Ever wondered what the biggest tires you can put on a Jeep Patriot are? Well, we are about to explore that in this article. The Jeep brand is an iconic American automobile that has become synonymous with off-road driving.
As a matter of fact, for many Americans, Jeep has become the universal term that describes off-road vehicles. Ask any Jeep enthusiast and they will tell you that as far as off-roading is concerned, there are 2 types of vehicles; Jeeps and everyone else.
In 2007, Jeep added the Patriot to their growing line of models. The Patriot is a hybrid vehicle that can easily navigate the city streets and off-road trails. The Patriot comes with either 16 inches or 17-inch tires in the stock models.
The Patriot is available in the following options:
- Limited 4×2
- Limited 4×4
- Sport
- Sport 4×4
- Latitude 4×2
- Latitude 4×4
- Latitude X 4×2
- Latitude X 4×4
- High Latitude
- 75th Anniversary Edition
All these models come out with either 16 or 17-inch tires straight off the production floor. The question that a lot of Jeep Patriot owners have is whether they can put bigger tires on their vehicles. To best answer this, we are going to look at the possibilities with stock suspension and with lift.
What’s the Biggest Size Tire You Can Put on a Jeep Patriot?
The size of tire that you are able to put on stock suspension depends on the option you chose as well as the year. The Following Tables are going to show which tires work best on specific options of the Patriot.
The Patriot had new releases in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,2013,2014,20,15, 20,16 and 2017. The tire option for these makes and models are as follows:
2007 Jeep Patriot
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Sport | 17 – Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16 – Inch | 205-70-17 |
2008
| Options | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Limited 4x4 Limited 4x2 Sport | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2009
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Limited 4x2 Limited 4x4 | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2010
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sport 4x4 Limited 4x4 Limited 4x2 | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport 4x2 Sport 4x4 | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2011
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude X 4x4 Latitude X 4x2 Latitude 4x4 Latitude 4x2 Sport 4x2 Sport 4x4 | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport 4x4 Sport 4x2 | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2013
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Sport Latitude | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2014
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Latitude Limited | 17 -Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2015
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Latitude Sport | 17 - Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2016
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| 75 th Anniversary Limited Sport Latitude | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
2017
| Option | Rim Size | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude High Latitude Sport | 17-Inch | 215-60-17 215-65-17 |
| Sport | 16-Inch | 205-70-16 |
It’s not uncommon to see Patriot owners put bigger tires on Patriots than these recommended sizes. However, you will get issues like rubbing when reversing or when you make sharp turns. Even the most easy-going Patriot drivers with bigger than recommended tire sizes have reported these or similar issues.
How to Use Bigger Tires without Lifting
There are a few things that you can do in order to put bigger tires on your Patriot without lifting it. This will involve making some modifications inside the tire compartment under your vehicle.
There some parts that can be removed without compromising the performance of your vehicle. You can also cut out, hummer down, and use an angle grinder to create more room for the wheel to move.
Unless you are qualified to do it and have the experience, it is best to take it to a shop and have professionals do it to avoid problems down the line.
Lifting Your Jeep Patriot
The safer bet when it comes to fitting bigger tires is to have your Jeep lifted. It gives your tires the freedom to move freely without rubbing. Lifting has the disadvantage of the vehicle losing balance and sometimes traction on steep inclines. Other reported issues include axle damage and faster wear and tear on your vehicle.
The general consensus is that if you are not going to be tackling off-road conditions on a regular basis, the best thing is to not lift your Patriot.
If it’s for the look, a better option is to move down to 15-inch tires which give you the lifted look without modifications. If you are set on getting a lift kit installed, make sure that the lift is not too high. Usually under 2 inches works well but there are others who have no problems with 4-inch lifts.
The issue with lifting is that it affects the angles and performance of other parts of your Jeep. You will need a qualified professional who will do the necessary tuning and alignment after the installation to avoid or at least minimize any future problems. A Lifted Patriot can take up to 29-inch tires or larger depending on lift height.
