If so why? I recently bought a 2007 JKU Rubi runnign a TF 4" long arm lift and 37" MTR's. I love the look and height, but I don't like the MTR's. They are pretty well worn out so I've been looking at new tires and started with the Toyo's. I went from 33x12.50 MTR's on my TJ to 33x13.50 Toyo MT's and love them, but the 37x13.50 Toyo's are 92lbs each! I thought If I dropped to 35" KM2's that would save me roughly 50lbs an axle and improve my performance significantly, not to mention my gear ratio (I have 4.88's) and possibly gas mileage (do I really care? I own two Jeeps already).

Anyway, the devil on my shoulder is telling me to keep the 37's & screw being practical, but the angel on the other side is making a pretty strong argument to drop down. Does the extra inch or so of ride height really make that much of a difference? What are the big advantages to the 37's that I can give back to the devil for his argument?

Like I said, I've been running 33's on my TJ for the five years I've had it so even 35's are big to me.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

just switch to the 37" Nitto Trail Grapplers... You will not be disappointed, save a little weight, and still keep the 37" height. For me I am going the other way, have 35's now and next set will be 37's.... my opinion the JKU were made for around 3"-4" of lift and 37's....that is the ideal set up in my opinion.

 

A 4" lift with 37" tires looks right. A 4" lift and dropping down to 'short' 35" (km2's are pretty much known to run very short for the size, so figure on 33.5-34" actual), not so much. Look at the 37" km2 instead. It should be shorter and lighter than your current 37", and definitely lighter than a 37" toyo.

 

Listen to the devil. He's more fun.

 

I have the 37x17x13.50 Toyos and they are not bad at all IMO. Even at highway speeds.

I know everyone says they're really heavy, but does 40 or 50 pounds really make that much of a difference performance wise when you consider the weight the JKU already is?

For me i just cleared all the spare change out of the center console, and hit the treadmill a few times, and there's my 50 pounds

 

Don't do this its gonna look too small compared to the 37's you've been running. Get the 37KM2 instead.

sent from my Gtab

 

I agree. With the right gears and a programmer, not bad at all.

 

Great feedback guys, thanks. I know the devil is more fun, that's why I've been fighting this "practical" notion. I have several neighbors with JKU's, two on 35's and one on a metric ~34. I drove by and looked at them today as well and didn't get any warm fuzzy's.

I did read an article that discussed "unsprung weight" and it said every 10lbs of unsprung weight (tires) is equavalent to 100lbs of cargo weight. So if I have 100 lbs of total extra weight in tires it's like 1000lbs in my rig? Does that sound right? Maybe I'll take my 3 brothers-in-law for a ride and test the difference .

Right now my first choice would definitely be the Toyo's based on the experience I've had with my TJ, but from what I've read the Nitto's are sounding like a close second. The weights I found for the Nitto vs Toyo are 83 vs. 92 respectively so roughly 9 lbs a tire, which according to MrScience's calculations would be a difference of 360lbs in the cab. That combined with some trips to the gym of my own and I might be able to tolerate them . The Nitto's are also a bit narrower which might be good since the rear sway bar on the drivers side seems to sit a bit close to the tire.

Any more thoughts? Interesting, in every thread there always seems to be "that guy" with a differing opinion but he hasn't shown up here. Maybe no one has ever dropped from 37s' to 35's!

 

I hope that you were joking about the air pressure. Air pressure does not add weight. IT'S AIR

 

X2. The 35" km2 would look small with your lift. If you decided to go 35's I would say mtr because they are a true 35 but I know your trying to avoid them. Sounds like a 37" km2 might be the ticket