[canuck_bob]

I know this has been discussed over and over but here is my dilemma. I am buying rubber and I convince myself 31's will be perfect. They are the sensible choice, easy and meet my needs.

I still want 33x10.5 KM2's.

I need accurate advice about the tire/gear combo for hiway driving. I drive a maximum of 120kph 75mph on 4 lanes, 110kph 70mph on 2 lanes. I would expect my 5th gear to handle this on cruise and flat prairie highways. I already take any inclines in 4th as soon as my rpm start dropping in 5th.

I find my 1st gear just too short now. The grimmjeeper gear calculator indicates that the combo is significantly better than the 3.07 with the small stocker tires. Technically 4.10's are the same as my 30's with 3.73. That is not much.

Wheeling performance is not a concern of any kind. Crawl ratio means nothing for my Jeep's mission. My only concern is driving manners on the hiway.

[jeep11484]

My previous Jeep was a manual and I had 3.73's with 33's also. It was actually not that bad. I did have to down shift on the big hills but still did okay. If you have the money to regear obviously it would help and put it closer to the stock feel. It was not a necessity to change but will help. I belive many others will feel the same way.

[Unlimited04]

well thats easy. the bigger in diameter you go, the lower the highway performance. why? harder to balance and harder to control with stock steering. (caster, bumpsteer, death wooble, tie-rod, etc..)

looks like your jeep is stock, so no point in putting larger tires on without adding a lift and regear...maybe thousands more than you would spend on 31s.

[never monday]

4.56 will relieve your pain

[Colorado Jeepin]

I had 3.73's with 33's on my manual for about a year. I actually liked it on the highway, but if you regear lower like I did you won't like it as much. I'm saying this because you said it's more for street and not wheeling. Now that I'm geared lower, I wish I had a 6 speed! Downshifting to 4th going up a hill is better than rapping it at 3k+ all the time just do the speed limit on a flat highway. Or am I wrong here? Anyway, 3.73's were not that bad for me, but everyone is different. I hope I helped.


But like nevermonday says, 4.56 will relieve your pain, maybe drive someone's lower geared TJ on 33's first and see if you like it.

[canuck_bob]

I can do the lift required and can afford this. I was a professional mechanic for many years. I would do the advised 2" BB and 1" BL.

It seems that daily drivers are ok with the gear combo. While wheelers always recommend lower gears.

[canuck_bob]

Originally Posted by Colorado Jeepin

I had 3.73's with 33's on my manual for about a year. I actually liked it on the highway, but if you regear lower like I did you won't like it as much. I'm saying this because you said it's more for street and not wheeling. Now that I'm geared lower, I wish I had a 6 speed! Downshifting to 4th going up a hill is better than rapping it at 3k+ all the time just do the speed limit on a flat highway. Or am I wrong here? Anyway, 3.73's were not that bad for me, but everyone is different. I hope I helped.


But like nevermonday says, 4.56 will relieve your pain, maybe drive someone's lower geared TJ on 33's first and see if you like it.

Very helpful. I am ONLY interested in the highway performance. My rig earns its keep as an oilfield field sales truck. I can't afford to risk any wheeling damage, besides I drive all over Alberta's bush roads and 4HI is all I use. I use 4LO once a month to make sure it still works.

[canuck_bob]

Thanks to everyone. I spent tonight rereading many threads here and the other forums I respect.

There is one constant that jumped out at me. The people I always read and remember who have years of direct TJ experience are unanimous in that the proper gearing and lift are not 2" and 3.73's for 33's (my plan).

I needed to go through this excercise to be sure I wouldn't kick myself that I bought 31's instead of 33's. I'm going through that right now because I have a great set of 30" AT's and wish I had followed my instincts and bought MT's last summer.

New plan, 31's, maybe some half doors and get back on the road!

[ericson89]

I have 3.07 and 33s she runs fine but i wouldnt recommend that setup at all. 4.10s are almost in financial reach...

[medic455]

Bump to the 4.56 and you will be fine. It will actually improve your MPG as well as giving you what you really want. The swap really isnt that difficult.

[Joe Dillard]

Don't you have friends that would be willing to let you drive their Jeeps with their various set-ups so you could compare?

Are Jeeps and friends that scarce for you?

[RUBtjICON]

My brother's LJ is not THAT bad with 35's on 3.73's. He does get to use 6th on the highway, has to use 5th on some of the long grades. It is no where near as bad as my old Jeep was with 3.07's and 31's..

[Mr_bob]

^^^i agree that 31's and 3.07's suck


i have the 6spd and it rarely sees 6th gear the only time i use it is on flat high way amd thats only to maintain speed and save a little gas even thou i have to push the gass a little more then i would like to maintain


my plan after the 31's wear out is to get 35's and a f8.8 and re gear and do it all at once

[nbf6165]

Have you found a set of 33x10.5 KM2's? That may help in your decision. I think it is highly unlikely you will find any available right now. My last resort was Casanova4x4 (?), he's a vendor on this site. He shipped 4 of them to my door for $720.

[SwissK31]

I also have a stock Dana 35 with 3.07's i'm only running on 225/75/15R, but i am planning on lifting it and putting 33's on in. So I Was wondering what gears should I go with, Also how hard is it to regear and what parts are needed besides a new ring and pinion and Low Ratio Carrier.