New Gladiator Owner with questions

[crmarczak]

I just brought home a used '22 Sport that needs new tires before winter. I know many people buy one size then regret it so I'm trying to avoid that pitfall as much as I can. It seems there is a mixed opinion about 12.5 on stock rims. Does that mean I need to get a bigger rim, or am I limited to say pizza cutters? (Does anyone make 35x11.5?) Would getting a super cheap spacer lift do anything?

In general also what advice do yall have for anything gladiator related? I've noticed some minor sun damage on the body painted flares. Need to wax it I assume. Any must have accessories? I'm down to hear anything to help avoid mistakes. I am not looking to turn this into a hard-core wheeler. Maybe offloading easy stuff once a month. What's the metric version of 35x12.5r17?

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[Gvsukids]

Does anyone make 35x11.5?)

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/35x11-5r17-anyone.41861/

In general also what advice do yall have for anything gladiator related?

Search the forum.

 

[Loud Lyle]

They do make 35x11.5 . But plenty of people run the 12.5 (myself included) on factory wheels with no issues.

 

[DBravo]

I just brought home a used '22 Sport that needs new tires before winter. I know many people buy one size then regret it so I'm trying to avoid that pitfall as much as I can. It seems there is a mixed opinion about 12.5 on stock rims. Does that mean I need to get a bigger rim, or am I limited to say pizza cutters? (Does anyone make 35x11.5?) Would getting a super cheap spacer lift do anything?

In general also what advice do yall have for anything gladiator related? I've noticed some minor sun damage on the body painted flares. Need to wax it I assume. Any must have accessories? I'm down to hear anything to help avoid mistakes. I am not looking to turn this into a hard-core wheeler. Maybe offloading easy stuff once a month. What's the metric version of 35x12.5r17?

I considered 35x12.5 but didn't want to sacrifice my 22mpg with larger, heavier tires, I run stock size Goodyear Wrangler ATA 255/70-R18 (JT Overland and Wrangler Sahara run 18' wheels stock) with 2" mammoth wheel spacers for about 2" of "poke". https://www.extremeterrain.com/.
Looks like they are currently $20 less per pair than what I paid a couple of years ago.

My stock tire size in a Goodyear Wrangler ATA is about 38 lbs. The average 35x12.5 is 70 lbs plus, even more for a BFG 3-ply tire. That's at least an extra 130 lbs to haul around.

I'm ok with the look. 25k miles later and no issues with uneven tire wear, handling or parts wear issues. Added plus, with the 2" spacers. they fit over my stock wheel hubs and lugs perfectly with no modification required. With a smaller spacer and depending on your rim, you may need to cut your stock lugs shorter or they hit that back of the wheel where they poke through the openings in the spacer.

That being said, tires available in 35x12.5x17 are searched for using that size combination. Tirerack.com is a good site to use for research as they include all tire specs, including weight .

 

[Lunentucker]

Welcome, fellow Virginian!
I'd suggest taking some time and settling in before making any mods that cost appreciable money, like tires, wheels, lifts, etc.

First and foremost, get to know your Jeep.
Get a good torque wrench that goes up to at least 200 foot pounds.
Hop over to the Maintenance Section and pop open the Service manual threads and the Torque specs threads that are stickied at the top of the section.

Download them all, or at least bookmark them.
The torque spreadsheet that @RubiDukkie put together is a great thing to have on a phone or tablet for quick reference.

@ParatusExpeditions also did a phenomenal job on making the Service Manuals searchable and printable.

When you ready, get under the front end and get familiar with the steering and suspension workings.
Put that torque wrench to work and check torques on every bolt and nut, ... for reasons.

I use Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions on every exterior painted and plastic surface.
It's the best I've found and can last a whole year.
I also tried Barebones undercarriage protectant from Chemical Guys on my last annual detailing, and it's been great.
If you're in NOVA or another part of VA that sees road salts and brines in winter, you may want to get that done in the Fall.

Stay away from aftermarket wheels and spacers until you fully understand how they affect the ride comfort, handling, and wear on your hardware. Read, watch videos, and learn. Then make informed decisions.

 

[Lunentucker]

To visualize how different tire sizes, and wheel offsets and sizes, compare to you stock setup, visit https://tiresize.com/ and use their comparison tools.

 

[ParatusExpeditions]

The Subaru legend .
Great intro otherwise, thanks for the plug on the turtle stuff.

 

[crmarczak]

They do make 35x11.5 . But plenty of people run the 12.5 (myself included) on factory wheels with no issues.

The regular old sport rims? On a sport also so no extra wide axels or larger fender openings?

 

[Gvsukids]

The regular old sport rims? On a sport also so no extra wide axels or larger fender openings?

