Yes the tires do make that much of a difference. However there are cost. Normally, they will be heavier. That wears the steering parts faster. The taller tires reduce the mechanical advantage the stock gear ratio gives. Besides a little less power on hills. The bigger tires make the truck less “Playful” in shallow mud.

My stock truck on stock tires used to be so much fun to drive onto a field of dirt after a heavy rain. About the same as doing donuts after a good snow. With the bigger tires the stock engine didn’t have the mph to get them spinning.

When looking for tires please remember that say 35 x 12.5 tires are actually maybe 34 inches tall. Military tires usually are true to their markings. 9.00-16 tires have 9 inch tread width, the .00 means the sidewall is 100% the size of the tread width. So, 9 inch side wall, 16 inch wheel and another 9 inch sidewall. Add them up and 34 inches is what you get. 11.00-16 equals 38 inches.