The Definitive "What tire fits what lift" Answer (Hopefully)

So I will preface this with saying that I own a shop. And we get asked constantly the age old question "What's the biggest tire I can fit with X" lift?"

Then I come on TW and I see the same question asked over and over, and there's just a bunch of misinformation out there at this point. Maybe this is too little too late, but I decided to make a video, with a truck in our shop, using the stock strut, and an aftermarket strut, to show that the lift DOES NOT MATTER in regards to fitting larger tires.

I wrote a blog about it too, but I don't know how many people are inclined to read, so hopefully the video helps!



Here's the blog for those who prefer to read:

https://overlandoutfitters.ca/blogs/news/the-myths-of-lifting-an-ifs-vehicle

If there are any other topics you think should be covered, I would love to do a video or blog about them to try and help the community out! Hopefully it is helpful. Maybe its not. I dunno, you tell me!

 

really good quality write-up! excellent points and the real-world focus i absolutely appreciate.

this is a point that is often lost around here:

"Unless you are only after the look of a lifted truck, lifting itself should not be the goal of changing the suspension on your vehicle. Performance should always be at the core of every modification..."
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and your value for CoG and actual performance like Stewart's truck. i share all this performance-oriented value. thanks for posting.

 

Sub'd for when I have more time

 

Great write up! You did a great job making this super clear to understand and I’m thinking that I may rethink going from a 265 70 17 to a 255 80

 

Thanks! It's something I'm definitely passionate about and try to take the time to explain to all of our customers so they are super happy with the end product!

Thanks so much for the feedback!!

 

@WormSquirts in your opinion do you think larger tires giving added clearance is worth the reduced uptravel?

 

If it were me, I would just do the required trimming and get the best of both worlds. If you're taking 33" or smaller, the required cutting is not that much.

 

I can't say for their opinion but generally speaking, yes, center clearance, approach, departure, and, breakover angles all increase and this means you can go more places and go through deeper ruts without your 3rd member becoming a boat anchor all in all you gain off road prowess.

However, this refers to the "As fast as necessary; as slow as possible." methodology of off roading, the trails and technical stuff.

If you're the sand dunes and dirt roads rallying go faster type off roader then no, for example a lot of go faster guys do a spring under axle (SUA) swap for more up travel but this means the springs hang even lower and they typically don't flex as far.

For slow stuff down travel and clearance are most important, for fast stuff up travel and torque are most important.

Really depends on what you want to do.

 

I agree with you, however I also don't see the point of ever leaving available suspension travel on the table, as it always helps, regardless of discipline. More articulation helps in low speed stuff, and obviously more travel helps in high speed stuff.

 

Incredibly helpful post, blog and video. So great to demystify what was appearing to be an intractable issue here on TW (and elsewhere.) And even better to see it coming from a shop that is "local." I'll be dropping by you guys for sure when I'm ready to get a modest lift, new tires (275/70/17 -or- 280/70/17), and wheels later this winter. (not that I need the lift for the tires!)

 

Glad it was helpful!! We would be happy to see you in the shop! Got it today to do some wheeling in the snow, and I really need some new tires myself! I'm thinking I'll be going with the ridge grapplers in a 37x12.5. I would go full mt, but I still do a lot of long road trips and once a year so a trip that is like 8000km+, so I want to try the hybrid, see how it does!

But yeah, let me know if you need anything!

 

I'm talking small potatoes compared to you I'm humming an hawing between going skinny (255/75/17) which appeals to me for being able to have a lighter wheel and possibly an easier fit with less cutting VS going to a more traditional "33" set up (280/75/17) and just letting someone qualified cut what needs to be cut.

A key consideration is that, like you, I take extended road trips with lots of miles, but which can also end up very much off the beaten path. That leaves me wondering about the drivability of the skinny's, and conversely, the weight/gas mileage of the 285's. Even though my truck is NOT a daily driver, it feels like I still need a little of everything - height, traction, decent mileage, and drivability.

 

I went straight to 35 with no regrets, but 33s of any size offer a great all around balance of streetability, affordability, and capability, along with only some minor trimming and a CMC.