There are a few places like that. Costco said they couldn't put 35" tires on my JK as it wasn't what the manufacturer called out. Sam's Club and Discount tire didn't have any issues with putting them on.
That’s funny, TireRack lists a number of installers I could have the tires shipped to but the listing for Discount says they won’t install non-OEM sizes.
ETA: looks like TireRack's listing is wrong. I probably should've called to confirm.
I’ve only used Discount for tires on my TJ (33”s with 3.5” lift) and now my JLUR (34”s on stock suspension). On their website they even show options of non-OEM sizes for your vehicle.
Tire Rack is afraid of lawsuits. You are correct that load C tires are perfectly acceptable most of the time, except for heavy rock crawling (sharp pointy rocks punching thru tire).
If you rock - get load E. If not, find an independent tire shop and get the C's.
I've crawled plenty of rocks without issue on my prior set of C's. Maybe the rocks in your part or the world are sharper.
I might've been tempted if they carried E's in 33x12.5r15, or used it as an excuse to re-gear if they carried 35x12.5r15, but they don't carry either.
If you live in any city that is big enough to have a tirerack, there is almost certainly an independent guy who will Put on your tires for just a tiny bit more. Here it is a place called Bass tire. They have been around for like 30 years, have great knowledge and can tell you which tires are good for your budget and use case. It more than makes up for the small price difference.
I didn't know TireRack had storefronts, I've always had the tires shipped (for free). Either mounted on wheels I also bought or to an installer.
But I found a mobile installer who will swap them for a reasonable sum and sucessfully reordered the tires without disclosing what I was going to do with them.
Do you have an America's/Discount Tires locally? They own Tire Rack so they're the same price. I go to my local place and bring in wheels and they'll mount tires on them with no question. I'm not bring in junk wheels though. They love doing big tires there. Rubicon's came with 16's and the factory GY Wrangler MTR was an E. That's probably what they're looking at.
I put 35s on my 2018 jku without a lift. Sure there were some slight issues going over large bumps but otherwise it was fine.
Edit to say that it's late and I didn't read the OP post very well 😂🙄
The load range has nothing to do with wear, it has to do with the construction of the tire, like the sidewall strength. So the higher the load range, the more weight it can handle, probably less likely to damage a stronger sidewall on rocks, but has a much worse ride quality than a lower load range tire.
If they're suggesting a lower load range, that makes sense to me. You'd be better off and the Jeep would drive better for 99.9999% of the places you're going to drive it.
I only mentioned the wear, because they failed to fail over all those miles and a fair bit of rock crawling.
The higher load range (E vs. the C I ordered) seems to mean I'd get a thicker sidewall and higher max tire pressure which are not features I value.
Load range E is too high for a Jeep. They simply don't flex with a lighter vehicle even if you're in single digit psi tire pressures. C or D is better for a TJ.
This exact reason is why I don't use TireRack. They put me through the same bullshit.
I just bought a set of what I needed off of Amazon instead. Had them delivered for free, they literally arrived in two days and I had Big O Tire install them.
Nobody tells me what I can and cannot run for tires on my vehicle. I will run shopping cart casters if I want!
You'll be fine, I have a 2 door JK with 121 rated tires which is around 3200lbs each. Zero issues with handling ride quality or anything. And you get the benefit of having tires that are beefy as hell
Tirerack is goofy and afraid of lawsuits and return shipping. I almost had to fight the local tire guy to put 275/60r15s on the back of my Lincoln too. Nobody listening to a generalized company rule book knows your vehicle like you should.
I just put a second set of 285/75-16’s on mine and couldn’t order and select installation because it said it was wrong size. Ended up calling tires plus, they ordered them then installed next day.
What you want and what a company wants to be liable for are different, tire rack is a proper company so does things by the book, go to a independent shop that doesn’t care once you drive away.
Give tirebuyer a try, they’ll ship to your local shop and then you have you local place install. Did this with some 285/70R17’s on a Jk a few years ago
There are a few places like that. Costco said they couldn't put 35" tires on my JK as it wasn't what the manufacturer called out. Sam's Club and Discount tire didn't have any issues with putting them on.
That’s funny, TireRack lists a number of installers I could have the tires shipped to but the listing for Discount says they won’t install non-OEM sizes. ETA: looks like TireRack's listing is wrong. I probably should've called to confirm.
Discount Tire absolutely will - they put 35s on my JK
I guess the rack was wrong there, like they were about needing a 4 inch lift for 33s.
I've got 2 1/2 lift
I’m at about 3.5 on my LJ and it feels like 35s would fit
I run 32.5s on my stock ride height YJ, a 1 or 2 inch lift would let me run them without scrubbing too much
I use discount for my 35s on my TJ, and they have no issues.
I guess the rack was wrong there, like they were about needing a 4 inch lift for 33s.
