Putting 33-inch tires on a Jeep Wrangler JK
In the past, many jeep lovers purchased a Jeep because of its ability to maneuver in varying terrains. Nowadays, Jeeps are regarded as more of a luxury vehicle. Once you own a Jeep, you want to customize it to make it truly yours.
Customization of a car has no boundaries or limits, and some end up spending more than the cost of an SUV vehicle itself. An affordable and yet visible way to customize your four-wheeler is to change the wheels. 33-inch tires on a Jeep JK may just be the upgrade you want. Is it possible to put wide tires? How will this affect the driving experience? Read on.
Jeep JK
The Jeep JK is a variant from the earlier Wrangler off-road autos family. The newer models are bigger and are fully optimized for off-road and other adventure activities, the older models require some changes, including bigger tires. 33-inch tires can fit the stock jk design’s stock wheels, but depending on where you run it, there may be some rub, and you may need some lift or spacers.
Are 33-inch tires compatible with stock suspension and stock wheels? Yes, you will be able to fit big tires, but you will get minimal clearance in the front and very little space for the driver to articulate on the road.
Before you decide to get larger tires for your Jeep, you need to understand how these wheels will affect your driving, will the backspace need adjustment for larger tires? Will you need wheel spacers? Can the Jeep get off the ground with 33-inch tires but with stock suspension? How will bigger tires affect the handling of the Jeep? Will you need a lift?
These are just some of the many questions you must consider before getting the largest tire.
Pros:
The best thing is that, with 33-inch tires, you will not have to spend much because only modification in one area is enough. If your goal is to improve the aesthetics of your vehicle, at the most, you will need spacers.
Cons:
If you want to use your Jeep Wrangler for off-roading and other adventures, upgrading the whole tire to 33 inches, new tires will not be sufficient.
Some Other Problems With Larger Tires
Fuel Consumption
Big tire upgrades will increase fuel consumption. Any weight added to the Jeep will directly impact the gas mileage. It could seem like a small amount, but in the long term could affect expenses.
Turning problems
Another issue with larger tires is that they require a much bigger turning radius. With a wider tire, your Jeep will be smoother to handle, but in small spaces, you will find it challenging to maneuver, with more rub at full lock.
Wear and tear
Larger tires will also cause more wear and tear on your Jeep. It will require more power to get the wheels moving and stopping. This is due to rolling resistance. This will put a strain on the stock suspension and brake.
Do You Need A Tire Upgrade?Â
This is the first question you should ask because many people go for new wheels without considering all the pros and cons. The Jeep Wrangler stock tire size is excellent for regular use and mid-level adventures with limited clearance once in a while.
However, most JK owners do not buy a Jeep for a run to the grocery or home-office-home commutes. People buy Jeeps to take them out on rough and tough terrains, which is why a tire size upgrade may be great. Here are a few reasons why you can consider upgrading the tires on your stock jeep JK.Â
· Tire upgrades will offer a better driving experience
· Right size tires will ensure safety for both passengers as well as the Jeep
· Bigger tires will make the Jeep look even better
You will need high suspension articulation with enough clearance and lift for off-road trails. The stock suspension may not be the best option, and you can upgrade the suspension to make place for bigger wheels.
Can You Put 33-Inch Tires On Stock Jeep Rims?
If you are into off-roading, you know that bigger tires make a huge difference. The larger the tire, the more clearance you get between the vehicle and the ground. Larger tires also offer better lift, grip, and handling.
Many Jeep owners rush to get the largest possible tires to fit on their four-wheelers and think they are set for off-roading. Ideally, it would be great to fit larger tires on stock JK wheels and suspension; it is impossible with too wide a tire. A 32 or maximum 33-inch wheel can only fit. The problem arises when the tires are too wide for the wheel width. It would be best if you had the same width.
If your Jeep is still on stock wheels, probably 33-inch wheels are the best option. It can work with no lift or wheel spacers as well. The wheel spacers can push the wheels away from the suspension components.
