[Hammockman]

I'm planning a 2.5 suspension lift and 1" body lift and then going to go with 33" tires on my 04 Rubicon. Would I need to change the gearing to keep it a daily driver?

[blubaru2002]

No "need to"

[TNeustadt]

Her's a chart showing performance expectations/ loss Tire & Gear Ratio Chart at Morris 4x4 Center

[Dmcastino]

Nope, I have 33" tires and 4.10 gears just like you do and I'm perfectly happy with it.

[randy8]

know a guy that is running 37s on stock gears in his rubi and he can still take my 4cyl in a race and i have 31s

[coach-mike]

I have 33 with 373 something and 3"lift and it rides great. 10 mpg though. I am going to do a 6" lift this winter with 35 and go with 456

[Gymguyjeep]

I have been driving my 04 Rubi on 33's for almost two years. I live where it is pretty flat so most of the time it works out pretty good for me. When I travel to New Mexico and Colorado where there are lots of mountains, it doesn't have the power I would like to have. I kinda like the effect of the 33's on the gearing in the NVG241OR transfer case when on trails in 4LOW. The stock 31 tire size made the 4:1 4Low ratio a little too deep for me. You certainly won't hurt anything by running 33" tires with the 4.10 axle ratio, but don't expect the highway driving on anything but flat road to be as good as it was before. If you don't think you can live with the Rubi on 33" then save for a gear change at a later time. I think that I will eventually go to 35" tires and realize that I would not want to live with the stock gearing at that point and will need to be prepared to go to a 4.56 or 4.88.

[Alexia]

Originally Posted by TNeustadt

Her's a chart showing performance expectations/ loss Tire & Gear Ratio Chart at Morris 4x4 Center

The NV3550 has a 0.78 final gear.

Third chart down: Experimental Insanity! - Jeep Gear Ratios

It is a difference of about 150rpm at 65mph. 33" tires will be fine with the stock 4.11 gearing.

[Imped]

Gears are never a NEED item. But when you move up to larger tires, your final drive ratio is essentially higher (lower numerically). So, you're on 31's and 4.10's right now, which is perfect with your 5 speed. When you go to 33's, it will feel like you're on 31's with 3.73 gears, still a very good ratio for both on and offroad. I've driven 4.10's with 33's and it's perfectly fine. 4.56 is the "ideal" ratio but 4.10 won't leave you begging, especially with the 4:1 low range you have.

[Deacon]

Originally Posted by Theohiomike

I have 33 with 373 something and 3"lift and it rides great. 10 mpg though.

You realize that your speedometer is under-reporting, now, right? So if you're going 75, for instance, it'll only show you going 65. That means the Jeep thinks it's gone fewer miles, so if you do the trip mileage divided by pump amount, it's going to look like you're pumping more gas to go fewer miles. You're right about 10% off with your setup. And yes, it's perfectly drivable (I had the same setup).

I am going to do a 6" lift this winter with 35 and go with 456

Why not go 4.88? Yes, 4.56 will get you back to stock ratio, but your tires and such are going to be much heavier (probably the rest of the Jeep, too, if you armored it up), and a little lower gear ratio (higher numerically) will help spin things along nicely. And with the extra weight of the Unlimited, I think a little extra would be nice Just something to consider.

[Unlimited04]

it will be tolerable.

[Imped]

Originally Posted by Theohiomike

I have 33 with 373 something and 3"lift and it rides great. 10 mpg though. I am going to do a 6" lift this winter with 35 and go with 456

Too high and undergeared.

[Hammockman]

That's kind of what I expected but it's good to get feedback from people who have gone with that set up. When I get the cash and the time I'll do the lifts and tire changes then see how I like it.

[alexr40]

nop. specially if you have 6speed...