Tyre question - slippery slope has begun

I drive similar terrain here in NS Canada on 33x10.50R15 BFG MTs. Work very well. No complaints.

First, I think you meant 33x11.50R15. Can't speak to the TJ, but with my XJ, narrower tires let me get away with less lift. On stock wheels though, you may find the tires rub on the inside wall of the wheel wells when flexing. You will certainly have a reduced turning radius on road or off due to rubbing on the lower control arms. Neither issue is likely a show stopper. If you do try it, be sure the tires won't catch up on any flares or exterior sheet metal. Maybe you could install some coil spacers as a stop gap before you get your lift kit.

Likely intolerable with an auto trans. Nine months will seem like an eternity, but you may be able to tough it out.

With my BFG 33s (actual 32.8"), 4.10s and a 34 tooth gear, my speedo clocks about 1 km/h faster than my GPS at 100 km/h. Pretty darn close.

When I did my daily driver XJ last year, I too was in a twist over all this stuff. I ended up doing lift, tires, and gears all in one pop. I cheaped out on gears and got used D30/35 4.10s from one of the many junked 4-cyls available locally. That got me up and running and I can now take my time with wheels, bumpers, skids, lockers, winch, etc. I've since built up a rear D44 with a Rubi air locker for little cash and no time pressure.

Steve

BFG don't do a 32 x 10.5 - its a 32 x 11.5. If they are running stock suspension with no rubbing, I think you are mistaken and they are in fact running 31 x 10.5

Well, the Mud Terrains are the way to go. I was going to suggest you consider the All Terrains, they actually are a better all around tire for dry conditions, but you said the conditions at your house are seldom dry, so the MTs will work better. The ATs fill with mud whereas the MTs will clean themselves, theoretically.

I think the max you can put under a TJ without lift is a 31. I think that the size that will work best for you will be a 32, max. I know several guys with larger tires than I have (I have the BFG Mud Terrain in a 32 x 11.50) - BTW, can you get tires in the "inch sizes", 32 x 11.50, 31 x 10.50, etc.? - and they can't do much more than I can do.

You are going to run into gearing issues soon no matter which size you choose, but since you have the automatic trans, you might not notice. All things considered, gearing and lack of lift, I think you will be best with the 31" tire options. You can put any available width (in a 31, and most widths in a 32) on the standard rims.

I have 32/11.5" in Goodyear MT/Rs on my '02 Wrangler Sahara 8 inch Mickey Thomson wheels and they are top quality tires... I advise rotating them VERY often ... I failed to do so and so they have not worn nearly as well if I had been more attentive.Also make sure your inflation is consistant like any tire.

-Jim

Thanks Steve. I'll reply to your comments in the body:

Great to know.

I did call the guy today and yes I got it wrong, he is running 32x11.50R15. I also asked him about rubbing and he said "no rubbing". Although coil spacer option does look tempting. I think 10mm OME spacer is about NZ$12 each here. Fitting should not be a big problem.

Well, its taken me about 9 months to come to the point of changing tyres, as I wanted to learn what I could do with stock TJ first, I think I can control myself for another 9.

Thanks.

That is what the plan was and I had started saving, but then things don't always go per the plan. I was thinking, I need bigger tyres for better ground clearance, higher suspension to accommodate bigger tyres, then regearing. It will take about 12 months for all to happen. Unfortunately, Jeeps are a novelty here so not many junkyards with old junked Jeeps here. Would gears from a 94/95 Cherokee fit a TJ D30/44? These Cherokees are coming here used from Japan in droves. I should be able to find some junked ones with better gearing.

Thanks TW

I called the guy up again today and I was mistaken about the width, he is running 32x11.50R15 on a stock suspension. It has been puzzling me for about two months now, but I have seen it with my own eyes on our runs and there is no rubbing. Last run had a lot of axle twisting and flexing stuff. This is what gave me the idea of doing the tyres first and then a little later upgrading the suspension. My logic was, if they are doing it, I should be able to get away with for a while. Tyres are on a special now and prices normally go up here in June every year.

Thanks TW

I have ATs currently, but they are not cutting it anymore.

Inch sizes (or floatation sizes) are only in 15 inch rim sizes. All 16 inch rim sizes are metric. I have a lot more options in finding a combination of width and height in metric in NZ for some reason. What do you think of running 265/75R16. They will be 32 inch equivalents. I don't want to go too wide because in NZ we have to keep all the tyre tread within the fenders/flares. With wider tyres, I will have to change the flares to stay street legal. I think with stock wheels and 265mm width, I should be wihtin the fender flares.

