Was trying to make sense of this thread as I might need to purchase some tires. I believe the stock steelie with KO2's is; The stock tire is
265/70R17 BFG KO2 on the 17" steel wheels (17x7.5, +55mm ET) ~31.7" Diameter.
The stock
17" alloys are 17x8 +55mm ET — same offset as the steelies, just half an inch wider. ~31.7" Diameter.
---
# INEOS Grenadier — "Largest Functional Tire Without Mods" — Complete Thread Summary
**Source:**
https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/largest-functional-tire-without-mods.12371337/
**Coverage:** All 35 pages, Posts 1–683, Jun 2022 – Feb 16, 2026
---
## CONFIRMED SAFE FITMENTS — NO LIFT, NO RUBBING
### **285/70R17 (32.7" diameter)**
The workhorse recommendation. Multiple owner confirmations across the entire thread lifespan.
- AZGrenadier: BFG KO3 on stock steelies, no rub
- FL450: Toyo Open Country R/T Trail on stock Trialmaster — no rub, improved ride, very quiet for aggressive tire
- Abdalsharhan: BFG + H&R spacers, no rub — "quieter and smoother than OEM Bridgestones"
- MileHigh: E-rated KO3 on stock steelies (photos posted)
- Asnes: 285/70R17 KO3 — slightly more "squishy/compliant" vs stock KO2; ride is fine
- AngusMacG: Mickey Thompson 285/70R17 — speedometer now matches GPS (was 3mph fast on 265 KO2s)
- **Speedometer note:** Going from 265/70R17 KO2 to 285/70R17 MT corrected speedometer for one user; another found it 3mph slow. Variance by baseline tire.
### **255/80R17 (33.1" — "pizza cutter 33")**
- TahoeGren: Goodyear Duratrac RT on Method 703 wheels (+50mm) — exactly same weight as stock alloys+KO2s at 81.2 lbs each; no difference in steering feel due to matched scrub radius; no rub
- holdmybeer: Falken AT4W on stock steelies — loves them
- Multiple others on AT3W/AT4W
### **285/65R17 (32.0")**
Should fit easily (shorter than confirmed 285/70R17). Limited specific reports but no contra-indications.
### **275/65R18 / 285/65R18 / 285/70R18 on stock 18" alloys**
- jamesl175: 275/65R18 Falken AT3WA on stock 18" alloys — confirmed
- TNT647: 285/65R18 BFG KO2 — 5k miles no rub
- Rocky10: 285/70R18 photos showing it's close but confirmed
---
## MAXIMUM WITHOUT LIFT — MARGINAL / REQUIRES ACCESSORIES
### **285/75R17 (33.8–33.9" diameter)** ← NEWLY CONFIRMED
Previously uncertain; now well-confirmed with multiple 2024–2025 reports:
- **bradb622**: BFG KO3 E-rated, stock alloys, mountain trails — no rub
- **FlyingTexan**: 285/75R17 Nokians — "Fit. Drive great."
- **TheKingSlacker** (Vermont): KO3 285/75R17 on no suspension mods — no rubbing
- **copesetic**: KO3 285/75R17 on stock steelies — no rubbing on vehicle; **BUT required spare tire spacers** to open small door (spare carrier cannot swing past tire without them)
- Baron von Teuchter (NE Scotland): Calculating 285/75R17 = 33.8" and planning to run
- mcdoogs: Instagram video by @goosegearbrian using forklift to simulate full articulation — cleared front fenders with swaybar connected, **rubbed disconnected** — marginal
- LeTech speedometer correction dongle available (imported by Warner INEOS) for this size
- **Bottom line:** 285/75R17 fits on vehicle without body rub, BUT needs spare carrier spacers/bracket and may rub at extreme full-flex sway-bar-disconnected articulation
### **295/70R17 (33.3")**
- HT: BFG KO2, stock steelies, no lift — 2mm rear door clearance only. Still the absolute max on width.
### **255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT (34.6" ACTUAL diameter)** ← THE TALL PIZZA CUTTER
This is the tallest confirmed fitment without a lift. Multiple strong owner reports:
- **Brandtnm**: Stock steelies, stock springs, 1000 lbs gear, no rub. Raises truck 2.125" at 36F/40R PSI vs stock 265/70R17. Still no rub aired to 22F/26R in sand.
