Why not just tell him to get 40" tires and regear to 5.56? The dude just got a Gladiator, the last thing he needs to be told is to regear. Are you a complete idiot?
A 35" is taller than a 285/75 which with different brands could be 34, 33.9, 33.8 etc. I don't know where you got 287/75. And I'd like to see an actual measurement of your 285/75r17 under load. They won't be 34" tall. Put a level on top of the tires then measure in between.
Kumho M/T KL71 37x13.5r20 84lbs $333
Kumho M/T KL71 35x12.5r17 67lbs $255
Kumho MT71 35x12.5r17 77lbs $225
Kenda Klever 35x10.5r17 67lbs $175
It's strange how Discount Tire Direct doesn't offer the Kendas. I'd rather buy from them than Walmart. I bought all my tires from DTD.
Have you considered the Kenda Klever 35x10.5 or do you strictly want a wide 11.5/12.5? With the Kendas you can keep them on the stock rims. They're supposed to be load range D and weigh 67.
Maybe you should reread my post. I said I thought about going with 285/75r17 or the Kenda 35x10.50r17. The 285/75r17 are not 12.5" wide. They are the same width as the 285/70r17 (11.2") that I already have and are just about an inch taller.
I have a Sport with SL 285/70r17 Cooper AT3 4S but I'm thinking of getting either the Toyo Open Country AT3 285/75r17 or the Kenda Klever 35x10.50r17. The Toyos are C rated and pretty much every other 285/75r17 are E rated, and I don't really need E rated. Of course the Kendas are also E rated...
Lol. Me too which is why I was surprised it came off. It never happened on my previous Wranglers. At first I thought it had broken off but then saw that it has to slide into a groove.