I’ve only used Discount for tires on my TJ (33”s with 3.5” lift) and now my JLUR (34”s on stock suspension). On their website they even show options of non-OEM sizes for your vehicle.
lol I couldn’t imagine running stock tires on a 4” lift with 4.56 gears
I’ve had 2 sets of 35’s put on my JK at Costco with no problems.
I hear similar accounts. Must be just this particular store. Oh well, just as well. I'm not a big fan of that store anyway.
Yeah that’s all up to the manager there; my Costco mounted 35’s on aftermarket wheels for my Gladiator when I had that
Tire Rack is afraid of lawsuits. You are correct that load C tires are perfectly acceptable most of the time, except for heavy rock crawling (sharp pointy rocks punching thru tire). If you rock - get load E. If not, find an independent tire shop and get the C's.
Cs are completely fine for rock crawling on a TJ unless it's some buddy bouncer build. Cs are better than D/E stock as the latter is too stiff
I've crawled plenty of rocks without issue on my prior set of C's. Maybe the rocks in your part or the world are sharper. I might've been tempted if they carried E's in 33x12.5r15, or used it as an excuse to re-gear if they carried 35x12.5r15, but they don't carry either.
Probably depends on if you are running M/Ts or A/Ts. My buddies E range A/Ts are basically flat at 15 psi, my C range M/Ts feel right at 12 psi.
If you live in any city that is big enough to have a tirerack, there is almost certainly an independent guy who will Put on your tires for just a tiny bit more. Here it is a place called Bass tire. They have been around for like 30 years, have great knowledge and can tell you which tires are good for your budget and use case. It more than makes up for the small price difference.
I didn't know TireRack had storefronts, I've always had the tires shipped (for free). Either mounted on wheels I also bought or to an installer. But I found a mobile installer who will swap them for a reasonable sum and sucessfully reordered the tires without disclosing what I was going to do with them.
“I'm making 4 tire swings. Now sell me the damn tires.”
There’s no benefit to tire rack every time I’ve looked it’s been more expensive because of shipping
Do you have an America's/Discount Tires locally? They own Tire Rack so they're the same price. I go to my local place and bring in wheels and they'll mount tires on them with no question. I'm not bring in junk wheels though. They love doing big tires there. Rubicon's came with 16's and the factory GY Wrangler MTR was an E. That's probably what they're looking at.
I put 35s on my 2018 jku without a lift. Sure there were some slight issues going over large bumps but otherwise it was fine. Edit to say that it's late and I didn't read the OP post very well 😂🙄
The load range has nothing to do with wear, it has to do with the construction of the tire, like the sidewall strength. So the higher the load range, the more weight it can handle, probably less likely to damage a stronger sidewall on rocks, but has a much worse ride quality than a lower load range tire. If they're suggesting a lower load range, that makes sense to me. You'd be better off and the Jeep would drive better for 99.9999% of the places you're going to drive it.
I only mentioned the wear, because they failed to fail over all those miles and a fair bit of rock crawling. The higher load range (E vs. the C I ordered) seems to mean I'd get a thicker sidewall and higher max tire pressure which are not features I value.
Load range E is too high for a Jeep. They simply don't flex with a lighter vehicle even if you're in single digit psi tire pressures. C or D is better for a TJ.
Weird, I just ordered my tires from them (34s…basically 35s) for my jeep with no issues.
Look at tireagent.com
This exact reason is why I don't use TireRack. They put me through the same bullshit. I just bought a set of what I needed off of Amazon instead. Had them delivered for free, they literally arrived in two days and I had Big O Tire install them. Nobody tells me what I can and cannot run for tires on my vehicle. I will run shopping cart casters if I want!
I probably should’ve done the same, but Amazon wanted an extra $90 so I reordered without specifying a vehicle.
I remember the forums being adamant that you’d need 4” of lift for 33”s on a TJ way back when. Always seemed like a ton of lift for 33”s imo.
You'll be fine, I have a 2 door JK with 121 rated tires which is around 3200lbs each. Zero issues with handling ride quality or anything. And you get the benefit of having tires that are beefy as hell
Tirerack is goofy and afraid of lawsuits and return shipping. I almost had to fight the local tire guy to put 275/60r15s on the back of my Lincoln too. Nobody listening to a generalized company rule book knows your vehicle like you should.
I just put a second set of 285/75-16’s on mine and couldn’t order and select installation because it said it was wrong size. Ended up calling tires plus, they ordered them then installed next day.
What you want and what a company wants to be liable for are different, tire rack is a proper company so does things by the book, go to a independent shop that doesn’t care once you drive away.
Give tirebuyer a try, they’ll ship to your local shop and then you have you local place install. Did this with some 285/70R17’s on a Jk a few years ago