Can't decide between going with 33's or 35's?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Shen. Valley, Virginia
I have been running 35's with 3.73 gears for nearly a year and this is my DD. I have no complaints, this thing was a dog before the 35's and I personally did not notice a huge difference after the 35's. I would not let the possibility of having to regear get in the way of going to 35's. That said..I do plan on regearing in the future but have plenty of other stuff in mind first 
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock, CO
JeepNDad -
My two cents on the 35s and regearing.
You have an Auto Trans. With 3.73 gearing on 35" tires you will only be generating 1730 RPM at 70mph. No guts at all, and running tall for extended periods of time especially on hills is hard on the transmission. 4.88 gearing would be recommended for a compromise between mileage and torque. I think that will put you back in the 2300 RPM range at 70mph.
Also, regardless of gears, I would recommend something like the AEV ProCal module. It will reprogram the Jeeps ECU to correct the shift points for the tire size change and correct the speedo. Also, it can reprogram for gear changes. Highly recommended so you're not lugging or over revving. Also, will disable the TPMS when you air down, enable daytime running lights, and some other features. Runs about $150.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do!
My two cents on the 35s and regearing.
You have an Auto Trans. With 3.73 gearing on 35" tires you will only be generating 1730 RPM at 70mph. No guts at all, and running tall for extended periods of time especially on hills is hard on the transmission. 4.88 gearing would be recommended for a compromise between mileage and torque. I think that will put you back in the 2300 RPM range at 70mph.
Also, regardless of gears, I would recommend something like the AEV ProCal module. It will reprogram the Jeeps ECU to correct the shift points for the tire size change and correct the speedo. Also, it can reprogram for gear changes. Highly recommended so you're not lugging or over revving. Also, will disable the TPMS when you air down, enable daytime running lights, and some other features. Runs about $150.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Sparta, NJ
same boat
Sort of in the same boat. Originally decided to regear from 3.73 to 4.88's on my six speed sahara. I will be pulling an offroad trailer that weighs approx 1200 ilbs. Then decided to Lift, and since I am lifting was going to get new shoes, and have ordered 35's. Since this is a DD, I am wondering if I should be thinking of 33's from an on-pavement perspective. I ordered the 35's since this seems like boats, and guns. Get the biggest possible that you can afford.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock, CO
You've got a lot more options since you're running a manual transmission. The 3.73 will work but you'll be running in 4th gear most of the time on hills. Eventually the 4.88's would be ideal. You'd be able to pull 1200lbs in top gear and when you do drop it down one, it'll really kick you in the butt, even with the trailer.
I agree with the boats and guns thing. If my wife (and the State of Colorado) would let me, I'd probably mount a .50 Cal on the back for "fun" in the mountains! I'd look like a deranged Yuppy with too much PBR pumping through his blood manning an anti-aircraft weapon mounted on the JK......ah....we all have our lunatic dreams.
I agree with the boats and guns thing. If my wife (and the State of Colorado) would let me, I'd probably mount a .50 Cal on the back for "fun" in the mountains! I'd look like a deranged Yuppy with too much PBR pumping through his blood manning an anti-aircraft weapon mounted on the JK......ah....we all have our lunatic dreams.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 206
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
agree with the boats and guns thing. If my wife (and the State of Colorado) would let me, I'd probably mount a .50 Cal on the back for "fun" in the mountains! I'd look like a deranged Yuppy with too much PBR pumping through his blood manning an anti-aircraft weapon mounted on the JK......ah....we all have our lunatic dreams
Wow, I thought only I was the only one who thought like that. Must be in the water here in CO.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Sparta, NJ
You've got a lot more options since you're running a manual transmission. The 3.73 will work but you'll be running in 4th gear most of the time on hills. Eventually the 4.88's would be ideal. You'd be able to pull 1200lbs in top gear and when you do drop it down one, it'll really kick you in the butt, even with the trailer.
I agree with the boats and guns thing. If my wife (and the State of Colorado) would let me, I'd probably mount a .50 Cal on the back for "fun" in the mountains! I'd look like a deranged Yuppy with too much PBR pumping through his blood manning an anti-aircraft weapon mounted on the JK......ah....we all have our lunatic dreams.
I agree with the boats and guns thing. If my wife (and the State of Colorado) would let me, I'd probably mount a .50 Cal on the back for "fun" in the mountains! I'd look like a deranged Yuppy with too much PBR pumping through his blood manning an anti-aircraft weapon mounted on the JK......ah....we all have our lunatic dreams.