Should I go to 33s or send it to 35s?

  • Sticking with stock tires (33s) is best for manual transmissions with original gears.
  • For a budget-friendly lift, a used Rubicon suspension is a good option for 33s.
  • Going bigger than 33s (like 35s) requires a whole new suspension lift and changing the gears in your axles (re-gearing) - this is expensive.

Having had 35s several times, I advise sticking with 33s until you really screw up. Poorer braking, power, and part breaking; excessive cutting that rubs even with a 3-inch raise. Until you change the control arms, remove the sway bars, install spacers, smash the hell out of the firewall, re-gear, and replace the brakes. For the tiny bit of capability you gain with 35s over 33s, it just doesn’t make sense. It is preferable to use 33s with lots of clearance so you may drive the truck farther without worrying about damaging anything. I exclusively use 35s on my old bush truck because driving 35s in the city and on the highway is terrible.