Sprinter Wheel and Lift Kit Compatibility: What You Need to Know

Lift kits are one of the most impressive upgrades that you can make to your Sprinter or adventure van. They turn a stock delivery van into a vessel for exploration, turning heads at every corner. A lifted Sprinter van is substantially more capable, allowing you to take your rig over terrain that the vehicle was never originally meant for.

One of the most common questions we get asked at Owl is: “What wheels do I need for a lifted Sprinter van?” Compatibility is a main concern when shopping for upgraded tires, and there are a few key considerations that you’ll need to make to ensure that your ride stays dialed in. We’ve broken it all down for you below.

How Lift Kits Can Change Wheel Fitment

The main way that lift kits change wheel fitment is that they allow for bigger sprinter van wheels and tires. Lift kits add clearance, and without it, larger tires would rub against the fender flares, wheel well, and suspension components. The size of a lift kit dictates how big a tire can be installed. 

Does a Lifted Sprinter Van Need Different Wheels?

You don’t have to get bigger tires after installing a standard lift kit. There is no mechanical requirement for this, as nothing changes with the wheel hub in most suspension and body lifts. However, many people choose to get a lift kit for the sole reason of installing bigger tires, so it’s a bit counterintuitive to skip this upgrade.

Do You Need a Lift Kit for 17” Wheels on a Sprinter?

You are generally safe to upgrade your Sprinter’s stock 16” wheels to 17” without investing in a lift kit. However, it’s important to pay attention to the overall diameter. While a 265/70R17 tire will fit without rubbing, a 275/70R17 may run into issues.

Compatibility Considerations: 5 Things to Check

Every lift kit is different. Engineers put a lot of time into creating a product that works with the existing suspension geometry of a vehicle. When it comes to selecting a tire size for a lift kit, there is not a single definitive answer that can be given. Always refer to the installation guide of the lift kit to determine what the maximum tire size you can install is, and with what modifications.

With that being said, there are a few key considerations that you should make when finding the right Sprinter tires for a lift kit. These include the tire size, the suspension geometry, braking and suspension clearance, fender clearance, and spare tire mounts.

1. Sprinter Van Tire Size

There are two routes you can go when upgrading: start with the lift kit, or start with the wheels. No matter how you start, the tire size and lift kit must be compatible. Every vehicle model is different because of its unique geometry. 

For example, our 2” Sprinter van lift kits can support tires up to 315/75/16 (35”) tires. However, you must also make the following modifications:

• Trimming of the front mud flaps, front fenders, and rear fenders

• Trimming of the front bumper and front plastic inner fender well liner

• 14mm wheel spacers or a 14mm offset

2. Suspension Geometry

Suspension geometry describes the placement and angles of various suspension components throughout the vehicle and how they contribute to handling. 

When upgrading your tires with a lift kit, you want to make sure that the geometry is being altered correctly. This can include control arm alignment, CV joint angles, and camber changes. You do not want to cause excess wear when cornering or compressing the vehicle. 

3. Braking and Suspension Clearance

One of the biggest issues that people face when upgrading to a larger tire size is rubbing. Vehicles are designed for stock tire sizes, so larger ones may touch suspension components, especially while turning.

At rest, a wheel may look like it’s not coming into contact with anything, but as soon as the vehicle starts to turn and flex, contact can occur. This is most common with wider tires, such as 275s. To avoid this issue, you’ll need Sprinter wheels with an offset, or you’ll need to add spacers.

4. Fender and Body Clearance

Just like how big wheels can rub against suspension components, they can also rub against the wheel wells. A lift kit’s primary purpose is to raise the vehicle enough so that this doesn’t happen, but additional trimming can sometimes be necessary. Luckily, most of the fender is easy to cut and the aesthetic can be maintained with fender flares.

5. Spare Tire Mounts

One of the most overlooked things when upgrading to bigger tires is that the spare tire holder underneath the van may not be able to accommodate a larger size. If this is the case for your van, you might need to relocate your spare tire to the rear of the vehicle. A variety of options exist, such as Owl’s rear tire carrier.

Other Considerations for Lifted Sprinter Vans

There are some other minute details that need to be mentioned. Oftentimes, larger tires can affect your van’s speedometer and odometer. This is because larger wheels cover more distance with each rotation. Your van’s speedometer functions off a predetermined rotation-to-distance ratio. When upgrading tires, you might notice that your speedometer is a few mph slower than your actual speed. Some Sprinter ECUs allow recalibration.

Besides issues with the odometer and speedometer, you also need to think about alignment. Getting a full alignment after a lift kit is 100% essential. This will maintain the correct geometry and keep your vehicle handling at its best.

Owl Can Help You Pair Your Sprinter Wheels and Lift Kit

It’s not easy pairing wheels with a lift kit. With so many different measurements to account for, many Sprinter van owners feel lost with the process. 

At Owl, we have fitment experts who are available to answer all of your questions and help you design the perfect adventure van. Schedule a call with one of our installation professionals today to get help with your wheel and lift kit selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put wider wheels on my Sprinter?

Yes, this is one of the most common tire upgrades that Sprinter owners make. The stock width is 245, but many people choose to size up to 265 or 275.

What is the Sprinter’s stock bolt pattern?

Most Sprinter vans have a 6x130 bolt pattern. This means that there are 6 lug nuts, with 130mm of distance between the lugs across the hub. 

Can I use adapters or spacers to fit a different wheel?

Yes, sometimes this is necessary to give extra clearance between a wider wheel and the suspension. Alternatively, a wheel with more negative offset can be used.