Proven Setup for 35 Inch Pizza Cutter Tires (EcoDiesel Jeep Wrangler)
- Muddy Ruttzz
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
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What You Will Find In This Blog Post:
Upgrading to Jeep Wrangler 35 inch tires is easily one of the most exciting milestones in any 4x4 build, but doing it right involves a lot more than just bolting up fresh rubber at the tire shop. In this stage of my Willys EcoDiesel build, I stepped up to Kenda Klever 35x10.5x17s mounted on heavy-duty Black Rock 997 Type 8 steel wheels. In the off-road world, running a tall, narrow tread like this is known as running pizza cutter tires. It’s a proven setup that gives you maximum ground clearance and trail bite without the aggressive power loss, heavy steering drag, or fuel economy penalty of wider tires.
If you are planning a similar tire upgrade, this post walks you step-by-step through the real-world setup tasks required to run this combination safely:
Tailgate Reinforcement: How to mount a heavy 35-inch steel spare on the OEM tire carrier using a Mopar reinforcement bracket without ruining your door hinges.
ECRI Speedometer Recalibration: Why larger tires mess with your EcoDiesel’s 8-speed shift points and how to use the ECRI module to reprogram the computer.
Real-World GPS Calibration: How to fine-tune your effective tire diameter at highway speed for factory-smooth shifting and dead-accurate speedometer readings.
Before you air down and head into the rocks, taking the time to properly support your tailgate and recalibrate your powertrain control modules will save you from long-term mechanical headaches. Here is the exact, step-by-step process I used to get these 35-inch pizza cutter tires dialed in and ready for the trail.
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17" x 8" - 4.5" backspace, 0" offset 
17" x 8" - 4.5" backspace, 0" offset 
17" x 8" - 4.5" backspace, 0" offset
Transforming Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel with 35 Inch Pizza Cutter Tires
Fresh Rubber! My adrenaline always pumps on new tire day. The 33" Toyo M/Ts were awesome, but budget called for Kendas. Welcome to Step 1 of the Willys Wrangler Rubicon Killer project: mounting new Jeep Wrangler 35 inch tires (35x10.5x17) on heavy-duty steel wheels. If you follow Muddy Ruttzz at all, the terms "Pizza Cutters" and "Steelies" are likely familiar.
Lots of Jeepers make the tire shop their first stop after signing on the dotted line, but for most, look is all that matters. For me, it's function over form. Running a tall, narrow footprint offers a few massive advantages on the trail:
High Contact Pressure: The length of the footprint is critical. A narrow, long contact patch creates higher PSI that aids in traction, grabbing rocks and digging down to firm ground where wide tires just float.
Better Fuel Mileage: Lower weight, less rolling friction, reduced steering drag, and even a sliver less wind resistance equal more MPG.
Easy on Suspension: Ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering linkages suffer far less wear with Pizza Cutters. Wide tires sticking way out past the fenders (especially with wheel spacers) leverage parts and wear them out rapidly.
Steelies: Let me make this simple: durable, trail-repairable, and they simply look cool! 17" X 8" 4.5 Backspace, 0" offset
No matter which tires you choose for your build, there are a few critical setup tasks you simply can't skip before hitting the pavement or the trail.
Heavy Spare Fitment: Mopar Tailgate Reinforcement
Slapping a 35-inch pizza cutter tire and a solid steel wheel on the back of a Wrangler adds serious weight. The factory tailgate frame and aluminum hinges were never built to support that kind of leverage bouncing down a rough trail without eventually sagging or popping welds. To protect the sheet metal, I installed a Mopar tailgate reinforcement bracket to distribute the load across the entire door structure. Mopar Tailgate Reinforcement allows carrying of a 37 inch tire.
Getting that tire up and onto the spare tire carrier is a challenge. See my photo for The Muddy Ruttzz 2 Step Tire Lift.
Why Your Speedometer Needs Recalibration After Upgrading Tires
Buy the ECRI, pay per VIN and use it on multiple vehicles multiple times, multiple functions. Don't worry this is easy. Transmission Shift Points and Speedometer need to know the new tire size to function properly. I use the ECRI to transmit that information to my Jeeps Body Control Module (BCM), it stores and transmits that information to the tranny and speedo. I also used it to program my recent re-gear from 3.73 to 4.10. There are 3 parts to the ECRI:
The Bypass Module: Plugs into the Jeeps Security GateWay Module 12 and 8 pin connectors under the dash. There is actually a new way to connect using the ECRI Freedom Module that plugs into the Blower Motor Matching Harness in the glove box.
The OBD-II Module: This allows your phone to connect via Bluetooth to the vehicle and plugs into, yes you guessed it, the OBD-II port.
The ECRI App: The App reads your VIN, allows you to make the in-app purchase to add your VIN if you need too, and lets you choose one of the many functions the ECRI has available.
Fine-Tuning Speedometer Accuracy with ECRI GPS Mode
Here’s the truth: A 35-inch tire is almost never actually 35 inches. Measuring with a tape measure (Center of Wheel to Ground $\times 2$) gets you close, but tire squat under the actual weight of the vehicle means you need real-world fine-tuning. The ECRI app includes a built-in GPS Calibration Mode that matches your vehicle's calculated speed against satellite data in real time: 1. Have a passenger monitor the app (or secure your phone safely) and cruise at a steady 60 mph down a flat stretch of highway. 2. The software compares vehicle wheel-speed sensor data against live GPS feedback and calculates the true effective tire diameter. 3. Once the app finishes calculating, pull over safely, hit "Program Vehicle," and let it flash the specs to the BCM. The result? Factory-smooth shifting from the 8-speed transmission, crisp throttle response, and a dead-accurate speedometer readout.
What’s Next for the Super Jeep Build?
With Jeep Wrangler 35 inch tires mounted, the heavy spare tire securely tucked on the reinforced tailgate, and the computer dialed in, this EcoDiesel is officially ready for the trail. But I'm not done yet. I took the Willys Wrangler to Southern California for a re-gear, locker install and some new chromoly axles. I'll have more details in another video and blog post.
Conclusion: How Would You Spend $15,000 On A Jeep?
Some mods you choose, others force themselves on you. I had a plan to turn this Jeep into a beast I could take over tough trails like the Rubicon and Johnson Valley. Replacing the OEM ball joints was top on the list and then I realized I had aluminum steering knuckles. That weak link had to go and be replaced with some stout iron. Check out the ball joint and steering knuckle install video.
I'm on my way to transforming my Willys Ecodiesel into a Rubicon Killer and I have a $15K budget to do it. Check out my playlist on Youtube to follow all the installs and hit that subscribe button: Willys Ecodiesel Evolution: The Rubicon Conquering Build.
I have a ton of other deep dive DIY and Adventure articles here on the Muddy Ruttzz Gazette for you to check out too. Click here and you'll find all the articles easy to browse. Muddy Ruttzz Gazette All Blog Posts.
Muddy Ruttzz is a digital creator, overlander, and DIY enthusiast who documents rugged outdoor adventures and the gear that makes them possible through the Muddy Ruttzz brand. With a multi-decade background in industrial sheet metal fabrication, heavy infrastructure construction, and mechanical problem-solving, he brings a straightforward, hands-on trade perspective to technical builds, vehicle modifications, and digital workflow optimization.
#JeepWrangler #EcoDiesel #35InchTires #PizzaCutterTires #OffRoadBuild #MuddyRuttzz #JeepMods #ECRITuning
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