Gearing for 33s

[NorCalSam]

Debate and poll for you all:

If you were me what would you do?

My rig has 285s might run 295 summer set just because I can find 295 in some ATs. The truck has a 2.5" OME HD on it. We might go to J's and long shocks but will stay with the 33" tire. and small lift because it is my wifes daily driver and a expedition type rig.

I know that it is expensive to do and you don't really have to change gears for 33s but we want to for to reasons.

1. We live in some of the steepest terrain in the country.
2. We feel that the stock gears are not adequate.

However, remember that it is a daily driver and the family travel and expedition rig so I am conserned about the RPM and MPG at Highway speeds.

so

4.56
or
4.88s?

 

[cruiserdan]

4.56 gets you more than "back to stock" with 33 inch tires. It is like 4.88 gears with 35's. I feel that 4.88 with 33 inch tires is too steep.

 

[apcoleman]

I have 4.56 and 285s and love it. I would have to agree that 4.88 would be too much.

 

[Beowulf]

Is anyone running 4.88 gears with 33" tyres?

-B-

 

[cruiserdan]

Not that I know of. Tobascofish has 4.56 gears in his and is the only local club member that has re-geared, as far as I know.

 

[landtank]

don't bother unless you are ready to step up to a larger tire.

 

[sc40]

just get 4.88's and 315's that would be the "coolest" way to do it

 

[Tapage]

just get 4.88's and 315's that would be the "coolest" way to do it

the way to go .. !

other vote for this option .. hey dude think about it, are only 1 more inch !

 

[Hayes]

4.56 gets you more than "back to stock" with 33 inch tires. It is like 4.88 gears with 35's. I feel that 4.88 with 33 inch tires is too steep.

I've asked about 4.56 gears and 33" tires specifically.

When you say "more than back to stock" do you mean:

1. The final ratio is so low that mall cruising is adversely affected, but Moab will be more fun.

OR:

2. The final ratio is lower, but mall cruising is generally unaffected and Moab will be more fun.


As my daily driver and family wagon, I'll never put 315s on my 80, but I have considered making 4.56 gears a long term goal.
I would hate to have highway travel screwed up though.

Hayes

 

[cruiserdan]

In order to achieve a "stock" effective gear ratio with 33 inch tires you would need 4.30 gears. 33 inch tires and 4.56 gears would be like stock tires with 4.30 gears. Option 2 in other words.

 

[cruiserdan]

just get 4.88's and 315's that would be the "coolest" way to do it

There is more to 35 inch tires than a re-gear. The suspension needs to be addressed if you do not want rubbing in compression.

One other consideration. If one would desire more than one set of tires, one of them being stockers for hiway travel, 4.88 gears do not mix well with stock tires. Once you have 4.88's you are committed to running taller tires full time. Currently there are no true "hiway tires" that are as good as the original LTX in a 35 inch diameter.

The LTX is a "Dream" on the hiway.

 

[MTNRAT]

Have you considered forced induction? Leave the gears and add a supercharger or blower. I ran that way and you get the extra boot and do not rev high at speed. I only regeared after going to 315s. And like cdan said, there is alot to address when you go to 35s
Cheers,
Sean

 

[NorCalSam]

Thanks to all for your advise.

35s....... yes I have thought long and hard about this. If It was my daily driver yes. but being that it is the wifes and our family travel rig on. I should add that Teresa would love the look of the 6" lift with 35s but I just don't think that it is right for us.

This really opens up a debate for a whole other thread and time but in my opinion my setup is more sutied for a daily driver carting the kids around and such. I have one size bigger tires and a 2.5" lift thats I figure about 3" taller than stock(and the way it should have rolled off the show room floor) then I add 1.5 wheel spacers thats 3" wider than stock .

So I feel that my rig is as safe or safer than stock. The taller one goes the higher the center of gravity is and the more dangerous the rig becomes. As you know many people feel that stock SUVs are dangerous. Then again I am from the country and I drive much differantly than most people do.

What many 4x4 owners don't think about is that if you are driving a modified rig with 6" to 10" of lift and 35s or bigger tires and you are driving down the freeway and 65 or faster and you are hit or somthing happens to the steering or the front tire you are going to most likely roll eight times and die.

just food for thought

 

[Tapage]

With a proper lift and general mods well doned is safe ( IMOP ) drive at 70mph .. my max top speed .. anycase.

I can drive my HJ-60 So 37" with only one hand if I want to do .. in the wightway with proper lift and steering work.

So the DD is other part . I thought DD as well to shopping mall and trafic with 35" is the limit maybe for us that like it .. but not for all ..

285 are good ones in a DD of all drivers ..