redrocksteve

I live in pittsburgh too. I just have the 32 bf mud terrain now but plan to go to 35s in the spring. I also have a manual and 3.21s. Going up the summit to laurel caverns I have to shift all the way down to 3rd close to the top. I have a friend with 35s/ 3.21 and I drove it before his regear, it was very sluggish but not terrible. Forget about 6th gear.

justiceboy

I have a 2 door, manual, 3.21s, 35s and 3.5 inch lift. it is tolerable but def forget about 6th gear. i plan on regearing eventually. if you get 33s you will want 35s just like i got 35s and want 37s ha

Mark Doiron

Okay, I run 35s (and 4.88s and a six speed--and it still sucks sometimes for the 3.8L). But I put a lot of miles on my Jeep with 33s. Anyone who says they are "wimpy" is wrong. I ran all over Moab with those 33s, following Jeeps with larger tires. I don't think that having 35s makes much difference in whether I could have made those same trails. I'm not arguing for 33s over 35s--I've obviously made that choice for myself. I'm arguing for applying a little common sense for your financial condition. If you can afford 35s and the necessary mods (small lift or flat fenders, gears, programmer, etc), by all means go do it. If not, 33s are good performers. If looks are your concern, here's my Jeep with those 33s and 2.5" BB lift way back when ...

Disney, OK ...


Clayton, OK. Everyone had to be winched up this hill, including folks running 35s and 37s ...


Poison Spider Mesa, Moab ...


Fins and Things, Moab ...






Elephant Hill Trail, Canyonlands National Park, UT ...









White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park, UT ...




EDIT: And here's my friend's Jeep on 33s and a 2.5" spring lift (3.6L and auto) ...

Jaws 2 on Blanca Peak, CO ...


Hanc0ck Pass, CO ...


Watch this video to get an idea of what those 33s went through on Blanca Peak ("one of the more extreme trails in Colorado for vehicles that haven't been turned into buggies")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFjr3hSzEu4&list=PLNmyT4ZqfdQnpx010kOLEol3tFpL8sZqt

dmwil

Great video, Mark! I did some of the trails around Buena Vista 5 years or so ago with the stock 32" BFG's that came with my Jeep. I rubbed the skid plates a bit, but it did just fine, and even impressed a guy with a built Toyota Land Cruiser that had 37"s on it.

I'm amazed at how well those Jeeps do with trailers.

Do 33's look wimpy? No. Do they look wimpier than 35's? Yes.

In my humble opinion, 35"s that never get off the road are in reality, wimpier than 33's that hit the trails. Heck, they're wimpier than 30's that hit the trail.

Jake7978

I agree with mark 33s can 4wheel with the rest of them and are not wimpy. It's more or less if you have a propensity for a complex when you see jeeps with larger tires. I have done all the same trails in Moab including Kane Creek with 33s and a 2in lift on a 10 JKUR. Yea the extra +\- 2 in in tire height is nice. But with 33 You get better a line and wheel placement which is a better skill to learn the just always powering over things

Mark Doiron

It's only one inch of actual clearance. The other inch is above the axle where it does no good, LOL. Bet you knew that the way you wrote your post--just want to make sure a newbie would realize.

Just in joy

it is all on personal looks/wants for 33 over 35.

For me 33's is what I wanted to go with first until I figured out which Direction I wanted to go with my build. I did not want to put money into stock axles, that I would end up swapping out anyways.

I have followed 33's 35's 37's and 40's in places yes with a little plate and frame skidding but so did the 35's. For offroading is more than tire size it is more the driver than anything. I have had a old tj follow us with stocks looked like 29's or something he did a great job with some trail fixing aka placing rocks for the extra height he needed to gain.

I have 33's on a 2.5 lift and 3.21 gears and love it. A great Spotter is also key! on cruise control @ 80mph I am sitting around 2200rpms and still can pick up speed from there. I am in an Auto though.

33's with a good driver are more than capable to do most any trail.

I will end up with 37's once I get everything figured out then have the money saved for that project as it will not be cheap by any means.

I would spend the money on under amour if you do not have any yet. Tires are cheap compared to what needs to be done to run 35's properly. can they be ran without gussets and gears yes but for how long and depending on wheeling done what other areas are they putting stress on?

Rob 12B1P

lol I remember when 33's were the "Big" tire for Jeeps. Most of the Jeep trails out there were cut with CJ5's on 31's/32's. I admire people who have the skill to pick the better lines with smaller built vehicles. That being said I love my 37's.

A'sJK

Spend the money to regear...get 35s. Never hear many folks complain about a regear away from 3.21s. Life is short...

Sjanov94

Thanks for all the help! I think I'm gonna get the 35s and then save to regear later.