33"s With Stock Gears

[Jawa]

I've got an opportunity to pick up a 4.5" kit and some 33x12.50s this coming week, but won't be able to regear for 3-4 months. I'm trying to determine if I should go ahead and install everything right away or wait for new gears. My rig is a '99 auto, stock 3.55s.

I've spent some time tonight reading about 33s with stock gears and the posts are all over the spectrum - some guys saying you don't need to regear (ever!) and others saying the power loss was so terrible they couldn't stand it at all. I'd like to get some input from Colorado folks that know the roads and trails around here.

Do you think I'd still be able to wheel effectively with the stock gears? How about uphill highway driving - think I could keep pace with traffic going up I-70 towards Idaho Springs, for example?

Thanks for your help!

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

im going 33"s on stock gears for a week or two, dont think it will be that bad...

 

[ColoradoRaptor]

You are going to loose some performance and your engine will be operating out of it's optimum power range. That is the bottom line. Those that say you will not need to regear are just fooling themselves. You can get by for awhile until you regear but I would regear as soon as possible!

 

[riverfever]

I think I've been running 33 and 3.55 for I guess a year now. As Raptor said...it's not ideal. However, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I drive like a Granny cuz I'm in no hurry. I'm too busy looking at everything I drive by up here. I also have the luxury of being able to walk to work though and I avoid going down to the Springs like a plague. I haven't wheeled anything nutty with that setup yet. I have no intention of re-gearing but I'm also looking to get a new vehicle next year and use mine just for fishing and deep snow. I suspect if I used the Jeep for even 1/4 of what it's capable of, I'd definitely re-gear. If you want to get together for a drive, let me know. I'm in town all week but gone hopefully no more than 6 days next week.

 

[Jawa]

Based on these replies and some PMs I've received it's looking like I should be okay installing the lift and tires now and dealing with the less than ideal set up for a few months until I can regear. I appreciate the info guys!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Yeah, you'll have to get used to moving over to the right lane on the highway, particularly when going up hill. Your gas mileage is going to suffer pretty significantly if you do alot of highway/hilly driving - the auto trans is gonna down shift alot. It's a little better with a 5 speed.

Go ahead and lift it, get used to the new handling/ride characteristics. I don't think it'll be unbearable, just different - until you can re-gear it.

 

[planefixer]

I ran 33s and 3.55s for a few years- wasn't great but wasn't terrible either.

 

[iroll919]

i run that setup on my 98 only difference is i have a 5 speed been like that about a year

it dont bother me at all driving around town but going up I-70 kills me but it is doable

i say do it and regear when you can

 

[Jawa]

I'm goin' for it!

I've read a few posts from guys saying that the tranny will run hot and that you should upgrade the tranny cooler. Any thoughts on that? Did any of you guys with the 33s/3.55s do that?

 

[riverfever]

Some told me that and I have one sitting in the garage but I've never done it.

 

[Sting25]

I rolled on 33's 6"s and 3.09"s.......It was not so much fun get gears as soon as you can but do the lift and 33's if you have the oportunity for sure....

then gears will just sorta happen