So, I know there are COUNTLESS threads on this subject and I swear I have read every single post on every single thread... but I'm STILL pulling my hair out!!!

It's FINALLY time for the wife and I to pull the trigger on new wheels and tires. I've firmly decided to go to a 15" wheel because I like the classic look of a small wheel and lots of rubber. I'm probably going with the MB 72's.

My problem is the tires... I think have read everything there is to read about the 33's vs. 35's debate. Every time I read a post talking about power and millage loss with 35's I settle on just getting 33's because I have an automatic with 3.73 gears. But then... I see another post from someone else who has an auto with 3.73's who says they have 35's and it's not bad at all...

I'm currently running 285/75/16's that are just shy of being true 33's and I don't think it's bad at all for the driving I do. Would there really be THAT much of a difference in power to make me regret going to 35's?

By the way, I would like to re-gear eventually but it's not in the budget for a while...

 

trust me, i have not only run 35's on 3.73 gears and with an automatic transmission, i have run 37's as well just to see what it would be like. what i can tell you is that recalibrating your speedometer accurately makes a critical difference in what you will see in terms of power loss. without it, your power loss will seem worse. if you can afford to buy it, i would get a superchips flashpaq as it definitely helps. even with 37's, the power loss i saw was tollerable. just the fact that you're thinking about it, i'd say get the 35's. if you don't, you will regret it.

 

I'm with you on this! I've been pulling what hair I have out for the past 2 months on the 33 vs. 35 debate. Regearing would have to be down the road for me also. I do alot of traveling to Wisconsin and I'm not concerned about the gas mileage but the wear and tear if there is any on the trans, gears, and motor and of course power loss. Its really frustrating lately! I've also read every post back and forth.

 

Be careful of which 15s you buy.......not all will fit without some caliper trimming. As to the tire size question, I live right near you so I know the type of topography you drive on, and I say go with the 35s. I have a heavily armored JKU on 35s and I have no problems at all. As a matter of fact I'm going to 37s soon. I have 4.10s vs. your 3.73s but that's not a huge difference especially considering that you want to regear anyway. My biggest waste of money to date is not going big with the tires immediately. I went from stock 29s, to 32s to 35s and I just should have bought the 37s and been done with it.

BTW.....I've got a nice set of 35s I'll sell you.

 

I think you can read all the threads and posts you want but it will never answer the question. That is because people have different opinions. I find my JKU with an automatic poorly geared with 3.73 and the stock 32" tires. I think it needs different gearing now, let alone with any bigger tires.

 

Sell to who, him or me? Lol

 

Him, since he's only 15 miles away from me.

 

Go with 35's because a month after you will regret the 33's!

 

Oh cool! I on mobile so I couldn't see!

 

I get around fine with my 32s, I'm sure 33s won't be much of a difference! It's the 35s I really want but.........