37 inch vs my 33 inch. Same tire weight. Does Tire weight or Tire size matter more?

[Austin S]

Hey everyone! I'm curious on upgrading my tires but im trying to research and was curious on people's thoughts on tire weight subject. I have a Jeep gladiator sport S with 33 inch fallen wild peak tires.

The 33in R18 falken tires are rated for tire weight 65.3 lbs each.

I'm wanting the 37inch bfgoodrich ko2 r17 FP Ford performance tire and that says it is 63 lb's!

So my question is I feel like the negatives and the wear usually comes from a heavier tire doesn't it? I mean I can see gas mileage being better with a lighter tire? And wouldn't ball joint wear and other things be better with a lighter tire? I can see gearing being the only issue but besides that what are people's thoughts? Am I able to run the 37 inch tire on my jeep without upgrading anything because of a lower weight? Any help is appreciated!


Thanks

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[kilroy173]

Some vehicle manufactures use tires with more shallow tread depths that are lighter weight to help with MPG’s. There was a motor trend article not too long ago comparing an OEM all terrain vs an identical off the shelf tire and the OEM tread depth was not as deep as a regular tire. Just something to keep in mind.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-toyota-tundra-trd-pro-yearlong-review-update-6-tire-test/

 

[LostWoods]

The significant majority of the weight of a tire is in the tread and the further from the hub, the greater impact that weight will have. A Wildpeak in 35" is only 3lbs lighter than the same tire in 37" but even with gears to even out ratios, the weight will be noticeable.

 

[Austin S]

The significant majority of the weight of a tire is in the tread and the further from the hub, the greater impact that weight will have. A Wildpeak in 35" is only 3lbs lighter than the same tire in 37" but even with gears to even out ratios, the weight will be noticeable.

That makes sense. I'm curious how impactful it is on parts and components on my jeep. Everytime I look up people talking about 37 inch tires on a jeep and I need all these upgrades to the jeep that are more durable in order to put on that tire. Do you think I'd need to do that with that in mind? I'm not so worried about feeling it but more so on my jeep feeling it ya know haha!

 

[Austin S]

Some vehicle manufactures use tires with more shallow tread depths that are lighter weight to help with MPG’s. There was a motor trend article not too long ago comparing an OEM all terrain vs an identical off the shelf tire and the OEM tread depth was not as deep as a regular tire. Just something to keep in mind.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-toyota-tundra-trd-pro-yearlong-review-update-6-tire-test/

That is actually very enlightening! Thanks for this! I'd be curious on the k02 Ford versions over those falkens. I'm looking at the specs and the Performance k02 is the same tread depth as the normal k02. But that post also mentions the softness of rubber etc. I feel like they might've made this k02 less ply because the load rating isn't as high as the normal k02 which I'm fine with.
Thanks for sharing that though. I'd never really think of that!

 

[TheSolarWizard]

They both matter, as does tread pattern and contact patch.

 

[Jaxmax]

Width of tire or contact patch creates a little more drag , and the taller tire will have a effect of lowering your gear ratio and also the taller tire is like a taller lever making brakes and engine work harder. You are on the right path , but I don't think 37" tires will fit on your Jeep without doing anything to suspension, unless it is a daily driver not hitting anything rough offroad......Jack

 

[SCLaunch]

I know we're talking about weight, but I recently went with the 37 KO2s on my Rubicon...actual height is closer to 35.5/35.75 for reference.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Hey everyone! I'm curious on upgrading my tires but im trying to research and was curious on people's thoughts on tire weight subject. I have a Jeep gladiator sport S with 33 inch fallen wild peak tires.

The 33in R18 falken tires are rated for tire weight 65.3 lbs each.

I'm wanting the 37inch bfgoodrich ko2 r17 FP Ford performance tire and that says it is 63 lb's!

So my question is I feel like the negatives and the wear usually comes from a heavier tire doesn't it? I mean I can see gas mileage being better with a lighter tire? And wouldn't ball joint wear and other things be better with a lighter tire? I can see gearing being the only issue but besides that what are people's thoughts? Am I able to run the 37 inch tire on my jeep without upgrading anything because of a lower weight? Any help is appreciated!


