What tire size?

[JPK]

On my LJ I run 33x10.5's (255/85/16's) in the BF Goodrich M/T KO - the original M/T's - and have been very happy with them. They do not offer this tire in any other size than the stock JK Rubicon size anymore, but they now offer the KM2 in that size, which is reportedly a better all around tire.

There are some other brand 255/85/16's too, and they all seem to have a good reputation.

You will need some lift to fit 33's without rubbing the rear finder well. About 3" will cure the rub. A very little bit of contact at full turn with the stock Rubicon wheels.

JPK

[madizell]

For overlanding, per se, 32's are about all you need. If you can fit 33's without trimming and lifting, fine. Running anything larger than stock is going to have an immediate impact on driveability including fuel consumption, available power, alignment management, speedo errors, additional unsprung weight, and so on.

So it depends on what you really want to do with your vehicle. Overlanding and more recreational off-road driving are not really the same thing. Most of the roads and trails covered in overlanding can be done in stock trim, so tall tires are not generally needed, nor do they necessarily add anything to your ability to enjoy vehicle-based exploration and camping.

If you go back only about 15 years, you would find that most folks thought 31x10.5 tires were HUGE, and every trail on the planet was covered with tires no larger than that. I crossed the Talkeetna Mountains in central Alaska in 1997 on 31x10.5 BFG MT's on a trail that had up to that point never been done with a street legal vehicle. It was not a problem.

Personally, I feel tall tires are irrelevant to overlanding, and that for the purpose, a narrow 32 inch tire is about all you will ever need. If you are now running 31's and not having problems getting where you need to go, I would not change size just to change size.

[Root Moose]

Like minds...

I've "designed" my Jeeps around commonly available sizes, that is, the tires run by common pick-up trucks that you can get a replacement tire without special order. In North America that tends to be 265/75-16, 285/75-16 so that is what I run.

[magarnigel]

Hey thanks for all the input everyone. This definitely gives me a lot to think about.
I just recently installed metalcloak fenders on my jeep and was planning on a 2" lift mainly to level it out and give me a little more flex. It seems that 33's will probably be more than enough tire for me, especially since this is also my daily driver.
I was thinking of switching my d35 out and replacing it with an 8.8 with 4.10 gears instead of regearing my d35. Would this be a wise decision or should I use that money elsewhere on the vehicle?

[wacker]

Just wanted to chime in as well as I have a tj on 36's and one on 33's. Really keep it lower. The wife's tj was on 33's for about a year with a two inch lift. Very nice but without regearing it was a bit of a dog on the highway. Now with 31's for the last year, it is my favorite setup to drive. My tj with 36's or on 35's was great offroad as it was longarmed, locked and geared appropriate. That being said, I kind of hate driving it. Way too much work and money to keep it reliable and comfortable on the street. 31's and 2 inch lift is great and handles like a rocket ship. Best tj setup for long distance hands down.

Hope that helps

[Mr. D]

great opinions thanks

[korisu56]

I will throw my 0.02 in too. My TJ had 35's and was a PITA to maintain. Had an 8.8 with 4.56's and LSD. Ball joints, brakes, joints, etc. Just general maintenance goes up exponentially. My biggest regret with that jeep was going bigger than 33s.

My CJ7 has gone most of the places my TJ went on 31x10.50s on stock height and is just generally more fun to drive. Its lower and does very well off road. No lockers, nothing snazzy.

My next Jeep will be a jk unlimited. I will leave it stock height and just alter the bumpers with a winch, lighting, and RTT and call it good. I've learned that companies test their vehicles thoroughly at the presets that they sell the vehicle.

[Hill, Bill E.]

As Korisu56 knows, both my Jeeps are on 33's (CJ7 and XJ) and they just plain work.

I have driven both of my Jeeps cross country to Moab, Utah (3000 hwy miles round trip) and run most of the trails there for a week, then drove home.

As well as taking my XJ to CO for 12 days, with 2000 miles hwy (roundtrip) and 1200 miles off road, driving different trails and mountain passes.


I honestly believe, for a daily driven Jeep, that 33's are the biggest one should run. (on CJ/YJ/TJ's and XJ's/Grands)

I wheel my Jeeps fairly hard, and have fun with them, without breaking the bank.

If I was doing more exploring, and less wheeling, I would run 31's, as they are adequate for 99% of "back country exploring", plus it keeps the COG nice and low, and you have less of the costs that x32792 referred to.


The best mod you can do to your Jeep right now?

"SEAT TIME!"

Driver ability and knowledge of ones rig is the best thing one can do.

A skilled driver can take a stock/slightly modified rig more places than you'd think.

And more importantly, will know when not to take thier rig somewhere.

[magarnigel]

So I got some new 33's for the Jeep today. Looking at them now, I'm glad I went this route. I'm probably not going to lift either now because I'm really liking the stance.

[x32792]

I went from OEM 28" tires to 30x9.5 A/T Dunlap Radical Rovers on my stock '01 TJ, 4L with 5 speed. This keeps my GOG low and gives me 1" more ground clearance without any modification to the suspension system. I'm running stock 15" steel OEM rims and do not bind while turning or at full articulation.

To go up to 31" tires would require 2" spacers at the top of my springs and longer shock absorbers. Locally, this is called a 'Budget Lift."

Going from 30" to 31" tires would give me an additional 1/2" more ground clearance, but this is no game changer.

My set up is fine for going long on most dirt and gravel. If I was going to Tierra Del Fuego (and thank gawd no one on this board has stepped up and said they they wanted to make this run with me), I'd pop for a budget lift and 31" M/T tires.