Free tool
Lift kit calculator
Find the biggest tires that fit after your lift. Enter your current tire and lift height to see the max size bolt-on and with trimming, the clearance you gain, the speedometer impact and what else you'll need.
2.5" total lift on 31.6" tires
About 34" bolt-on — up to 35" with trimming
| Setup | Max tire | Example sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt-on (keeps clearance) | 34" | 295/70R18 · 34x10.50R17 |
| With trimming + offset | 35" | 35x12.50R17 · 305/70R18 |
At 34" your speedometer reads about 8% slow — roughly 64.5 mph true at an indicated 60.
What this means for your truck
- Your 2.5" of lift raises the fender about 2.5", which is roughly one inch of extra tire diameter per inch of lift before any trimming.
- To reach 35", plan on trimming the fender liner/pinch weld (and possibly a cab-mount chop) and pairing it with a lower offset or spacers.
- At 34" your speedometer will read about 8% slow — recalibrate it after the swap.
Dial it in next
A geometry-based starting point — real fitment also depends on wheel offset/backspacing, tire width, suspension uptravel and trimming, and varies by truck. Always test-fit and check at full steering lock and full compression before buying tires.
Leveling, suspension & body lifts
Three ways to make room for bigger tires — each gains clearance differently.
Leveling kit
Raises the front 1.5–2.5" to match the rear. Cheap, front-biased clearance — usually good for one tire size.
Suspension lift
Lifts the whole truck off the axles, adding ride height and travel. The most room for big tires, 2–8"+.
Body lift
Raises the body off the frame, 1–3". Adds fender clearance for tires without changing ride or travel.
The clearance rule
About one inch of tire diameter per inch of lift before trimming — then offset and trimming buy the rest.
Lift kits & tire size — frequently asked
How much bigger tires can I fit with a lift?
As a geometry rule of thumb, about one inch of extra tire diameter per inch of lift before any trimming — because lifting the body raises the fender by that amount and the top of the tire sits one full diameter above the ground. Trimming the fender liner and pinch weld, plus running the right offset, typically buys roughly another two inches of diameter (about one tire size) on top of that.
Does a leveling kit let me run bigger tires?
Yes — a leveling kit raises the front to match the rear and adds clearance up front, which is usually where tire size is limited (turning). On most half-tons a 2" level clears around a 33" tire bolt-on and up to 35" with trimming. It does less for the rear, but the rear rarely limits tire size.
What is the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift for tire fit?
A suspension lift raises the frame and body off the axles, adding both ride height and (usually) wheel travel — the most flexible way to fit bigger tires. A body lift raises only the body off the frame; it adds fender clearance for tires without changing ride quality or suspension travel, and is often combined with a leveling or suspension lift to squeeze in larger tires.
Will bigger tires after a lift mess up my speedometer?
Yes. A taller tire travels further per revolution, so your speedometer reads low — you are actually going faster than it shows. This calculator shows the percentage error and the true speed at an indicated 60 mph; use the Tire Size Calculator to dial it in and recalibrate.
Do I need a different wheel offset or spacers after a lift?
Often yes. Wider, taller tires can rub the inner fender or suspension, so a lower offset or wheel spacers push the wheel outward for clearance — at the cost of more poke at the fender. Run your numbers through the Wheel Offset Calculator before buying wheels.
Is the "1 inch of lift per 1 inch of tire" rule accurate?
It is a solid starting point for clearance. Geometrically, raising the fender one inch lets the tire diameter grow about one inch while keeping the same static gap. Real-world fitment also depends on suspension uptravel, wheel offset/backspacing, tire width and whether you trim — so always test-fit at full steering lock and full compression before committing.
