[xj 98/yj 94]

of going bigger than 31's? i mean is it just for looks? or to get more differential-ground clearance or what.. just seems like they are a pain, more money and rub on body... just curious since i am new to this... i am currently running 31's and need tires by winter and was debating if i should get 31's again or go to 33's... is it worth the extra money?

[andrew2516]

So you can finish the trail when your buddy on 31"s cant

[UltimatE]

Going higher is all about the ground clearance. Most of the time you can go farther on a trail simply because your undercarraige has enough ground clearance to clear over obstacals. 2 identical rigs, one with 31x12.5 tires of brand X and the other has 35x12.5 with the same brand is going to have the same traction. However the bigger tire will be able to deflate more and therefore CREATE more traction.

I guess it all comes down to your budget.

[FlybydayXJ]

I believe the reasoning goes as follows: Tires make their ground clearance by getting your axles higher off the ground so when you come to muddy spots or rocks you dont have to drag/scrape your diff thru the obsticale. They also contribute to the total height (like by the TC etc)

The suspension lift is more for better aprch/dep angles and keeping you from getting high centered and making room for bigger tires . I would also asume a bigger tire diameter has a bigger foot print when aired down too giving better traction.

Anybody care to validate, add to, or set my assumption stright?

[HeavyMetal]

bigger tires provide a sometimes deeper tread, bigger footprint for increased traction, and greater ground clearance/improved stability with higher lifts

[RP_Offroad]

It would probably be easier to go over larger rocks than it would be with a smaller tire too. I don't know how to explain it but with a smaller tire you are are sort of driving into the rock than over it, although this is for larger rocks.

[Cause]

Bigger is ALWAYS better, if you don't believe it ask her...


..More ground clearence, better traction wider footprint, softer ride aired down....

[Jeepsterboy101]

I'm all about running 35's just for looks.

[90lerado]

the thing some people forget is the whole reason for lifting a vehicle is just to fit bigger tires on it. tires get everything higher off the ground. the whole point of lifting is to fit bigger tires. ideally you want the biggest tires on the least amount of lift with the most usable flex. that way you keep the lowest COG that you can but still maintain clearence.

[loudog3114]

approach/departure angle, axle clearance, and footprint (bigger = more traction and less likely to get stuck in ruts.)

[UltimatE]

Originally Posted by 90lerado

the thing some people forget is the whole reason for lifting a vehicle is just to fit bigger tires on it. tires get everything higher off the ground. the whole point of lifting is to fit bigger tires. ideally you want the biggest tires on the least amount of lift with the most usable flex. that way you keep the lowest COG that you can but still maintain clearence.

Thats the truth.

[StokedXJ11]

so from a technical point of view, whoever it was that posted pics a while back on a XJ with stock suspension and 33s. It is a very good setup b/c of his better ground clearance and lower center of gravity?

[gregmondro]

Originally Posted by Jeepsterboy101

I'm all about running 35's just for looks.

and I thought I was the only one :P

[Matt Gertsch]

I didn't see flotation listed in any of the other posts. How many dedicated mud rigs do you see running 31s? The more air that your tires carry, the more you will float through the mucky stuff.

[andrew2516]

Originally Posted by andrew2516

So you can finish the trail when your buddy on 31"s cant

My buddy in the pic has about the same amount of lift as I do. The difference is that I'm running a 34" tire and hes running a 31" tire. My jeep went through that hole pretty easy and he had no chance. The only thing bigger tires do is raise axle clearance and overall height.