Nissan Frontier 33 Inch Tires vs 35s – What Lift and Wheels To Pick
We continue our series of articles dedicated to off-road wheels and today we are going to show you Nissan Frontier 33 inch tires as well as 35″ and optimal lift kits to clear them without problems. First of all, we want to go over a couple of benefits of getting larger tires. Number one is the improved ground clearance, which allows you to explore the new challenging paths on the way of your next 4×4 adventures. Second is the improved overall diameter of the 33″ wheels, which makes the truck feel more stable both on the highway and off the pavement. View the full list of easy to install spacer lift solutions for Nissan Frontier.
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List of factory tire sizes of Nissan Frontier and their equivalent in inches
If you’ve seen Nissan Frontier on 33 inch tires than you definitely know how good do they look in comparison with narrow factory wheels. So if you really want to outfit your truck with 33” or 35 inch wheels, we want to assure you that this change will not be as complicated as you may think. We’ll show what exactly is required to fit bigger tires safely and which lift kit to choose.
Below is the list of factory equipped wheel sizes and their equivalents in common off-road tire sizes. The information is based on OEM fitment lists and size converter.
| Nissan Frontier D40 2005-2019 | 265/65R17 | 31" |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Frontier D22 2001-2004 | 265/65R17 | 31" |
| Nissan Frontier D22 1998-2000 | 265/70R15 | 30" |
As you see the factory tires are just a little smaller, so fitting 33s and 35s would require a 2.5-6″ lift depending on the generation.
Common 33 inch and 35 inch tires for Nissan Frontier
- 33 x 11.5 x R20
- 33 x 12.5 x R17/R18/R20
- 35 x 11.5 R17/R18/R20
- 35 x 12.5 R17/R18/R20
Common 33 inch size metric equivalents
- 16 inch rim – 255/85R16 265/80R16 275/80R16 285/75R16 295/75R16 305/70R16 315/70R16
- 17 inch rim – 265/75R17, 275/75R17, 285/70R17
- 18 inch rim – 265/70R18, 275/70R18, 285/65R18 295/65R18
Common 34 inch size metric equivalents
- 17 inch rim 315/70R17
Common 35 inch size metric equivalents
- 18 inch rim – 315/70R18, 325/65R18
How To Fit Big Tires
Nissan Frontier 33 inch Tires
Fitting a Nissan with oversized off-road wheels is just a question of time for many fans of the outdoor activities, off-roading and those who often drive on country roads. The majority of modern pickups and SUV are able to accommodate 33 inch tires with a help of basic spacers.
Lift Kits Recommended for up to 33″ Tires
- Rough Country (86731) 2.5″ Suspension Lift Kit with N3 Struts for 2005-2023 Frontier 4WD – Good for 33″s, but minor trimming may be required
- Rough Country 2.5″ Spacer Leveling Kit for 2005-2023 Frontier – 33″s WILL require trimming
- MZS 3″ Leveling Kit Compatible with 2005-2023 Frontier – 3″ Front Strut Spacers + 2″ Rear Lift Shackles (Trimming may be required depending n the wheel setup)
Nissan Frontier on 35 inch tires
35 inch tires will require a little more lift to properly clear in your truck. Rough Country 6″ lift kit is a common solution for the owners of Nissan Frontier D40 to install 35s.
Conclusion
Needless to say that aside from the obvious benefits in the off-road capabilities you’re also improving the visual appeal of your truck. Taller and wider stance along with beefy tires create an image of a tough truck, ready to handle any challenge you can throw at it.
The driving characteristics of the Nissan Frontier on 33 inch tires will not be changed dramatically so you will still be able to maintain normal ride quality. A slight drop in the gas mileage may be noticed and it should not exceed 1-2MPG. The suspension geometry will remain the same unless you decide to go with extremely low offset, which will widen the track.
Disclaimer
*Since the suspension modifications and the installation of the oversized tires require advanced measurements and depend on many parameters, such as the vehicle sub-model, trim level, state of the suspension components, aftermarket upgrades, etc., we highly recommend to confirm fitment parameters for your particular vehicle with the sales representative of your lift and tire supplier before making a purchase. The recommendations in this article are presented for general informational purposes only, so we are not responsible for any problems with the wheel and tire fitment or any other damage that may occur to your vehicle.
