33x12.5 or 33x10.5
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Tacoma, WA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I am putting in my 6.5 lift in 2 weekends but I noticed that the selection of tires seems better at 33x12.5 so can I successfully run these on my stock gears until next summer when I upgrade my gears? I am going to upgrade the gears for sure but it's not in the immediate budget so any advise or help would be appreciated. Thanks,
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What size lift did you go with? I was going to go with 4.5 x series from Rough Country but I have decided to go with 6.5 instead. But I am wondering if I need to go to 6.5 and risk being top heavy and just sticking with 4.5 some good fender cutting and 33's.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 510
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From: Oak Harbor, Wa
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix
I have the 6.5 rc lift. It doesn't sway too bad. And I also went about a year with stock gears. I have 33x12.50xr15. if you plan in doing alot of wheeling and flexing it out then your gonna have to trim the fenders.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Oly, washington
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 str. 6
I have about 4.5in of lift an trimmed fenders. Works great. All I need is some new bump stops. Also if you go with a 12.5 wide tire make sure you have enough backspacing soo the tires don't rub an so you can air down in the rear with chewing up the tires on the lead packs. A set of spacers is the cheapest an easiest way. Good luck with it all. An post up some pics when ya get her all lifted up. Can't wait
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 283
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From: Tacoma,WA
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
I went with 10.5 wide on a approximate 4.5" lift didn't change bump stops and it does rub when off road, on road it don't seem to rub even hitting bumps. I ran stock gears (3.07) for about a month and it did fine even wheeling just couldn't crawl at all.
If you go with 12.5 and want spacers I've got some from my Jeep I'd be willing to sell cheap.
If you go with 12.5 and want spacers I've got some from my Jeep I'd be willing to sell cheap.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, WA.
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
The good news for you is that the more numerically smaller I.E. 3.07 gears compared to say 4.56 gears, you are the more physically bigger the gear teeth are so you don't have any worries with breakage there. What you will need to be careful of is taking care of your clutch. I'm guessing that since you have 3.07 gears, that you have the 5-speed manual tranny. With the bigger rubber you will be slipping the clutch a bit to get her moving. The mismatch in tire size and gear ratio is much easier to live with when you have an auto tranny. Just do like Eric said. Don't be in a big hurry to get your Jeep moving and keep the slippage to a minimum and you will be fine til you can affard to swap your gears.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 940
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From: Oly, washington
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 str. 6
The good news for you is that the more numerically smaller I.E. 3.07 gears compared to say 4.56 gears, you are the more physically bigger the gear teeth are so you don't have any worries with breakage there. What you will need to be careful of is taking care of your clutch. I'm guessing that since you have 3.07 gears, that you have the 5-speed manual tranny. With the bigger rubber you will be slipping the clutch a bit to get her moving. The mismatch in tire size and gear ratio is much easier to live with when you have an auto tranny. Just do like Eric said. Don't be in a big hurry to get your Jeep moving and keep the slippage to a minimum and you will be fine til you can affard to swap your gears.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Oly, washington
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 str. 6
I went with 10.5 wide on a approximate 4.5" lift didn't change bump stops and it does rub when off road, on road it don't seem to rub even hitting bumps. I ran stock gears (3.07) for about a month and it did fine even wheeling just couldn't crawl at all.
If you go with 12.5 and want spacers I've got some from my Jeep I'd be willing to sell cheap.
If you go with 12.5 and want spacers I've got some from my Jeep I'd be willing to sell cheap.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,842
Likes: 2
From: Loveland CO
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: l6
Originally Posted by 98cherokeeMortgageguy
How about Gear ratios though? I still have stock until next year so i am a bit concerned with strength in the gears turning too much rubber.


