Power Wagon Registry

I figured since I have had the 315/70/17 tires on my 2011 for 5 months now I should post up a bit of a review.

My 4G has no suspension mods (and I am on the factory rims) so I knew it would be a bit of a risk putting these size tires on, but with the kind of wheeling around where I live (mud and snow) I was willing to take the chance and see what would happen as the extra ground clearance and contact patch of basically a 35" tire would really help.

My fuel economy did drop by about 1 mpg and I did feel a slight loss in power. I bought a Bullydog programmer shortly afterwards and while it did make the power feel back to what it was with the stock tires the fuel economy continues to stay 1 mpg worse. I was able to use the Bullydog to correct my speedo (verified using my Garmin GPS) and also turn off the tire pressure warming/monitor.

Now for the big questions, control arm and inner fender well rubbing. The tires do rub on the control arms a lot when turning tight corners. Eventually I hope to install some offset control arms. I have done one off roading trip where I was on some more technical terrain (a dry riverbed) and with the sway bar disconnected I only noticed some very slight rubbing on the fender wells at high articulation corners where my wheels were turned. When my wheels are straight and I am at full articulation there is no rubbing. However, I have heard of other 4G owners who had pretty significant fender well rubbing when they installed 35" tires with no suspension mods. It may have to do with the slight variation in actual tire size.

Would I take the chance on rubbing if I had to do it all over again? Yes!!!!! I swear a 35" tire is really what these trucks should have come from the factory with. The extra 2" makes such a huge difference off road. For right now I am more than willing to live with control arm rubbing for the vastly improved off road performance.

Some ask why I don't do a mild suspension lift and easily have no rubbing problems at all with the 35" tires and there a 2 main reasons for me. I live where we have 6 months of cold, snowy winter (Edmonton, Alberta) and I REALLY like parking my truck in my garage. I also tow a travel trailer that weighs 7500lbs wet, and often do that with 900-1000lbs of ATVs and gear in the bed. Getting a truck with a raised suspension that can also tow and haul well can get quite costly and that is not in the budget (I did add a set of Hellwig add on leaves).

For reference, the tires are Kelly Safari TSR.

Here are 2 pictures I took today on the snow pile in front of my house. This is at full articulation (one rear tire was off the ground). I will dig up some more pictures and post them soon.

Here is one when I was in the dry river bed.

Outstanding!! I am due for tires and the fountain dealer in Saskatoon will hook me up with those exact tires. Im planning on some taller coils or spacers (I know I know) before I do tires. But that still wont address the rubbing on the control arms. Still im happy someone has had some luck with that. I do the same type of wheeling you do and frequently tow a trailer with bales or a skid steer. Nice review.

Yup, the 4.56 gears are ideal for 35's, and the inch under the diff makes a huge difference. In essence, when aired down for better traction, the 35's give you the same clearance as a stock 33 does at street pressure. I'm surprised they clear on a 4th Gen, but as we know on the 3rd gen, some truck are different enough to clear a 37 without problems, so you may be one of the lucky 4th Gen owners in the same boat with the 35's.

I've been running 35x12.5 Fierce Mud Terrains on stock suspension for a couple of years. Only rubbing is controls arms in full turn. Ordered Thurens control arms to fix that. Love these tires and will continue to rum em.


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bigblackdodge wrote:Outstanding!! I am due for tires and the fountain dealer in Saskatoon will hook me up with those exact tires. Im planning on some taller coils or spacers (I know I know) before I do tires. But that still wont address the rubbing on the control arms. Still im happy someone has had some luck with that. I do the same type of wheeling you do and frequently tow a trailer with bales or a skid steer. Nice review.

I had to haggle a bit but was able to get 4 installed for $1300 at Fountain Tire.

Looks good, JBM! I think I'm going to throw a set of 315/70R17 Goodyear MT/R with Kevlar on mine the next go round. I don't expect much rubbing, but if it happens, it happens.

Here's one more picture that shows how close the fit is at the rear of the front tires.

i went to install my 35s on my 3rd gen tonight and the rubbed to the point I had to throw the 33s back on. it just about popped my flare off.

Try adding some positive caster if it's close.

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I snap some shots yesterday flexed out with the 35x12.50's on stock suspension, again, only touches the control arms at full turn but that will soon be resolved. Hard to see but the 3rd picture shows about 3/4" between tire and wheel well and that can be zip tied back if needed, it will push in almost 2". I was check to see if I want to try 37's...

Looking good!!!

Will: Can you provide a side pic of the truck sitting level, no articulation?

Thanks - Brian

Kind of cloudy, hard to see the tires but here you go and some down the side shots as well.


Front tire..

Rear tires...

I found this one, tires are gummed up but these are the 35's with it setting level.

Countryman93 wrote:i went to install my 35s on my 3rd gen tonight and the rubbed to the point I had to throw the 33s back on. it just about popped my flare off.

Really? That seems very odd on a 3G... Where did they rub?


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they were rubbing on the bottom edge of the flare plus once we pushed it over the flare at full lock they were on the inner fender.
idk if it has something to do with the new rims being 17x8 with 4.5inch backspacing or not

Countryman93 wrote:they were rubbing on the bottom edge of the flare plus once we pushed it over the flare at full lock they were on the inner fender.
idk if it has something to do with the new rims being 17x8 with 4.5inch backspacing or not

The backspacing (or lack thereof) is the culprit!!!




JBM Power Wagon and Will- your trucks look great with the 35s!!! Very nice fit!
Will-I saw in one post you are contemplating 37s, I'll warn you, you will have to do either bunch of trimming or suspension mods for them. (I have 37s and they are a CLOSE fit with my Carli setup, I really need to trim a little on my driver's front inner fender (just behind the bumper) but, I have been too lazy!!!) OR, wait until the AEV flares come out and run them, 37s at stock height with those flares seems to be the most anticipated new stance!!!