Another option that many experts recommend is to fit slightly wider aftermarket rims that have a negative offset to help with the Jeep JK wheel backspacing.
Otherwise, there can be issues with ground clearance and rubbing at full lock if wider tires are used with the stock rims. There is no need to increase the width of the Jeep JK stock tires when you increase the height, but wider tires will make them more stable. Many people use washers on the steering stops to stop the rubbing.
What Size Rims Do You Need For 33-Inch Tires?
33-inch tires can work well with rims measuring 15 to 16 inches but even better is to have rims more than 16 inches. You should get new rims that are not too wide than the stock rims. If the tire is wider, then some modifications are necessary. So, if you are looking for the biggest tires that can fit the stock rims, then it is 33 inches for a Jeep JK.
However, if you are ready to modify the rims, the largest tire you can put on a Jeep JK is 37-inches. Between 33 and 37 is the 35-inch tire, which is also a good aftermarket wheels option. Choosing the right size of tires mainly depends on how you plan to use your vehicle. Different size tires have their own unique features and use.
Extra width tires can cause an odd steering feel and more understeer. The added unsprung weight results in reduced handling. Decreasing the unsprung weight can improve overall handling.
Will 33 Inches Fit On A Stock Wrangler? Â
Generally, you can attach 33-inch wheels to stock rims of the Wrangler Jeep. The Original Equipment or OE tires are 6.5 inches wide and 6.2 inches in front space. It would seem difficult to fit 33-inch tires.
The most commonly used solution to this problem of wider tires and stock wheels is to get wheel spacers. They can create a wider stance and keep the stock wheels approximately ½ to 1 inch away from the vehicle. For aftermarket wheels, you will need about 5 inches of backspacing.
The Jeep JK has 6.25 inches of backspacing. This is just about enough to accommodate a 33-inch tire. The front bumper clearance may be very less because of the tire’s
·    Tread pattern
·    Thickness
·    Mold design
Understand that larger tires will add more weight to the vehicle. More weight means the vehicle will use more fuel. If you decide to do a lift, adding Spidertrax spacers will prevent sway bar link interference inside the wheels and work perfectly without affecting the skid plates. You can stop the rubbing in the front by adding washers on the steering stops.
Fender flares are an extension of the fender and provide additional coverage for oversized wheels and tires. Bushwacker flares are a great option as they add an extra style quotient along with tire protection. A leveling kit would also look good on your stock JK.
Jeep Wrangler 33-inch Tires – No Lift
Do you have to lift your stock JK for 33-inch tires? You don’t need to, but you should if you want better clearance. Without a lift, the wheels will rub in certain areas, more so when you are off-roading.
The front tires can rub the front air dam under the bumper, and there is minimal clearance inside the wheel area.
Best Lift for 33-inch Tires
Usually, a 2.5-to-3-inch lift is best for 33-inch tires. Even after this, you must check the clearance, or you may need spacers. The stock Jeep JK design offers good clearance in the front when you are driving around the town.
In the back, there is no problem because the rear tires have more than enough clearance. Add Spidertrax wheel spacers for minimum rubbing.
The stock Jeep Wrangler JK offers good clearance and lift, but many experts recommend fitting slightly wider aftermarket rims to deal with the issue of Jeep wrangler backspacing.
The gap from the mid of the rim to the inside lip of the wheel is backspacing, and you can measure it in inches. Positive backspacing means the tire is inwards, while negative offset means the wheel is outwards.Â
Final Thoughts
You can fit 33-inch tires on Jeep Wrangler JK without much problem. The main thing is that you should be clear about your reasons for this upgrade. Is it only for show, or will you use it for off-road adventures? It would be best if you made all modifications with some serious consideration about their effects on the actual size of the stock JK. If you want to fit wider tires, then do it correctly, your Jeep will run smoothly, and you will enjoy driving it.
