The advantages and disadvantages of 33″ vs. 35″ tires, as well as the physical distinctions between both the two, will be discussed in this article.
Larger, more abrasive tires are almost certainly on your wish list if you want to increase your 4X4’s off-road capability or simply give it a tougher look. However, you’ll almost certainly need a lift kit to fit insanely enormous tires.
As you can see from the figure, installing a larger tire will raise the vehicle’s overall height, but there’s not enough room in the fender well to accommodate the tire. We’ll use a lift kit to raise the height between the car frame and the axles to fit the larger tire.
The amount of lift required will be determined by your unique car and the amount of space you want in the fenders after finishing. The present generation Jeep Wrangler JK has spacious fenders that can accommodate 35-inch tires with as little as a 2-inch elevation.
To fit the same size tire on the previous version TJ Wrangler, you’d need more than twice as much. Auto forums on the internet are an excellent source to find out how much lift you’ll need to suit a specific tire size on your vehicle. Many raise kit manufacturers will also include tire size recommendations for each of their kits.
A 35-inch tire has about an inch more clearance at the axle than a 33-inch tire.
In most circumstances, the number of changes you’ll need to do will be determined by how high you wish to go. Keep in mind that your vehicle was built to run on specific tire size, so differential gearing, steering, driveline angles, and brakes may need to be adjusted or updated to accommodate the larger, larger tires.
In the first place, why should I lift my tires?
We may have to elevate our automobiles for a variety of reasons, including the necessity to change tires in the event of a flat, to work somewhere under the vehicle, or, in certain rare cases, to liberate a vehicle stuck in mud or other obstructions.
Another scenario is when we use specialized lifting kits to lift or raise the heights of our trucks to accommodate larger tires or gain more traction.
That may not seem like much, but that 1 inch can mean the difference between getting stuck and scraping by. So, are big wheels the holy grail of off-roading, are there other elements and considerations that really are equally, if not even more, essential?
Do Larger Tires Help Your Truck Lift?
Yes, they do, resulting in a significant increase in the vehicle’s ground clearance. Furthermore, larger tires improve your truck’s hauling agility and make handling easier.
What’s the Difference Between 33″ and 35″ Tires?
Yes, there are more vital considerations than fitting your 4WD with the largest tire available. Among this include, but are not limited to:
- Is the drivetrain capable of supporting the weight of the minimum suspension lift?
- Torque sufficient to accommodate the additional unsprung weight
- Angles of Articulation/Down Travel CV (IFS)
Off-roading with a larger diameter tire is often preferable, providing your vehicle has adequate torque to carry those hefty tires off-road and your drivetrain can handle the extra weight.
What you actually need to consider is what’s more essential to you, and whether the additional complications that come with large tire improvements are worth it. Most SFA trucks with 33s, for example, will be equally as capable as those with 35s 99 percent of the time, and there will always be a situation where the larger tire will perform.
So, how often will this situation develop, and will the increased difficulty and cost of fitting 35’s outweigh the number of times you’ll actually need it? This is extremely dependent on the type of off-roading you do.
I suppose it depends on the type of wheeling you prefer or whether the truck is specifically designed for off-road use.
We’ve determined that the 35″ tire will provide around 1″ of clearance on the axle, but there are a few additional things to consider first.
- CV Joints with a Differential Strength (IFS)
- Clearance between the fenders
- Clearance from the UCA
- Backspacing/Wheel Offset
- ratios of gears
- Accuracy of the speedometer
- Consumption of fuel
- At the wheels, torque
Your Drivetrain and 35″ Tires
The weight is part of the unsprung weight because it is below the spring suspension. Fuel efficiency, performance, gearing, and other drivetrain components all suffer as a result of the extra weight.
However, a 35-inch tire will put a greater burden on the drivetrain in terms of performance and hauling the 4WD over obstacles off-road.
Yes, it provides you an extra inch of clearance, but there are some drawbacks as well.
There are two basic methods for “lifting” your vehicle
There are two fundamental methods for “lifting” your car: A suspension lift, which replaces most of the factory suspension components with stronger duty parts, and a body lift, which comprises spacers inserted between the frame and the body of the vehicle.
A body lift raises the vehicle’s average elevation while keeping the factory suspension in place; it’s the cheapest way to enhance ground clearance and make room for wider tires, but it should be used with caution because the factory suspension may not be able to manage the added weight.
Suspension lifts are usually the safer option because suspension kits accommodate the weight of the larger tires.
To estimate how much taller your car will be with a lift and larger tires, multiply the lift amount by half the tire height increase.