- **TCMColorado**: Stock steelies, no lift. 34.6" diameter confirmed by measuring tape unweighted at 40 PSI. Speedometer reads ~3mph slow (shows 75, actual 78 mph by GPS). Very drivable with turbo's low-end torque.
- **John Acosta**: Stock steelies, no rub, not louder than BFGs.
- **Dr_Nimslow**: Factory steelies, no lift, no rubbing — did install Leitner spare bracket.
- **Commodore** (Pasadena, CA): Ran in terrible Utah mud, performed better than Nitto Grapplers in same group.
- **ColoradoMike**: Method 701 17x7.5 +50mm wheels with MT 255/85R17 — couldn't get them to rub in 20 miles. DaneJa running same tires on Method 703s, zero complaints.
- **Brad@SuperiorCO**: No warranty issue fitting 255/85R17 at Red Noland dealer without a lift. Kept stock TPMS on steelies for 5-tire rotation capability.
- **TCMColorado** (definitive statement, page 30): "This is taller than any 295/70 or 285/75 or 285/70 — the 34.6" diameter of the MT is both the specified dimension and the confirmed actual dimension."
- **SPARE CARRIER:** Requires relocation bracket or washers. TCMColorado originally used Leitner bracket then switched to washers ("bracket moved the tire more than seemed necessary; washers keep tire tight but provide sufficient clearance"). Leitner: ~$200.
### **35x10.5R17 / Klever AT2 35x10.5 (34.6" actual)**
- Dirtbox confirmed no rub on the ITP Klever AT2 in 35x10.5. Same 34.6" actual diameter as MT 255/85R17.
---
## WILL NOT FIT WITHOUT MODS
- **315/70R17**: Too large for stock spare carrier
- **295/70R18**: Too large for stock suspension (even with 1.4/1.7" lift, forum mod anand says should be OK — it's narrower than 35x12.5 with similar diameter)
- **35x12.5R17**: Requires ~1.5" more door clearance. Rear liner rubs at full articulation even with 1.7" Eibach lift.
---
## MT BAJA BOSS AT 255/85R17 vs 18" WHEELS
Asked repeatedly: The MT Baja Boss AT **is only available in 17"**, not 18".
---
## SPARE CARRIER — UPDATED FINDINGS
| Tire | Clearance to Small Door | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 265/70R17 (stock) | 28mm gap | None needed |
| 285/70R17 | ~15mm | None needed |
| 285/75R17 | ~5mm | Spacers/washers required |
| 295/70R17 | 2mm | Marginal, just barely opens |
| 255/85R17 MT | Insufficient | Leitner bracket ($200) OR washers |
**Washer method:** TCMColorado found simple washers work better for 255/85R17 than the Leitner bracket. Leitner moves the spare out too far for this tire. DIY washers preferred.
**5-tire TPMS rotation tip (Brad@SuperiorCO):** Keep original TPMS sensors in the steel wheels. Run MT 255/85R17 on steelies as rotating set. No TPMS issue, full 5-tire rotation possible.
**TPMS swap trick (terdrocket, page 28):** If you get a puncture, mount the spare on the vehicle and put the punctured tire on the spare carrier. The system automatically replaces the "non-rotating spare" sensor ID with the new rotating tire — no TPMS warning light while driving to get repaired.
---
## BODY-TO-CHASSIS ALIGNMENT ISSUE (C-Mack, pages 24 & 30)
**Critical discovery:** Bodies can be assembled slightly off-center on the chassis — typically shifted toward passenger side. This causes:
- One wheel (usually passenger rear) appearing more sunken in wheel well
- Asymmetric rubbing with larger tires (rubs on one side but not the other)
**Fix:** Loosen rear body bolts and the two rearward body mounts; rock body gently to center it over chassis bolt holes; retorque. No cutting required. Can explain why identical tires rub on some trucks but not others.
