I Have a 2011 unlimited sport with 3.73s and the stock 32s. I do have a 2.5" teraflex coil lift and backspaced wheels. I do wheel, just not as much as I'd like as this is my only vehicle. I'm definitely going with bigger tires at some point. Just wondering how big.

With that said: would a narrower tire say, a 285/75/17 or a 295/70/17 be a better option for me than 35/12.5/17? Would I still need to think about sleeves and gussets in my dana 30 with the narrower tire? What about re gearing? Would my 3.73s be more doable with a narrower tire? Or is that little difference in width negligible?

Keep in mind this is my DD and only vehicle. I'm gonna be paying on this thing for the next 5 years and if I can save some money by going with a narrower tire and not having to upgrade gears and axles that'd be great.

Ideally when this JK is paid off I'd have the money for another DD and I could consider upgraded axles, long arms 37s or bigger, etc. Seems like it'd be a waste to upgrade the D30 now and re gear just to have to do it again in the future Just can't afford to throw as much money into mods right now as I'd like.

I know this is probably a far fetched idea and a lot to consider, but it's just something I'm thinking about. Could possibly be a good discussion.

Thank for any input!

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I'm a big fan of the 305/70/17 (34.0/12.0/17) tire size for a lightly wheeled DD with a D30 up front. Anything bigger or more moderate wheeling and the C's and axle shafts can become a liability. I have 4.10's and it drives fine.

 

I'd consider what I wheel to be moderate. I do some rocks, nothing that I would consider hardcore or stupid though.

I just worry that the mass of the larger tires is gonna outweigh the advantages of the height and clearance. I'm not completely opposed to sleeving and gusseting my D30, just would like to avoid dropping a lot of money on something I'm gonna be completely replacing down the road.

Do you have any pics of your rig with the 305s? I'm on the iPhone app at work and can't find any on your profile.

 

I dunno, most jeep owners don't want to add 3 or 4 MPG and are afraid of what people think when you do practical things to ur jeep.

 

 

Thanks, it looks good