Can run 32/33s well if you re-gear. 4:56 cogs and 33s will make keep the 4cyl power up. Might consider grabbing a set of axles (30 and 44) , regear and lock them, then swap out your factory axles. Your stock axles with 4:10s will sell easily.
what is your main purpose. If just mild wheeling, i would go with a 32 and budget boost. If you want to go 33, a budget boost will cut it but you may want to think about a spring lift, or adding a 1 inch body lift to get more clearance. I ran 31's with a budget boost, then 33's with a 3 inch lift on my TJ and it was a good setup. Your 4cyl has 4.10 gears and you will notice a power drop with 33's. 32's will be less noticeable.
either way it's not a race car so if you are ok with being a little slow off the line, you will be fine.
some will say yes. I say go 33's. your difference will be everyday driving. if you aren't towing, driving 85 down the highway, or drag racing honda civics, 33's will be fine.
ive had many jeeps...most were modified at one point. My TJ with 33's was just about perfect for wheeling/daily driver (it had a 4.0) many agree a TJ on 33's will make most "normal" people happy. add some skid plates, and you can run blues all day long.
not right away...but the more you learn/wheel the more you will want.
33s will get you through the majority of trails, as long as you pick a good line. But, you'll need more than a spacer lift to fit them, a spacer lift plus 1.25" body lift (rubber, not plastic) should work nicely though. The problem is the 4cyl engine, just not enough power... you'll need to regear both axles to 4.56 or 4.88 if you have the auto transmission. Narrow tires (33x9.5 or 33x10.5) will help a little for weight and surface resistance, but still drops a lot of power by changing the effective final gear ratio.
I'm no "expert" but can as most here speak from experience. My personal opinion is why bother going to 32's. If you have the funding and can go with the 33's and a regear , I wouldn't think twice about it. I ran a mix of trail levels for a while on 33's, even did some stuff I was told I wouldn't make it through or over. Highway ride is not too bad if you are not running mud tires, if you go with mud tires expect tire noise. The regear is worth every penny both in on road performance and at the fuel pump. There are people affiliated with the club that can help out without breaking the bank. If you put the tires on first and drive around for a couple of days you'll think yea this is livable, put gears in and drive around you'll be grinning from ear to ear.
As Deadfeat mentioned if the funds are there, while the gears are being done is a good time for a locker or lockers, doing only one is better than none
Just my two cents, happy wheeling !
You could look into a jk stock spring swap as another option. I know a few guys that have done that. The springs can be had for cheap since guys upgrade and I think you get a 2-3 in lift from it and they will fit right into your tj. I'm not sure if you can use the shocks or not. That is assuming your lifting on a budget from the sounds of things. I'm surprised the 4.10's aren't bearable on 33's but I've also never driven a 4banger. I think you'll need 3-4 inches to fit and wheel 33's.
How important would a regear be since I have 4.10s now (it is a 5 speed, not an auto)?
So....
If I do the 33s, can I get away with stock gears for now? And would the budget boost and a body lift suffice?
5th gear will become pretty much useless and trails will suck because you will be clutching over every rock. Getting passed by Prius-es (What is the Plural of Prius?) would be the absolute worst.
Jerry knows his stuff, if he says it will fit it will fit. As far as the gears go, yes you can drive around with out regearing, you may lose the use of fifth gear on the highway ( you would have to be going 75mph plus to have the rpm where they need to be).
5th gear will become pretty much useless and trails will suck because you will be clutching over every rock. Getting passed by Prius-es (What is the Plural of Prius?) would be the absolute worst.
[size=2]Sorry , answered my own question...
[/size][size=2]Toyota Announces the Plural of Prius[/size][size=2] Decade-Long Debate Laid to Rest with Recognition of the Term ‘Prii’
[/size] [size=2]February 20, 2011[/size][size=2]TORRANCE, Calif., February 20, 2011 –Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc. today announced that the general public has selected ‘Prii’ as the preferred plural term for Prius.[/size]
For only a $200 difference I'd go with the bigger tires especially if you are already aware you will probably need to regear. No one ever says "I shoulda gone with the smaller tire".
I would definitely look into the JK spring swap too. Might be able to save a few $$$ going that route.
if you don't actually drive that much every year then going for the bigger tire size is the better choice. I drove it but with the 6 cyl, I'm sure it's fine/doable with the 4 and not noticeable in low range when off roading (but the height from the tires will be).
One thing you might want to consider if that's the size range you're looking for are stock JK take-off wheels/tires and a set of spacer/adapters. Can't be beat for the $$ as a bunch of new JK owners usually lift and swap them out first thing. I've picked up a few sets for cheaper than I could've bought just tires...JK rubi's would give you 32's with an aggressive tire. Ran a brand new set (literally still had paint and nubbies on the tread) on a 4 banger TJ w/ BB and was real happy. It did force more downshifting on the highway but wasn't bad at all.
That being said...my favorite basic setup for a TJ has always been BB/BL w/ a set of 33's. Stock ride/handling, looks good, and just enough size to tackle some rough stuff.
--Ian
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