Thanks

An OE designated AT tire isn't gonna perform like the original. Not a downside but just to make you aware. THe lighter you can keep your wheel and tire combo, the happier you'll be. Its more efficient, less wear, and less impact on the handling characteristics. But with Jeeps, you got a good bit of assembly weight to go before you cause immediate problems per se. Considering people can and are running 40s on heavy beadlocks on these axles with generally no issues. You probably fine no matter what you slap on. Barring insane offset and throwing scrub radius out the window. If your under 100 pounds per corner, thats a amazing. 110-140 is about avg and most would daily this and says it completely livable, maybe a regear to help it along too. go above 140 a corner and your probably a specific group of people that already know what they are doing and why they are doing it. But the average joe would be pretty annoyed to DD something like that for sure. To answer your question about ball joint wear, thats usually gonna be more impacted by what offset wheel you run than weight, but weight is still a factor. As long as you stay within a reasonable offset, your scrub radius should be fine and not stress the ball joints excessively. Ball joints are wear items though so don't expect them to last forever just cus u stay stock or light. Just pick a quality wheel or rock your 17in stocks and have fun. BTW the 37in KO2 is actually 35.5 inches tall roughly in its true height, so its one of the few tires that may not require a regear if you have 4.10s. Not that anything requires a regear, its usually decided off of use and personal tastes.

 

[PuddleJumper]

That makes sense. I'm curious how impactful it is on parts and components on my jeep. Everytime I look up people talking about 37 inch tires on a jeep and I need all these upgrades to the jeep that are more durable in order to put on that tire. Do you think I'd need to do that with that in mind? I'm not so worried about feeling it but more so on my jeep feeling it ya know haha!

I run 37s completely stock. Its fine. Depends on perception though. Some regear all the way to 5.13, truss the axles, 4in lift, 2.5 ton steering, chromoly shafts, etc.

 

[GI Grandpa]

Hey everyone! I'm curious on upgrading my tires but im trying to research and was curious on people's thoughts on tire weight subject. I have a Jeep gladiator sport S with 33 inch fallen wild peak tires.

The 33in R18 falken tires are rated for tire weight 65.3 lbs each.

I'm wanting the 37inch bfgoodrich ko2 r17 FP Ford performance tire and that says it is 63 lb's!

So my question is I feel like the negatives and the wear usually comes from a heavier tire doesn't it? I mean I can see gas mileage being better with a lighter tire? And wouldn't ball joint wear and other things be better with a lighter tire? I can see gearing being the only issue but besides that what are people's thoughts? Am I able to run the 37 inch tire on my jeep without upgrading anything because of a lower weight? Any help is appreciated!


Thanks

Curious, you mention one tire being 33"x18" and the other being 37"x17"...if correct you're also changing the size of the wheel which also can effect your unsprung weight.

 

[RoamingGladiator]

I run 37s completely stock. Its fine. Depends on perception though. Some regear all the way to 5.13, truss the axles, 4in lift, 2.5 ton steering, chromoly shafts, etc.

To be fair, OP is running a Sport I think. A Mojave/Rubicon can run 37s with generally no issues, even without a lift. I don't think a Sport will even clear 37s from a fender perspective.

Everyone in this thread is 100% accurate... larger the tire, mass, etc is more drag on the vehicle. If it's a pavement princess, you'll be fine on 37s with minor upgrades. The JTs are a big more beefy than the JLs and older Jeeps... just look at the size of the tierod/drag link on them from the factory, they're massive.

 

[PuddleJumper]

To be fair, OP is running a Sport I think. A Mojave/Rubicon can run 37s with generally no issues, even without a lift. I don't think a Sport will even clear 37s from a fender perspective.

Everyone in this thread is 100% accurate... larger the tire, mass, etc is more drag on the vehicle. If it's a pavement princess, you'll be fine on 37s with minor upgrades. The JTs are a big more beefy than the JLs and older Jeeps... just look at the size of the tierod/drag link on them from the factory, they're massive.

yes but this a not a true 37 mind you. Its a BFG which is barely a true 35 which would fit any jeep just fine. unless he unhooks his swaybar, i don't see an issue. i think his 3.73 gears will be the most noticeable shortcoming

 

[RoamingGladiator]

yes but this a not a true 37 mind you. Its a BFG which is barely a true 35 which would fit any jeep just fine. unless he unhooks his swaybar, i don't see an issue. i think his 3.73 gears will be the most noticeable shortcoming

I always forget how untruthful tire manufacturers are... just insane. If it's marketed as a 37, it should be a 37.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I always forget how untruthful tire manufacturers are... just insane. If it's marketed as a 37, it should be a 37.

yup even my MT Baja Bosses aren't true 37s. 36.4in true height

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