Yes, you can fit a 35-inch tire on a 20-inch rim if your vehicle has enough clearance to fit this combo. But you should keep in mind that the aspect ratio of this tire must be 315/60. Otherwise, it won’t fit on the rim bead properly, consequently, it can rip away for a lower aspect ratio. The higher aspect ratio on the other hand wouldn’t allow the tire to fit on the rim.
I’ve just outlined a few things. Read further for a comprehensive explanation.
Can I Fit 35 Inch Tires On 20 Inch Rims?
Yes, you can fit a 35-inch tire on a 20-inch rim and for that, the dimension of the tire should be 315/60/20, 285/65/20, or 325/60/20. When the tire is 35” and the rim is 20”, the total gap between the tire and rim is 15”. To make up this gap the sidewall of the tire should be 7.5×2=15” ( 15” is equal to both sides of the tire). So 35-inch tires should have one sidewall of at least 7.5 inches to get fixed on a 20-inch rim (315/60/20, 285/65/20, or 325/60/20 all have sidewall of at least 7.5 inches)
Here in the aspect ratio, 315mm is the width of the tire. 60 is the percentage of 315mm which is referred to as the sidewall of the tire. And the 20 refers to the 20” diameter of the rim.
Additionally, it’s essential to take into account the impact of the wheel wall when considering the installation of a 35″ tire on a 20″ rim. This configuration will result in an overall increase in the wheel size, requiring a larger wheelhouse. Nevertheless, many passenger cars and small trucks may lack sufficient space to accommodate this larger wheel size.
In such cases, modifications may be necessary to enable the installation of this tire and rim combination in your vehicle. The specific modifications required will depend on the make, model, and other relevant circumstances. To identify the appropriate solution for your vehicle, refer to the table provided below.
| Vehicle to fit 20” rims on 35” tires | Problems of this combo | Solution |
| Ford F250 | Sidewall flex & rubbing at a high-speed | Use 2.5” suspension lifter kit |
| Ford F150 | Sidewall flex | Do plastic trimming and install a 6” lift kit |
| Dodge RAM 1500 | Possibility of minor rubbing | Install a 2” leveling kit |
| Toyota Tundra | Inadequate height | Use a suspension kit |
| Jeep Wrangler | Rubbing with wheelhouse | Use 3” suspension lift kit |
| Silverado | Insufficient clearance | Install a 4” suspension lift kit |
Upon installation of this combination onto your vehicle, it will result in a high-profile tire. A tire is deemed high-profile if its sidewall height exceeds 55% of its width. And in the 35” tire and 20” rim combo, the sidewall must be at least 60%. While this may not necessarily always be advantageous, it’s imperative to consider the potential drawbacks that may arise. Therefore, it is important to analyze the pros and cons associated with this combination.
| Pros | Cons |
| 1. A higher sidewall absorbs more road shocks 2. Easier driving for its enhanced flexibility for taller sidewall 3. Low traction results in less noise 4. Less expensive 5. More durable 6. More fuel efficient | 1. Less responsive steering in sharp turns 2. Lack of stability at high speed 3. Poor braking performance |
Based on these facts, you can now decide if this combo is right for you.
Is It Recommended To Fit 35-Inch Tire On 20-Inch Rims?
Yes, fitting a 35-inch tire on a 20-inch rim if you prefer better fuel efficiency and enhanced flexibility. This combination offers multiple advantages, such as increased durability, cost-effectiveness, and aggressive appearance.
Nevertheless, if you prioritize superior traction and braking performance, this combination may not be ideal for you. Nonetheless, for ordinary purposes, this configuration proves to be adequate. Performance-oriented individuals may have to consider alternative configurations for their vehicles.
Requirements to Fit 35-Inch Tire On 20-Inch Rims
The installation of a tire 35” is significant and, as such, the following prerequisites must be met for proper fitting on some of the vehicles where the stock tire size is significantly smaller than 35”.
Fender Trimming
In order to accommodate a larger-sized wheel, it may be necessary to modify the fender of your vehicle to provide adequate clearance for the larger tire. Specifically, if the diameter of the wheel well is 35 inches, a minimum clearance of 3 inches between the top of the tire and the fender is required.
Therefore, the diameter of the wheel well should be at least 38 inches. In this scenario, a fender trimming of 3 inches will be necessary.
