EX vs SX trim and wheel size for off road tires / mods

[Acolod]

Hello all, I'm a (perspective) Telluride owner, and can't wait to place my order. I have a couple questions and hope ya'll can help me.

I'm replacing my 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7L hemi) with the Telluride. I know limitations of the Telluride offroad, but I went to make it as capable as possible for some of the camping trails I frequent.

I plan to put some bigger off road tires on, and the 18in wheels on the EX trim would be better suited to do so. The 20in wheels on the SX look way cooler, but won't allow much increase in tire size. I'm also considering the Truxxx 2" lift to give a bit more clearence as I've seen others have done on this forum.

Questions:
1. If I were to buy my own wheels and tires, is this something that a dealer would install when the car is delivered.
2. Same question about the lift kit
3. Any real concerns I should have about doing either of these?

I'm going to the dealer this weekend, so pumped! Can't wait to join in all of the fun.

Thanks!

 

[Nightsky93]

Hello all, I'm a (perspective) Telluride owner, and can't wait to place my order. I have a couple questions and hope ya'll can help me.

I'm replacing my 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7L hemi) with the Telluride. I know limitations of the Telluride offroad, but I went to make it as capable as possible for some of the camping trails I frequent.

I plan to put some bigger off road tires on, and the 18in wheels on the EX trim would be better suited to do so. The 20in wheels on the SX look way cooler, but won't allow much increase in tire size. I'm also considering the Truxxx 2" lift to give a bit more clearence as I've seen others have done on this forum.

Questions:
1. If I were to buy my own wheels and tires, is this something that a dealer would install when the car is delivered.
2. Same question about the lift kit
3. Any real concerns I should have about doing either of these?

I'm going to the dealer this weekend, so pumped! Can't wait to join in all of the fun.

Thanks!

For the tires and wheels if you have the tools to do yourself at home I’d go that way because the dealer will most likely charge you to do them. I’ve seen on the forum some have done the lift kit themselves but also having a pro installer would be the better way to go cause you’ll know it will be done right. As some have stated the lift and bigger tires make for a better back road driving experience and trail clearance but by no means makes the telluride an off-road beast. Ive copied this post below from a different topic but kinda explains some of your lift questions good.

[IMG alt="Alex Lake"]https://tellurideforum.org/data/avatars/m/13/13490.jpg?1618517231[/IMG]

Alex Lake​

New member​

The lift kit is nothing else than 4 spacer metal cups that sit on the top of the front struts and rear springs, you can do the installation with basic tools you may have in your garage but I've seen people paying a pro to install it.
It comes with all the required hardware and two sway bar link extenders for the front struts, in theory you do not need them as long as you readjust the sway bar once the lift kit is installed, I did mine and installed the link extenders that came with the kit, although, I also readjusted both sway bars as recommended by TRUXXX, I took my Telluride for alignment and so far it's been riding ok, to be fair, this kit only provides more clearance but by no means it converts your rig into a truly off-road machine, for that we would need an aftermarket suspension kit (which I have not seen yet) with longer control arms and off road shocks to get more suspension travel but for light off road adventures, this kit is great, in my case I installed beefier 17 inch AT tires and get enough clearance to tackle easy to moderate off road trails.

 

[Matroskin]

I doubt the dealer will want to install aftermarket parts which alter the original specs (not to mention often dealer mechanics are not the best lol)... Unless its is some kind of a "special offer" pre-modifed vehicle which they already have in stock. Even some (though rare) shops won't do that either, but there are still a variety of shops which can do that for you, no problem.
I don't own a Telluride, but considering one. Currently I own 2015 Sportage, and I did a lot of suspension adjustments on it with aftermarket parts. But each time I was using professional services to do that.
Changing rims and tires doesn't cost much, but suspension mods installation will cost a significant extra due to more labor involved.

 

[Acolod]

For the tires and wheels if you have the tools to do yourself at home I’d go that way because the dealer will most likely charge you to do them. I’ve seen on the forum some have done the lift kit themselves but also having a pro installer would be the better way to go cause you’ll know it will be done right. As some have stated the lift and bigger tires make for a better back road driving experience and trail clearance but by no means makes the telluride an off-road beast. Ive copied this post below from a different topic but kinda explains some of your lift questions good.

[IMG alt="Alex Lake"]https://tellurideforum.org/data/avatars/m/13/13490.jpg?1618517231[/IMG]

Alex Lake​

New member​

The lift kit is nothing else than 4 spacer metal cups that sit on the top of the front struts and rear springs, you can do the installation with basic tools you may have in your garage but I've seen people paying a pro to install it.
It comes with all the required hardware and two sway bar link extenders for the front struts, in theory you do not need them as long as you readjust the sway bar once the lift kit is installed, I did mine and installed the link extenders that came with the kit, although, I also readjusted both sway bars as recommended by TRUXXX, I took my Telluride for alignment and so far it's been riding ok, to be fair, this kit only provides more clearance but by no means it converts your rig into a truly off-road machine, for that we would need an aftermarket suspension kit (which I have not seen yet) with longer control arms and off road shocks to get more suspension travel but for light off road adventures, this kit is great, in my case I installed beefier 17 inch AT tires and get enough clearance to tackle easy to moderate off road trails.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond with this info. I unfortunate don't have the means to do it myself at the moment as I've recently relocated and live in an apartment. I suppose I could do it elsewhere, but to be honest dropping it off and coughing some dough doesn't sound like the worst idea. I also am now thinking of getting the 20in wheels and then taking a bit more time to source 17 wheels and tires for when I need to replace them since I'll be buying the stock wheels and tires anyway.