How about 10 or 20mm coils spacers all around and then running 32 inch tyres? I am sure the old springs are now starting to sag a little bit too. The only thing is, I don't want to go to 31 inch tyres now and then wanting to go to 32/33 after the lift within next few months. At the moment, tyres are on special and I can get any size BFG Muds at the same price, cool. If I can get away with 32 or 33 now for 2/3 months, I can get the lift and complete the set-up (or so the saying goes...... ...)

Thanks for your comments, I appreciate it very much. TW

Have you had experience with BFG Muds? If yes, how would the two tyres compare? I have read a lot of good reviews about the MT/Rs, but have not seen them here on any truck, let alone a TJ.

TW

Yeah that's what I meant you meant ...

The gears are the same. Might be hard to find D44.

Steve

Thanks, it gives me options to search for a deal.

TW

Sorry, I have to take that back. XJ and YJ D30 gears are reverse cut. Not compatible with your TJ.

... but the good news is that a complete XJ D30 housing is a desirable bolt in upgrade for your TJ:

Steve

Sorry, but I have to say I think you need to recheck the validity of this statement. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you could get the Dana44 rear option seperately from the upgraded diff gearing. And in 2001, the upgraded diff gearing would've been a 3.73:1 ratio.

So, I would venture to say either you do have 3.07:1 diff gearing as you said, but with a Dana35c rearend, or you have the Dana44 rear as you said, but actually have 3.73:1 diff gearing (which will definitely be nicer when you decide on which larger tires to go with).

The 265/75 is a 32" equivelent, but 32 x .

I guess it doesn't matter because you are going to run into other restrictions if you go too wide. I think the 32s are a great choice, they offer lots of ability for virtually everything, and the few times when you actually need the larger tires, well you can get your strap out.

I think you can use the 32s for a long time without doing other stuff, like lift and gears.

That should work. I think you will find that you will end up with 50mm spacers, but the idea is the same.

You're welcome.

Correction: checked my log and I actually have a 35 tooth speedo gear.

Steve

Thanks Steve. I'll keep an eye out and see if something comes up. Otherwise, I'll just have to live with some new gears when I get the diff locks! :-)

TW

I found some links on the net and for 31 or 32 inch tyres with 3.07 gearing, I'll need a 27 tooth speedo gear. With 33s, I'll need a 26 tooth gear. This ofcourse will change again when I regear. The only bummer is that we have keep our speedos calibrated to pass local Warrant of Fitness requirements (safety checks). Good thing is, speedo gears are cheap.

TW

Well, I am in New Zealand and TJs exported to our local market all had rear Dana 44s. I have the build order and it confirms its a Dana 44. I have matched the shape with photos on the net, its a Dana 44. Now for the gearing, well I thought too that Dana 44s came with 3.73, but I have done the tyre rotation test and it works out to 3.07. Also, the label on the pumpkin says 3.07. So does the build order. Thus, I believe my statement is correct. This may be a weird combination, but that is how they were sent to the New Zealand market.

Thanks for your reply. It must be a Jeep thing.... TW

I think it works out to 32x10.50 R16, if such a conversion could be done. The other one I was looking at was 255/85 R16, which works out to 33x10 R16 equivalent. Because of it being narrower, I was thinking perhaps I can get away with it for a while. I went and had a chat with the local ARB/OME distributor, who happens to be a big fan of Jeeps, he was of the opinion that 32, or even narrow 33, rubbing would be probably on the local control arms with a hard turn (lock up) with full articulation. He suggested that if I get the coil spacers and don't disconnect my sway bar, it should be okay for now.

The OME guy suggested doing a max of 20mm front and 15mm in the rear should be okay. I know with the upgraded suspension I will end up with 50/60mm, which is what the goal is. 50mm spacers might be too much for the current shocks I think. The guy actually suggested I should try 33x9.50s are they will be better in the mud because of narrower width. However, I can't find that combination in 16 inch rims.

Do you think 32 inch tyres would be okay? I mean the ground clearance gain between 32 and 33 would be a maximum of half an inch, more likely to be less. I will go to the shop on Saturday and compare the two tyres side by side and how it looks under the fender. If 33 is too cramped, I'll get the

Thanks. TW