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

[HemiAlex]

I’ve run 33’s in both BFG KO and K02 for 30,000 miles now. 3.7 differential gears the whole time. It was a little bit of a drag with the h42 but I quickly got used to it. First requires some clutch slipping but my 300,000 mile oem clutch still worked when I pulled it. The highway advantage was worth it to me, but I was and still am driving it 40 miles daily.

The combo feels perfect to me with the H55F. I’ve put 10,000 miles on it, with one trip to CO from Texas and a big bend trip from Houston, the combo works well. I live in a flat city, but even in the mountains it was fine. I had no issues keeping pace with traffic. From sea level to 14,000 feet the truck flat out worked.

I don’t consider it useless at all, but my 2F is desmogged and about as fit as they come.

When I wear out these ko2 I’ll go to km3 in a 70 series wheel. 235/85-16 or a 32” because I don’t know what I’ll do if 33x10.5 gets discontinued. Only four tire offerings left currently.

 

[lcolon]

I run 33x10.5 BFG KO2 with the h55 and 4.11 gears out of a 62. The 33s with 3.73, while possible, does rob quite a bit of power. I do also think you are better off with the OME lift if you are going to run those bigger tires. Particularly since the old springs are probably flat and clapped out. I smashed up my exhaust off road with the stock 235s and that motivated me to get the lift, tires, and a re-gear. I got my 4.11 off the mud classifieds. Check your local pick and pull / wrecking yard. If there is a 62 around then you can get the gears from there. Personally I think the OME + 33s is one of the best setups for the 60. You can still get into the vehicle easily, runs well on power, and you have pretty good off-road prowess unless you are into rock crawling over boulders.

 

[Javelin]

I run 33x10.5s on FJ40 Wheels stock gearing and Tranny with an OME 2.5 lift I think its just fine. I love being at 2600 Rpms going 65-70 on the highway. Gives me peace of mind that my engine isnt working too hard. I also have a Gamiviti rack and Trailtailor sliders. So I have added weight too and the acceleration isnt BAD. I would however lift your truck for 33s. It would look pretty crammed.

 

[Zjohnsonua]

I'm running 285/70-17 BFGs on 3.70s with the H42 and what I figure is an average strength 2F. My truck has ~2" lift. I daily it ~40 miles round trip and have made several long hauls with it. 27-2800 rpm cruises with highway traffic at around 10-11 mpg.

Based off what I see and hear from other 60 owners, including the 31" crowd, I'm not in a much different lane performance-wise.

Off pavement or on, sure there's a bit more lugging around but I haven't once thought I was harming anything. You slip the clutch the tiniest bit more to get moving but it's certainly nothing to get worked up over.

With 285s there a dozens of tires available (many on hand, which is invaluable when you're in Nowhereville and they stock 'em), the truck has good road manners, and it plain looks better.

My $0.02. YMMV.

 

[60Works]

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

The 2 blue 60's have 32's with 2-3" of lift. Frankie has another 1/2" of body lift. The 3 light colored 62's are running 31's. The closest of these has 2-3". All are 15" rims. 32's only come in 11.5" width so they won't safely mount on the OEM rims.

 

[ro11dice]

I’ve run 33’s in both BFG KO and K02 for 30,000 miles now. 3.7 differential gears the whole time. It was a little bit of a drag with the h42 but I quickly got used to it. First requires some clutch slipping but my 300,000 mile oem clutch still worked when I pulled it. The highway advantage was worth it to me, but I was and still am driving it 40 miles daily.

The combo feels perfect to me with the H55F. I’ve put 10,000 miles on it, with one trip to CO from Texas and a big bend trip from Houston, the combo works well. I live in a flat city, but even in the mountains it was fine. I had no issues keeping pace with traffic. From sea level to 14,000 feet the truck flat out worked.

I don’t consider it useless at all, but my 2F is desmogged and about as fit as they come.

When I wear out these ko2 I’ll go to km3 in a 70 series wheel. 235/85-16 or a 32” because I don’t know what I’ll do if 33x10.5 gets discontinued. Only four tire offerings left currently.

View attachment 1888095

Not sure if me living close to Georg is a good thing if ever I consider a H55F. I have already made a visit and it was like I was in a candy store.

 

[ro11dice]

@HemiAlex Curious if you re-geared to 4.11 when you put in the H55F. @JTU mentioned he couldn't get into 5th gear in his H55F. Just curious if I ever consider an H55F.

 

[ro11dice]

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.

dammit. i'm slipping on the slippery slope.

 

[ro11dice]

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.

View attachment 1888075

@DFXR - I think I'm following in your footsteps. I have a '03 UZJ100 and '85FJ60. Now I need to know where you took this pic. I want a pic like that! Looks like Big Sur area? Let me know which trail.

 

[JTU]

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.

This is what I did. I was able to then sell my 3.73 diffs for more than I paid for the 62 diffs.

 

[HemiAlex]

@HemiAlex Curious if you re-geared to 4.11 when you put in the H55F. @JTU mentioned he couldn't get into 5th gear in his H55F. Just curious if I ever consider an H55F.

Did not rear gear. Still 3.70 diff gears.

I’ve had the truck loaded down with a roof top tent, 4-5 gallon water cans, 2-5 gallon fuel cans, camping gear, luggage, a dog and two people. I drove to big bend 600 miles, through rolling hills with only having to downshift to 4th a few times. On the slow rolling hills I had to go go up a few at 2-3 gear going under 40 mph but the truck didn’t mind.

Anyone who thinks an h55f and 3.70 gears is useless can come drive my truck. It works for me. If my 300k shortblock with a fresh cylinder head and good tune up can knock out 15mpg unloaded and 14mpg with a bunch of junk in the truck, something is right. The efficiency is there. Gearing hasn’t compromised it yet.

I’m going to end up with 3:1 t case gears and a locker, but differential gears aren’t on the map.

Not when you have to drive 600-1000 miles minimum to go somewhere awesome to wheel.

 

[Cincodemustache]

@ro11dice I’m in the exact same spot as you. Afraid of the slippery slope. I just moved to Dallas and these freeways and flat areas have me looking for rubber overdrive. I’m throwing on 33 K02s or even KM3s if I can get a deal. I figure what’s the worst that can happen? You hate the tires, sell them and go back to 31s or even stuff 32x11.5 on stock wheels.

 

[Gsw234]

I'm sure this is a dumb question... But how can you tell if your wheels are stock? They look like it but they have 33x12.5 on it now. Is that possible that they are stock? I don't mind how it drives with 33s(under powered) but the old mud tires that po installed are terrible in the snow. I need to get a good all terrain and debating the size.

 

[Gsw234]

Stock wheels?

 

[4Cruisers]

Stock wheels?

View attachment 1888869

Yep. It turns out there are two variants of that wheel, on the latter ones (maybe only some FJ62s?) the six openings are smaller.

 

[brian]

411s with 33s and the 4 spd, you'll run out of gear on the open road.....just ask any 40 series guy.
370s with 33s and the 4spd will turn around 2700 or so rpms at 70ish mph
411s with 33s and the 5spd turns 2500 or so rpms at 70mph.

i'm right around 15 years and something around 100k miles on the current clutch with the 370/33/4spd package the duration....with plenty of life on the friction disc left.
on pavement i have never felt like first was too high.