Best Tires For Lifted Trucks

JEGS Tech Specialist

Pete Mitchell

Nothing compliments a lifted truck better than a new set of tires. Whether you want giant tires that perform well or slightly larger ones with a more aggressive appearance, plenty of options are available. Plus, when you lift your truck, even more options are available, and you can go for tires that are 30, 35, and even 40 inches in diameter.

Still, you must ensure you choose the right tires for your truck; some brands are better than others. Read on to learn more about lifted trucks and some of the best tires available.

Top Brands For Oversized Tires

Let's face it: some brands are better than others regarding oversized tires. You only want to work with the best brands to avoid problems with traction, durability, and longevity. While figuring out which brands work best for big tires can be tricky, we have you covered. Learn about the top brands for oversized tires below.

Toyo Tires

Toyo Tires became popular years ago in the racing scene but have since become popular for all-purpose tires. For example, the Toyo Tires Open Country M/T Off-Road Maximum Traction Tires can handle snow, mud, dirt, and mud. For most off-road options, Toyo Tires employs a 3-ply design for their sidewall construction that is durable enough to resist punctures and other damage naturally occurring on trails.

Mickey Thompson

Mickey Thompson is always a great brand for tires. Whether you want racing tires or oversized off-road tires like the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ Mud-Terrain Tire, you can't go wrong with a set of Mickey Thompsons. Mud terrain options and plenty of all-season tires can help you conquer dirt, mud, and uneven terrain. Some Mickey Thompsons are good enough for rock climbing if you have the suspension and vehicle for it.

Nitto

Nitto is one of the best-oversized tire brands. While the company is known for making racing tires, plenty of off-road options are available, including the Nitto Mud Grappler Extreme Mud Terrain Light Truck Tires. These tires are loaded with a 3-ply polyester sidewall construction that can handle mud, rocks, and other types of uneven terrain. Nitto has many options for aggressive styling designs or even all-season performance.

How Big Is Too Big For A Tire?

You can fit some pretty big tires when you provide more room under a truck. However, you can't just throw any tire on your lifted pickup; it has to be a reasonable size for your lift kit, axle, and drivetrain. Ultimately, changing the size of a tire can cause problems due to the force required to turn it. The rule for the OEM suspension for your truck should be to get tires within 3% of the diameter of the original tires. OEM suspension is only rated for tires designed for the vehicle because the drivetrain, axle, and other components can only handle wheels of a specific size before they start to break down.

If you plan on equipping your truck with larger tires, you must upgrade the suspension, axle, and other components. For example, you'll have to lift a truck a few inches to squeeze 30-40-inch tires on it. A good rule of thumb is that you can fit tires that are two inches larger than the leveling kit you use for your vehicle. That said, once you reach 33-37 inches for most vehicles, you're entering the too-big range, even for some lift kits.

Best Truck For Oversized Tires?

Any truck can work with oversized tires. That said, some trucks are better than others. For example, a Ford Bronco might look better with oversized tires, but a Chevrolet Suburban might look ridiculous with 40-inch tires. Therefore, it's essential to consider some of the best trucks for oversized tires. Depending on your needs, we cover some great options below.

Jeeps

You can't go wrong with a Jeep when it comes to big tires. Some Jeeps, like Rubicon models, come with lift kits from the factory to support oversized tires. You can also lift Jeeps to your heart's content without running into many issues if you upgrade other components. Jeeps are also easy vehicles for DIYers to work on, so you can replace the tires yourself; plenty of aftermarket support is also available for Jeeps from all models and years. When considering a Jeep for oversized tires, we recommend Jeep Wrangler models, but some of the older Grand Cherokee models look great with the right lift kit.

Ford Pickups

Ford pickups from any era look great with a lift kit and oversized tires. Whether you're looking for a classic or a new Bronco, both options can fit big wheels – even on their stock suspension. Ford Raptor trucks and the base F-150 can accommodate large tires with the right lift kit. For most Ford trucks to fit large tires, all you need is a leveling kit, but you can also leverage a 2-inch lift kit.

Dodge Trucks

Dodge trucks are also a great choice for oversized tires. A great example is the 2014 Dodge Ram 3500. While it's a simple-looking pickup truck, it can handle oversized tires and a 2-inch lift without needing suspension upgrades. Older Dodge Durangos and pickups can also sport oversized tires without looking out of place.

Can You Install Your Tires On A Lifted Truck?

There's no limit to what you can and can't do with your truck. Ultimately, it comes down to DIY skills. You can install new tires on your truck with the proper technical knowledge. Still, you need the right tools and the appropriate tires for your truck. Once you know what tires you need, ensure you have a bead breaker, tire iron or changer, and a lug wrench. While these tools can help you remove old tires and mount new ones, installing new tires on a lifted truck can be dangerous depending on the vehicle's size, weight, and height.

You need to start by removing the wheels from your lifted truck before you start changing the tires. You'll have to lift and secure your truck to remove the wheels, which can be difficult with a lifted truck unless you have a hydraulic lift. If you lift the truck, you can follow the steps below to replace the tires.

Deflate the original tires on all your wheels by removing the valve stem and pressing down on the stem with the backside of a tire pressure tool.
Use a bead breaker to break the seal between the tire and the rim.
Use a tire-changing machine or an iron to remove the tire from the wheel; take it slow to prevent scraping your rims.

Once the old tire has been removed, stretch the new tire over one side of the rim and work the tire onto the wheel. Then, repeat this process for the other side of the tire.

Inflate the tire using an air compressor.
Mount the wheel back on your vehicle.

While you can install your tires on a lifted truck, it can be challenging to even jack it up if you don't have a hydraulic lift. For this reason, we recommend working with a professional if you don't have the tools.

Do you need tires, rims, or installation equipment, including a shop lift? We’ve got it all at JEGS. Explore online and have your order sent to you quickly.