33's or 35's opinions please...

[locrwl]

An XJ on 33's is a near perfect match, IMO. They should have come from the factory that way. 35's will increase your problems and overall cost dramatically. Gears, axles, steering, brakes, and lift must all be upgraded.

By the way, the BFG KM2 33x10.50x15's are on national backorder, so you'll want to find something in a 12.50 width if you are planning to buy right away.

Ya i was going for the 12.50's but thanks for the info. I have stock fender flares on mine and I have to say, the 33's look pretty big on there. 33's on my tj looked a little bit smallish tho

 

[jeepfreak1020]

Ya i was going for the 12.50's but thanks for the info. I have stock fender flares on mine and I have to say, the 33's look pretty big on there. 33's on my tj looked a little bit smallish tho

Ive alwasy thought 33's with stock fenders, not cut or moved up look really good. Not to much froom but not to small of tires. I have bushwachers and 32's looked real small. And now 33's look good with the wackers, fills the fender very nice

 

[billulsund]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned different tire types and widths. The strain on drivetrain components from larger tires is due not only to the increased tire size, but also the additional weight of the tire. My 35" cooper discoverer tire weighs less than my friends 33" Swamper that is the same width. My jeep has stock gearing and it doesn't take off like a rocket or stop on a dime, but I wheel it hard and have yet to break anything or have any problems from my gearing and tire size (although I want to re-gear when I can afford it). It is not my daily driver and I don't know if you would want 35" tires and stock gears on a daily driver, but I don't think it will be that drastically different than the 33" you are running and depending on the type and width of tire you choose may not cause much additional stress on your drivetrain components. Just my $0.02

 

[vincepru]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned different tire types and widths. The strain on drivetrain components from larger tires is due not only to the increased tire size, but also the additional weight of the tire. My 35" cooper discoverer tire weighs less than my friends 33" Swamper that is the same width. My jeep has stock gearing and it doesn't take off like a rocket or stop on a dime, but I wheel it hard and have yet to break anything or have any problems from my gearing and tire size (although I want to re-gear when I can afford it). It is not my daily driver and I don't know if you would want 35" tires and stock gears on a daily driver, but I don't think it will be that drastically different than the 33" you are running and depending on the type and width of tire you choose may not cause much additional stress on your drivetrain components. Just my $0.02

good insight! btw what kind of tire is your friend running? bias ply ltb?

 

[locrwl]

Ya I guess that weight is just as important as overall size. Or maybe it is weight that is the main factor when speaking of this subject. I was looking at getting either the 33" or 35" KM2s. The one thing that I was certain about (at least I thought I was certain) was that I wanted it in 12.50 width. But now even that seems to be highly debatable! It may just come down to what I can actually get my hands on due to the back order on KM2s.

 

[87_trailrig]

I love my 35s its like every boulder becomes a pebble .. but you do need to re gear.... I ran em on stock 3:07s nand upgraded to 4:88s .. And now its like what 35s .. .. If you don't wheel much then stock to 33s or 34s because gas will kill u ..

 

[roughxj27]

Stay with the 33's! The BFG KM2 is an OK tire if you want a mud look, but the Interco Trxus MT is superior and good on the highway. The TSL or TSL radial will out pull all of them, but roars and wears on the road.

 

[Darky]

If you're on stock axles, stay with 33s. they're about the upper limit as to what the D30 can handle stock. If you're on stock gears, I don't know how you can stand it with 33s. I did it for about 6 months or so, and I hated it. The engine ran hotter (tranny had to slip more which produced extra heat), it drove like a dog, got out run by my 103 hp Focus, which never outran anything, no engine braking anymore, needed to run 4low everywhere in the dirt...etc etc. Regear and you'll see the difference.

 

[billulsund]

good insight! btw what kind of tire is your friend running? bias ply ltb?

I believe my friend is running Bias Ply TSL, and after looking again his tires are actually a 1/2 inch wider than mine, so that helps make them heavier. Those things really grip. I am locked in the rear and he is not, but those tires seem to make up the difference on most trails. I really want some 35-12.5-15 TSL SX tires. The coopers are nice for the road, but my XJ is not my daily driver and I want something more aggressive.

 

[CJ~Abuzer]

Stay with the 33's! The BFG KM2 is an OK tire if you want a mud look, but the Interco Trxus MT is superior and good on the highway.

I have to disagree.

I ran a set of Truxs (31x10.50x15) from the time they were brand new until they were pretty much bald and then switched to 35" KM2s. The KM2s have outperformed the Truxs hands down traction wise and road manners.

To the OP. If your running 33s on stock 3.55s, I would strongly consider regearing. Your transmission and engine will love you for it. Running those tires on stock gears, in a sense, is like towing a trailer everywhere. It will wear out your transmission quicker. I used to think I didnt need to regear but when I went to 35s, I swapped in 4.56 gears. I was getting 10 to 12 MPG on 3.55 gears with 31" Truxs tires and now I am getting 18 city and 21 highway with 4.56" gears and 35s. (yes, speedometer has the correct tooth gear on it).

If you are not planning to regear, then I would stick to 33s or downgrade to 31s since you dont wheel it.....unless you just want to look cool when going down the road, then just throw some 39s on it with Rockstar wheels. You could be in the next rap video and be a huge hit with the Hannah Montana fans at the mall.:confused1

 

[Darky]

I have to disagree.

I ran a set of Truxs (31x10.50x15) from the time they were brand new until they were pretty much bald and then switched to 35" KM2s. The KM2s have outperformed the Truxs hands down traction wise and road manners.

To the OP. If your running 33s on stock 3.55s, I would strongly consider regearing. Your transmission and engine will love you for it. Running those tires on stock gears, in a sense, is like towing a trailer everywhere. It will wear out your transmission quicker. I used to think I didnt need to regear but when I went to 35s, I swapped in 4.56 gears. I was getting 10 to 12 MPG on 3.55 gears with 31" Truxs tires and now I am getting 18 city and 21 highway with 4.56" gears and 35s. (yes, speedometer has the correct tooth gear on it).

If you are not planning to regear, then I would stick to 33s or downgrade to 31s since you dont wheel it.....unless you just want to look cool when going down the road, then just throw some 39s on it with Rockstar wheels. You could be in the next rap video and be a huge hit with the Hannah Montana fans at the mall.:confused1

So, you're comparing 31" Trxus to 35" KM2s to make your claim that the KM2s are better? Pretty sure the extra 4" in height and 2" in width just might be playing into the enhanced performance.