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HELP: Dealer recommends 20s and 35s...

13K views 64 replies 31 participants last post by  Irbnick 
#1 ·
So I got my 3 inch rancho lift being put in today... full transparency I went with 3 over 2 inch because I wanted red for my color combination. With that said the dealer I was talking to about tires an rims combination said that if I didn't do 20 inch rims and 35s instead of 18s and 33s. He said that the smaller rim and tire would not fill the space with the lift. There is no price difference between either combination... now I'm confused since all I have been reading was 33's for mainly street, light trails and beach cruising....
 
#2 ·
Here is my 2014 with 17 inch rims with 35's and it fills in nicely...



less wheel more tire that's the motto you will get more out
of your tires that way and as you can see from the pic 35's with a
3" lift fills in ok...measured my Toyo's and they are actually 34's. I don't
think not one person in our jeep club has 20" rims most have 15-18's
 
#14 ·
I don't know how you got that really weird reflection? but you went through the trouble to cover up your license plate with the black line and there's a reflection of your number in the passenger side wheel well.🤔
 
#6 ·
I'm fairly new to this...but I've been doing tons of research and haven't pulled the trigger yet on my lift and wheels and tires. I have a 2016 unlimited sport. I have read practically every thread on the forum and looked at pics that they post. It helped me also to look at all the jeeps at the dealership with the lifts and tire combos to have some idea of how things look. I know I want 35 tires for sure. I like both looks with alot of rubber, but where my wheel isn't a bubble. And I have found I like the larger rim and not as much rubber. Both look great. It's my every day driver, but hope to do some trails and camping...nothing too heavy with giant rocks lol. Now trying to decide on 18x9 or 20x10 fuel assault wheels. I do not want a big gap after my 3-3.5 lift. So 33's and 17/18 inch wheel not an option cuz yes that's too big a gap for me. I think that 35's are totally acceptable for what you want. The Nitto Trail Grapplers or the Toyo RT's are what I have been researching and everyone on here seem to give them great reviews as far as noise etc on the road. So you can do a search on those and get more info than on just those tires. I typed in lifts and got a ton more info on everything. I just don't think from what I've studied that you will have to sacrifice anything really to go 20's with 35's on a 3 inch lift. Someone on here may say I'm wrong...and again I am not a pro...just gathering info and put in my 2 cents. Maybe it helps...maybe it added to your confusion lol.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Offroad 17 inch wheels are much better.

If you don't want big gaps the answer is easy - do a smaller lift. You only need to lift to clear the tires on a two door, a four door only needs 3.5 if it will be out on harder Offroad stuff to clear the belly - otherwise 2.5. I run 37s on 2.5 lift. Bigger isn't always better.

While Trail Grapplers rule in rock crawling, would not recommend them anywhere it snows. Or on a strictly pavement/dirt road daily driver rig where you dont need big heavy wide MTs. They are a heavy tire - be sure to gusset and truss.

I would not even consider 35s on stock gears either.
 
#13 ·
For what you plan on doing in your Jeep, it sounds like price may be a motivator as far as sizing.

Marc gives good advise here. Not only are tires cheaper in the lower wheel diameter, I think that you'll find that some sizes are only available from certain tire manufacturers.

Look at the load range rating of the tires in the size you're considering. If you end up with a load range E sidewall, you'll feel every pebble on the road :-D
In my research, I've found that the load range makes almost as much of a difference as tire pressure. Pay close attention to the load rating of whatever tires (of whatever size) that you decide on


Exco
 
#11 ·
I wouldn't do a 20 inch wheel. 17 inch is my preference size. There are plenty of 35 inch tires for a 17 inch wheel. You can also get 33's but Theyvwill be labeled 285/70r17.

What gear ratio do you have?
 
#16 ·
Good rule of thumb as follows: take the size of your rim and double it, that should be the size of your tire as min. So for a 20" rim, you need to run a 40" tire. 17 would be a 34, 15 would be a 30 etc etc etc.. this will help maintain proper side wall and ride. As with all rules adjust as needed.
 
#18 ·
I have 20" wheels and 35" Toyo MTs on my JKU with a 2.5" RK lift. The combo was on the Jeep when I got it, and I initially hated it. I've been driving it that way for a few years now, and it has really grown on me. Haters gon hate, though. ;)

I don't know where they're getting your prices for wheels and tires, but I know that when it comes time to replace my tires, I could buy new 17" wheels and 35" tires for those wheels for less money than just getting new tires for the 20" wheels.
 
#20 ·
This^^^^

It is amazing what the price difference was. I had 20's when I started. Somewhere around $700 per corner (they were dealer installed...brand new). Used them for about 4 months. Traded a guy for 18's and 35's. I have posted these comparison pics before but really illustrates the difference.

BTW...the ride is much better with the 18's.
 

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#27 ·

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#24 ·
I much prefer the look and feel of more tire less wheel. For this reason I ran 33's on 16s and 37s, 38s, and now 40s on 17s. Looks beefy and rides softer.
 
#26 ·
So I got my 3 inch rancho lift being put in today... full transparency I went with 3 over 2 inch because I wanted red for my color combination.
so, you choose a lift based on "color combination" and not based on a need to "clear X" or "fit Y underneath" or "correct for Z"?

that just seems like a strange way to go about doing things...
of course I am probably looking at it the wrong way...
my goal is to have the least amount of lift as possible, keep center of gravity lower...
I plan on a 2.5" MC lift at some point because I really like their control arms...
and a little extra room for my 35's wouldn't hurt...
but for now, 35's and flat fenders seems to be doing the trick for me...

anyway, no matter what you do, post pic's when you are done...
 
