33x9.5

Mar 02, 2005 4 Replies
C

Found someone to buy my 30x9.5's, so after I get the new lift installed (still need to pick that out.. probably a 3.5 or 4.5 Rubicon Express), I'll probably be installing 33x9.5's.



I don't see 33x9.5 in my two tire choices on Tire Rack. The two tires I'm considering are Goodyear MT/R and BFG Mud Terrain T/A. I am very partail to the MT/R as that is what my 30's are now and I love them.



How hard is it to daily drive a Cherokee (with the 4 liter) on 33x9.5's with stock gears? If it's a PITA and absolutely kills mileage, I may step down to



32's or 31's, though I'm not sure how much improvement either would offer of my current 30's.

TIA for any opinions..



Carl


Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
M

I went from 31's to 33's and my mileage stayed pretty much the same but I don't use 5th any more. If I use 5th, my mileage drops bad.

I have tried my Cherokee with 235's on a fixed 200 mile run lots and I get pretty much the same mileage using 5th or not with it but that isn't as radical an increase as the 33's.

I don't think anyone sells the 33x9.5 mud's anymore... :-( I really love mine!

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Carl Saiyed wrote:

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
S

Hi Carl,

If you want to keep your 15x7 wheels, your options are 31x10.50 (MT/R or BFG MT), or 33x10.50 (BFG MT). You can get the BFG AT in 33x9.50 - excellent street/rocks/snow tire if perhaps less effective in mud. You might squeeze on 32x11.50, but you should really get 8" rims for that.

Another choice is the 32x10.50R15 Super Swamper TSL Radial:

formatting link

Or maybe even the truly tall'n skinny 34x9.50R15 Special Service Super Swamper:

formatting link
If you get your hands on some 16x7 rims, you could fit MT/R or BFG in

235/85R16 (roughly 32x9.25) or BFG in 255/85R16 (roughly 33x10).

Also, consider Kumho mud tires. Inexpensive and well rated.

As Mike R. says, you can kiss 5th goodbye if you go to bigger tires. It's even worse for you because he has 3.31 ratio diffs and you probably have 3.07. You could always get by for a while and regear later. If money is an issue, do like I did and score a junked 2.5L XJ or YJ and swap the 4.10 gears, carier, bearings & shims straight into yours. You can do it in your driveway in a few hours and the backlash, preloads, and pinion depth will probably all be in spec (check to be sure though) without having to rearrange the shims.

Steve

formatting link

Carl Saiyed wrote:

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
C

Thanks Mike and Steve. I'll probably be going to a 15x8 wheel at the same time. Can I fit a 33x10.5 on a 15x8?

Carl

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
S

Yes. 15x7 works too and will hold a bead better if you air down. You can fit 33x10.50 on your stock 15x7 with just a little rubbing on the lower control arms when steering hard over. Easily corrected by adjusting steering stops. If you get new wheels look for 4.5" or 4.75" back spacing.

Also, with the 4.5" lift you'll need to trim the fenders a bit and remove the plastic crap that hangs under the front bumper to clear

33x10.50 but you can retain your stock flares in the stock position.

Steve

formatting link

Carl Saiyed wrote:

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required