33 vs 35 tires is a two-inch step in overall diameter when both stamps are flotation (33x12.50 vs 35x12.50). In metric, the same conversation is messier, because 275/65R20 is already 34.1 and 315/70R17 is 34.4. This page puts the slang and the stamps on one table.
The two flotation stamps
| Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33x12.50R17 | 33.0 in | 12.5 in | 8.0 in |
| 35x12.50R17 | 35.0 in | 12.5 in | 9.0 in |
Diameter grows 6.1%. At 60 indicated on a truck calibrated for the 33, the 35 is doing 63.6 mph. Width does not change. The extra inch of sidewall each side is what you are buying: more air, more weight, more chance of rubbing. Compare them live: 33x12.50R17 vs 35x12.50R17.
Metric stamps in each band
| Called | Stamp | Actual diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 285/70R17 | 32.7 in |
| 33 | 275/60R20 | 33.0 in |
| 33 / 34 | 275/65R20 | 34.1 in |
| 35 | 315/70R17 | 34.4 in |
| 35 | 315/75R16 | 34.6 in |
| 35 | 35x12.50R17 | 35.0 in |
What actually changes on the truck
- Speedometer. Under-reads by the diameter percent. Recalibrate if you can.
- Gearing. Taller tire is like a taller gear. Acceleration suffers; cruise rpm drops.
- Clearance. Two inches of diameter is one inch more radius. That inch shows up at the fender, the control arm and the bumper.
- Weight. A 35x12.50 weighs more than a 33x12.50 of the same construction. Unsprung mass is a ride and brake problem, not just a scale number.
Whether you need a lift is a vehicle question. This site will not invent a "35s on a stock Tacoma" answer. Use the comparison to confirm the percent, then ask a shop that has done that truck.