What Size Tires Can You Fit On A Stock Jeep Gladiator?

The Jeep Gladiator concept took the world by storm in 2018, being the company’s first pickup truck in more than twenty-five years.  From the start, Jeep designed the Gladiator with modifications in mind. One of the first things you can change is the tires. But knowing which size you can fit in a stock Gladiator can be confusing, so let’s sort it out. 

Jeep Gladiator Tire Size: What Are Your Options?

The Jeep Gladiator can fit tires up to 285/70R17 in the Rubicon trim level. The Sport and Sport S versions can fit 245/75R17 tires, and the Overland version uses 255/70R18. The Gladiator can go through heavy modifications, including different sizes in tires and axles. So, we’ll explain the tire size you can use in each trim level. 

As a stock 4×4, the Gladiator is a vehicle that comes with all the features needed to cross the most challenging terrains. Jeep built it with modifications in mind. The Gladiator has plenty of space for bigger tires, lift kits, aftermarket differentials, and other upgrades. 

But, you must always keep in mind that, as you fit bigger tires into any vehicle, you can run into rubbing. This happens when the tires are too big for the arches and rub against the walls, especially when turning.

Ideally, you shouldn’t have any rubbing. But, some enthusiasts don’t mind this situation, especially those who love going off-road. 

Jeep fans always want to know what modifications their rides can withstand. It’s so popular, we’ve covered the topic with the Wrangler as well, as you can read in this article. 

So, this article explains what size tires fit on a stock Jeep Gladiator without rubbing. Any bigger than tires, and you might end up with undesired contact.

While there are four general trim levels, the Gladiator offers plenty of special editions and trim levels, so we’ll go into all of them in detail. Let’s find out how many different Gladiator models are available. 

Jeep Gladiator Tire Size By Trim Level

Currently, Jeeps offers various Gladiators that come with distinct features and, of course, tire sizes. The following table gathers all of them up for easier understanding. Those trim levels in bold aren’t special editions.

Jeep Gladiator Stock Tire Size Chart

Trim Level	Rim Size	Approximate Tire Size (in inches)	Wheel size
Sport	17-inch x 7.5-inch	31.5-inch	245/75R17
Willys Sport	17-inch x 7.5-inch	32-inch	255/75R17
Sport S	17-inch x 7.5-inch	31.5-inch	245/75R17
Willys	17-inch x 7.5-inch	32-inch	255/75R17
80th Anniversary	18-inch x 7.5-inch	32-inch	255/70R18
Freedom	18-inch x 7.5-inch	31.5-inch	245/75R17
Overland	18-inch x 7.5-inch	32-inch	255/70R18
Rubicon	17-inch x 7.5-inch	33-inch	285/70R17
Mojave	17-inch x 7.5-inch	33-inch	285/70R17
High Altitude	20-inch x 8-inch	32-inch	275/55R20

As you can see, the Gladiator isn’t one size fits all. But this table also helps you in better guiding yourself with the ideal Gladiator for you. For example,: if you’re looking to take your Gladiator to extreme terrains, it’s best to have as big a profile as possible. 

But, what does this mean? And, how do you read all this information? Let’s talk about what tire codes are and how they can help you pick the best tire for you. 

Jeep Gladiator Tire Codes Explained

There are two popular ways to refer to tire sizes. Some people talk about tire size in inches, and others use a combination of letters and numbers known as a tire code. 

When someone says: “I want some 33s for my car”, they’re referring to the diameter in inches. It’s an approximation that many people use, but it isn’t precise, as you lack vital information like the rim size. 

The most precise way to know about your tire size is by using the tire code. Let’s use the following as an example: 

Jeep Gladiator Tire Code Example

215/65R15

The numbers stand for: 

• 215 (in this case) refers to the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This number indicates how wide the tire is at its widest point. The area of contact with the road can be smaller. 
• 65 is the ratio of height to width (also known as the aspect ratio). This number represents how high the tire is compared to the width. In this case, 65 means that the sidewall height is 65% of the tire’s width. The higher this number is, the taller the sidewall is. If there’s no number, you can assume an 82% profile ratio. 
• R stands for the construction. Most tires in the market today are radial (R). Other letters include D (diagonal) and B (bias belt). 
• 15 is the wheel (or rim) diameter in inches. Since it’s given in inches, when the rest is in millimeters, it’s worth pointing out that this diameter is accurate to half-an-inch. 

