some have fitted 35/12.5R17 and rubbed off-road without disconnecting.

For those interested, here is a link where they fit 37-inch tires with minimum modifications, see below.

Biggest tires on a stock Jeep Wrangler JK

So as mentioned previously, it’s not only the wheel diameter that needs to be considered but also the wheel width, which is also affected by the offset of the rim. 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 the front sway bars most definitely results in some scrub against the body.

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 basically 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 some body scrub 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.

Resources

Rubicon Express 2.5″ Suspension Lift Kit – RE7141

TeraFlex Body Lift Kit – 4152100

General Tire 33×10.50R15LT Tire, Grabber X3 – 4506840000

Rugged Ridge Wheel Spacers – 15201.12

Fit 37’s with the least modifications

Conclusion

We know Jeeps are very versatile vehicles and the extent of your modifications runs as deep as your pocket allows. So basically you can get away with a lot with Wranglers since they are the perfect platform for modification and upgrades. It’s just how they were built

Also, before carrying out any tire upgrade to your Jeep, ask yourself what your intended purpose is with the vehicle since this answer will allow you to either fit larger tires or limit you without any additional suspension mods first. If you follow the guidelines above and you should be safe.

What Is The Largest Tire You Can Fit On A Stock Jeep Wrangler?

Installing larger tires on your Jeep Wrangler is a great way to increase your clearance, traction, and off-road performance. If you’re shopping around, looking to upgrade your tire-size, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a huge variety of sizes available, but you may be surprised to learn that the largest tire you can technically put on your Wrangler is not necessarily the largest tire you should put on your Wrangler.

Table of Contents

  • How Big Of Tires Can You Fit On A Stock Jeep Wrangler?
  • Sizing-Up Considerations
    • Year and Model
    • Suspension Setup
    • Axle Ratio and Engine
    • Backspacing
    • Center of Gravity
    • Application
    • Fender Flares
  • What’s The Largest Tire For Each Wrangler Model? 
    • What are the biggest tires you can put on stock JL rims?
    • What are the biggest tires you can put on stock JK wheels?
    • What are the biggest tires you can put on stock TJ rims?
    • What are the biggest tires you can put on stock YJ rims?
  • Body Lift For Larger Tires
  • Final Thoughts

How Big Of Tires Can You Fit On A Stock Jeep Wrangler?

The largest tire you can fit on a stock Jeep Wrangler without lifting it is generally 33 inches. However, keep in mind that, depending on the Wrangler model, a 33-inch tire may not function ideally, and it could do damage to your rig if you take it off-road.

Sizing-Up Considerations

There are a number of things you need to take into account before deciding on the largest tire you can put on a stock Wrangler. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your Wrangler. Consider the following before up-sizing:

  • Year and model (i.e. generation)
  • Suspension setup
  • Axle ratio and engine size
  • Backspacing
  • Center of gravity
  • Intended application

Let’s take a closer look at the various things to consider when you install larger tires on your Wrangler.

Year and Model

Jeep Wranglers are separated by generations, and within the generations are several different trims. You can find the generation of your Jeep Wrangler based on the model year. The generations of Jeep Wranglers are as follows:

  • YJ 1987 through 1995 model years
  • TJ 1997 through 2006 model years
  • JK 2007 through 2017 model years
  • JL 2018 through the present model year

Why is this important? Because different generations and trims came with different stock tire sizes. For example, the biggest tire you can generally put on a stock TJ and still have full function is 31×10.50 – 15. 

Larger tires on a TJ will likely rub at full flex and may cause other problems if you take the Jeep off-road. The 31×10.50 – 15 tires may also rub at full flex, but you can easily correct that by installing a washer or two on the steering stops. 

The stock tire sizes on the JK generation of Wrangler were 255/75R17, 225/75R16 and 255/70R18. This is slightly bigger than the base stock tire size on the TJ, which was P225/75R15 in most cases. The Rubicon trims on the TJ generation and beyond come with larger standard tires than the other trims.

It’s always a good idea to check what your stock tire and wheel setup are before looking at larger tires. If you bought a used Jeep and aren’t sure of your equipment, you can go here https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin= and enter your VIN after the = sign to find all the stock equipment on your Jeep.

Suspension Setup

The suspension on your Jeep is also a consideration. When you go off-road, you’ll often need maximum suspension flex to go over obstacles. Larger tires without a lift kit can inhibit suspension flex.

The other consideration is the condition of your suspension. If you have a high-mileage Jeep, you might have some extra play or slop in your suspension. Installing larger tires could result in sloppy movement and rubbing. 

If you’re not sure about your suspension strength, then you may need to get a ride height measurement, which is usually done during an alignment. Weak springs can cause one corner to sag lower than the others. Without confirming this, you might end up with three tires that sit properly and one that rubs.

Axle Ratio and Engine

Your engine and axle ratio might also make a difference. For example, the TJ generation came with both a four-cylinder and six-cylinder engine. Part of running larger tires on a Jeep is being able to properly push them. 