A lot can fit under your fender.

 

[Florida Mojave]

Welcome, fellow Virginian!
I'd suggest taking some time and settling in before making any mods that cost appreciable money, like tires, wheels, lifts, etc.

First and foremost, get to know your Jeep.
Get a good torque wrench that goes up to at least 200 foot pounds.
Hop over to the Maintenance Section and pop open the Service manual threads and the Torque specs threads that are stickied at the top of the section.

Download them all, or at least bookmark them.
The torque spreadsheet that @RubiDukkie put together is a great thing to have on a phone or tablet for quick reference.

@ParatusExpeditions also did a phenomenal job on making the Service Manuals searchable and printable.

When you ready, get under the front end and get familiar with the steering and suspension workings.
Put that torque wrench to work and check torques on every bolt and nut, ... for reasons.

I use Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions on every exterior painted and plastic surface.
It's the best I've found and can last a whole year.
I also tried Barebones undercarriage protectant from Chemical Guys on my last annual detailing, and it's been great.
If you're in NOVA or another part of VA that sees road salts and brines in winter, you may want to get that done in the Fall.

Stay away from aftermarket wheels and spacers until you fully understand how they affect the ride comfort, handling, and wear on your hardware. Read, watch videos, and learn. Then make informed decisions.

@Lunentucker BEST ADVICE EVER!

@crmarczak
Seriously - this is so true, if your serious about not wanting to make a costly "mistake" then do your homework, there's more real-world information in this forum than you can believe!!!
When in doubt - ASK -- but look first!!!

 

[ross neill]

I just brought home a used '22 Sport that needs new tires before winter. I know many people buy one size then regret it so I'm trying to avoid that pitfall as much as I can. It seems there is a mixed opinion about 12.5 on stock rims. Does that mean I need to get a bigger rim, or am I limited to say pizza cutters? (Does anyone make 35x11.5?) Would getting a super cheap spacer lift do anything?

In general also what advice do yall have for anything gladiator related? I've noticed some minor sun damage on the body painted flares. Need to wax it I assume. Any must have accessories? I'm down to hear anything to help avoid mistakes. I am not looking to turn this into a hard-core wheeler. Maybe offloading easy stuff once a month. What's the metric version of 35x12.5r17?

I put 265/70/r17 on mine it’s don’t change speed the next size is a 315/70r17 that’s a 34 in tire then 35/70/10.50 if you can find it to work on stock all you need is a leveling kit for 35

 

[HorsesRear]

I considered 35x12.5 but didn't want to sacrifice my 22mpg with larger, heavier tires, I run stock size Goodyear Wrangler ATA 255/70-R18 (JT Overland and Wrangler Sahara run 18' wheels stock) with 2" mammoth wheel spacers for about 2" of "poke". https://www.extremeterrain.com/.
Looks like they are currently $20 less per pair than what I paid a couple of years ago.

My stock tire size in a Goodyear Wrangler ATA is about 38 lbs. The average 35x12.5 is 70 lbs plus, even more for a BFG 3-ply tire. That's at least an extra 130 lbs to haul around.

I'm ok with the look. 25k miles later and no issues with uneven tire wear, handling or parts wear issues. Added plus, with the 2" spacers. they fit over my stock wheel hubs and lugs perfectly with no modification required. With a smaller spacer and depending on your rim, you may need to cut your stock lugs shorter or they hit that back of the wheel where they poke through the openings in the spacer.

That being said, tires available in 35x12.5x17 are searched for using that size combination. Tirerack.com is a good site to use for research as they include all tire specs, including weight .

I really like your idea of staying with the original tire size and installing the wheel spacers. Kind of makes it look like you have bigger tires. Just wondering if you have had any adverse effect with the spacers and if once torqued do they stay that way. I have just been afraid of screwing with geometry of the Jeep.

 

[Loud Lyle]

The regular old sport rims? On a sport also so no extra wide axels or larger fender openings?

Not a Sport. Mine is on a Stock Mojave. I was just speaking about rim width. I don’t know about clearance on your model

 

[PuddleJumper]

I'm running 37x12.5 on sport rims

 

[DBravo]

I really like your idea of staying with the original tire size and installing the wheel spacers. Kind of makes it look like you have bigger tires. Just wondering if you have had any adverse effect with the spacers and if once torqued do they stay that way. I have just been afraid of screwing with geometry of the Jeep.

I check the torque on the wheel spacers every time i rotate my tires (torque for lug nuts is 130 FT-LBS per the owners manual) and have had -zero- issues. The spacers were installed July 2022 and I am very pleased with the durability of this product. You use the nuts that come with the wheel spacers to secure the spacer to your hub and stock studs, then use the jeep lug nots to secure your wheel to the spacer.

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