I know I’m going to catch grief for this question. Why go larger wheels and tires

[Gren71]

Which thread is that? Can you link or post it?

Its was just a size im loosely talking about with another member within another. he mentioned the size and now im looking at Them.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...max-tow-without-lift.47041/page-2#post-759832

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[rharr]

Tire size is inversely related to penis size. It helps people cope. Especially the mall crawlers j/k

The JT does look better with a bigger tire then what jeep gave them. My tire selection is based on what I need the tires to do.

 

[BAT]

The tires were the only thing I didn't like about mine. I changed them the next day. They look dorky with stock tires. Rubicons look good already.

I just put the Arcus bumper on my truck. Gotta get a winch eventually. My skid plate has been on back order for months but that is normal for current market

 

[be77solo]

It's hard for me to explain, but at hwy speed and cornering is where I felt the most sidewall flex on the pizza cutters. It's like not a instant reaction from your input, just a noticable millisecond late. It's something that you feel and I don't know how to describe it. It feels similar to under steering but at same time it's totally different from under steering. Not a very good explanation. Maybe someone can chime in with a better definition. At no time did I ever think that there was anything dangerous, it's just something noticable.

This is good info, I remember 5 or so years ago when these first started popping up when I owned a 4Runner. I like they are lighter, and in theory better in some situations, but now I question if I'd actually enjoy daily driving them. I really like a planted feel from my tires, seems these will feel loose.

 

[ttn333]

I feel like I’m the only person here that has not gone to larger wheels and tires. Now I get those of you doing hardcore anything off road. Larger tires along with a lift give you more traction, better break over, and more ground clearance. However if you are not doing the Rubicon all the time what is the point? Adding lifts, tires, wheels , and gears costs thousands and hurts what little fuel economy we have. So I guess I want someone to tell me why this is a must have mod.

Why did you get the Gladiator? It doesn't sound like you do "hardcore offroad" either. There are plenty of other midsize trucks that tow, haul and drive better on road. So why the Gladiator? Probably because it's a cool ass truck Just like lifts and big tires.

 

[Orange01z28]

Yeah, and Camrys make more sense than Challengers but which one is cooler?

 

[jmdwifi]

Why did you get the Gladiator? It doesn't sound like you do "hardcore offroad" either. There are plenty of other midsize trucks that tow, haul and drive better on road. So why the Gladiator? Probably because it's a cool ass truck Just like lifts and big tires.

I don't hard core offroad. I will go offroad if there is a check. I like having the ability to go anywhere I want pretty much. I bought it because they look baddass once you change the tires. Plus I can take the doors and top off.

 

[Sunset 2025]

Those are stock rims, what tires u have?

Falken Wildpeak 35x12.50R18LT/12 with 2 inch Rough Country Spacers. 1.5 inch Teraflex front lift.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

This is good info, I remember 5 or so years ago when these first started popping up when I owned a 4Runner. I like they are lighter, and in theory better in some situations, but now I question if I'd actually enjoy daily driving them. I really like a planted feel from my tires, seems these will feel loose.

Well, I guess everything has gives and takes. I live in the PNW it was good in rain with the narrow and tall pizza cutters, snow on the road, mud (not mud bogging just muddy roads), it was all good. Some applications a big flotation tire isn't the best route to go. Paired with my little Comanche it was a great match. I took that puppy everywhere 280,000 miles on it when I sold it. I know it goes against the grain as far as what most think of when upgrading a Jeep or 4X4 tire, but it worked out very well for me.

 

[itsdapk]

for Gladiators
35's are the new 33's.
37's are the new 35's,
40's are the new 37's,
42's are the new 39/40s

 

[whiteglad]

And, how about this (lol)
for Gladiator mall crawlers,
John Deere are the new Glads!

 

[kevman65]

Nothing says you have to, it's your truck so it's your choice. Ignore peer pressure and do as you want.

The benefits, when going off road you air down, when you air down you increase the footprint of each tire, when you increase the footprint of each tire you increase traction.

Stock tires on the JT are generally <10" wide. Larger tires you get into 10.5", 11.5", 12.5" and 13.5" wide tires. So you've increased your footprint/traction by quite a bit.

Other than that you get the macho man response of "It just looks cooler".

 

[tjZ06]

Nothing says you have to, it's your truck so it's your choice. Ignore peer pressure and do as you want.

The benefits, when going off road you air down, when you air down you increase the footprint of each tire, when you increase the footprint of each tire you increase traction.

Stock tires on the JT are generally <10" wide. Larger tires you get into 10.5", 11.5", 12.5" and 13.5" wide tires. So you've increased your footprint/traction by quite a bit.

Other than that you get the macho man response of "It just looks cooler".

Good points, but you're missing the major benefit of taller tires when airing down. Yes, they start out wider, and the contact patch does get a *bit* wider as you air down... but if you air down enough you're starting to use sidewall to gain width in contact patch. The tread is only so wide. However, when you air down the contact patch gets much LONGER. The taller the tire the more this is true and the more total contact patch you'll get airing down.

Another point - increasing tire diameter is the ONLY way to increase ground clearance at the axle or any of the brackets attached to the axle (okay, portals are another way... but I've yet to see portals adapted to D44s, or on a Gladiator in general). D44s aren't exactly giant, but even on a 35" pumpkin clearance isn't a ton.

-TJ

 

[cdyoung9799]

I feel like I’m the only person here that has not gone to larger wheels and tires. Now I get those of you doing hardcore anything off road. Larger tires along with a lift give you more traction, better break over, and more ground clearance. However if you are not doing the Rubicon all the time what is the point? Adding lifts, tires, wheels , and gears costs thousands and hurts what little fuel economy we have. So I guess I want someone to tell me why this is a must have mod.

Because if I don't blow...I mean INVEST my money on my Jeep, then I blow....I mean INVEST it on other stuff I REALLY "need".......(guns, ammo, tools, and so on, and so on).

 

[shrinkhead]

I off-road, but not quite "hardcore", because this thing still has to get me to work. I haven't lifted, but the last trail I went on, I scraped the skid plates more than I would like. I have the factory Rubicon 33s now, so I'm going to 35s. This will give me an inch more ground clearance and also protect my wheels a little more off-road. The mpg hit from 33s to 35s will be pretty trivial, so I'm not worried about it. If after I put the 35s on, I still scape, then I'm going to do a couple inches of lift. I'm also already adding more skid plates for the areas that the factory skid plates don't protect. For those that don't off road, the appeal is the same as changing rims on any other vehicle. It's simply the easiest way to make the vehicle custom and yours.

do it right the first time. I am ditching the 2 inch lift and 35s for 3 inches and 37s since the scraping is still way too much on 35s w 2 inch lift.
also the fuel economy hit going from 33s stock rubicon A/T to 35s M/T ridge grappler is significant just a heads up. If you just do another set of slippers maybe not so much

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