#28 ·
That's for all the feedback - Yes, I know some question the reasoning for the color combination choice, but that was a looks conversation not functionality. 2.5 to 3 is a difference for sure, but there wasn't much in the 2.5 range that did it for me. I have stock gear ratio on a 16 SKU S. After all the research I did as one other in the thread said I came up with 18s and 33's as my best combination. Sounds like I'm not too far off, but I will have to consider the GAP vs ride performance.

BTW, yes, I have a new dealer :)
 
#29 ·
That's for all the feedback - Yes, I know some question the reasoning for the color combination choice, but that was a looks conversation not functionality. 2.5 to 3 is a difference for sure, but there wasn't much in the 2.5 range that did it for me. I have stock gear ratio on a 16 SKU S. After all the research I did as one other in the thread said I came up with 18s and 33's as my best combination. Sounds like I'm not too far off, but I will have to consider the GAP vs ride performance. BTW, yes, I have a new dealer :)
I have 18s on 37" Nittos! I would have rather gone with 17s but my tires are 13.5" wide.

What made you decide on that combo? 18s on 33s???
 
#38 ·
Stock gearing is doable and if you're going for a tough looking jeep...35s. Sorry but I think a 4dr jeep with a 3" lift on 33s looks ridiculous. Maybe on a 2dr but still not what 35s bring to the table.
Been about 17,000 miles so far on my 315 duratracs (light,smaller 35) with 3.21 gears and I've been enjoying every minute of it. Now I'm in a 2dr soft top with stock bumpers and no mountains to deal with so that's going to be subjective but I still tow a 1500lb boat with no problems at all. Auto trans, tire size calibrated with flashpaq.
4.56 gears are going in this spring because I've had the opportunity to save up and I still like to keep building my jeep for performance but if new gears weren't on the table, I'd still be a happy man with these tires and gearing. I know for a fact that If I had let someone talk me out of 35s and done 33s than I would be regretting it every single day. Go with 35s and save up for gears later, you'll be fine.
 
#39 ·
Stock gearing is doable and if you're going for a tough looking jeep...35s. Sorry but I think a 4dr jeep with a 3" lift on 33s looks ridiculous. Maybe on a 2dr but still not what 35s bring to the table. Been about 17,000 miles so far on my 315 duratracs (light,smaller 35) with 3.21 gears and I've been enjoying every minute of it. Now I'm in a 2dr soft top with stock bumpers and no mountains to deal with so that's going to be subjective but I still tow a 1500lb boat with no problems at all. Auto trans, tire size calibrated with flashpaq. 4.56 gears are going in this spring because I've had the opportunity to save up and I still like to keep building my jeep for performance but if new gears weren't on the table, I'd still be a happy man with these tires and gearing. I know for a fact that If I had let someone talk me out of 35s and done 33s than I would be regretting it every single day. Go with 35s and save up for gears later, you'll be fine.
Agree 100%!!
 
#40 ·
Jeepster1228,
Not sure if you noticed but while you blotted the front bumper license plate, there's some sort of afterimage of the plate inside the passenger front fender that allows your plate (at least it appear to be from what I can see of the blotted one) number to be determined.

/a
 
#41 · (Edited)
That's for all the feedback - Yes, I know some question the reasoning for the color combination choice, but that was a looks conversation not functionality. 2.5 to 3 is a difference for sure, but there wasn't much in the 2.5 range that did it for me. I have stock gear ratio on a 16 SKU S. After all the research I did as one other in the thread said I came up with 18s and 33's as my best combination. Sounds like I'm not too far off, but I will have to consider the GAP vs ride performance.

BTW, yes, I have a new dealer :)
IMO slow your roll and wait for mods until you have a better understanding. Sorry to be mean, but choosing a lift because of the color is a sure sign that you're not making decisions based on what's best for your Jeep.

That said, 3" of lift is fine for a 35" tire, but it's tall for a 33". So IF you've already bought the 3" lift then you need to be looking at a 35" tire. 17" or 18" wheel is your choice, you'll find most prefer a 17" but it's no biggie.

So now you'll have 3" of lift and 35s, the stock 3.21 gears won't cut it and you'll need to regear. 4.56 is a common gear for 35s although some street only rigs do 4.10s. So regear for what's best for how you use the Jeep. Most dealers don't do gears and I wouldn't use them even if they did. Find a competent shop and talk to them about what they feel is the best gearing for you.

All this can be done, it's no big deal. 100s if not 1000s on this forum have already gone thru it. Just LISTEN to what people are saying :thumb:

Good luck!
 
#42 ·
If it's purely for looks, nobody can tell you what's right to get it to look the way you want it.

If it's for actual trail/crawling use that can be easy also. What trails? Clearance requirements, etc...?

Mine was easy...no way I'll drive over boulders but I do a lot of logging roads, muddy fields, etc...so I went stock size (255-75-17) and love it. AND, no need to re-gear!
 
#44 ·
actually, 15's or 16's will get you even better prices on tires... and look way better than some blingly 18"
 
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