Can You Put Bigger Tires On Jeep Renegade? Everything Covered
The Jeep Renegade is a compact SUV that offers a lot of versatility and performance. However, some owners may want to upgrade their tires to improve their off-road capabilities or enhance their vehicle’s appearance. If you are one of them, you may be wondering how to put bigger tires on your Jeep Renegade.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about installing bigger tires on your Jeep Renegade, including:
- Stock tire sizes on the Renegade
- How much bigger you can go without a lift?
- Will Wrangler tires fit on a Renegade?
- If a lift kit is required to fit larger tires?
- How bigger tires impact performance?
- Recommended upgraded tire sizes?
- Estimated costs
- Professional vs DIY installation
We will also summarize the key takeaways so you can decide if installing bigger tires on your Jeep Renegade is the right modification for your needs and budget. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Are the Stock Tire Sizes on a Jeep Renegade?
The Jeep Renegade comes equipped from the factory with relatively small stock tire sizes compared to other Jeep models. However, the stock tire sizes vary by year and model. Here are the OEM tire sizes by trim level for the 2023 Jeep Renegade:
- Altitude – 225/55R18
- Latitude – 215/60R17
- Limited – 225/55R18 or 235/45R19
- Trailhawk – 235/55R17
- 80th Anniversary Edition – 235/45R19
- Freedom – 215/60R17
- Islander – 235/45R19
- Jeepster – 235/45R19
So the stock tires on a 2023 Renegade range from 17 to 19 inches in rim diameter and 215 to 235 mm in tire width. The aspect ratio on all trims is between 45% and 60%.
Knowing your Jeep’s original tire size will help determine how much larger you can go with an upgrade.
How Big of Tires Can You Fit on a Stock Jeep Renegade?
Most Jeep enthusiasts want to know how much bigger tires they can install without making any other modifications. This will depend partly on the trim level and the wheel size. On a stock Renegade Sport or Latitude, the largest tires you can likely fit are:
- 225/65R17 – gains 1 inch in diameter
- 235/65R17 – gains 1.4 inches
Moving up to 18″ wheels, popular options are:
- 245/60R18 – gains 1.2 inches
- 245/55R18 – gains 1.5 inches
For the Trailhawk and Limited models with more factory clearance, owners have managed to fit 245/70R17 tires without a lift, increasing diameter by 2 inches.
Exceeding these sizes is not recommended on a stock suspension, as rubbing can occur especially when turning at full lock. Installing spacers or slight trimming of the plastic fenders can help squeeze on an extra half inch or so.
But for optimal fit and performance, lift kits become necessary for most anything larger.
Will Wrangler Tires Fit on a Renegade?
A common question from Renegade owners is whether they can swap on some larger Jeep Wrangler wheels and tires. The short answer is yes, certain Wrangler tires will bolt right up and fit on a Jeep Renegade.
However, the Jeep Renegade uses a 5×105 lug pattern for the 2015-2019 models, and a 5×110 lug pattern for the 2020-2023 models, while most newer Wranglers use a 5×5 lug pattern. Therefore, you would need a wheel adapter or a Renegade-specific wheel in order to mount Wrangler tires. Below are some examples:
- 33″ or 35″ Jeep Wrangler tires on 18″ Renegade rims
- Up to 37″ Wrangler tires on 20″ aftermarket Renegade wheels
With the right wheels, Wrangler take-offs can be a cost-effective way to obtain good quality all-terrain tires for a Renegade lift. Just make sure to get wheels with the correct lug pattern, offset, and backspacing for your vehicle.
Do You Need A Lift Kit To Fit Larger Tires On A Renegade?
Suspension Lift
Once you start looking at tire sizes over 33 inches, a suspension lift kit becomes required to prevent rubbing and fit them properly. A lift helps gain fender clearance and improves suspension geometry for running larger tires.
Most owners recommend at least a 2-inch lift in order to clear 35 inches or larger tires on a Renegade. Budget-friendly lift options include:
- 2-inch spacer lifts
- 2-3 inch coil spring spacers
- 2.5-inch shock extensions
For increased off-road performance, higher-end lift kits with shocks and struts are available in the 3-4 inch range from companies like Rocky Road and Teraflex.
Body Lift
The Renegade does not have a body lift option, as it is a unibody vehicle. A body lift is only possible for vehicles with a separate frame and body.
Will Installing Bigger Tires Affect Performance Of Your Jeep?
Going to a taller tire on your Renegade will impact several performance factors. Here’s an overview of the trade-offs to consider:
- Ground Clearance – More clearance and ability to fit over obstacles. But extra care needed on inclines.
- Power & Torque – Bigger tires = less torque at wheels, so acceleration suffers. Re-gearing can help compensate.