If you start with a 30-inch factory tire and add a 4-inch raise with 37-inch tires, your car will now be 6.5 inches taller than stock (4 inches of lift, and 2.5 inches of increased tire height). So because height will only grow by the amount of tire that is under the axle, we use half of the tire difference. The larger tire will raise the axle’s height, while the suspension or body lift will raise the vehicle’s height over the axle.
Due to the heightened center of gravity, lifting a vehicle can have a negative impact on its feel and handling. When driving a lifted car, extreme caution is advised, as the rollover is considerably more likely when making quick corners than with standard suspension.
35’s Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Ground clearance has been improved.
- Aesthetics have been improved.
- Traction has improved.
- Improved on-road and off-road stability
Cons
- Expensive
- In most cases, diff requires re-gearing.
- The speedometer reading will be off.
- Fuel use has increased.
- A higher lift kit is required (2.5”-3” depending on the vehicle).
- sluggish execution
- Increased wear and tear on drivetrain components
- CV angles that are aggressive (IFS Trucks)
What’s the difference between 33″ and 35″ tires, and how does it affect your speedometer?
Your speedo may be thrown out if you convert from a stock tire to one with a greater aspect ratio (Sidewall), increasing the wheel circumference. In the case of 33” tires, the diameter will be bigger, and the aspect ratio will be higher.
This may cause your speedometer to read incorrectly. The faster you drive, the greater the increase in tire circumference, which means the actual speed will be higher.
Lift/trim/chop minimum requirements for 35″ tires
It’s no longer a secret or a guessing game to put 35″ tires on your truck. As more 4WD owners complete this update, we have a better idea of what to expect if you wish to join the 35” club. There are a few things you should be aware of, and perhaps this article will help you understand what’s involved.
To fit 35-inch tires on your truck, you’ll need to adjust your suspension by 3.5” to 6” depending on the vehicle and whether you have an IFS or SFA front suspension. Other 35” tire requirements could include:
- Trimming fenders
- Crash bars have been relocated (IFS)
- UCAs that can be adjusted aftermarket (IFS)
- Rims with a negative offset of at least 16 inches are required.
- Recalibration of the speedometer
- Re-gearing Difficulty
35-inch tires will undeniably improve the appearance and performance of your car. However, there are a few advantages and disadvantages to this upgrading, which we’ll discuss further.
Is It Possible To Fit 35s With A 2 Inch Lift?
Yes, you can fit a 35s with a 2-inch lift in most cases. There are, however, other factors to consider. For example, if you don’t have flat fenders, you’ll have little to no room between your tires and the fender flares.
What Are the Most Important Factors to Consider When Installing 35s Tires On Different Car Models?
When considering putting 35s on various car models, there are a few things to consider.
Some of these factors to consider are the consequences on your drivetrain system and transmission, which, in most cases, result in a reduction in vehicle performance. The following procedures will allow you to easily install the 35s on a variety of car models.
3rd Generation Tacoma
The installation of 35-inch tires in this vehicle necessitates few, if any, modifications. You’ll need an aftermarket suspension with the shortest lift possible, which is 2.5 to 3 inches for offroad use.
You’ll also need a lift, negative offset rims, and several other changes. It’s a simple process on the back wheels, especially if you reduce the wheel arch for improved clearance, albeit you may lose your wheel arch liners.
Wrangler Jeep Wrangler
To maintain optimal articulation offroad when upgrading to 35s on a Jeep Wrangler, you’ll almost probably need a minimum lift of 2.5 to 3.5 inches. If you employ such a large lift, the vehicle’s suspension geometry will almost definitely be destroyed.
To avoid this, you may need to install aftermarket front and rear track bars, as well as upper or lower front control arms, to re-align the front axle beneath the jeep. It’s possible that you’ll need to change your springs, sway bar linkages, and brake lines as well.
Models of the Chevrolet Silverado and Sierra from 2014 to 2019
The Silverado is thought to be capable of running 35s with only a 4-inch raise, however, some modifications may be required.
Whenever you are lifting a Silverado/Sierra, you will most likely go for a 6-inch lift, in order to avoid any trimming and cutting.
Without a doubt, you will need at least 4 inches to run 35 X 12.5 tires and also a 9-inch wide rim. The bigger rim will require a 6-inch lift due to its -44 offset, which is likely to force the tires out a lot.
Conclusion
Before putting a load on pricey large tires, there are several factors to consider.
You should first figure out which application is the most important to upgrade. Is it merely for aesthetics, or do you require optimum utility, off-road capability, and articulation?