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Hello Jerry,

It's a matter of how much larger we're talking about. I certainly wouldn't
disagree that a slightly larger tire will have little if any negative
impacts. However, the original poster is talking about swapping out ring &
pinion gears, suggesting a radical change to significantly larger tires.

Yes, I am "worried about handling with a Jeep", with no apologies. When I
bought my '62 Willys pickup, it had 15" aftermarket rims with huge 'super
swamper' type tires. It was very difficult to steer, especially at low
speed. I now have 215/85R16 radials on the truck. They're almost exactly
the same size as original equipment 7.00x16 bias ply. Ride and handling
both on and off road is so much better it's remarkable.

Best regards,
Dave Rose
Cactus Cowboy
Big Wonderful Wyoming
'49 Willys Pickup (parts truck)
'62 Willys Pickup 4WD 226
'98 XJ Sport
O|||||||O
http://mvpimages.net/cgi-bin/willys/...on=view&id=224

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:hhgZb.3252$4K3.2714@fed1read06...
> "cactuscowboy" <cactuscowboy@bresnan.net> wrote in message
> news:VpfZb.362030$na.545709@attbi_s04...
> > 3.07:1 is a good ratio for> Think twice before installing larger tires.
> Ride and handling will be
> > adversely affected. Wear and tear on drivetrain and axle components
will
> > increase.
>
> What??? The ride with bigger tires can be every bit as good as it can be
> with smaller tires, often better due to the increased ability of the
larger
> sidewall to flex and make the ride smoother. Handling??? You're worried
> about handling with a Jeep? Buy a small sports car if handling is a big
> issue. Besides, going to a reasonably sized larger tire won't affect
> handling in a significant way with proper wheel sizing.
>
> Finally, your claim of additional wear on drivetrain and axle components
is
> a stretch as well. With reasonably sized "larger" tires, the axles,
gears,
> etc. on a Jeep won't even notice their larger size.
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/
>
>

I will be using this for offroading, but I am not sure if I want to put the
money into it now. I don't do much offorading with it now, but I have been
having the "itch" to do so. Thanks for all the information, but I think I
might need rethink my tire size until this jeep is not my primary form of
transportation and I can do more work with the gearing. Hell it might be
easier to buy some Dana 44's and replace the whole axle. But not at this
time.

Thanks Again to everyone!
"cactuscowboy" <cactuscowboy@bresnan.net> wrote in message
news:VpfZb.362030$na.545709@attbi_s04...
> 3.07:1 is a good ratio for highway cruising - my '98 XJ Sport is so
> equipped. Off road performance is good as well in my Jeep.
>
> If you're going to run larger tires, a lower (higher numerically) gear
ratio
> would be beneficial. Changing your gearing to 3.73 or 4.10 is going to
cost
> some money. You need to do both axles. Might as well install a limited
> slip or locker differentials at the same time, if your jeep is not already
> equipped with it.
>
> Why larger tires? I'm using (stock size) Goodyear Wrangler MTR's on my
XJ.
> The performance on local jeep trails is excellent. My '62 Willys has
> 215/85R16 Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos (same size as the factory specified
> bias ply tires). It handles beautifully. Are you actually using your
jeep
> offroad or will the larger tires be installed to impress other jeep owners
> at the local Dairy Queen parking lot?
>
> Think twice before installing larger tires. Ride and handling will be
> adversely affected. Wear and tear on drivetrain and axle components will
> increase.
>
> Best regards,
> Dave Rose
> Cactus Cowboy
> Big Wonderful Wyoming
> '49 Willys Pickup (parts truck)
> '62 Willys Pickup 4WD 226
> '98 XJ Sport
> O|||||||O
>
> > A couple of posts ago I saw something about it is not good to have a
gear
> > ratio of 3.07 with larger tires. What can expect if I put these tires
on?
> > Also how much/difficult would it be to change my gearing to 3.73/4.10?
> >
> > Thanks
>
>