32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so obviously
large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due to
numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear axle.
SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years, until I
can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would work
great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If I
didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the most
sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford another
SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if it were
lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)

-jeff

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
: I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
: large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due to
: numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
: SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
: can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
: great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
: didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
: sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
: SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
: tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if it
were
: lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
:
: -jeff

Hey Jeff, I'll offer opinion on both posts (31 vs.32's and BFG vs MTR)

Regearing to 4.10 is more conducive to 31's... from my reading I've
concluded 4.10=31", 4.56=32", 4.88=33". That's not to say 32's on 4.10 will
suck... depends mostly on your driving style and usage.

The 35c won't give you much trouble up to 33" unless you're locked or you're
pounding on it. If you bounce on a spinning wheel, even a stock D44 will
break.

31 vs. 32... not really much of a difference here, it'll get you an extra
half inch clearance but is it worth it if you lose articulation? Keep in
mind BFG come in 32x10.50 or 12.50... MT/R only comes in 32x12.50. With no
lift and stock backspacing, rubbing may become an issue the MT/R.

BFG vs. MT/R... I just bought 31" MT/R's for my XJ and can't give you much
first hand info other than they look great. From the research I have done,
I'll give you my impressions:

MUD: Most people seem to favour BFG MT.
SNOW: Most say BFG MT are not nearly as good as the AT... MT/R's are good
but not great.
RAIN: Don't recall a clear winner here.
ROCKS: Most say MT/R hands down.
NOISE: Most favour MT/R but not by a land slide.
WEAR: Both perform well considering their intended use.

What would I do? I'd go with 31's if you're not ready for a lift. The extra
inch will likely just piss you off more than it will help you. I was leaning
to BFG because it is a good tire and met my needs enough that I couldn't
justify paying so much more for the MT/Rs... until I found them on sale. Got
the MT/Rs cheaper than BFGs - that was the decision maker for me.

-Brian

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
: I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
: large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due to
: numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
: SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
: can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
: great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
: didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
: sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
: SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
: tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if it
were
: lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
:
: -jeff

Hey Jeff, I'll offer opinion on both posts (31 vs.32's and BFG vs MTR)

Regearing to 4.10 is more conducive to 31's... from my reading I've
concluded 4.10=31", 4.56=32", 4.88=33". That's not to say 32's on 4.10 will
suck... depends mostly on your driving style and usage.

The 35c won't give you much trouble up to 33" unless you're locked or you're
pounding on it. If you bounce on a spinning wheel, even a stock D44 will
break.

31 vs. 32... not really much of a difference here, it'll get you an extra
half inch clearance but is it worth it if you lose articulation? Keep in
mind BFG come in 32x10.50 or 12.50... MT/R only comes in 32x12.50. With no
lift and stock backspacing, rubbing may become an issue the MT/R.

BFG vs. MT/R... I just bought 31" MT/R's for my XJ and can't give you much
first hand info other than they look great. From the research I have done,
I'll give you my impressions:

MUD: Most people seem to favour BFG MT.
SNOW: Most say BFG MT are not nearly as good as the AT... MT/R's are good
but not great.
RAIN: Don't recall a clear winner here.
ROCKS: Most say MT/R hands down.
NOISE: Most favour MT/R but not by a land slide.
WEAR: Both perform well considering their intended use.

What would I do? I'd go with 31's if you're not ready for a lift. The extra
inch will likely just piss you off more than it will help you. I was leaning
to BFG because it is a good tire and met my needs enough that I couldn't
justify paying so much more for the MT/Rs... until I found them on sale. Got
the MT/Rs cheaper than BFGs - that was the decision maker for me.

-Brian

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
: I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
: large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due to
: numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
: SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
: can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
: great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
: didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
: sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
: SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
: tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if it
were
: lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
:
: -jeff

Hey Jeff, I'll offer opinion on both posts (31 vs.32's and BFG vs MTR)

Regearing to 4.10 is more conducive to 31's... from my reading I've
concluded 4.10=31", 4.56=32", 4.88=33". That's not to say 32's on 4.10 will
suck... depends mostly on your driving style and usage.

