[Fargo]

Originally Posted by slahti12

They'res alot more options available for 33's so they're preferable. If your happy with your 32's then no need to swap.

Actually I don't think I've seen anything in a 285/75 that wasn't available in a 265/75. Both sizes are pretty common. The hard part is they are usually about the same price. So that eliminates that cost of moving up to a 33. But the other factors still remain.

I think from everything I've read here, the fact of the matter is that 33s are not going to be needed for anywhere that I want to go. They will make it easier, but they are not needed. Now if I will be content or not with the 32s is another question.

I think I really just need to get out on some trails and see how things feel. Coming from a TJ the LJ might be very different. I'm also hoping that sometime over the next year or so I can meet up with some Jeepers that might let me try their tires out for a day so I can see what I like and how they look. I wish I lived somewhere that had a Jeeping population.

[Pillswoj]

Originally Posted by slahti12

They'res alot more options available for 33's so they're preferable. If your happy with your 32's then no need to swap.

In 15" wheel size you can get 33's in 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5 and 13.5 widths.

[03rubiconMG]

You should just get 37s can go wrong

[Fargo]

Originally Posted by Pillswoj

In 15" wheel size you can get 33's in 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5 and 13.5 widths.

I'm sticking with my 16" Moab rims. So the point is moot. Besides I have found plenty of tires I like in a 265/75/16. Other than some extreme mud terrains there is nothing that is not available in that size.

[mpyusko]

I love my TrXus M/T's!

[TheBoogieman]

Fargo types way too much stuff.Please make this thread die.

[Crockett]

yeah he has made up his mind about 32s so just go buy 32s!

[JeepinSoldier]

I have been following this thread for a while, and Fargo - I cannot understand why you are so hung up on 32's.

I also have a 2005 Unlimited Rubicon, lifted on 33's. I have to agree with evreything Unlimited 04 has previously posted. Also, you were concerned about driveability. My Jeep is a daily driver. It rides only a little stiffer than stock and handles corners MUCH better on the wider BFG A/T KO 33x12.5's than it did on the stock, narrower Rubicon Goodyear MT/R 31's.

Unless you are putting them on an XJ, 32's are kind of a waste of a tire size.

You cannot justify the extra 1/2 inch to inch you would gain between 32's and 33's, but have no problem gaining that same small amount upgrading from your Rubicon 31's? (245's) A point that I have not seen posted earlier is that most people who really off road air down thier tires for better traction. If you air down at all, you are going to be losing that difference between 32's and
33's.

Really, if you dont need 33's to wheel the areas you will be going to - you are wasting your money on 32's. I suggest that you wheel it on your stock
31's for awhile before you spend the money. A set of sway bar disconnects are all you really need at first. I think that what you will find however, is that with the Unlimiteds breakover angle you will want that belly up transfer case skid that Unlimited 04 was talking about.

I have an RE lift and 33's and quickly got tired of my stock transfer case skid getting caught on things on moderate trails. I now have a SkidRow engine skid tied into a JeepMedic belly up. It dosent get caught on obstacles anymore, and Just like Unlimited 04 said - I also dont panic anymore when I hear 'CLANK - Scraaaaape.'

[mpyusko]

Originally Posted by JeepinSoldier

A point that I have not seen posted earlier is that most people who really off road air down thier tires for better traction. If you air down at all, you are going to be losing that difference between 32's and
33's.

I did!

Originally Posted by mpyusko

Also consider, when you run the trails, you air-down. That extra half-inch can come in really handy.

Hope this helps.

See...?

[mpyusko]

Like JeepinSoldier, I see a bigger benefit to discos. I also see a huge benefit to a decent Gas tank skid like a Kilby where it's not only protection, but improved departure angle. Those two items came long before I lifted my Jeep and put 33's on it. I wheeled with 235/75R15 BFG AT's and open diffs for a long time an had a lot of fun doing it. (if you are going to disco, watch your brake lines)

[Hesher420]

Originally Posted by Fargo

I think from everything I've read here, the fact of the matter is that 33s are not going to be needed for anywhere that I want to go. They will make it easier, but they are not needed.

Exactly, so go with the 32's. The story is more interesting if you decided to tackle a harder obstacle with smaller tires than with bigger tires and did not even notice it was an obstacle.

I have an '06 LJ on 31's and have the Rokmen TT (full skid package) in the near future plans. This setup will get me over some gnarly terrain. The TT will help with my peace of mind since I will not be dragging as much on the weaker stock plates. A VERY important thing for me since I also drive to and from the trails, no trailer here.

my

[Fargo]

Originally Posted by JeepinSoldier

I have been following this thread for a while, and Fargo - I cannot understand why you are so hung up on 32's.

I also have a 2005 Unlimited Rubicon, lifted on 33's. I have to agree with evreything Unlimited 04 has previously posted. Also, you were concerned about driveability. My Jeep is a daily driver. It rides only a little stiffer than stock and handles corners MUCH better on the wider BFG A/T KO 33x12.5's than it did on the stock, narrower Rubicon Goodyear MT/R 31's.

Unless you are putting them on an XJ, 32's are kind of a waste of a tire size.

You cannot justify the extra 1/2 inch to inch you would gain between 32's and 33's, but have no problem gaining that same small amount upgrading from your Rubicon 31's? (245's) A point that I have not seen posted earlier is that most people who really off road air down thier tires for better traction. If you air down at all, you are going to be losing that difference between 32's and
33's.

Really, if you dont need 33's to wheel the areas you will be going to - you are wasting your money on 32's. I suggest that you wheel it on your stock
31's for awhile before you spend the money. A set of sway bar disconnects are all you really need at first. I think that what you will find however, is that with the Unlimiteds breakover angle you will want that belly up transfer case skid that Unlimited 04 was talking about.

