So you want bigger tires on your Jeep Gladiator and you want to know what is the biggest size you can use without a lot of additional modifications. This article discusses the larger tires you can fit on Gladiator Sport and Rubicon models and what you need with and without lift kits.
The largest tire size you can fit on a regular Jeep Gladiator Rubicon without any additional modifications is 35". You can run 285/75-17 or about on a regular Gladiator Sport model without a lift kit 33.8".
Fortunately, the Gladiator has a lot of room for modification and can accommodate a variety of tire sizes thanks to its suspension layout and wheelbase. However, that doesn't mean you should try to cram the biggest tires into your vehicle. You should ask yourself what the primary purpose of the vehicle is, for example towing, landing, show and shine or serious off-roading, also known as "running the wheel". Each application has different tire size recommendations.
For the sake of the discussion/article, let's say you want the biggest deck that covers the most uses.
Table of Contents
Largest tire for Jeep Gladiator (without lift kit)
The next section of this article is dedicated to the Jeep Gladiator Sport derivative. We've looked at the largest tire size you can fit without a lift kit and what additional modifications you need to make to fit 35-inch tires.
Part 1 – The biggest tires on the Jeep Gladiator Sport S
Since the Gladiator is a truck, the rear suspension is about 1.5 inches higher than the front. It is designed to allow you to load the rear to maximum capacity and allows the truck to be level with the front without the rear hanging too much.
What happens when the back seat is lower than the front seat?
If the rear of the bed is level or lower when heavily loaded, your headlights will shine directly into oncoming traffic. Your truck's steering will also be rather fuzzy and leaner than usual. This is why the rear has 1.5" more clearance than the front. It also means you can easily mount larger tires on the rear without too much trouble. So there is no need for spacers or rear leveling kits. If you don't have plans whether towing a heavy trailer or loading heavily in the rear, you can install a ¾" front leveling kit for additional front lift, but it is not required. This is purely for aesthetics.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to fitting larger, heavier tires.
Installing larger, heavier 35-inch tires on the Jeep Gladiator can adversely affect:
- fuel consumption
- braking distance
- Accelerates performance.
Also, the chances of a tire blowout are significantly increased due to the narrower fenders on the Sport model, which is illegal in some US states. You will also experience some light rubbing against the front plastic shell of the bumper when it is fully locked. You will need to remove the plastic shields from the bumper when they touch, when they swing and are fully locked. Consider upgrading the wide screens when installing 35s on your Gladiator Sport. Wheelbase or rear clearance is perfect, plenty of room for full steering lock without rubbing.
Keep in mind that this can be fixed with light trimming and cutting off plastic bumper pieces, but this is by no means the best setup for off-road applications. Off-road, you'll want to take advantage of the Gladiators' excellent clearance, so you'll want to install at least 2-2.5 inches of lift kit to get the most out of the 35" tires.
When using wheels and suspension on the Gladiator Sport, you can safely consider the following dimensions without further modifications:
- 285/70,17
- 295/70,17
- 285/75,17
If you're considering going up to size 315/70.17 on your Sport, be prepared for some friction and you'll want to use the stock Sport with the stock wheels as much as possible.
Module 2 – The largest deck in Duel Rubicon
Compared to the Gladiator Sport, the Rubicon has a longer wheelbase and raised suspension. 35" tires fit easily on Gladiator Rubicon models without additional modifications. On Rubicon/Mojave models, 35s do not require a lift kit, and the 4.10 gear ratio is short enough to pull heavy 35s effortlessly. The 35" tires are absolutely the most practical solids for traction, off-road and everyday driving. They also look great.
If you want to buy tires larger than 35 inches (like 37 inches), you have to make more modifications and spend more hard earned money to make them work.
Section 3 – Do Gladiator Rubicon Tires Fit the Stock Gladiator Sport?
Yes, the regular Rubicon tires measure approximately 33 inches. They measure 285/70/17 and are only 0.25 inches or 6.35 mm taller than 245/75/17 Sport/Sahara/Overland tires. This means Rubicon tires are compatible with any Gladiator model and require no additional modifications to fit.
Section 4 - Speedometer reading between 33" and 35" tires.
The table below shows how the speedometer reading is affected between 33" and 35".
| 33" Speedometer readout | 20 mph | 30 mph | 40 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 80 mph | 90 mph |
| 35" ratio readout | 21,3 mph | 32 mph | 42,7 mph | 53,4 mph | 64 mph | 74,7 mph | 85,4 mph | 96 mph |
Watch - 35 seconds of use in gladiatorial sports (video)
The difference between 33″ and 35″ tires (size/height/weight)
When it comes to big tire upgrades, everyone seems to hate oversized tires and big lifts. This article will discuss the pros and cons of 33" vs. 35" tires, as well as the physical differences between the two. How much does the extra 2 inches of tire clearance affect the track?
A 35" tire has about 1 inch more wheelbase than a 33" tire.
Now that might not sound like much, but 1 inch can mean the difference between hanging up a phone and trying to scrape off an obstacle. Are large tires the holy grail of off-road driving, or are there other elements and factors that are just as, if not more, important.
Let's find out!
The difference between 33″ and 35″ tires (size/height/weight)
User experience and feedback
user 1
34 inch tires on stock rims with standard Sport S Max Tow bumpers, my tires rub on max left or right and off road with moderate suspension links. I later added 2.5 inches of lift and still got a little grip/rub from the front end with moderate knuckles and max corners, but very little. Offset wheels will help eliminate this, I have cut the fenders to bridge the front fenders and bumper. New steel, clearance-compatible bumpers are on the way, which should eliminate occasional off-road friction during maximum turns and articulations.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/largest-tires-on-an-unlifted-sport.23924/
user 2
285/75r17 Falken wildpeaks with 17×7.5 rubicon rims...no rubbing and nothing to remove. The tires are just under 34 but appear to be much larger than the 285/70r17. I am attaching a comparison of the two.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/largest-tires-on-an-unlifted-sport.23924/
user 3
I wouldn't go over 33 if you plan to tow. My take on the power loss on 35s tends to lead to owners on this forum complaining about upgrades and/or looking for more mpg. I also have a jtmt, no more than 285/75/17z
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/largest-tire-size-max-tow-without-lift.47041/
resource
- https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/largest-tires-on-an-unlifted-sport.23924/
- https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/largest-tire-size-max-tow-without-lift.47041/
Finally
Bottom line, if done right, putting bigger wheels on the Gladiator will improve looks, handling, and overall off-road and towing ability. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's specifications for best results. Unfortunately, it's not all roses. When installing oversized tires on any vehicle, be prepared for decreased acceleration, braking and fuel consumption. That said, it's still a valuable mod if you get it right.