I'm running CenterLine rims 9x17 with 5.25" of backspacing. This is about perfect for a 3G. Think it should work for a 4G too.

RustyPW wrote:I'm running CenterLine rims 9x17 with 5.25" of backspacing. This is about perfect for a 3G. Think it should work for a 4G too.

Pic of said rim?

RAM4ROKS wrote:Will-I saw in one post you are contemplating 37s, I'll warn you, you will have to do either bunch of trimming or suspension mods for them. (I have 37s and they are a CLOSE fit with my Carli setup, I really need to trim a little on my driver's front inner fender (just behind the bumper) but, I have been too lazy!!!) OR, wait until the AEV flares come out and run them, 37s at stock height with those flares seems to be the most anticipated new stance!!!

Yeah, it'll be close that's for sure, thanks for the heads up. The tires I've been running are 34.8 new and I have an inch or more with them everywhere but the back inner fender. I suppose it will boil down to which tires and how wide they are with side lugs in the equation. I took out the inner fender plastic and looked around, I don't see anything major that could get in the way. Only thing I think it will touch is all plastic that can me manipulated easily. We'll see, I'm waiting on control arms right now and after I get them on (which will move the axle forward 1/2"), I will do some more checking. I've been dealing with the same tire guy for 8 or 9 years so he won't have a problem with mounting one up and letting me check it all out first.

Will- Please post up a review once you have the control arms. I am hoping to change out mine one day soon too. Probably without any other changes to the front suspension.

Will wrote:

RAM4ROKS wrote:Will-I saw in one post you are contemplating 37s, I'll warn you, you will have to do either bunch of trimming or suspension mods for them. (I have 37s and they are a CLOSE fit with my Carli setup, I really need to trim a little on my driver's front inner fender (just behind the bumper) but, I have been too lazy!!!) OR, wait until the AEV flares come out and run them, 37s at stock height with those flares seems to be the most anticipated new stance!!!

Yeah, it'll be close that's for sure, thanks for the heads up. The tires I've been running are 34.8 new and I have an inch or more with them everywhere but the back inner fender. I suppose it will boil down to which tires and how wide they are with side lugs in the equation. I took out the inner fender plastic and looked around, I don't see anything major that could get in the way. Only thing I think it will touch is all plastic that can me manipulated easily. We'll see, I'm waiting on control arms right now and after I get them on (which will move the axle forward 1/2"), I will do some more checking. I've been dealing with the same tire guy for 8 or 9 years so he won't have a problem with mounting one up and letting me check it all out first.

COOL!!! That's what I did, I mounted one up stock to check clearances, I think I made a thread on here about it. It fit whilst static (just parked in the driveway) but looked too tight to be drivable without some trimming. Stay away from Toyos! The 37x13.5R17 Open Country is actually 14.6" wide! (as compared to my 37x12.50R17 MTRKs which are like 12.6" actual) Be prepared to lose some turning capability (even with aftermarket control arms, they'll still rub like crazy!!!), 37s are a tight fit on stock wheels! Stock wheels are the best way to fit them if you don't want to cut fenders too much though! All in all though, 37s are DEFINITELY worth it!!! There's no way I'd go back to anything smaller now that I have 37s!!!!

RAM4ROKS wrote:

Will wrote:

RAM4ROKS wrote:Will-I saw in one post you are contemplating 37s, I'll warn you, you will have to do either bunch of trimming or suspension mods for them. (I have 37s and they are a CLOSE fit with my Carli setup, I really need to trim a little on my driver's front inner fender (just behind the bumper) but, I have been too lazy!!!) OR, wait until the AEV flares come out and run them, 37s at stock height with those flares seems to be the most anticipated new stance!!!

Yeah, it'll be close that's for sure, thanks for the heads up. The tires I've been running are 34.8 new and I have an inch or more with them everywhere but the back inner fender. I suppose it will boil down to which tires and how wide they are with side lugs in the equation. I took out the inner fender plastic and looked around, I don't see anything major that could get in the way. Only thing I think it will touch is all plastic that can me manipulated easily. We'll see, I'm waiting on control arms right now and after I get them on (which will move the axle forward 1/2"), I will do some more checking. I've been dealing with the same tire guy for 8 or 9 years so he won't have a problem with mounting one up and letting me check it all out first.

COOL!!! That's what I did, I mounted one up stock to check clearances, I think I made a thread on here about it. It fit whilst static (just parked in the driveway) but looked too tight to be drivable without some trimming. Stay away from Toyos! The 37x13.5R17 Open Country is actually 14.6" wide! (as compared to my 37x12.50R17 MTRKs which are like 12.6" actual) Be prepared to lose some turning capability (even with aftermarket control arms, they'll still rub like crazy!!!), 37s are a tight fit on stock wheels! Stock wheels are the best way to fit them if you don't want to cut fenders too much though! All in all though, 37s are DEFINITELY worth it!!! There's no way I'd go back to anything smaller now that I have 37s!!!!

I found your thread! Glad too, the first pictures I've seen with 37's flexed out. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... 6&start=75

I'm going to shop carefully and try to find some "short and narrow" 37's. I'm not looking for a full out mud tire this round, the ones I have now are practically worn out and it still do very well, was thinking about something like the Geolandar AT/s in a 37 or something similar. They don't make the ones I have now in a 37 or there would be no guessing.

315/70's Kuhmo KL71's

They rub on the control arms, as well, at full lock, but the performance is well worth it.