Same same but different - 33’s vs 35’s

[thedapperbenz]

I know this has been asked 10,000 times (or more).. search results to this question is actually what lead me to this forum.

I’ve just picked up a 95 GXL (1FZFE).. my first cruiser

First mods will be suspension & rubber. I’m looking at a 2” lift, or possibly 2.5” lift, then either 33’s or 35’s.

I won’t be able to afford to re-gear the diffs, so I’m stuck with the stock gearing. I live at sea-level, but some trips might see me to places up to 4000ft.. that would pretty much be the maximum.

I drive the car mon-fri, but only 4km in the morning and 4km in the arvo. It’s our 4th car, so doesn’t need to be overly friendly, and given the 5 mile daily trip, fuel isn’t too much of an issue (although might be annoying when driving 3-5 hours away for some off-roading and camping).

So what do I want the 35’s for..
1/ they look good
2/ I don’t have front or rear lockers (nor can I afford them just yet).. thinking the 35’s might help me get out of more possible situations off-road until I can afford lockers

So what would you choose and why?

 

[baldilocks]

I would choose 37’s.

 

[ewillis]

35s. Look better/More clearance. I had 33s and see no reason to return...

 

[BlueCruiser84]

35s will also help you get INTO more possible situations off-road.

I've had 265s, 285s, 35s, and now 37s on two different cruisers. They were all fine.

33s or 35s is just how much are you willing to spend. I'd probably suggest 35s for the simple fact that if you are debating it NOW you will end up with 35s anyway. No use spending the money twice.

I've done some pretty gnarly wheeling with 33s. And the same trails with 35s. And the same trails with 37s. I've gotten less body damage and broken less stuff with the 37s....

33s and 35s are great on the highway in Virginia. 37s are ok but I find myself thinking about gears as I am manually downshifting for highway grades.

 

[thedapperbenz]

Thanks baldilocks, ewillis, and BlueCruiser84.

Looks like 35s might be the way to go.

Anything above a 33 is illegal here (on an 80 series), but I’m thinking I might get myself a “new” Tyre placard made up, as this is usually what the cops compare to when we get pulled over. 37’s I don’t think I’d get away with.

Do 35’s fit ok with a 2” lift? Or will I need to go 2.5”?

 

[retrofive]

35's, I would go 2.5" IMHO.

 

[nigelsiam]

Thanks baldilocks, ewillis, and BlueCruiser84.

Looks like 35s might be the way to go.

Anything above a 33 is illegal here (on an 80 series), but I’m thinking I might get myself a “new” Tyre placard made up, as this is usually what the cops compare to when we get pulled over. 37’s I don’t think I’d get away with.

Do 35’s fit ok with a 2” lift? Or will I need to go 2.5”?

What kind of crazy place makes any tire more than 33" illegal on an 80 series???!!!!

 

[nukegoat]

Someone inevitably will think they're being cheeky and recommend 40s

 

[RAYJON]

try 255/85/16 I ran them on my 80 with 2.5 lift, tall and narrow, actually 34 inches tall about 10 inches wide, I ran toyo's but other brands make that size.. good luck...

 

[gummycarbs]

Waist size at high school graduation + the number of head gaskets you've replaced.

 

[thedapperbenz]

@gummycarbs
31’s

 

[thedapperbenz]

What kind of crazy place makes any tire more than 33" illegal on an 80 series???!!!!

Straya...Massive nanny state.

 

[Heckraiser]

Had to google it. Straya=Australia? This is like saying 'murica? If so, you should actually spell out your location to help people understand and answer your question. I am a bit of a geography buff and here I was thinking you lived on some tiny island I never heard of

Anyway, I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people running 35's or 315's on 80's in Australia. I always thought the rules were basically bolt-on parts are fine, but no DIY welding on the frame or axles, or something like that. Why the Australian 60-series guys never go SOA.


More to the point, 35's because they look good. As others have said, if you're thinking about it, you'll probably end up doing it at some point anyway. There really isn't much of an advantage off road--I have run many trails that people think require 35's with 265 tires, but they do smooth out the ride a lot off road. If you're looking more for what's practical over what's cool, then 255/85/16 is probably the best.

