For many Jeep or truck owners, increasing their off-road tire size is one of the first upgrades to be done. Whether it’s for a sportier appearance or for better off-road performance, increasing off-road tire size can improve the performance of your vehicle both on and off the pavement. Deciding on how much larger you want to increase the size over stock depends on a few factors. Sometimes you can get away with an increase of an inch or two without any significant modifications that need to be done but if you’re looking for a significant increase, it’s definitely not that simple. To ensure that you have the proper clearance between your new oversize tires and the fenders of your Jeep or truck, you may end up needing anything from a leveling kit to a full blown lift kit, and it doesn’t stop there. Depending on how large you decide to go, you may need to go with different wheels, re-gear your driveline, and re-calibrate your speedometer so you know just how fast you’re going after these mods are done.

That’s why we’re here. Maybe you’ve been involved in the off-road culture and all of this information is second nature to you, but there are many newcomers to this great lifestyle who might not have the first clue about what they’re doing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that because we’ve all been there at one time or another. That’s why we’re here to help. We want to share the years of experience that our editorial team has so you can make a properly informed decision on the products you need to get.

Once you’ve figured out everything you need to properly outfit your vehicle and you’re ready to make your purchase, be sure to take advantage of a special offer for our readers. We’ve partnered with 4 Wheel Parts to offer a 10% discount when you enter our exclusive code OFFROAD104WP at checkout when you shop 4WheelParts.com.

 

Table of contents

Tires

silver jeep rock crawling at rubicon

Of course topping this list would be making the right tire selection for your vehicle. If you don’t know what kind of tire you want to go with, it really depends on what your intentions are for your vehicle. If you’re up in the air on your choice of tires, we can help to make the right decision. If your idea of off-roading is hitting your local trail system that consists of relatively tame fire roads, you can likely do just fine with a good all-terrain style of tire. These tires typically have a more aggressive tread than the stock “street” tires that came on your rig, aren’t overly loud at highway speeds, that offer good traction both on and off-road, and have excellent tread life.

One such tire that fits this description perfectly are the Pro Comp A/T Sport Tires. These tires come in a wide variety of sizes, load ranges, and have a unique rubber compound that offers a great balance of on and off-road performance.

Now if you’re looking to do some more aggressive off-roading in deep mud, sand or rocky terrain, you want a tire that has an aggressive tread pattern, which will give you loud road noise when at highway speeds. Additionally these tires normally have a softer rubber compound than an all-terrain tire for increased tire bite in loose trail conditions.

One of the most popular aggressive tires for this kind of terrain is the BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2. These mud terrain tires are offered in a wide variety of sizes, load ratings, and has an aggressive tread pattern for excellent tire bite, yet still has excellent self-cleaning qualities. Its 3-ply construction offers great puncture resistance and excellent handling for trucks, SUVs and Jeeps.

While these are just two offerings that we particularly like as upgrades for your off-road vehicle, 4 Wheel Parts has a huge selection of tires for you to choose. If you live close to one of their many locations, they can also handle mounting and balancing them for you.

Check Price On Pro Comp A/T Sport Tires At 4 Wheel Parts
Check Price On BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 Tires At 4 Wheel Parts
See All Tire Options At 4 Wheel Parts

Wheels

Since we’re talking about making your rig look better with different tires, we might as well look into upgrading your wheels. Aside from stock wheels not being generally attractive, many are either made from heavy cast aluminum or steel. Aftermarket wheels can make your rig way more attractive, have special features like beadlocks, and even be lighter and stronger that what you’re currently running.

The Method Race Wheels 315 Series Machined Wheels look great with their shiny finish and simulated beadlock, yet are lightweight and stronger than most stock wheels.

While we have our favorite styles, everyone’s tastes are very different. This is why shopping at 4 Wheel Parts has its advantages for you. With some great brands like Pro Comp, Raceline Wheels, Method Race Wheels, and even their own house line, you can get your tires and wheels in one shot delivered straight to your house or you can have them mounted at your closest 4 Wheel Parts store.

See All Wheels At 4 Wheel Parts

Leveling Kits Vs. Lift Kits

If you’re planning on increasing the tire size on your truck, SUV or Jeep, you might be able to get away with a slight increase without doing any kind of upgrades. You do stand the chance of dealing with tire rub during suspension articulation or tight turning situations. Some of this can be remedied by the trimming of fenders and/or bumpers or the addition of wheel spacers.

A very common modification people like to go with on many trucks and SUVs is the addition of a leveling kit. Almost every vehicle comes from the factory a little nose heavy and a leveling kit can give that front end a little boost to both make your vehicle level front to back, and also provide a bit of tire clearance for when you increase your tire size. Some leveling kits are as simple as adding a couple of spacers to your front suspension, while others may be more involved by requiring you to change out your coil springs and add a new set of shocks for the increased suspension travel. If this is the route you’re considering, be sure to do some research on different kits because many of them will tell you how large of a tire you can run with their system.

If you’re looking to level your your vehicle and maybe gain some tire clearance, a leveling kit may be just what you need and won’t break the bank.

Now if you want to significantly increase your tire size, a suspension lift kit might in order for you. These kits are much more involved and labor intensive since they might require you to replace control arms, steering components, springs and shocks. Just like the aforementioned leveling kits, many suspension lift kits will tell you just how large of a tire you’ll be able to run with their systems. What is nice about these kits is that they’ll increase your suspension travel for better off-road articulation and better on-road ride and stability. The biggest negative about these is their high price tag, but like they say you get what you pay for.

Not only will a suspension lift give you the clearance you need to run larger tires, you’ll also get increased articulation and travel by changing out your stock suspension components.

