Can't decide between 31" or 33" BFGs

[iCruiser]

Know the 31" vs 33" tire size as been discussed here. Read as many posts as I could find but still can't decide and need to pull the trigger today ordering new tires. CenTexFJ60 and CaptainClose are flying up to Kansas today to help me with several projects including OME suspension, knuckle rebuild and carpet kit.

I keep going back and forth between 31 and 33 BFGs. This FJ60 will see 90% of rolling time on blacktop around town. Few trips down the road chasing quail during hunting season and one trip a year to Ouray for the Solid Axle Summit. For now, plan to stay with the stock gearing though would consider a change in the future especially if I decide to add a locker in back.

The common sense voice in me is saying 31s considering stock gearing since I mostly drive suburban blacktop. Then the other voice says go big with the 33s because bigger is better. Curb appeal is a consideration with the lift and how each would fit the rig. Though function over form is probably my higher priority.

Would appreciate any endorsements one way or the other before I call the Goodyear shop this morning.

 

[slacker24-7]

If your lifting it, I’d go 33,s I ran 33’s and stock gearing for several years and it was fine, I did go to fj62 4.11 chunks with a Auburn in the rear a few years ago and it’s about ideal now. 33’s just look right on a 60 this is OME heavies and 33x10.50 bfg km2’s . Your very lucky to have friends who would fly up to help work on your rig..

 

[OSS]

31s absolutely without any hesitation or regret. For how you're using your cruiser, 33s offer nothing but bad performance in:
Braking
Torque
Acceleration
Body roll
Expense
Weight
Unsprung weight.

They are pretty much a loser in all respects except for offering another inch of wheel clearance and look cool factor (if big tires look cool to you). To get the gearing back to an acceptable range 33s will also cost a ton of money in new gears. That's my O.

My thoughts on whether to make the jump to 33s is this: You'll KNOW if you want/need them. There won't be any indecision. If you're unsure- 31s are the ticket with stock gearing.

 

[60Works]

Tough decision. It really depends on your long term plans, iCruiser.

If you have the funds or expect them to be available, build for the Cruiser you want for forever. If you know that upgrades will be slow and sporadic, build for the Cruiser you need now.

If you're installing OME heavies, the 31's will look small. If you're going stock height +, the 31's are perfect.

33's with 3.73 and a 2F is too tall. I drove for years in KS with 33's waiting for them to wear out so I could return to 32's. For highway speeds with a 4 speed the rpm at 75 mph was just right; except the 2F didn't have the power to get there. Any head wind, or even a side wind, and the Cruiser would bog down and struggle, killing mpg. And when is it not windy in KS?

31's on the 75 mph interstate leaves you revving too high. Around town and 55 mph highways they are perfect. It gives the illusion of having a powerful engine. I love the 31's on my DD 62 but that's with the deep A440F overdrive.

For me, with a desmogged strong 2F, H42, and 3.73's; 32x11.5's were the sweet spot in both (tolerable) performance and appearance but you'd need wider rims to run them.

Guess its time to schedule an H55F installation too.

Good luck.

 

[portlandcruiser]

I would do 31’s if I could do it again. Braking is impacted more than I thought by the 33’s.

 

[php74]

I’ve had 33’s and 31’s and I’ve never noticed any performance differences. The weight and circumference differences are really minimal. If you have lift 33’s for sure imo.

 

[Forerunner]

I've got 31's and have been very happy with them. General black top driving with a few gravel trails. Best of both worlds without going overkill.

 

[Seth S]

been going back and forth on this myself...my thought is go 31's for stock suspension. go 33's if a lift is in the near future. I'm probably going to stick to stock suspension for a while so I'll go 31's for now.

 

[umpqua]

I have 33's on mine with stock gears. When pulling a boat trailer uphill bee's pass me but they did when I had the smaller tires as well. With a lift your truck is going look better with the taller tires. Braking? Upgrade to T100 brakes. It goes on and on....don't fight it.

 

[slacker24-7]

Why lift it and run 31’s ? Save the money and put it somewhere else

 

[Dixon Santana]

33s is the way to go on the flat stuff. Assuming the area of Kansas you are in lacking significant elevation changes. I don't know how people drive in Kansas but, here in Texas its a freaking race track on the highways. Cruising at 65 with 31s felt a little dangerous to me. The 33s are perfect on flat ground, I do 80-85 all day with my 2F signing at 3200 rpm. If there is wind I'm limited to 75, still better than 65. Once you get to the mountain passes you will notice a slight loss in power compared to the 31s. I'd swing for those 33s, plus it makes a 60 look proper.

 

[stevebradford]

Put me down for a vote on 31’s

3b h55 and 3.70 diffs with 2.5 ome springs.

Had 33’s and they rubbed when flexed and had to flog it on the hills.

 

[CaptClose]

Since you went with heavy springs, and you’re thinking about going with bumpers in the future, I think you should go with the 33’s. You can always swap in pumpkins from a 62 later, if you want to address the gearing issue.

I have the medium OME lift with 33’s and stick gearing. You do lose some torque, but a 2F has surplus of torque anyway. Around town it’s great. It gave me a little taller 1st gear and a bit of tire overdrive in 4th. I don’t normally push the 2F past 3000 RPM, but at around 2800 I’m comfortably going between 72-75 mph.

You do suffer a little bit at elevations above 10,000 feet. If you’re off road in 4-Low, you’re fine, but even driving around town in Ouray last year, I preferred to keep it in 4-Low for the added torque for stop and go surface driving.

 

[IBFJ62]

I love my 32's...

 

[FJ60Seth]

I think my truck looked it’s best when it was on skinny 33’s with 17” rims.

 

[FARMAN33]

What @CaptClose said. I have 33/10.5 BFG ATs and in flat S. Texas where nothing (to wheel) is closer than 5 hours via highway, it is the most practical set up. Can't imagine Kansas being much different.

This is about as offroad as mine gets.

 

[FJACS]

Tricky subject as there are a bunch of factors that lead to actual diameter.

I think either will work and look good.

What size does it have now? Does 31 or 33 make a difference as to whether you need to buy a fifth tire or not?

 

[Devils Paw 80]

If you won't be driving it much I'd go with the 33's for better appearance. Let us know how it goes.

 

[brian]

3 inch lift, 33s 3:70s, 300k miles, no problems here...the ol tired 2f turns them just fine.

 

[MACFJ60]

I have 31s on a stock suspension with zero regrets. IMHO they are the sweet spot for the 2f.