 

[decoco]

Waist size at high school graduation + the number of head gaskets you've replaced.

34?

waist size now? 36-38 so lets go with 37.

 

[decoco]

I know this has been asked 10,000 times (or more).. search results to this question is actually what lead me to this forum.

I’ve just picked up a 95 GXL (1FZFE).. my first cruiser

First mods will be suspension & rubber. I’m looking at a 2” lift, or possibly 2.5” lift, then either 33’s or 35’s.

I won’t be able to afford to re-gear the diffs, so I’m stuck with the stock gearing. I live at sea-level, but some trips might see me to places up to 4000ft.. that would pretty much be the maximum.

I drive the car mon-fri, but only 4km in the morning and 4km in the arvo. It’s our 4th car, so doesn’t need to be overly friendly, and given the 5 mile daily trip, fuel isn’t too much of an issue (although might be annoying when driving 3-5 hours away for some off-roading and camping).

So what do I want the 35’s for..
1/ they look good
2/ I don’t have front or rear lockers (nor can I afford them just yet).. thinking the 35’s might help me get out of more possible situations off-road until I can afford lockers

So what would you choose and why?

seeing how you're in Australia, any chance you could try some half life 35s see how you like them?
What condition are the tires in now?

Considering it is your 4th car and you're considering 35s that seems like the size to recommend but I'd be happy with some 255 85 16s. Something else to think about is going up a rim size as 17 inches has become quiete common (at least here in N.A.-that's North America, so there's the chance of running into more tire choices but also finding a spare easily, or a secondary set off some pull offs if you needed).

 

[PolarRunner]

I've seen it as Straya a few times. If you think of how a "typical" Aussie might pronounce it, you hear Straya in your head. Or O.Z.

 

[retrofive]

Heard and seen "straya" plenty. Get out of your bubble.

 

[Fletcher34]

Dude go with 35s. I live in Ozark Mts. in Arkansas and have similar driving patterns as you. I literally work 3 miles from my house. Not sure if your rig has the PWR button, but if it does, use it. My rig is in my sig. I've got OME heavies up front and mediums in the back with an ARB bumper/winch combo. Have a little bit of stink bug going on but not bad.

 

[Heckraiser]

OK, I guess I live under a rock. Google also revealed some interesting 'Straya images and sayings. Not unlike 'Murica, F*** Yeah! OK, back to your regularly scheduled tire thread.

 

[80t0ylc]

I know this has been asked 10,000 times (or more).. search results to this question is actually what lead me to this forum.

I’ve just picked up a 95 GXL (1FZFE).. my first cruiser

First mods will be suspension & rubber. I’m looking at a 2” lift, or possibly 2.5” lift, then either 33’s or 35’s.

I won’t be able to afford to re-gear the diffs, so I’m stuck with the stock gearing. I live at sea-level, but some trips might see me to places up to 4000ft.. that would pretty much be the maximum.

I drive the car mon-fri, but only 4km in the morning and 4km in the arvo. It’s our 4th car, so doesn’t need to be overly friendly, and given the 5 mile daily trip, fuel isn’t too much of an issue (although might be annoying when driving 3-5 hours away for some off-roading and camping).

So what do I want the 35’s for..
1/ they look good
2/ I don’t have front or rear lockers (nor can I afford them just yet).. thinking the 35’s might help me get out of more possible situations off-road until I can afford lockers

So what would you choose and why?

I run both 33's & 35's with the OME 2.5" lift on stock gears. I run sea level to 7000 ft. The 35's require noticeable more braking effort to stop and when fully loaded for overlanding the rears will rub when fully stuffed or hitting poorly marked vados at speed in Baja...lol. The 33's are actually 255/85/R16 and I have no complaints at all with these tires. I agree entirely that the 35's look better with the OME lift - actually look like it's the perfect tire...or what the 80 was meant to have. But for overall performance with stock gears...I'll have to give the 33's the nod.