---
## TPMS — UPDATED PRACTICAL GUIDE
**Over-pressure warnings on highway:**
- Running 36 PSI cold → up to 44 PSI after long summer highway runs (Australia: 44°C ambient + 3 hours)
- Solution: Set TPMS threshold at 40 PSI; cold-inflate to 40/42, set level, then deflate to operating pressure
- If tires are hot, TPMS will not reset — must do it cold (<~100°F tire temp)
- Texas summer (TXJOHN): Warnings every 5 min at highway speed — same workaround applies
**Auto-learn:** Still auto-corrects after ~4k miles for most users
---
## LIFT KITS — UPDATED
### Confirmed fitment with lift:
- **Nimrod (UK)**: 35" tires with 30mm Eibach lift — "work really well, drives as well as originals on steel wheels"
- **Vilhelm007 (NH)**: AT 35" tires, no lift specified, no rubbing, no camera blockage, rear lights fine. Speedometer matches GPS on 35" (implies stock speedometer reads fast with stock tire)
- **Texas Grenadier**: 2.5" lift + 35" on 17" wheels fits through 7' garage door — "by the hair of your chinny chin chin" at 7', with room to spare at slightly taller office garage
### Lift and warranty:
- **Brad@SuperiorCO / Red Noland**: No warranty issue for 255/85R17 WITHOUT lift
- Consensus: Lift (particularly driveshaft angle changes) is the warranty risk, not tire size change alone
---
## THE 33 VS 35 PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE (pages 33+)
**RY-Journeyman (NZ) / 33" camp:** INEOS designed the portal axle version for serious offroad lift. 33s handle everything from overland to utility. 35s are only needed for arctic expeditions. Real-world: never needed more than 33s in a Wrangler.
**Commodore / 35" camp:** "I can assure you that you need 35" tires in the western US on a lot of trails."
**Community consensus:** Both views are valid depending on use case. 255/85R17 MT at 34.6" is the practical "have it all" solution — tallest possible no-lift fitment, narrow enough to avoid rub, looks proportionally correct.
---
## POPULAR WHEEL OPTIONS (Updated)
| Wheel | Size | Offset | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock steelies | 17x7.5 | +55mm ET | Confirmed with all sizes to 295/70R17 and 255/85R17 |
| Stock alloys | 17x8 | +55mm ET | Same offset, 0.5" wider than steelies |
| Stock alloys 18" | 18x? | — | Confirmed to 285/70R18 |
| Method 701 | 17x7.5 | +50mm | Used with 255/85R17 by ColoradoMike |
| Method 703 | 17x7.5 | +50mm | Used with 255/80R17 by TahoeGren, 255/85R17 by DaneJa |
| Black Rhino Yellowstone | 17x8 | +45mm | |
| Owl Vans Talon | — | 30mm | Pushes tire 25mm outward |
| Delta 4x4 Klassik | 18x8.5, 18x9 | +45/+20 | EU option |
**Note:** Method 703 at +50mm (vs stock +55mm) maintains scrub radius geometry on 255/80R17 (TahoeGren). No change in steering feel.