The 35c won't give you much trouble up to 33" unless you're locked or you're
pounding on it. If you bounce on a spinning wheel, even a stock D44 will
break.

31 vs. 32... not really much of a difference here, it'll get you an extra
half inch clearance but is it worth it if you lose articulation? Keep in
mind BFG come in 32x10.50 or 12.50... MT/R only comes in 32x12.50. With no
lift and stock backspacing, rubbing may become an issue the MT/R.

BFG vs. MT/R... I just bought 31" MT/R's for my XJ and can't give you much
first hand info other than they look great. From the research I have done,
I'll give you my impressions:

MUD: Most people seem to favour BFG MT.
SNOW: Most say BFG MT are not nearly as good as the AT... MT/R's are good
but not great.
RAIN: Don't recall a clear winner here.
ROCKS: Most say MT/R hands down.
NOISE: Most favour MT/R but not by a land slide.
WEAR: Both perform well considering their intended use.

What would I do? I'd go with 31's if you're not ready for a lift. The extra
inch will likely just piss you off more than it will help you. I was leaning
to BFG because it is a good tire and met my needs enough that I couldn't
justify paying so much more for the MT/Rs... until I found them on sale. Got
the MT/Rs cheaper than BFGs - that was the decision maker for me.

-Brian

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
: I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
: large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due to
: numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
: SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
: can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
: great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
: didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
: sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
: SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
: tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if it
were
: lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
:
: -jeff

Hey Jeff, I'll offer opinion on both posts (31 vs.32's and BFG vs MTR)

Regearing to 4.10 is more conducive to 31's... from my reading I've
concluded 4.10=31", 4.56=32", 4.88=33". That's not to say 32's on 4.10 will
suck... depends mostly on your driving style and usage.

The 35c won't give you much trouble up to 33" unless you're locked or you're
pounding on it. If you bounce on a spinning wheel, even a stock D44 will
break.

31 vs. 32... not really much of a difference here, it'll get you an extra
half inch clearance but is it worth it if you lose articulation? Keep in
mind BFG come in 32x10.50 or 12.50... MT/R only comes in 32x12.50. With no
lift and stock backspacing, rubbing may become an issue the MT/R.

BFG vs. MT/R... I just bought 31" MT/R's for my XJ and can't give you much
first hand info other than they look great. From the research I have done,
I'll give you my impressions:

MUD: Most people seem to favour BFG MT.
SNOW: Most say BFG MT are not nearly as good as the AT... MT/R's are good
but not great.
RAIN: Don't recall a clear winner here.
ROCKS: Most say MT/R hands down.
NOISE: Most favour MT/R but not by a land slide.
WEAR: Both perform well considering their intended use.

What would I do? I'd go with 31's if you're not ready for a lift. The extra
inch will likely just piss you off more than it will help you. I was leaning
to BFG because it is a good tire and met my needs enough that I couldn't
justify paying so much more for the MT/Rs... until I found them on sale. Got
the MT/Rs cheaper than BFGs - that was the decision maker for me.

-Brian

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

I have just been through the same decision making process in the last 2/3
weeks. I finally went with 265/75R16 BFG Muds primarily because of two
reasons (1) my TJ came with 16 inch rims, which allowed me narrower but
taller tyres (2) MT/R availability is somewhat limited in our part of the
world, so if I had blown a tyre it would have taken some time and big $$$
to find a replacement. In the end I actually got a very good deal on my
Muds with previous 225/70R16 BFG ATs thrown in as trade-in. Road noise
with Muds is not really than much more compared to ATs. I do have a
hardtop and this is middle of the winter (in the Southern hemisphere),
perhaps it is filtering the noise a little.

Now the question about rubbing, I think BFG Muds in 15 inch size come in
32x11.50 size, which is wider than mine which are equivalent to 32x10.50 -
a size not available in 15 inch size. I have not done a lift yet and have
noticed no rubbing at all in city driving and very very mild off-roading
(with sway bars connected). I have yet to try some of the bigger trails.
My lift is in the pipeline and should be coming within the next couple of
months. Till then I am taking it very easy. I do wish I could have done
the lift, tyres and diff regearing together though.

