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Will 35 Inch Tires Fit My Jeep Without a Lift?

XT Staff
By: 

XT Staff

 / Dec 11 2024

Jeep owners know how important it is to be able to take their vehicles into the great outdoors and experience the wild terrain. However, to do this, your Jeep needs to be properly equipped so you don’t end up getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. 35-inch tires are a great way to ensure that your Jeep can handle anything that gets thrown at it, whether it be tough weather or brutal driving conditions.

Wrangler Jeep Lifted

Putting 35-inch tires on your Jeep is a great way to give yourself peace of mind when heading out into the wilderness. Not every Jeep will be compatible with these larger tires, though, and some might need a little modification, including a lift. Knowing whether or not your Jeep will be able to take 35-inch tires and what you need to do to make them compatible will help you make the right choices and get your vehicle ready for the trail.

Benefits of 35-Inch Tires

  • Enhanced Clearance - When you put larger tires on your Jeep, you get an enhanced clearance that is ideal for off-road driving. The last thing you want to deal with in an off-road situation is rocks or stumps scraping to the bottom of your vehicle. Putting 35-inch tires on your Jeep will help you clear those obstacles and get where you are going without any issues.
  • Better Traction - Whenever you create more surface area for your tires, you get better traction. 35-inch tires have an incredibly large contact patch on the ground. This enables you to get better control over the vehicle, especially when driving off-road or in difficult conditions.
  • Visual Appeal - If you are looking to give your Jeep an aggressive stance that will be more visually appealing than the stock look, larger tires are a great option. 35-inch tires have a sporty, unique look that many Jeep owners seek out. In addition to the practical benefits of large tires, you can completely revitalize your Jeep and its aesthetics.

Factors That Determine Whether Your Jeep Will Need a Lift

Factors That Determine Whether Your Jeep Will Need a Lift

Depending on your specific vehicle, 35-inch tires may require you to use a lift kit . This won’t always be the case, though. Knowing some factors that determine whether or not you will need to lift your Jeep to install larger tires will help you make the right choices.

Jeep Model

One of the main factors that come into play when deciding whether you need a lift or not is your specific Jeep model. Some models, such as the Wrangler JLor Gladiator, have enough clearance when they are stock to accommodate all kinds of tire sizes while only needing a small lift if any. A Grand Cherokee or other Wrangler model, though, may need a lift in order for 35-inch tires to be compatible. Many off-road packages and trim levels will come with proper clearance, so it is important to know what specific model you have.

Clearance

The clearance you have in your Jeep’s wheel wells is an essential part of whether or not you will need to lift the vehicle to make the larger tires fit. In some cases, you will be able to install the tires without using a lift kit if you can trim away some areas of the fenders or the wheel wells. Creating this clearance can work but you will almost always need to do some type of modification. Oftentimes, doing a small lift will be much cheaper and easier than modding the vehicle’s body.

Terrain

Depending on the terrain you will be driving on with your 35-inch tires, you may need more or less lift to make them compatible. Typically, if you are driving on the street, you will not need much in the way of lift because the suspension will not be moving up and down much and you run very little risk of the tires rubbing on the fenders and wheel wells. If you are planning on doing a lot of off-roading, though, you will almost certainly need a few inches of lift. Since most people want larger tires for their off-roading capabilities, it is a good idea to plan for a lift.

Lifted Wrangler Jeep White

Backspacing and Offset

The backspacing and offset of the wheels will also play a big part in whether you need a lift and how much it needs to be. Backspacing refers to how far out the wheels are while offset refers to how close they are to the back and front of the vehicle. In some cases, you will be able to get away with very little lift by adjusting the backspacing and offset to avoid rubbing on the wheel wells or the suspension components.

If you want to get your Jeep ready for the wilderness, ExtremeTerrain has you covered. Our wide selection of tire options and lift kits will ensure that your modifications will be compatible and that everything will run smoothly. Plus, with fast shipping, you can be headed out on the trail in no time.