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Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee 1984-2004: Tire Modifications and Size Calculator

Using a tire calculator, you can quickly and easily determine the best size tires for your Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee. This information will assist you in making any tire modifications on your Jeep.

By Charlie Gaston - October 29, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Cherokee XJ and Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ/ZJ (1984-2004).

So, you dream of taking your Jeep Grand Cherokee to the next level in height or several levels beyond that? Whether you're hoping to put some serious distance between your Jeep and the road, or simply want to give your Jeep a little extra height so it stands out more, you have several options. This guide will list the best tire modifications on the market, as well as offer some important information on which tire sizes work best on your Jeep. Let's get started!

Jeep Tires

For the 1984 to 2004 Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee, you have two main options when it comes to choosing the best tires for your needs. You can install a lift kit to achieve additional heights of up to 6 inches; although, for the average Jeep owner, a 1.5 to 3 inch lift kit should suffice. You can also purchase bigger tires to help your jeep stand out on the road.

Figure 1. This Jeep Grand Cherokee has been lifted by 4.5 inches for a towering height.

Lifts

DIY Cost – $350-$1,500+

Professional Cost – $600-$3,000

Skill Level – Moderate; you must be able to jack up your Jeep to work.

As the saying goes, "Go big or go home." Lift kits offer you the ability to lift your Cherokee up several inches.

Because you won't want to mount tires more than 30 to 31 inches in size on your Jeep (or up 33 to 35 inches if you're an avid off-roader), a lift kit will be your best best for getting the level of height you desire. The price tag may be considered somewhat expensive, including the cost of one or two additional tools here and there, but, overall, for a tire modification project, we'd say this is a good investment.

This project could take several days to complete, depending on your skill level, and it requires many tools; however, most will already be in your home garage. If you don't own a coil spring compressor, you can purchase one for $40+ online.

Here are a few suggested lift kit/tire size combinations:

  • 3 inch Rusty lift kit on 31 inch Firestone tires.
  • 3 inch Rough Country lift kit on any size all-season tires.
  • 3 inch Skyjacker on 31 inch BFGoodrich tires.
  • 3.5 inch Rubicon Express lift kit on 31 inch Crager Black Soft 8 tires.
  • 4.5 inch Rough Country lift on 31 inch all-season tires.
  • 6.5 inch Rusty lift kit on 32 inch Dick Chepek Crusher off-road tire.

Tire Sizes

DIY Cost – $1,000 or more for a complete set

Professional Cost – $40 for mounting/balancing, plus tire cost

Skill Level – Easy; mounting a tire is easy, but you'll need to know how to use a jack.

Mickey Thompson and BFGoodrich are the go-to brands when it comes to mud tires. They offer sizes that fit your Cherokee and prices ranging between $250 to $600 for both brands, respectively. Goodyear Wrangler tires are highly rated among Jeep owners seeking a high-quality all-terrain/hybrid tire; prices range from $160 to $230. BFGoodrich is also a go-to brand when it comes to all-terrain tires; expect to pay around $130 to $200 for a set. For a good set of road tires, it's recommended that you stick to Goodyear or Mickey Thompson.

When it comes to size, you'll want to stay in the 30 to 31 inch range, depending on your off-road activities. By installing larger tires on your jeep, you run the risk of having the tire hit the frame when driving over a pot hole or uneven terrain. The only way to eliminate this is to lift the vehicle using a lift kit.

Tire Size Calculator

This is the easiest and cheapest (it's free) way to compare tire sizes without needing to leave the comfort of your home. 1010Tires.com is the go-to site for Jeep owners seeking to compare tire sizes for their Cherokee. Compare up to three different brands of tires to the stock tires currently on your Jeep.

Another important piece of skill to have is being able to read the sizes on your tires. The width of the tire is measured in millimeter from sidewall to sidewall. The first three digits on the tire refers to the width. Then the next set of digits refer to the diameter of the tire.

Figure 2. 1010Tires.com tire size calculator.

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