We tend to have more mud on our trails than rocks and snow. Therefore,
almost everybody runs BFGs or Simex Muds.

Also keep in mind, changing tyre sizes significantly will change your
speedo calibration. You'll have to calculate by how much it is off. In my
case, my speedo is reading about 10 percent slower than my actual speed
(speedo says 90 kms/h, but I am actually doing 100 kms/h). Also with 32
inch and onwards, spare tyre is not likely to fit on the stock tailgate
mount (it doesn't in my case). You will also have to raise the third brake
light by a couple of inches, if it exists, for 32+ sizes.

Hope this helps.
TW
--
01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto
D30/44, 265/75R16 BFG Muds


"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
> I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
> large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due
to
> numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
> SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
> can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
> great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
> didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
> sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
> SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
> tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if
it were
> lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
>
> -jeff

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

I have just been through the same decision making process in the last 2/3
weeks. I finally went with 265/75R16 BFG Muds primarily because of two
reasons (1) my TJ came with 16 inch rims, which allowed me narrower but
taller tyres (2) MT/R availability is somewhat limited in our part of the
world, so if I had blown a tyre it would have taken some time and big $$$
to find a replacement. In the end I actually got a very good deal on my
Muds with previous 225/70R16 BFG ATs thrown in as trade-in. Road noise
with Muds is not really than much more compared to ATs. I do have a
hardtop and this is middle of the winter (in the Southern hemisphere),
perhaps it is filtering the noise a little.

Now the question about rubbing, I think BFG Muds in 15 inch size come in
32x11.50 size, which is wider than mine which are equivalent to 32x10.50 -
a size not available in 15 inch size. I have not done a lift yet and have
noticed no rubbing at all in city driving and very very mild off-roading
(with sway bars connected). I have yet to try some of the bigger trails.
My lift is in the pipeline and should be coming within the next couple of
months. Till then I am taking it very easy. I do wish I could have done
the lift, tyres and diff regearing together though.

We tend to have more mud on our trails than rocks and snow. Therefore,
almost everybody runs BFGs or Simex Muds.

Also keep in mind, changing tyre sizes significantly will change your
speedo calibration. You'll have to calculate by how much it is off. In my
case, my speedo is reading about 10 percent slower than my actual speed
(speedo says 90 kms/h, but I am actually doing 100 kms/h). Also with 32
inch and onwards, spare tyre is not likely to fit on the stock tailgate
mount (it doesn't in my case). You will also have to raise the third brake
light by a couple of inches, if it exists, for 32+ sizes.

Hope this helps.
TW
--
01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto
D30/44, 265/75R16 BFG Muds


"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
> I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
> large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due
to
> numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
> SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
> can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
> great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
> didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
> sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
> SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
> tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if
it were
> lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
>
> -jeff

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

I have just been through the same decision making process in the last 2/3
weeks. I finally went with 265/75R16 BFG Muds primarily because of two
reasons (1) my TJ came with 16 inch rims, which allowed me narrower but
taller tyres (2) MT/R availability is somewhat limited in our part of the
world, so if I had blown a tyre it would have taken some time and big $$$
to find a replacement. In the end I actually got a very good deal on my
Muds with previous 225/70R16 BFG ATs thrown in as trade-in. Road noise
with Muds is not really than much more compared to ATs. I do have a
hardtop and this is middle of the winter (in the Southern hemisphere),
perhaps it is filtering the noise a little.

Now the question about rubbing, I think BFG Muds in 15 inch size come in
32x11.50 size, which is wider than mine which are equivalent to 32x10.50 -
a size not available in 15 inch size. I have not done a lift yet and have
noticed no rubbing at all in city driving and very very mild off-roading
(with sway bars connected). I have yet to try some of the bigger trails.
My lift is in the pipeline and should be coming within the next couple of
months. Till then I am taking it very easy. I do wish I could have done
the lift, tyres and diff regearing together though.

