Oh geez, not another tire thread....

[texanjeeper]

Okay here goes, I'm getting tired head looking for the answer.....I was wondering if anybody has any experience (and pics) of their Gladiator Sport-S non-lifted with 315-70-R17's on them. These would be, from what I'm reading, 35 inch tires. I just don't know if there would be clearance enough, I have taken out the closure panels so that is not a concern. I was hoping that somebody else had done this and has pictures. I would like to be able to off-road some, without rubbing, so I'm not sure if I should go this big or not.

Sponsored

 

[texanjeeper]

Well, I guess everybody is tired of this discussion....I did some research on gearing ratios since my sticker says that my Gladiator has a 3.73 gearing. It looks like I would have to re-gear to a 4.10 if I opted for going with the Rubicon standard tires of 285/70/R17. I"m guessing I wouldn't get out of that modification for less than $1500-$2000. I'm pretty frustrated at this point, I guess I could go with the gearing I already have, I just don't know if that's going to be good for my JT in the long run. Any input on this would be appreciated.

 

[TJDave]

I think clearance between your front tires and fenders would be pretty tight with 35's. Performance would definitely take a hit with 3.73 gears.
My buddy's hydro blue Max Tow has 35's. We put on a Teraflex 1.5" level kit to get a little more clearance for the bigger tires up front.

 

[JT1]

Well, I guess everybody is tired of this discussion....I did some research on gearing ratios since my sticker says that my Gladiator has a 3.73 gearing. It looks like I would have to re-gear to a 4.10 if I opted for going with the Rubicon standard tires of 285/70/R17. I"m guessing I wouldn't get out of that modification for less than $1500-$2000. I'm pretty frustrated at this point, I guess I could go with the gearing I already have, I just don't know if that's going to be good for my JT in the long run. Any input on this would be appreciated.

You can run 33's on your 3.73 gearing, no big deal. 35's with no lift and factory wheels will probably rub on the lower control arms while turning, and the fenders when flexing it with the sway bar disconnected.
If you want 35's, prepare to lift it a little and either run wheel spacers or replace your wheels. Gearing is a personal thing. You will notice it a little on 33's and a lot on 35's.

 

[FutureOdin]

I had that same exact size on my Willys, and clearance was fine for daily driving, didn't take it off road as I'm sure the fender would have been ripped off.

Additionally, you will rub at full lock on the LCAs if you keep stock wheels/backspacing. I didn't want to spend the extra for different wheels or spacers, so I added a couple of washers to the stop bolt on each side to avoid rubbing. Lost a little in turn radius, but it was terrible to begin with anyways.

 

[FutureOdin]

Here's a pic of it:

 

[WXman]

No, those won't fit in stock condition on a Sport.

 

[texanjeeper]

Great information, thanks guys. What can I expect in regard to the gearing ratio, you said 3.73 will be fine for the 33's, will I notice any differences when driving, when on the highway, anything like that?

 

[JTBurns]

Yea Rubi take offs are a nice option if you have the 3.73's. You can probably get away with a light 35 and no regearing but you"ll still want at least a leveling kit and spacers/new wheels.

If you're gonna regear, might as well go to 4.56 or 4.88, 4.10 just wouldn't be worth the cost.

I've thought about 35's when my current 33's need replaced and from what I've read on here, the above would be what's needed at a minimum

 

[In3briatedPanda]

Well, I guess everybody is tired of this discussion....I did some research on gearing ratios since my sticker says that my Gladiator has a 3.73 gearing. It looks like I would have to re-gear to a 4.10 if I opted for going with the Rubicon standard tires of 285/70/R17. I"m guessing I wouldn't get out of that modification for less than $1500-$2000. I'm pretty frustrated at this point, I guess I could go with the gearing I already have, I just don't know if that's going to be good for my JT in the long run. Any input on this would be appreciated.

i ran 315/70r17's on stock willys wheels with no lift. i rubbed the lower control arm at full lock. once i put on my new wheels, it stopped. I never went offroad with my jeep (never got the chance). it was a sport not a sport S.

I specifically made a thread to answer this question for everyone, bc like you, i had to piece meal info together...i tried putting it all on in spot here >https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/my-jeep-gladiator-sport-on-35s.41853/

 

[JT1]

Great information, thanks guys. What can I expect in regard to the gearing ratio, you said 3.73 will be fine for the 33's, will I notice any differences when driving, when on the highway, anything like that?

Assuming you have the 8spd, you will need to reprogram the jeep for the new tires and that should fix any odd shifting behavior.
As to if you will notice, some people are more bothered by being under geared than others, but 33's shouldn't be very noticeable. I ran 33s on a JK and didn't notice much difference. The 8spd should make that change even less noticeable.

 

[texanjeeper]

i ran 315/70r17's on stock willys wheels with no lift. i rubbed the lower control arm at full lock. once i put on my new wheels, it stopped. I never went offroad with my jeep (never got the chance). it was a sport not a sport S.

I specifically made a thread to answer this question for everyone, bc like you, i had to piece meal info together...i tried putting it all on in spot here >https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/my-jeep-gladiator-sport-on-35s.41853/

Man, somebody should take that thread and make it a sticky. Answers a lot of questions that I had. Thanks for the link.

And, yes I'm running an 8 spd automatic.

 

[redfish]

I run 33s (285 70 17) really 32.75 on my Sport with 3.73. Still see 8th gear on highway and just averaged 21.1 mpg from Charleston SC to Western tip of VA in the mountains. I feel I am probably about as large of a tire as I could go without regearing. This will hold me for several years before going bigger and regearing and then I will probably be too old to climb up anyways

 

[OffRoadHippy]

Had 315/70 before switching over to 37s on my max tow with zero issues. I had enough clearance to drive around sketchy construction sites with no impact. If you were going to do some moderate to challenging trails I would say get a spacer or lift. Even on 37s I have no issue with daily driving and still have no spacer or lift. Now as far as the gearing….sorry no input there as I am a Jeep newbie.

 

[rickettsj]

me too....315/70/17's on my stock gladiator willys.....just search my threads, you will see the pics i posted. i wouldn't run any other tire than that size IMO.....looks the best in stock trim

Sponsored