Jeep Tire Size Guide by Lift Height: What Fits Without Rubbing
Quick Answer
Choosing tires for a lifted Jeep is more than picking a diameter. This guide matches tire sizes to lift heights across Wrangler and Gladiator platforms so you avoid rubbing, fender trimming, and steering geometry problems.
Why Lift Height Dictates Tire Size
The relationship between lift height and tire diameter is the single most important fitment consideration on any Jeep. Install tires that are too large for your lift and you will experience rubbing at full steering lock, contact with control arms during articulation, and premature wear on fender flares and pinch seams. Go too small and you leave ground clearance on the table while throwing off your speedometer calibration and gear ratios for no benefit.
Lift height is not measured at the bumper or fender. It is measured as the change in distance between the axle centerline and the frame rail compared to the factory specification. A 2.5-inch lift means the frame sits 2.5 inches higher relative to the axles than it did from the factory. This distinction matters because body lifts, which raise the body but not the frame, do not provide additional tire clearance in the wheel wells the way a suspension lift does.
Beyond raw diameter, tire width plays a role. A 35x12.50R17 tire is substantially wider than a 35x10.50R17, and that extra width can cause interference with inner fender liners and upper control arm mounts. When shopping for tires, always evaluate both the diameter and the section width against your specific lift and wheel offset combination.
Tire Size by Lift Height: JK and JL Wrangler
The following chart represents real-world fitment data gathered from thousands of JK (2007-2018) and JL (2018-present) Wrangler builds. These sizes assume a wheel with moderate backspacing (4.5 to 4.75 inches) and no significant fender trimming. Individual results may vary depending on wheel offset, bump stop height, and control arm length.
| Lift Height | Max Tire Size (JK) | Max Tire Size (JL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock (0") | 33x10.50R17 | 33x10.50R17 | Rubicon ships with 33s from the factory on JL |
| 1.5" - 2" | 33x12.50R17 | 35x10.50R17 | JL has more fender clearance than JK at same lift |
| 2.5" - 3" | 35x12.50R17 | 35x12.50R17 | Most popular combination; minimal trimming needed |
| 3.5" - 4" | 37x12.50R17 | 37x12.50R17 | Requires flat fenders or trimming on JK; JL fits easier |
| 4.5" - 6" | 37x13.50R17 / 40x13.50R17 | 40x13.50R17 | Regearing to 4.88 or 5.13 strongly recommended |
Gladiator-Specific Considerations
The Jeep Gladiator (JT) shares the JL Wrangler front suspension and steering geometry but adds a longer wheelbase and bed weight. The extra wheelbase actually helps with tire clearance during turns because the rear axle is farther from the cab, but the added weight means your springs settle more under load. If you regularly carry cargo in the bed, consider sizing your tires for the loaded ride height rather than the unloaded height.
Gladiator owners running 37-inch tires on a 3.5-inch lift should pay special attention to the rear bump stops. The factory bump stops allow enough compression to cause contact between 37s and the bed-mount area during heavy articulation. Adjustable bump stops or a 0.5-inch bump stop extension solves this. On the front end, the Gladiator behaves identically to the JL Wrangler for tire fitment purposes.
Regearing: When Bigger Tires Demand New Axle Ratios
Increasing tire diameter without changing your axle gear ratio is like riding a bicycle in too high a gear. The engine has to work harder to turn the larger tires, which causes sluggish acceleration, higher transmission temperatures, and noticeably worse fuel economy. The general rule is to match your new effective gear ratio to what the factory intended.
The JL Wrangler with the 3.6L V6 ships with 3.45 gears (Sport/Sahara) or 4.10 gears (Rubicon). Moving to 35-inch tires on 3.45 gears makes the Jeep feel underpowered, especially on highway on-ramps. Regearing to 4.56 restores the factory feel. Moving to 37s demands 4.88 gears at minimum. If you go to 40-inch tires, 5.13 or 5.38 gears are necessary to keep the Jeep driveable.
Regearing is not cheap, typically running $1,500 to $2,500 for both axles including parts and labor. But skipping it means you will burn through transmissions and transfer cases faster, and the fuel economy penalty alone can cost more than the regear over the life of the vehicle.
- •33" tires: Stock gears are fine (3.45 or 4.10)
- •35" tires on 3.45 gears: Regear to 4.56
- •35" tires on 4.10 gears: 4.56 recommended but not critical
- •37" tires: 4.88 gears minimum
- •40" tires: 5.13 or 5.38 gears required
Additional Modifications for Larger Tires
Once you exceed 35-inch tires, the tire-and-lift combination is only part of the equation. You will likely need to address several other components to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Steering stabilizers become more important as tire weight increases. The factory single stabilizer may allow death wobble with heavy 37-inch tires, especially if other steering components have any wear. A dual stabilizer setup or a high-quality replacement dampens oscillation more effectively.
Driveshaft angles change as lift height increases. Lifts over 3 inches typically require an adjustable front track bar, adjustable control arms, or a slip-yoke eliminator and CV-style driveshaft to correct the pinion angle and prevent vibrations. On the JL Wrangler and Gladiator, the factory aluminum driveshafts are adequate up to about 3.5 inches of lift. Beyond that, an aftermarket 1350-series driveshaft is a worthwhile investment.
Speedometer recalibration is mandatory after changing tire size. Inaccurate speedometer readings affect your ABS, traction control, and transmission shift points. Most Jeep dealerships can reprogram the PCM with the correct tire size, or you can use an aftermarket programmer.