We tend to have more mud on our trails than rocks and snow. Therefore,
almost everybody runs BFGs or Simex Muds.

Also keep in mind, changing tyre sizes significantly will change your
speedo calibration. You'll have to calculate by how much it is off. In my
case, my speedo is reading about 10 percent slower than my actual speed
(speedo says 90 kms/h, but I am actually doing 100 kms/h). Also with 32
inch and onwards, spare tyre is not likely to fit on the stock tailgate
mount (it doesn't in my case). You will also have to raise the third brake
light by a couple of inches, if it exists, for 32+ sizes.

Hope this helps.
TW
--
01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto
D30/44, 265/75R16 BFG Muds


"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
> I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
> large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due
to
> numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
> SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
> can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
> great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
> didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
> sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
> SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
> tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if
it were
> lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
>
> -jeff

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

I have just been through the same decision making process in the last 2/3
weeks. I finally went with 265/75R16 BFG Muds primarily because of two
reasons (1) my TJ came with 16 inch rims, which allowed me narrower but
taller tyres (2) MT/R availability is somewhat limited in our part of the
world, so if I had blown a tyre it would have taken some time and big $$$
to find a replacement. In the end I actually got a very good deal on my
Muds with previous 225/70R16 BFG ATs thrown in as trade-in. Road noise
with Muds is not really than much more compared to ATs. I do have a
hardtop and this is middle of the winter (in the Southern hemisphere),
perhaps it is filtering the noise a little.

Now the question about rubbing, I think BFG Muds in 15 inch size come in
32x11.50 size, which is wider than mine which are equivalent to 32x10.50 -
a size not available in 15 inch size. I have not done a lift yet and have
noticed no rubbing at all in city driving and very very mild off-roading
(with sway bars connected). I have yet to try some of the bigger trails.
My lift is in the pipeline and should be coming within the next couple of
months. Till then I am taking it very easy. I do wish I could have done
the lift, tyres and diff regearing together though.

We tend to have more mud on our trails than rocks and snow. Therefore,
almost everybody runs BFGs or Simex Muds.

Also keep in mind, changing tyre sizes significantly will change your
speedo calibration. You'll have to calculate by how much it is off. In my
case, my speedo is reading about 10 percent slower than my actual speed
(speedo says 90 kms/h, but I am actually doing 100 kms/h). Also with 32
inch and onwards, spare tyre is not likely to fit on the stock tailgate
mount (it doesn't in my case). You will also have to raise the third brake
light by a couple of inches, if it exists, for 32+ sizes.

Hope this helps.
TW
--
01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto
D30/44, 265/75R16 BFG Muds


"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040609044813.15320.00000594@mb-m26.aol.com...
> I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so
obviously
> large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due
to
> numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear
axle.
> SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years,
until I
> can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would
work
> great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If
I
> didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the
most
> sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford
another
> SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
> tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if
it were
> lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
>
> -jeff

Re: 32's on an unlifted TJ for a while?
 

If it was mine, I'd put 31" Goodyear MT/Rs on it and lift it in a couple
of years when you can. By then, the tires will be half shot anyway.

Handywired wrote:

> I am gonna buy some tires soon. I regeared my '97 TJ to 4.10, so obviously
> large tires are possible on that front at least. However, I cannot due to
> numerous reasons lift the Jeep any time soon. Plus, I have a 35c rear axle.
> SO, I'm debating over getting 31's and running them for a couple years, until I
> can really build the jeep, or trying to make 32's work. My gearing would work
> great with 32's but I know they'd hit the vehicle under maximum flex. If I
> didn't do that kind o wheeling, are they OK? Otherwise, 31's make the most
> sense for my particular set of circumstances (have kids, can't afford another
> SUV so jeep must do double-duty, wife and kids use Jeep regularly, wife
> tolerates jeep now but does not like it and would really not like it if it were
> lifted, I need the $$$ to put into my business right now, etc.)
>
> -jeff

--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________