So, let’s use some of the Gladiator’s tire sizes as examples: 

• 255/70R18: Available in the Overland and the 80th Anniversary editions. This tire is 255 millimeters wide, has a profile height that’s 70% the width of the tire, radial construction, and fits an 18-inch wheel or rim. 
• 245/75R17: Available in the Sport, Sport S, and Freedom. This tire is 245 millimeters wide, has a profile height that’s 75% the tire’s width, radial construction, and fits a 17-inch wheel or rim. 

So, how does this information help me choose the right tires for my Gladiator? Let’s find out. 

The Best Tire Size For A Jeep Gladiator

20-inch rims might look cool, but you might sacrifice some ride quality. So, if you’re going to put your Gladiator to the paces, keep that in mind.

If you look at the table, you can see that the High Altitude comes with 275/55R20 while the Rubicon comes with 285/70R17 tires. 

When you’re traversing rocks, you need as much tire to provide cushioning and grip. So, a wider, taller tire is better. The Rubicon offers a tire that’s 285 mm wide and has a 70 profile, albeit with smaller rims. 

On the other hand, the High Altitude version comes with a tire that’s 275 mm and a 55 profile. Such a low profile can reduce the grip and cushioning the tire provides when handling challenging terrain. 

The rule of thumb is that the wider the tire and the higher the profile, the better it will be for offroading. The downside is that road noise increases, and the tire can wear out quickly in highway driving. 

The Biggest Tires You Can Fit On A Stock Jeep Gladiator

You can fit bigger tires into a stock Jeep Gladiator, but you need to consider several factors. First of all, let’s talk about Jeep’s Max Tow Package for the Gladiator. 

This option is available for the Sport and Sport S models. The package  includes parts of the Rubicon, such as wider front and rear axles, allowing for wider wheels. It also comes with higher axle ratios for more torque.

But, from the factory, it comes with the same 245/70R17 tires. 

So, knowing this, you can fit the Rubicon’s 285/70R17 into the Sport, Sport S, and Overland models, using the factory 17×7.5 wheels. Thanks to the added space, if you have the Max Tow Package, you will have an easier time fitting these bigger tires. 

If you want to fit bigger tires (such as the famous 33-inch and wheel combinations), you will have to use spacers to avoid rubbing against the wheel arches.

You might have heard that the Gladiator Rubicon can handle 35-inch tires with its stock suspension and axles. This is partly true. There will be rubbing, so it’s best to install lift kits and spacers. 

Gladiator Stock Tire Size: Roundup

This article aims to explain what size tires you can fit in a stock Jeep Gladiator. Since it came out, the Gladiator is a pickup truck that allows for heavy modification. Also, from the factory, it comes with many options and models. 

Thanks to this variety, there’s a Gladiator for every need. And with these many models come varied tire sizes. A stock Jeep Gladiator can have tires that go from 245/70R17 up to 285/70R17.

The High Altitude model fits a drastically different 275/55R20. Because it has a lower sidewall, this tire is not ideal for extreme offroading but works well in most conditions. 

If you want to fit bigger tires into your Gladiator, the Max Tow Package is an excellent package to include. This option is available in both the Sport and Sport S models.

It consists of the Rubicon’s axles and other features, making it easier to fit the Rubicon’s 285/70R17 in these models. 

But, if you don’t want to include any other modifications, such as lift kits and spacers, that’s where your options end. Any bigger tires will require that you install a 1 or 2-inch lift kit.

If you don’t, the tires will rub against the wheel arches. Some people choose to drive the Gladiator like this, but it can lead to uneven wear and damage to other components. 

As you can see, the Gladiator not only looks good, but it’s a versatile truck that can withstand a lot of modifications. But, always keep in mind the factory specifications when fitting tires.