---
## BMW B58 ENGINE TUNE POTENTIAL (Tenac, page 23)
- ~150hp/90tq gains possible with downpipe + ECM tune (BMW performance shop)
- ZF8HP51 reportedly already has upgraded clutch packs (ZF confirmed)
- Safe to ~800TQ per ZF spec
- B58 is a well-regarded platform
- Concern raised (mcdoogs): stock brakes may not be adequate for that power increase at vehicle weight
---
## TIRE BRANDS — FINAL CONSENSUS MATRIX
| Tire | Sizes Available | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFG KO2 | 265/70R17 stock, 285/70, 295/70, 285/75R17 | Winter rated, stiff sidewall, quiet | Poor mud performance |
| BFG KO3 | 285/70R17, 285/75R17 E-rated | More compliant than KO2, good allround | |
| Falken AT3W/AT4W | 255/80R17, 255/85R17(?)| Excellent allround, 3-peak snow, puncture resistant, pressure charts from Falken | |
| Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT | **255/85R17 only on 17"** | Tallest fitment at 34.6", better mud than KO2, quiet | No 18" version |
| Mickey Thompson 285/70R17 | 285/70R17 | Quiet, speedometer may correct | |
| Goodyear Duratrac RT | 255/80R17 | Matches stock weight w/ Method wheels | |
| Toyo OC RT Trail | 285/70R17 | Quiet, great ride, aggressive look | |
| Nokian Outpost AT | 285/75R17 | Quiet, better mud than expected | |
| ITP Klever AT2 | 35x10.5R17 | 34.6" actual, confirmed no rub | Mud tire pattern |
| Nitto Ridge Grappler | Various | — | Consistently criticized in thread |
| Nitto Terra Grappler | Various | — | Multiple sidewall failures reported |
---
## SPEEDOMETER DEVIATION REFERENCE
| Tire Size | vs GPS |
|---|---|
| 265/70R17 (stock BFG KO2) | ~3mph fast (shows 75, actual 72) |
| 285/70R17 | ~matches or ~1mph off |
| 255/85R17 MT | ~3mph slow (shows 75, actual 78) |
| 35" tires | Matches GPS (if stock was fast, this corrects it) |
LeTech offers a speedometer correction dongle for larger tire sizes, available through Warner INEOS.
---
## GROUND CLEARANCE REFERENCE
| Configuration | Approx Ground Clearance |
|---|---|
| Stock 265/70R17 | ~10.4" |
| 285/70R17 (32.7") | ~10.8" |
| 255/80R17 or 285/75R17 (~33.8") | ~11.4" |
| 255/85R17 MT (34.6") | ~11.8" |
| 35" + 2" lift | ~12.5" |
---
## OPTIMAL CONFIGURATIONS — COMMUNITY CONSENSUS (2022–2026)
### **If you want zero headaches and good capability:**
285/70R17 BFG KO3 or Toyo RT Trail on stock steelies. No spare bracket needed. No rub anywhere. Quieter than expected. Easy.
### **If you want maximum height without mods:**
255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT on stock 17" steelies OR Method 701/703 (+50mm). Requires spare washers or Leitner bracket (~$200). 34.6" actual diameter — taller than any 285 or 295 in 17". No body modifications. No lift needed.
### **If you want width + height balance:**
285/75R17 BFG KO3 or Nokian on stock steelies or alloys. Requires spare spacers. Multiple confirmations as of 2024–2025. Marginal at full flex with sway-bar disconnect.
### **If you want 35s:**
30–40mm Eibach lift + 35x10.5 or 255/85R17 (already 34.6"). For true 35" (≥35x12.5), need ~2" lift minimum. Warranty risk on driveshaft with any lift.
### **Pizza cutter philosophy:**
255/80R17 or 255/85R17 = narrower contact patch on road, **longer** contact patch when aired down offroad, better mud self-cleaning, lighter steering, quieter, better winter penetration, no steering wander. Preferred by many experienced owners.
---
## STILL UNRESOLVED
- Official INEOS maximum tire size statement
- Carraro axle aftermarket gear availability for regearing
- Long-arm lift kit feasibility
- Larger factory fender flares as option
- Full TPMS relearn procedure still not published by INEOS
- 285/75R17 at full sway-bar-off articulation — still only marginal data
---
## THREAD TIMELINE
| Pages | Posts | Period | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | 1–100 | Jun 2022 – Mar 2023 | Early speculation, first fitment reports |
| 6–10 | 101–200 | Mar–Sep 2023 | 285/70R17 established as safe; 33" consensus |
| 11–15 | 201–300 | Sep 2023 – Mar 2024 | 255/85R17 MT introduced; spare bracket solutions |
| 16–20 | 301–400 | Mar–Oct 2024 | 285/70R17 and 255/85R17 become dominant recommendations |
| 21–25 | 401–500 | Oct 2024 – Jan 2025 | 285/75R17 gains multiple confirmations; body alignment issue discovered |
| 26–30 | 501–600 | Feb–Aug 2025 | MT 255/85R17 becomes clear consensus "best all-around" pick |
| 31–35 | 601–683 | Sep 2025 – Feb 2026 | Community fully settled; 33 vs 35 philosophical debate; Leitner vs washer resolved |
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