33s vs 35s vs 37s: What Each Step Up Changes

This compares each step up using the vehicle makers’ spec sheets, tire makers’ spec tables, published gearing guidance and counted owner reports. See how we research.

Size, weight and speedometer

Diameters and weights from Nitto’s spec table for the Recon Grappler A/T on 17-inch wheels; the load ranges differ (E, E, D). *Calculated from those diameters for a speedometer set up for 33s. Toyo’s Open Country A/T III shows the same pattern: 56 lb for the LT285/70R17 E and 70 lb for the 35x12.50R17 E.

Each step is about 2 inches taller. Counting four tires and a full-size spare, 35s add about 63 lb over 33s, and 37s about 105 lb. Factory 35-inch packages also change the gearing.

What the factories pair with each size

From Jeep’s and Ford’s 2026 spec sheets and order guide, and Toyota’s product information sheets. “–” means no factory option at that size. Toyota calls its 265/70R18 a 33-inch tire; Toyo lists that size at 32.6 inches.

Gearing

Taller tires act like taller gears, so the engine turns slower at the same speed and has less leverage. Jeep goes from 4.10 axles on its 33s to 4.56 on its 35s; Ford uses 4.70 on both its 35s and its 37s. Toyota keeps 3.583 on everything, but offers no 35-inch tire.

Published guidance for 37s on a Jeep ranges from about 4.56 to 4.88 (4 Wheel Parts) to 4.88 or 5.13 (Quadratec). Simply matching a 4.10 Jeep’s gearing to 37s by tire height works out to about 4.57.

Among owners who regeared after going bigger, mostly 3rd-gen Tacoma and 5th-gen 4Runner owners, most chose 4.88 or 5.29 and say the truck drives better. Mileage after regearing ranged from slightly better to about 2 mpg worse. We found no regear data yet for the 2024-and-later Tacoma or 4Runner.

Fuel economy

Most of these are dash readings. A speedometer set up for smaller tires reads low, so it also under-counts miles, and the real loss is likely a little smaller than owners see: about 5% better than the dash shows on 35s and about 11% on 37s. Lifts, bumpers and tunes usually change at the same time, too.

Lift

Jeep’s factory 35s come with a 1.5-inch lift. For the Gladiator, 4 Wheel Parts says a Rubicon clears 35x12.50 tires on stock suspension with only minor rubbing on the street, and recommends a 1–2-inch lift for full articulation off-road and 2–3 inches with set bump stops for 37s. Quadratec says Jeep owners fitting 37s should start with at least a 2.5-inch kit. Bronco owners in our log on 37s mostly run a 2–3-inch lift.

See what owners fit without a lift in our Wrangler JL and Tacoma tire guides. Compare any two sizes with the tire size calculator, and check the load rating of a bigger tire in tire load range explained.

FAQ

• Updated October 26, 2026: First published from vehicle and tire makers’ specs, published gearing guidance and 74 counted owner reports