tire size options for stock '03 Sahara

[BradleyK]

Hello all,

I just purchased my first Jeep- an '03 Sahara. It is currently stock and has 30x9.5R15 tires. I'd like to put a bigger tire on it, primarily for aesthetics. I'll do some very light trail riding but no mudding. Can y'all provide some guidance on whether I'm able to go up in tire size without a lift? If I need a lift, how involved is that and is it worth it for the aesthetic improvement? Thanks!

 

[BlueC]

Gear ratio and transmission? What is "light trail riding" to you? As-is stock, 30 or 31 is probably the tallest without adding some lift.

 

[tr21triton]

Hello all,

I just purchased my first Jeep- an '03 Sahara. It is currently stock and has 30x9.5R15 tires. I'd like to put a bigger tire on it, primarily for aesthetics. I'll do some very light trail riding but no mudding. Can y'all provide some guidance on whether I'm able to go up in tire size without a lift? If I need a lift, how involved is that and is it worth it for the aesthetic improvement? Thanks!

the forum PERVERT (@AndyG) lives in Huntsville and he has a few TJ's/LJ's just slip by his place one night and grab his tires he wont even notice they're missing for a while ! Put ya some 31X10.50's on.

 

[BradleyK]

Gear ratio and transmission? What is "light trail riding" to you? As-is stock, 30 or 31 is probably the tallest without adding some lift.

3.73, manual transmission. By light trail riding, I just mean dirt/gravel roads/trails. Mostly gonna be a city jeep.

 

[AndyG]

the forum PERVERT (@AndyG) lives in Huntsville and he has a few TJ's/LJ's just slip by his place one night and grab his tires he wont even notice they're missing for a while ! Put ya some 31X10.50's on.

Avoid this guy. He drives around with vegetables on his bumper.

You can go up in size, and one size won’t be terrible, but the bigger you go the more it effects performance and can quickly require changes that require more changes.

pm me if I can help in any way.

Andy

 

[BlueC]

3.73, manual transmission. By light trail riding, I just mean dirt/gravel roads/trails.

I say to stay at 31 or less. The Jeep will be capable of more off road stuff on good 31s than I suspect you're looking for.

If you were thinking 33s you will need at least 3" of lift, but that 3.73 gear will become high.

 

[hardtailpan]

Yeah, I have a 04 Sahara 5 speed with 3.73 gears. No lift of any kind. I've got 31" Falken Wildpeaks on it with factory wheels. Just look at my avatar pic. They only rub at full steering lock. This is easily fixed by adjusting the steering stops.

I'll say this, when its still in open loop high idle mode, its fast in both forward and reverse with the 31s.... to be clear, i mean 1st and reverse are faster than I'd like lol.

Edited to add:
If you have aftermarket wheels with less wheel offset, you wont' have to do anything, as they will not rub at all.