- Fuel Economy – Expect 1-3 mpg drop depending on tire size due to weight and gearing changes.
- Ride Quality – Stiffer ride and more road noise, especially with aggressive treads.
- Braking – Longer stopping distance, so brake upgrades are recommended.
- Steering Response – Slower turns and more swaying possible. Steering stabilizers can help.
- Legality – Tires that extend past the fenders may violate local vehicle laws. Keep tread inside.
The key is choosing the right balance of size and tread design to match how you drive your Renegade most.
Bigger Tires May Require Other Upgrades And Modifications
Along with a lift kit, installing larger tires will likely require additional upgrades to maintain proper drivetrain geometry and function. Common complementing mods include:
- Fender trimming – allows squeezing in a slightly bigger tire size
- Check for rubbing and steering issues after test fitting new tires and address any problems before driving. Going too big without necessary upgrades can cause serious problems.
Recommended Tire Sizes For A Lifted Jeep Renegade
Here are some of the most common tire sizes chosen by Renegade owners with lifts between 2-3 inches:
2-Inch Budget Lift:
- 33×12.50R15 LT
- 245/75R16
- 265/70R17
3-inch Lift Kit:
- 285/70R17
- 33×12.50R17 LT
- 35×12.50R17 LT
Aim for a tire diameter about 3 inches larger than stock when figuring the maximum size to fit on a lifted Renegade without rubbing. And make sure to account for added backspacing if using wheel spacers.
The Renegade does not have a 4-inch lift kit option, so the recommended tire sizes for that lift are not applicable.
Choosing The Right Tire Type And Tread Pattern
Once you’ve settled on size, choosing the right tire type and tread design comes next. Here are some things to consider:
- All-Terrain (AT) – Great on- and off-road versatility. Brands like BFGoodrich KO2, Goodyear Duratrac, and Nitto Ridge Grappler are popular choices.
- Mud Terrain (MT) – Aggressive tread for maximum traction in mud, snow and rocks. But louder on pavement.
- All-Season – Better road manners and tread life than aggressive AT or MT tires if mostly driving on pavement.
Think about your main usage – are you looking to tackle off-road trails and need a tire’s grip and puncture resistance? Or is a quiet daily driver more important? This will help narrow your options.
Professional Installation Vs DIY When Putting Bigger Tires On A Jeep
Installing larger tires on a Jeep requires some mechanical skill, especially when adding a lift kit. Here are some considerations around doing it yourself vs having a shop handle it:
DIY Pros:
- Less expensive
- Learn hands-on skills
- Fun project
DIY Cons:
- Takes more time and tools
- Easy to make mistakes
- Safety if something goes wrong
Shop Pros:
- Completed quickly
- Reduced risk of issues
- Professional knowledge
Shop Cons:
- Labor fees increase cost
- Wait for appointment openings
Evaluate your budget, skill level, and how soon you need the Jeep back on the road. For novice mechanics, having a shop or experienced friends assist can be worthwhile.
How Much Does It Cost To Put Bigger Wheels And Tires On A Renegade?
Upgrading to larger diameter wheels and tires represents a significant investment for most Renegade owners. Here are some ballpark costs to budget:
- Wheels – $150+ per wheel for quality aftermarket rims. More for specialty wheels.
- Tires – $150-350+ per tire depending on size and brand.
- Lift Kit – Budget kits $250-800. High-end lift kits with shocks and struts over $1000.
- Labor – Around $100/hour for installation if you don’t DIY.
- Other parts like fender trimming, etc can add $200-500 or more to complete the upgrade.
Most owners report spending $2000-4000+ for a significant tire and lift package installed on their Jeep Renegade.
Key Takeaways And Summary Of Big Tire Options For Jeep Renegade
Upgrading to larger diameter wheels and tires can transform the look and off-road capability of the Jeep Renegade. With the right modifications, fitting tires up to 35 inches is achievable.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Stock Renegade tire sizes range from 17 to 19 inches from the factory .
- Without a lift kit, can typically increase diameter 1-2 inches over stock tires
- Must use adapters to convert Wrangler 5×127 mm wheels to 5×110 mm to fit Renegade
- Plan for a 2-3 inch lift kit to run 33-35 inch tires without major issues
- Expect ride, steering, and performance changes – not all positive
- Additional modifications likely needed beyond just a lift
- Choose the right tire type and tread for your needs
- Budget $2000+ for a proper big tire upgrade
- Weigh your goals, usage, and budget to decide the optimal tire size and lift height for your Jeep Renegade. And take the necessary steps to have the right supporting mods installed for safe functioning. Done properly, you can achieve impressive looks and off-road performance!
