Desiring bigger size tires is a common finding and not seen only by those who wish their vehicle to have a more sturdy look. Rather, larger tires are also desired by those who wish to customize their vehicle, add something to it that will allow it to be easily differentiated from other vehicles, and also improve its driving performance at the same time.
You cannot however go ahead to fit whatever tire size you deem fit for your car as not all sizes can fit a stock Jk without some form of modification.
So, Will 35’s fit on a stock JK? Most of the answers to this question will come in the phrase ” it depends”. For a tire to fit perfectly well, one of the factors to bring first into consideration is the wheel of the car well.
Different models of JK cars, depending on the year of production have different sizes of wheels well. This means, that a larger tire size such as 35s may fit one model of JK but not the other.
Take, for example, JK 2007-2018 models do not have any problem with larger tire sizes and do not require any form of adjustment to have a large size tire such as 35 inches installed.
This is because these models have the largest wheel well and can accommodate a tire that large. Not all the JK models however have this advantage, see will require some fo pf adjustments or modifications following the installation of large-size tires.
Take the 2017 sports model for example, yes, the 35-size tires can be installed on them, but this will require lifting and other adjustments.
What is needed to install 35′ tires on a stock JK?
The moment you step outside the factory tires for your car, you are faced with the question of whether the new customized size will fit perfectly or create additional problems for you. For this reason, care must be taken to only go with what is most fitting for your car.
The most common of the challenges faced by those who install large size tires such as the 35-inch size tires without considering the dimensions of their car and that of the tire is that they soon discover the tire runs against some part of the vehicle.
In the case of the 2017 model of the JK sports car, the challenge is common with the splash guard. The splash guard is a necessary but expendable car accessory that keeps the body of the car protected from muddy roads and other wet road conditions.
When the 35-inch tire is installed, the tire tends to rub against the splash protector, this is neither okay for the splash guard nor the tire and will cause an unpleasant characteristic noise.
When faced with this sort of challenge, what is commonly done by some is to have the splash protector trimmed in such a way that there is enough allowance between it and the tire to keep the tire away from rubbing off on it. It has also been advised to have the splash protector or guard removed completely. The splash guard is not an indispensable car part and can be removed as a cost you pay for beauty.
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What is the recommended tire size for a stock JK?
Why the advocacy to stick with certain sizes and not install certain sizes of the tire? This is on account of the different challenges faced with inappropriate tire size. Usually, for front tires, the front of the tire is not commonly an issue as there is usually enough allowance there.
The space between the car frame and the tire is enough to allow the installation of a 35-inch tire size. Most of the challenge is faced with the space behind the front bumper. This space is not usually as spacious as that in front and tends to create a rubbing problem with large tires.
If you drive a wrangler, you probably will not have any cause to worry about apart from the front tires. This is because the rear of this model is accommodative enough and the 35-inch tire size will not constitute any problem.
Concerns about the large tire rubbing on parts of the framework of the car are seen only where there is not enough space or allowance.
When discussing what is recommended for a stock JK, the literature, as well as advice from experts based on their findings and experience, has it that the 33-inch inches tire size is what is commonly advanced to have on your stock JK.
remember tire size is not a function of a single factor, several things are bought into consideration before deciding on what fits and what does not. For example, in deciding the right tire size for your stock JK, you must consider the model of the car in terms of a year, the offset of the well as well as its clearance.
Can 35s fit a stock JK without a lift?
Depending on your JK model 35 inches of the tire can become a big deal, especially with a model that does not have enough wheel well allowance.
When the question of whether a 35-inch tire fits a stock JK without a lift is asked, I always tell people to have in mind not all tires designated as 35 inches are 35 inches in size.
Some companies have been noted to have tires whose sizes are considerably close to the slated size on the sidewall while others have sizes that differ by more than 1.25 inches from what is stated.
It is therefore possible to have a tire that is said to be 35 inches but in actual sense is just about 33.75 or there about.
Therefore once you hear a 35-inch tire, do not be quick to assume this will be exactly the case. Tire companies such as Nitto have over time maintained a tire size not too far from what is stated on the sidewall.
Lift is not necessary for some but is in others depending on your allowance for the tire.
A lot of worries come with large-size tires like the 35-inch tire. Aside from rubbing on the car, a spare tire larger than the factory size may not fit perfectly in the tire carrier and may cause the tailgate from closing properly.
With the 35-size tire, you do not expect to encounter difficulty closing the tailgate. However, something to anticipate is a characteristic rattling noise made by the tire each time the car drives over a bumpy road condition.
How to fit 35s on a stock JK?
So, let’s be realistic, no more kidding, what will happen when a 35-inch tire is installed on a stock JK? does this fit, will you face any shortcomings? what should you expect? It is time to answer these questions as precisely as possible. Indeed, 35-inch size car tires are generally compatible with a stock JK, sometimes needing modification and at other times fitting perfectly without a lift.
Aesthetics may not be the only goal of those who seek after bugger tires. There is no need to be judgemental about larger tires, anyone can go for them without necessarily having reasons such as improvement of off-road performance or other similar notable reasons. When you make up your mind to go about this, here are some of the ways this can be achieved.
First, you will have to consider trimming down your flares by at least 3 to 4 inches. A 35 inches tire size may rub against the flares. Thankfully, these flares are usually plastic and can be trimmed by even the inexperienced using a simple knife.
Other suggestions include the use of a bump stop extension, spacer lift, body and suspension lift, or other lift kits. Some of the modifications can be gotten for a few dollars and self-installed while others may require the experience and knowledge of a tire expert.
The flares removed can be replaced with one which is much larger than the factory product to create more allowance to prevent the rubbing of the large 35-inch tire.
When installing large tires such as the 35-inch tires, the individual commonly has in the ack of their mind, the goal of ridding off-road, a terrain in which without such tires, the car will be at risk of rubbing against the ground.
The general recommendation is that irrespective of the model of JK cars you intend to install the 35-inch tire, as long as you wish to ride the car off-road, then ensure you also got a 2-inch lift alongside. This is the list you can do such situation. However, if you are not at any point going to drive the car off-road, this may not be an absolute necessity.
Will 35’s Fit On A Stock JK – Conclusion
Each time the installation of a tire larger than the factory size is mentioned, there is concern and apprehension about challenges such as rubbing of body parts by the tire. With the 35-inch tire size on a stock JK, you do not have to worry about any of such especially following the institution of the necessary modifications and adjustments needed for a well-fitting tire.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.