Suggestions on bigger/wider tires for my 2017 Jeep?

Hey guys, I just bought my first jeep. It is a 2017 Sahara Jeep Unlimited and I am looking to modify it. I don’t really know anything about cars, but I decided to get a jeep because I just loved how everyone modifys it to be their own.

I want to start off by getting it lifted and getting bigger/wider tires. I get that its all up to me and my preference, but any recommendations on how tall and how big my tires should be? I absolutely love it when tires stick out of the jeep.

 

The newer Wranglers have fenderwells that are large enough that it doesn't take much lift to fit larger tires. In fact with high clearance fenders you may not need any lift at all. Lower center of gravity is better both on and off road.

Bigger tires = less performance (gas mileage, power, etc) unless the axles are regeared....or you may be able to gain some performance back by adjusting the parameters in the computer with a programmer.

Welcome from Oklahoma.

 

^ +1

IMO the answer depends on how you'll use your Jeep. Are you rock crawling, overlanding, or going to the mall? All those scenarios take a different approach to building a Jeep.

So what are your plans with it and what's your budget?

 

Thanks!

What tire size do you recommend if I would want them to stick out of the jeep? I was thinking 33” diameter, but I don’t know what width I should be picking.

My jeep is also my only car, so it will be something I will be driving everyday. I hope to rock crawl soon, but only after I get better tires. Rockcrawling will not be an everyday things. Most likely once a month.

 

My personal favorite look is the Teraflex 4in lift with 37x13.50x17 on 17x9 in wheels. I would install a Spartan locker (inexpensive) or Detroit locker (more expensive) in the back, and then you are good to go for most trails as well. You will probably want 4.55 or 4.56 gears for a more powerful ride, but they are not necessary. Here is mine when I had 37s.

 

A rock crawler as DD is a tough combo depending on how aggressive you intend to wheel. So my suggestion would be to wheel your rig stock, find out its capabilities then upgrade where you see fit.

We had a 2016 Willys that was a 2.5" lift with a 315/70/17 tire (small 35"). We kept the factory wheel and used a spacer to get the wheel backspace from 6.25" to 4.5". Combined with that 12.5" wide tire it stuck out just a bit from the fenders. It did well on the trails and drove well as my wife's DD. More than a 35" and more than 3" of lift starts you down a path of $$$.

Here's a pic of the stance of that Jeep:




Now if you're hitting the rocks you'll want to add some armor and recovery stuff. Engine skid and diff covers would be the first thing to add. Winch and accessories are good too.

Good luck!!

 

Before you get bigger tires you need to stop calling it a car.

 

I plan on sticking with 33” or 35” tires. Thanks for your input!

 

You can run 35s without a lift with flat fenders. If you run a highline or overline fender like metalcloaks you a can run 37s on a stock suspension.

 

What width do you recommend for a thicker tire on a 35”? Will factory fenders work?

 

Something else to keep in mind, your local laws may require the tire to be covered by a fender and the local LEOs may or may not be sticklers regarding this.

 

13.50 is wide...

 

Welcome! Information and experience expressed so far is excellent!

 

Welcome to the forum samyjeep626.

Agree with aggrex. Some awesome advice already given. What stuck out to me in your intro. Is how we make our jeep our own. My advice. Keep that in mind, and don't stray from that idea. I've built my Jeep with that in mind. I've seen this here, and that there ya know. Seek advice. But take your time. Look around at other Jeeps. And build what will suit you best as a DD and a trail rig. Good luck with it. And have fun with it. Your about to find out how much fun owning a Jeep can be. .

 

Awesome place to start. Stance is awesome. Basic lift. And nice tire to fender flare hang out.
I'm running 33s with a 2 inch lift. Basically the same stance. Just a bit wider tire.

 

I tend to like wider tires. I like the grip I get with them, but the general standard width for 33in. and 35in. tires is 12.50in. wide. So that would be 33x12.50.17 or 35x12.50x17 on a 17x9 inch wheel. I have a friend who has a 2in lift with 35s and Flat fenders. He has no rub under full flex. I think if he had the stock fenders he would likely rub some with the 2 in lift. Running a 12.50 wide tire you will likely need a 6in flare if you want to cover them.

 

A 33x10.50r15 will run almost as smooth as factory and kick ass off-road.

When I was running this setup my jeep performed like it was made to run 33s. Even the speedometer was spot on with my GPS where as with the stock tires it was off.

Unfortunately there aren't more than 3 choices in that size because for some retarded reason people started putting 20s on their 4x4s and the demand for non functional size tires outgrew the demand for functional size tires.

Fortunately, the brands that do make a 33x1050 are pretty reputable. BFG, dick cepek and maxxis. I would personally go with the dick cepek extreme country or the maxxis razr.

A 10.50 wide is very close to stock and will offer less rolling resistance, which equals to better gas mileage, handling, less road noise, less stress on the powertrain and suspension, less likely to get a puncture, etc.

Going with a 15" rim may not be as attractive as 20s to some but it allows for the opportunity to run a 6 ply tire. Anything more than 6 is overkill for a lightweight jeep and will feel like your riding on bricks even with the plush stock suspension.

In 33x1050 the tires will also stay within your fenders so you don't kick up rocks and break mirrors or get the jeep full of street grime and or worse if you hit mud.

I think you would be happy with 33s and a leveling kit or a 2.5 inch coil spring lift. This will be inexpensive and will leave room for many improvements if you choose to do so while maintaining the factory ride.

You'll have a jeep that's a lady in the streets but a freak off the street. Especially with quick disconnects for additional traxxion when flexing.

If you want an aggressive stance (tires sticking out of the jeep) look for wheel backspacing of 3.75 or less.

A backspacing of 4 will almost be flush with the fenders but will stick out slightly. A 3 would stick out quite a bit and may even be too aggressive.