33's or 35's ??
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: East Hanover, NJ
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Alot of it depends on what rear axle you have. If you have the Dana 35, then I'd say no to 35's, and maybe to 33's since you're doing minimal wheeling in only mud. If you've got the 29-spline C8.25, then I'd say maybe to 35's (yes, if you upgrade the shafts), and yes to 33's.
As for the Dana 30, if you're open, you'll be OK with 33's, and the 35's are going to stress it more. I'd definitely upgrade the shafts if you go with 35's, and still carry a spare set. With 33's I'd run the stock shafts and carry spares as well.
I wheel 33's, locked front and rear (D30/XJ D44) and haven't had any issues. I run stock shafts front and rear, and carry spares for each corner. I wheel it pretty hard on the rocks, and as long as you know the limits, don't get throttle happy, and don't bounce it you should be OK.
Just keep in mind that with larger tires you increase your chances of breaking something. Also, this chance increases significantly if you throw lockers into the mix.
As for regearing. If you go with 33's or 35's I'd just regear to 4.56s off the bat because then when you do eventually go to 35's it's already done, and you don't have to regear the axles yet again. The 4.56's will also make the rig feel peppy on the highway with 33's, and it won't tach terribly high.
I have stock 3.55's with my 33's and it sucks. It's too fast even in 4Lo, and its a dog on the highway. I spend most of my time in 3 instead of D to reduce the trans from shifting too much especially on hilly highways, and also to keep the engine in the powerband. This will be worse with 35's.
I also don't know if you've trimmed the fenders, or what your thoughts are on it, but if you're going to flex your suspension out you're probably going to have to trim a bit for 33's and a bit more for 35's.
As for the Dana 30, if you're open, you'll be OK with 33's, and the 35's are going to stress it more. I'd definitely upgrade the shafts if you go with 35's, and still carry a spare set. With 33's I'd run the stock shafts and carry spares as well.
I wheel 33's, locked front and rear (D30/XJ D44) and haven't had any issues. I run stock shafts front and rear, and carry spares for each corner. I wheel it pretty hard on the rocks, and as long as you know the limits, don't get throttle happy, and don't bounce it you should be OK.
Just keep in mind that with larger tires you increase your chances of breaking something. Also, this chance increases significantly if you throw lockers into the mix.
As for regearing. If you go with 33's or 35's I'd just regear to 4.56s off the bat because then when you do eventually go to 35's it's already done, and you don't have to regear the axles yet again. The 4.56's will also make the rig feel peppy on the highway with 33's, and it won't tach terribly high.
I have stock 3.55's with my 33's and it sucks. It's too fast even in 4Lo, and its a dog on the highway. I spend most of my time in 3 instead of D to reduce the trans from shifting too much especially on hilly highways, and also to keep the engine in the powerband. This will be worse with 35's.
I also don't know if you've trimmed the fenders, or what your thoughts are on it, but if you're going to flex your suspension out you're probably going to have to trim a bit for 33's and a bit more for 35's.