As one of most well known off-road parts suppliers in the industry, 4 Wheel Parts has a huge selection of some of the best lift and leveling kits in the business from companies like Trail Master, Rubicon Express, Poison Spyder, and more for you to choose from. If you’re ready to bite the bullet on one of these kits, now is the perfect time since you can take advantage of our exclusive code OFFROAD104WP so you can save 10% on your purchase when you shop at 4WheelParts.com.

See All Leveling Kits At 4 Wheel Parts
See All Suspension Lift Kits At 4 Wheel Parts

Changing Gear Ratios

g2 Ring and Pinion Gearset

One thing that many people don’t take into consideration when they increase the tire size on their vehicles is that the larger tire diameter will affect their acceleration and highway performance. It’s most noticeable while driving on the highway because you’ll see your RPMs much lower at cruising speed and you’ll also notice that you’ll quickly lose momentum on the slightest uphill. This puts additional stress and possible premature wear on your transmission because it can constantly searching for the right gear to be in.

By increasing your gear ratio by changing out your ring and pinion, you can counter this problem. This is a fairly involved process that we highly recommend be done by a qualified technician. While the axle is open and apart for this modification, you may also want to consider upgrading a few other parts as well. I recently did this mod on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and opted to update the differential with a limited slip differential or locker. If you’re running an open differential, the wheel with the least amount of traction will be getting the most power. With this differential, when a wheel starts to spin from a lack of traction, more power is transferred to the wheel with the most traction. This can be a great upgrade for increased performance both on and 0ff-road.

The Eaton Truetrac Limited Slip Differential distributes power to the wheel with the most traction to help keep you moving in loose conditions.

Another upgrade you can perform while everything is apart is to replace the differential cover with a heavy duty cover. For average trail driver this may not be a necessary upgrade, but if you do rock crawling with large boulders these covers a great way to protect your differential. Additionally these covers allow for increased gear fluid for better lubrication to keep your differentials cool.

While not a necessary upgrade when you increase tire size, it’s one of those things that you can replace to add more protection if you’re doing work on the axles at the same time and your tire upgrade.
See All Ring And Pinion Kits At 4 Wheel Parts
See All Limited Slip Differentials And Lockers At 4 Wheel Parts
See All Differential Covers At 4 Wheel Parts

So there you have it. A list of everything you need if you’re wanting to increase the tire size on your off-road rig. It doesn’t matter if you’re wanting to keep it mild or go wild with your upgrade, 4 Wheel Parts can really be your one-stop-shop for all of the parts you need. Even better is that if you live close by one of their stores across the country, they also have qualified mechanics to do the installs as well.

Finally, you’ll want to take advantage of our exclusive code OFFROAD104WP that will save you 10% on your purchase at 4WheelParts.com, so act now before this promotion is up.

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Q & A

Upgrading to larger tires is one of the most popular modifications for off-road enthusiasts looking to improve their vehicle’s performance on tough terrain. However, it comes with its own set of considerations and potential trade-offs. In this FAQ, we’ll cover the most common questions about increasing tire size, from performance impacts to necessary modifications, to help you make the best decision for your 4x4 setup.
Why should I consider increasing my tire size?
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Larger tires offer better ground clearance, which can help navigate rocky or uneven terrain. They also provide a larger contact patch for better traction, especially on loose surfaces like mud, sand, or snow. Plus, they enhance your vehicle's aggressive stance and off-road aesthetics.
What are the drawbacks of larger tires?
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Increasing tire size can impact fuel efficiency, steering response, and acceleration. Larger tires are also heavier, which can put additional strain on your vehicle’s drivetrain and suspension. Additionally, fitting oversized tires may require modifications to prevent rubbing and improve handling.
How do larger tires affect my vehicle's gearing?
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Larger tires can throw off your vehicle's gear ratios, which may result in sluggish acceleration and strain on the engine. To compensate, many off-roaders opt for re-gearing their differentials, ensuring better performance and efficiency with larger tires.
Will I need to modify my suspension?
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Yes, larger tires often require suspension modifications to ensure adequate clearance, especially during full suspension travel. A lift kit is commonly used to raise the body or suspension, providing the necessary space for larger tires and avoiding potential rubbing.
Do larger tires impact my vehicle’s speedometer and odometer?
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Yes, larger tires can cause your speedometer and odometer to display incorrect readings. This is because they cover more distance per rotation than stock tires. You’ll need to recalibrate your vehicle's speedometer to ensure accurate readings, which can often be done via a tuner or at a mechanic shop.
How does increasing tire size impact fuel economy?
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Larger tires are heavier and create more rolling resistance, which generally leads to a decrease in fuel efficiency. However, if you’re mainly using your vehicle off-road, the benefits in traction and durability might outweigh the fuel costs.
What is “rubbing” and how do I prevent it?
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Rubbing occurs when your larger tires make contact with your vehicle’s fenders, suspension components, or other parts. You can prevent this by trimming the fender wells, installing a body lift, or adjusting the backspacing on your wheels.
Can I install larger tires without changing my wheels?
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It depends on your current wheel size and offset. Some larger tires will fit on stock wheels, but others might require wider or differently offset wheels for proper clearance and performance. Make sure to check tire and wheel compatibility before making any decisions.
What tire size is right for my off-roading needs?
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This depends on the terrain you're tackling. For rock crawling, larger tires with aggressive tread patterns work well, while sand or desert driving might require wider tires with a flatter tread. Consider the type of off-roading you do most frequently, as well as the legal size limits in your area.
Will increasing tire size affect my vehicle’s warranty?
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In some cases, aftermarket modifications like larger tires can void certain aspects of your vehicle's warranty. It’s best to check with your manufacturer or dealership before making any major changes.