So how much power loss difference does a 35 12.50 have over a 33 12.50? is it more or less about the contact width over the diameter of the tire?

 

The power loss is related to the increased diameter of the tire - it creates a higher (numerically lower) effective gear ratio. Additionally, the increased weight of the tire can negatively affect power too.

Do you know your current axle ratio? Most here will tell you 3.21s will suck with 35s, 3.73s not as bad, 4.10s will suffice, 5.13s to return to stock performance, and 5.38s for some performance gains off the line and crawling in the rocks.

Finally, if you have a manual trans you might be able to get away with the 3.21s or 3.73s till you save for gears.

If you're debating.... just get the damn tires and worry about all the other stuff later. Once you have them on you will find the weak links!

 

Yeah i have 3.73's with a 6 spd. Im running 33's now and like most have said...now i want 35's, but not looking foward to axle gussets, gears. I dont wheel extreme but I do hit some "fun" trails around where I live, Not sure if I would be asking for it if I skipped the gussets when I swith to 35's....I think Im going with 4.88's when i do, just hope it doesnt effect my mpg too bad on the highway

 

If your looking to keep mpg, don't do 35's.

 

I have a set of 33s and 35s that I switch between. Not that it is a direct comparison for you cause I have 4.10 gears but I notice almost no difference in accelleration or highway cruise ability between the 2 sizes. Sorry, I don't check my mpg. Oh, 6 spd tranny.