That said, leads me to another question... I've been leaning towards the EX since it has the 18in wheels that would let me put some bigger tires on and has the bench seats which (I assume?) fold flat. If I get the SX, I'll get the bigger wheels and have them at least, but it looks like the SX bucket seats don't fold all the way flat from the photos - is that true?

______________________________

 

[Acolod]

I doubt the dealer will want to install aftermarket parts which alter the original specs (not to mention often dealer mechanics are not the best lol)... Unless its is some kind of a "special offer" pre-modifed vehicle which they already have in stock. Even some (though rare) shops won't do that either, but there are still a variety of shops which can do that for you, no problem.
I don't own a Telluride, but considering one. Currently I own 2015 Sportage, and I did a lot of suspension adjustments on it with aftermarket parts. But each time I was using professional services to do that.
Changing rims and tires doesn't cost much, but suspension mods installation will cost a significant extra due to more labor involved.

Okay thank you for that info - this is my first time buying a car from a dealer (always bought used/craigslist). There's a Les Schwab near by and other posts here have said they're great at the wheels and tires and would likely do the lift. It's too bad there are no real suspension kits (yet?) for this car, but an extra inch or 2 for the price of the kit (and installation) seems worth it for a bit more piece of mind on some rutted out trails. I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow to to hopefully buy my car, so I'll ask some of these questions directly.

 

[Wiluride]

it looks like the SX bucket seats don't fold all the way flat from the photos - is that true?

The captains chairs in the S model fold flat, I don't think the SX captains chairs are any different with the way they fold

 

[Matroskin]

Okay thank you for that info - this is my first time buying a car from a dealer (always bought used/craigslist). There's a Les Schwab near by and other posts here have said they're great at the wheels and tires and would likely do the lift. It's too bad there are no real suspension kits (yet?) for this car, but an extra inch or 2 for the price of the kit (and installation) seems worth it for a bit more piece of mind on some rutted out trails. I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow to to hopefully buy my car, so I'll ask some of these questions directly.

Also if you want a bit extra lift added to your spacers, you can get slightly bigger tires too. I was very happy dealing with "4wheel parts" - they can do all necessary trimming inside the wheel well if needed to prevent tire rubbing. But maybe your tire shop could do that too.
You can use this "calculator" to decide how big your tires will be compared to stock (in "tire comparison" tab). Generally going 1 inch larger in diameter + a bit wider is a common choice:

Tire Size Calculator

The best tire size calculator. Use our tire size calculator to find tire size specs and suggested tire sizes. Then check prices for all available tire sizes.

tiresize.com

I think I saw some ppl put 265/65/17 on telluride as a bigger size.

 

[Acolod]

Also if you want a bit extra lift added to your spacers, you can get slightly bigger tires too. I was very happy dealing with "4wheel parts" - they can do all necessary trimming inside the wheel well if needed to prevent tire rubbing. But maybe your tire shop could do that too.
You can use this "calculator" to decide how big your tires will be compared to stock (in "tire comparison" tab). Generally going 1 inch larger in diameter + a bit wider is a common choice:

Tire Size Calculator

The best tire size calculator. Use our tire size calculator to find tire size specs and suggested tire sizes. Then check prices for all available tire sizes.

tiresize.com

I think I saw some ppl put 265/65/17 on telluride as a bigger size.

Great info - I saw several posts about 65/17s on there and the rubbing, so figured not worth the pain at least at first. That said, after going to buy the car this past weekend and finding out how marked up they are, I've decided to order one. Delivery is likely a ways out so I've got some time to decide. Thanks for the response!

______________________________

 

[Matroskin]

Great info - I saw several posts about 65/17s on there and the rubbing, so figured not worth the pain at least at first. That said, after going to buy the car this past weekend and finding out how marked up they are, I've decided to order one. Delivery is likely a ways out so I've got some time to decide. Thanks for the response!

you are welcome.

It seems that with cars like these (unibody soft-roader SUVs) its better to go with approx. 1 inch larger tire diameter at most. It does add a bit extra lift for free, while not messing up too much the transmission and the wheel well during the the articulation.
Note that a tire being "all-terrain" also adds a tiny bit extra "lift" compared to the equivalent highway tire due to a thicker thread design

You could go with up to a 2-inch larger diameter tire, but this might start putting more load on the transmission, fuel consumption and wheel-well rubbing which will need to be addressed.

This kind of a car won't be a hardcore off-roader anyways, so I'd recommend going conservatively on tire size increase - get something in-between, not the biggest you can fit in there

 

[AGarza]

you are welcome.

It seems that with cars like these (unibody soft-roader SUVs) its better to go with approx. 1 inch larger tire diameter at most. It does add a bit extra lift for free, while not messing up too much the transmission and the wheel well during the the articulation.
Note that a tire being "all-terrain" also adds a tiny bit extra "lift" compared to the equivalent highway tire due to a thicker thread design

You could go with up to a 2-inch larger diameter tire, but this might start putting more load on the transmission, fuel consumption and wheel-well rubbing which will need to be addressed.

This kind of a car won't be a hardcore off-roader anyways, so I'd recommend going conservatively on tire size increase - get something in-between, not the biggest you can fit in there

What do you think is a good happy medium?

 

[Matroskin]

What do you think is a good happy medium?

like I mentioned in previous reply :
"It seems that with cars like these (unibody soft-roader SUVs) its better to go with approx. 1 inch larger tire diameter at most. "