Negative Offset Rim
Based on the specified aspect ratio of 315/60 and 325/60, the tire width amounts to 315mm or equivalently 12.40 inches and 12.79. To install such a larger tire within the fender, a rim with a negative offset is required. This is due to the inadequacy of backspace in a positive offset tire, which would impede fitting the tire within the fender.
Source: Tire Buyer
Neglecting to utilize a rim with a negative offset will lead to tire scrubbing against the wheel well. However, a negative offset rim can readily accommodate the additional outer space required, thus enabling the installation of the larger tire without any concerns over backspace.
Speedometer Recalibration
The speed of a vehicle is largely influenced by the size of its tires. A larger diameter tire can cover more distance per rotation, which can result in the speedometer displaying an incorrect reading if the tire size is changed without proper calibration.
To ensure the accuracy of the speedometer, it’s important to calibrate it according to the size of the tire. Failing to do so can pose a safety risk, as misreading the speedometer can lead to unsafe driving conditions.
Adjustable Aftermarket UCA’s
If you intend to use a 35″ tire on a 20-inch rim, installing Adjustable Aftermarket Upper Control Arms (UCAs) may be necessary for optimal performance. The primary reason for this is improved clearance.
With Adjustable Aftermarket UCA’s, there is an increase in the space between the tire and ball joint housing. This allows for a more expansive tire size to fit comfortably. This is crucial since larger tires can potentially interfere with the wheel well or other suspension parts. In turn, this interference can result in hazardous situations or cause damage to the vehicle. (2)
Source: My Garageair Drie
Moreover, Adjustable Aftermarket UCA’s ensure that the coil clearance and ball joint angle are appropriately adjusted. This guarantees that the UCA can comfortably clear the coil on maximum droop.
Source: The New X
This means that the UCA will not collide with the coil, which could lead to unsafe conditions or damage.
Check also whether you can put 35 inch tires with a 3 inch lift on your Jeep Wrangler.
How to Install 35-Inch Tires On 20-Inch Rims?
Installation of a 35” tire on 20” rims is a heavy task that needs high mechanical knowledge. So we recommend going for a service to complete this task. However, if you want to do it on your own, check the video below for further instructions.
Alternative to a 35 Tire For 20 Rims[150-200]
37” and 40” tires are the larger alternative to a 35” tire on a 20” rim. Let’s see how you can fit these alternatives on 20” rims and what are the benefits of this.
37-Inch Tire
You can fit 37” tires on 20” rims, but it is important to ensure that the tire dimension is 315/68/20. Also, there is a possibility of rubbing at high speeds due to the increased wheel size. So, to accommodate this larger wheel diameter, significant modifications may be required.
That said, the results can be well worth the effort, as this combination has the potential to greatly enhance the visual appeal of your vehicle while also improving its fuel efficiency and acceleration.
40-Inch Tire
A 40” inch tire can also be the alternative to 35” while fitting on 20” rims, but it’s possible only for offroad cars and big-size trucks. A bigger size tire is always better for off-road driving for the ability to absorb the road shock. But before going to this combo you should keep some of the important factors in mind.
Fitting this large-size tire on a vehicle is all about adequate clearance. The big-size trucks and offroad vehicles have enough clearance for this combo. However, for most passenger cars, this combo is almost impossible to fit.
If you struggle to find a suitable off-road all-season tire, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 vs. Toyo Open Country AT2 vs. BFG KO2 this article will help you find the right fit for you.
FAQs
Do Wheels Affect Gas Mileage?
Yes, wheels can affect gas mileage. Tires can significantly impact the number of miles a driver can get to a tank of gas, with 20% to 30% of a vehicle’s fuel consumption and 24% of road vehicle CO2 emissions being tire-related. The main way tires affect fuel efficiency is through their rolling resistance.
Which Rims Are The Strongest?
The steel rims are the strongest and most durable rims available in the market. If you maintain the layer of paint on the steer rims, the rust won’t affect it and will last longer. Also, it won’t crack as steel is a strong metal.
Do Big Rims Damage Suspension?
Yes, big rims can potentially damage the suspension if sidewall height is not taken into consideration. This is because incorrect speedometer readings can occur when wheels turn at a different speed than before, which can cause damage to the suspension, wheels, or tires.
Conclusion
Anyway, we’re at the tail of the discussion regarding whether I can fit a 35-inch tire on 20-inch rims. Before switching to a larger tire size you should always consider the benefits and drawbacks of such a configuration. As long as you feel feasible, you can adopt any possible tire-rims combo.
Thanks for your patience!
