Yet another tire question...stick with 31" or go with 33"? (1 Viewer)

[ro11dice]

Currently in my baseline phase after picking up my FJ60 late last year. So far so good and becoming familiar with all her nuances and getting her mechanically sound. One of the items I knew I had to address sooner than later were the tires. I've been able to get around town without having to worry about them. But as she's becoming more capable, I've had more and longer ventures on the highway. I just don't feel as safe on the highway give the age of the tires. No death wobble or anything like that just the uneasiness of riding old tires.

Current set up:
FJ60
2F engine
H42 tranny
stock suspension
BFG KO2 31x10.5x15

Thinking of sizing up from the 31"s to a 33x10.5x15 on stock wheels. Yes, I know the 33s will work after searching through numerous threads (including Wheels that work, part numbers, So what kind of tires are you guys running?). It seems like there are quite a few members running 33s but I can't tell if they are running a similar stock set up (versus those that have swapped out for a v8, diesel, h55f, re-geared, etc). Mainly concerned with effects on the drive train.

So the question is, would running 33s with stock engine/tranny be ok? Not looking to break and speed barriers - she's plenty slow as is. Mainly a mall crawler with light off road. Usually this set up screams 31s but I love the look of 33s. Damn you Mudders and IG's with sweet pics. Any thoughts/suggestions are welcomed.

 

[LCnAZ]

Here's a post that has a chart that you may find helpful. 31"s to 33"s regear?

 

[2mountainfish]

I found that 33s with stock gearing was ok for street driving but hindered off road performance when you need low gearing, just my opinion of course.

 

[mattressking]

1st is a long for 33s but I've dailied mine for 2 years on 33s and stock gearing. Rubber overdrive on freeway is nice as well.

Done a fair amount of trails and never had a problem with gearing, albeit the hardest trail I've done is cleghorn minus all the stuff in Colorado.

 

[OSS]

If it's a mall crawler and you don't live in the mountains and don't care about increased stopping distances or peppiness (if that's even a word in the fj60 vocabulary) or increased body sway, go for 33s. But on pavement, 31s rule. They're also a classic.

 

[LCnAZ]

If it's a mall crawler and you don't live in the mountains and don't care about increased stopping distances or peppiness (if that's even a word in the fj60 vocabulary) or increased body sway, go for 33s. But on pavement, 31s rule. They're also a classic.

I've just put 31s on my 62 for the first time...this week. Barely any time on them. I took a test drive up a paved mountainous highway for several miles, though, and was very impressed. I was running 30s, but the 31s seem very friendly. FYI, OME light/med suspension.

 

[ro11dice]

Here's a post that has a chart that you may find helpful. 31"s to 33"s regear?

So I guess my question should be more based on gearing. I believe my stock gearing is 3.70 where the slippery slope is to go to H55F and 4.11 (not going there). Looking at the chart, either way 31 or 33, I'm in the yellow.

 

[LCnAZ]

So I guess my question should be more based on gearing. I believe my stock gearing is 3.70 where the slippery slope is to go to H55F and 4.11 (not going there). Looking at the chart, either way 31 or 33, I'm in the yellow.

I think you are correct. My 62 has 4.11...so 31s put me in the heart of the envelope.

 

[bwesty]

I currently run 30x9.5 on an 85 with 2F, h55 and 3.7 gears. Many of the places the 60 takes me is hundreds or thousands of miles throughout the mountain southwest and back country trails. I would not even consider 33s because of the poor highway performance and driveability. They look better and offer some extra clearance but otherwise I feel the cons far outweigh the benefits. If you regear and get that 2f running great that would help, maybe but it's still a slow and heavy rig. I'd stick to 30 or 31s for optimal all around performance. With a 2" lift you will have more than adequate off road ability with 30/31s too.

 

[60Works]

With stock suspension and gears, I'd stick with the 31's. My personal opinion is that 33's on stock springs look funny. With 2" of lift they fit perfect. Gearing is a bit too tall with 3.70 too. I've tried both and ended up happy with 32's on my around town DD 60 with a 2" lift, 3.70, 2F, H42.

 

[JTU]

I tried 33s with factory gears and I was not impressed at all. I have an h55 and with stock 3.73 gears I couldn’t use 5th gear at all. I swapped to 4.11s and it’s like a new vehicle, can cruise at 80mph all day.
33s + 4.11s = great; 33s + 4.11s + h55 = perfect.

 

[ro11dice]

... ended up happy with 32's on my around town DD 60 with a 2" lift, 3.70, 2F, H42.

Appreciate the reply. Would you happen to have a pic?

 

[OSS]

32s are only available in 11.5" width, so you'll definitely feel it.

 

[4Cruisers]

For many years I ran BFG 33X9.50s on my bone stock '84 FJ60, for rubber overdrive and more trail clearance. Sits that way still. I always got where I wanted, and I did some pretty tough trails in the hinterlands of the Four Corners area and Nevada. I'm running BFG LT235/85R16 ATs on my '86 FJ60 with 3FE, H55f, FJ62 transfer case and axles (4.11s), and OME suspension. The tires are about 32" tall. Of course this new combination is a lot better in many respects than the '84.

Here's the '86:

 

[ro11dice]

33s + 4.11s + h55 = perfect.

to get my stock 60 to fit into that equation is gonna take some $$$. that's that slippery slope i first mentioned.

 

[2mountainfish]

to get my stock 60 to fit into that equation is gonna take some $$$. that's that slippery slope i first mentioned.

You can just put in 4:11s and run 33s with the 4 speed. I turn around 2700 rpm at 65 and it really isn't bad. If I had $3500 for a H55 that would be ideal, but my 60 is not my DD, so that IS a tough pill to swallow.

 

[cheeese]

I have 32x11.5s on my 84 with stock suspension, and while I like the additional clearance I don't like the sluggish handling as much. Looks great with the mud terrains stuffed into the fenders, but I'm going to try something skinnier when these wear out for a lighter tire. H55 + 4.11s would be a solid upgrade but not a cheap one necessarily.

 

[php74]

33’s all the way

 

[DickM]

Finding and putting some 4.11 diffs from a 62 into your axles shouldn't be pricey, and then you would really like the 33's.

 

[DFXR]

If you go with 33’s, be sure to manage your expectations. First gear sucks with 33's and stock gearing. You'll feel it every time you start from stopped. Steep hill starts (in 2wd) are no fun, unless you do the 2 low mod. Your clutch gets a real workout.

That being said, the longer legs are great on the highway, especially if you have lots of miles between you and the places you want to take the truck. You get used to everything else, but it will still bug you from time to time. I am keeping mine.