The four-cylinder engines on the TJ were known for having trouble pushing anything larger than the stock tires. Even with a lift, your Jeep might have a hard time. The four-cylinder engines on the JK and JL generations have more power than the TJ generation. 

Yet another consideration when it comes to power and axle ratio is the type of tire. Mud tires are heavier than all-terrain tires and require more power to push. You can also check your axle ratio via the Jeep build page mentioned above.

For example, the more desirable 3.73 axle ratio was optional on TJ Sport and Sahara models, so you may not have it unless it shows on your build sheet.  

Backspacing

Backspacing is the measured distance from the inside lip of the wheel to the hub mounting surface. More backspacing means that the tire is closer to the center of your Jeep. If you have a rim with zero or negative offset, then it will sit further out and allow for wider tires.

For example, a zero offset means that the hub mounting surface is at the rim’s exact centerline. This means that your backspacing is equal to half the width of the rim. 

Center of Gravity

Why does the center of gravity matter? When you install larger tires on your Jeep, you’re increasing its center of gravity. A high center of gravity means that your Jeep is easier to turn over.

Jeep Wranglers already have a fairly high center of gravity compared to some other 4X4 vehicles. If you add taller tires but don’t increase the width of your rim, then you mainly achieve a Jeep that is more unstable. For example, if your stock rim is 15×7, you can generally install a 31×10. 50 – 15 tire size.

However, you might want to consider getting 15×8 wheels to increase the backspacing and negative offset. Anything bigger than that tire size will likely require larger wheels.

Application

As previously mentioned, larger tires on your stock Wrangler has a lot to do with the application. If you only intend to drive on the road without using the Wrangler’s famous maneuverability, you can probably squeeze even 35-inch tires on most rigs. Many JK owners say this is no big deal, while it’s a little tougher on a TJ.

On the other hand, if you intend to go off-road, you’ll need every bit of the full flex that a Wrangler is capable of. You don’t want your tires to rub or keep your Wrangler from flexing. In that case, you should either stick with stock tires, go one size up at most, or get a suspension or body lift.

Fender Flares

The first place you’ll generally get rubbing when installing a larger tire is on the fender flares. If that happens, you can either trim the flare or install aftermarket flares that are designed to accommodate larger Wrangler tires. 

Your front flares are more friendly when it comes to this. Rear flares can be harder to work around if your tires rub on the body or the wheel well.

What’s The Largest Tire For Each Wrangler Model?

What are the biggest tires you can put on stock JL rims?

The JL Wrangler is the newest generation and it has larger fender and wheel well openings as well as an upgraded suspension. Running 33-inch tires on a stock JL is easy to do, and you can get 35-inch tires on a Rubicon trim with no problem. 

What are the biggest tires you can put on stock JK wheels?

The Jeep Wrangler JK has three different stock tire sizes, and the stock backspacing is 6.25 inches. The stock sizes are 225/75/16 (29×9), 255/75/17 (32×10) and 255/70/18 (32×10). The largest diameter of tires for a JK is 33 inches. There might still be flex off-road, which could cause fender rub. Adjusting the steering stops with a few washers can fix this. 

What are the biggest tires you can put on stock TJ rims?

In general, the largest tire for a stock TJ with stock wheels and suspension is the 31×10.50 size. This usually allows for full articulation off-road and on-road. If you notice any body rub at full lock, you can easily fix it by installing a washer or two on the steering stops. 

What are the biggest tires you can put on stock YJ rims?

The YJ Wrangler can usually handle 30-inch tires on the stock rims without any issue. You can squeeze the 31×10.50 size on a YJ, but you’ll likely have to add more backspacing and the tires still might rub. It’s not recommended to go off-road with this setup without a lift.

Body Lift For Larger Tires

You don’t always need to get a suspension lift to accommodate larger diameter tires. Body lifts are cheaper and easier to install vs. suspension lifts, and they can give you a few more inches to clear larger tires. 

Final Thoughts

Every Jeep is different, so there’s no exact answer on exactly how big your tires can be. Owners of different generations often report different results with installing larger tire sizes. If you don’t intend to get a lift, the best approach is to be conservative with installing a larger tire size.

Tire and wheel sizes for Jeep Wrangler

Car make: Brand Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley bmw Brilliance Buick byd Cadillac changan Chery Chevrolet Chrysler Citroen Daewoo Daihatsu Datsun Dodge Dongfeng Ds Dw Evolute Exeed FAW Ferrari fiat Ford Foton gac Geely Genesis Great Wall hafei Haima Haval hawtai Honda Hummer Hyundai Infiniti Iran khodro Isuzu Iveco Jac Jaguar Jeep Kia Lamborghini Lancia Land Rover Lexus Lifan Lincoln lotus Maserati Maybach Mazda Mercedes MG Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Opel Peugeot Pontiac Porsche Ravon Renault Rolls Royce Rolls Royce Rover Saab seat Skoda Smart ssangyong Subaru Suzuki Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo Vortex (tagaz) ZAZ Zotye AZLK VAZ GAS OKA TaGAZ UAZ