I have an RE lift and 33's and quickly got tired of my stock transfer case skid getting caught on things on moderate trails. I now have a SkidRow engine skid tied into a JeepMedic belly up. It dosent get caught on obstacles anymore, and Just like Unlimited 04 said - I also dont panic anymore when I hear 'CLANK - Scraaaaape.'

I think my hang up on 32s is part because 33s will require extra cash outlay for doing both a suspension lift and a body lift. Then I also need to get a tire carrier. Its my understanding that I wouldn't need the tire carrier with 32s but 33s will need a carrier. Otherwise the tailgate will warp. Lastly, I have never driving a Jeep with 33s. I've only seen them driving on the highway and I can tell by driving next to them they bounce a whole lot more than mine does. Maybe someday I will get a chance to ride in a Jeep with 33s. Then I'll see better how it handles. Maybe it won't be so bad. But right now I am just looking at the numbers. If I run 33s my Jeep would be sitting about 4" taller( 2" suspension + 1" body lift + 1" tire height) But if I do 32s with a TT and body lift I will only be 1.5" taller (1" body lift + .5" tire height) and I'm only giving up .5" of ground clearance under the pumpkins. So stricktly looking at the numbers 32s look like they would be a lot more stable and inexpensive.

I appreciate everyones advice. Especially those who have listened to my needs and given me the most accurate answer they could and not just the answer they thought I wanted to hear. I also really appricate the input from those who have run both 32s and 33 and have run the type of trails I'm hoping to get to in CO or MT. Because there is no Jeeping community around here, I am at the mercy of the info I get on the forum. So I appreciate all your feedback.

I have a little time until I need to buy new tires so I will continue to read over this thread and others like it. I do really like the look of 33s and there are reasons for getting them. I just really need more experience trail riding in this Jeep and hopefully in others with 33s so I can make a better decision. I really haven't set my mind in stone on 32s as it may sound. It just sounds like the safer and more practical option right now. And we all know that owning a Jeep is very practical. So I hate to mess with that . Yes I can laugh at my own indecision and strange way of thinking.

[mpyusko]

The tailgate warping is a load of BS!!!! I run a 33" tire on my stock carrier. The tire and rim combined weigh 86 pounds. I had to fab some spacers out of PVC, but it is holding up great. I use every ounce of my Jeeps capabilities when I go wheeling, plus I drive farm roads, muck fields and wooded hunting trails. It is also my DD. I will say that I've heard of problems with the hinge cracking when you wheel hard on a regular basis. But as I only go once a year for the hard stuff......
A write-up can be found here, start at post #137. You will most likely need to modify it anyway for the 32's.

[Fargo]

Originally Posted by mpyusko

The tailgate warping is a load of BS!!!! I run a 33" tire on my stock carrier. The tire and rim combined weigh 86 pounds. I had to fab some spacers out of PVC, but it is holding up great. I use every ounce of my Jeeps capabilities when I go wheeling, plus I drive farm roads, muck fields and wooded hunting trails. It is also my DD. I will say that I've heard of problems with the hinge cracking when you wheel hard on a regular basis. But as I only go once a year for the hard stuff......
A write-up can be found here, start at post #137. You will most likely need to modify it anyway for the 32's.

I've heard others say they run 33s on the stock carrier as well. But I also saw a warped tailgate with a stock tire on it on a Jeep I almost purchased. So I was concerned about the extra weight of a 33" tire. The 32" tires are about the same weight as the factory MTRS so I thought they wouldn't pose a problem.

That looks like a decent write up you linked to. The only problem with it is I will be keeping my Moab rims. So I would actually have to do the opposite and cut my bump stops back or maybe just get longer bolts. I'd have to look into how other do it with the Moabs. Thanks for the link though.

Its a good thing I have time before I need new tires. I really like the look of the 33s but I can see that I would actually be fine with the stock 31s or 32s for the wheeling I do. Hmmm need/want.

Does anyone feel that a 285/75/16 is too wide of a tire. Like many others I have read the tire review at Expeditions West http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html. This review along with personal observations of pickups and other 4x4 in my area has lead me to believe that a narrow tire will work better.

[mpyusko]

Originally Posted by Fargo

I've heard others say they run 33s on the stock carrier as well. But I also saw a warped tailgate with a stock tire on it on a Jeep I almost purchased. So I was concerned about the extra weight of a 33" tire. The 32" tires are about the same weight as the factory MTRS so I thought they wouldn't pose a problem.

Most likely it was because they backed into a wall or pole.

Originally Posted by Fargo

That looks like a decent write up you linked to. The only problem with it is I will be keeping my Moab rims. So I would actually have to do the opposite and cut my bump stops back or maybe just get longer bolts. I'd have to look into how other do it with the Moabs. Thanks for the link though.

Thanks! It took me longer to write it up than it did to actually do it. It's a starting point for you anyway.

Originally Posted by Fargo

Its a good thing I have time before I need new tires. I really like the look of the 33s but I can see that I would actually be fine with the stock 31s or 32s for the wheeling I do. Hmmm need/want.

Need??? Who really needs a Jeep? You most likely bought it because you wanted it. You don't have to be bound to Metric sizes either. Flotation sizes are the norm in the off-road realm. it is easier to measure, and they typically are made stronger.

Originally Posted by Fargo

Does anyone feel that a 285/75/16 is too wide of a tire. Like many others I have read the tire review at Expeditions West http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html. This review along with personal observations of pickups and other 4x4 in my area has lead me to believe that a narrow tire will work better.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Moab rim is 8" wide. (aka 16"x8" with a 5x4.5 bolt pattern.) keep that in mind when choosing a tire. You could have the exact same size tire from two manufacturers and one will fit properly on the rim and the other won't. They usually specify the range on their website.