Model: Model Cherokee Commander Compass Grand Cherokee Liberty Renegade Wrangler Wrangler Unlimited

Modification: Modification2. 0T Rubicon2.0T Sahara2.0T Sport2.42.52.8 CRD3.6 V63.84.0

Year: Year199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022

Body: BodyJKJLTJ

231 TJ

Engine Year Body Tires Discs Tires for tuning Tuning wheels Other
2.0T Rubicon 2018 JL Factory equipment

255/75 R17

Replacement Options

-

main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71. 5 Nut 1/2*20

Factory equipment

7.5x17 ET 44

Replacement Options

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-
-
2019 JL -
2020 JL -
2021 JL -
2022 JL -
2.0T Sahara 2018 JL Factory equipment

255/70 R18

Replacement Options

-

main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71.5 Nut 1/2*20

Factory equipment

7.5x18 ET 44

Replacement Options

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-
-
2019 JL -
2020 JL -
2021 JL -
2022 JL -
2.0T Sport 2018 JL Factory equipment

245/75 R17

Replacement Options

-

main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71.5 Nut 1/2*20

Factory equipment

7. 5x17 ET 44

Replacement Options

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-
-
2019 JL -
2020 JL -
2021 JL -
2022 JL -
2.4 1996 TJ Factory equipment

215/75 R15 225/75 R15

Replacement Options

-

main parameters

PCD:5/114.3 Dia:71.5 Nut

Factory equipment

7x15 ET 31

Replacement Options

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-
-
1997 TJ -
1998 TJ -
1999 TJ -
2000 TJ -
2001 TJ -
2002 TJ -
2003 TJ -
2004 TJ
20036 TJ -
2.5 1996 TJ Factory equipment

215/75 R15 225/75 R15

Replacement Options

-

main parameters

PCD:5/114. 3 Dia:71.5 Nut

Factory equipment

7x15 ET 31

Replacement Options

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-
-
1997 TJ -
1998 TJ -
1999 TJ -
2000 TJ -
2001 TJ -
2002 TJ -
2003 TJ -
2004 TJ -
2005 TJ -
2006 TJ -
2.8 CRD 2006 JK Factory equipment

245/75 R16 245/75 R17

Replacement Options

255/75 R17 255/70 R18

main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71. 5 Nut 1/2*20

Factory equipment

7x16 ET 44

Replacement Options

7.5x17ET44 7.5x18 ET 44

Front axle / Rear axle

-

Front axle / Rear axle

-
-
2007 JK main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71.5 Nut

Factory equipment

7x16 ET 44

Replacement Options

7. 5x17ET44 7.5x18 ET 44

-
2008 JK -
2009 JK -
2010 JK -
2011 JK Factory equipment

245/75 R17 255/70 R18

Replacement Options

255/75 R17

main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71.5 Nut

Factory equipment

7. 5x18 ET 44

Replacement Options

7.5x17 ET 44

-
2012 JK -
2013 JK -
2014 JK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -0450 2015 JK -
2016 JK -
2017 JK -
2018 main parameters

PCD:5/127 Dia:71. 5 Nut 1/2*20

Factory equipment

7.5x18 ET 44

Replacement Options

7.5x17 ET 44

-

Tires for Jeep Wrangler

In order to find out what tires to put on a Jeep Wrangler - select a year and make a choice in favor of one or another engine. You will be presented with a list of recommended sizes for your vehicle.

offers factory-recommended tire sizes for Jeep Wrangler, and tire replacement options. So, in order to pick up and buy tires for Jeep Wrangler, you need to click on the size, and you will be presented with a diverse range of tires of various brands of the appropriate size.

Wheels for Jeep Wrangler

Then, after choosing the appropriate size and tire model, you just have to choose the right wheels for the already selected car tires for your Jeep Wrangler. in addition, without exception, all wheel sizes on the Jeep Wrangler are also offered by the manufacturer's sizes and, of course, such wonderful replacement options. and in order, say, to buy wheels for Jeep Wrangler, it is enough just to click on the recommended factory size or replacement option and choose the right wheel model for yourself from the entire list. and if you still have some questions regarding the choice of rims and car tires, or it is absolutely unclear to you how to select car alloy wheels for Jeep Wrangler, you can easily ask them to our highly qualified managers directly by calling 8 (812) 325 -21-21.

For example, check out the Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

Also you can get acquainted with other models of other brands: Kia Carens, Kia Carnival.

Tires and wheels for Jeep Wrangler, wheel size for Jeep Wrangler

Selection of tires and wheels for Jeep Wrangler

  • 1987
  • 1988
  • 1989
  • 1990
  • 1991
  • 1992
  • 1993
  • 1994
  • 1995
  • 1996
  • 1997
  • 1998
  • 1999
  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2003
  • 2004
  • 2005
  • 2006