Can I run 33 inch tires on my TJ?

Alan12

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Can I Run 33’ tires on my 2005 Jeep Wrangler SE, six speed Manual 4 cylinders ... do I have to re gear ? I have a two inch lift kit ...
 
With 2 inches of lift they will fit, but it won't leave you much room for up-travel or articulation.

So if you only plan to use it on-road, you'll be fine. However, if you plan to do any real off-roading, you'll need 4 inches of lift.

As for a re-gear, that's never a must, it's one of those things that you will want to do (especially since you have a 4 cylinder) unless you like being miserable.

Those 33s on a 4 cylinder with stock gearing are really, really going to suck!
 
With 2 inches of lift they will fit, but it won't leave you much room for up-travel or articulation.

So if you only plan to use it on-road, you'll be fine. However, if you plan to do any real off-roading, you'll need 4 inches of lift.

As for a re-gear, that's never a must, it's one of those things that you will want to do (especially since you have a 4 cylinder) unless you like being miserable.

Those 33s on a 4 cylinder with stock gearing are really, really going to suck!
 
I won’t do off road ... I want 33 just to change the look on the Jeep ... the axle ratio on the 2005 six speed Manual it’s 4.10 ? Isn’t?
 
If I had a SE, I would regear to 4.88 before putting on 33s.
How fast do you like to go on the highway?
If you're trying to hold 70 mph, 4.88s would probably do the trick on 33s. That'd put you just under 3k RPM in 6th gear at 70.
If you infrequently do highway travel, you might also consider 5.13s, which would put you at about 3100 RPM at 70.

As for the lift/tire fitment, it could be done with a 1.25" body lift. 3" isn't ideal, but it would still net you near stock uptravel.

Consider skinnier 33s versus 33x12.5. 33X10.5 would provide less rolling resistance at the cost of smaller footprint, and may be easier to clear with slightly less lift.
 
2" isn't enough for 33's. You'll have to add a bunch of bump stop or the tires will eat the fenders. Stock SE gearing is far to high for 33's. Can you do it? Sure. Should you do it? No.
 
I won’t do off road ... I want 33 just to change the look on the Jeep ... the axle ratio on the 2005 six speed Manual it’s 4.10 ? Isn’t?

Then yes, you'll be just fine.

Most of them had 4.10s, but even with 4.10 gears, it's still going to suck. The 4 cylinder is very underpowered and has a hard time moving such large tires. The only thing you can do to really mitigate that is re-gear.
 
the axle ratio on the 2005 six speed Manual it’s 4.10

Sorry, I missed the SE option. So yes, 4.10 with a clutch, 4.56 without. If you want 33s with the SE.... best if you could trade for the auto 4.56 ratio. With the 4.0L 33s are not an issue. But when you step down to the 4 angry squirrels.... you have no room for compromize with 33s. You need deeper gears.
 
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I agree with this 100%.

Good stuff .on you and RegearRob,

People can wash their butt with turpentine, but they won’t like it.

33’s in a 4cyl....the term “won’t get out of its on way” comes to mind.
 
I dislike my 4.0, 4.10’s and 33” tire combo. I currently drive it daily so it’s more annoying. But 5.13’s will happen soon.

4 anger squirrels? 🤣 nope!
 
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Think 2” lift plus a 1.25” body lift minimally. Then regear to 4.88 or deeper. It’s just going to look cool and drive crappy if you don’t. It’s the nature of the 4 angry squirrels 🐿
 
I have 4 happy squirrels, 3.73, auto, 235/75R15 which seems to convert to 30" tires. (I think it was 29.6 when i looked up the tires i actually have.) I have not checked the speedo gear or gps speed but according to the gauges I'm at about 3100-3200 rpm at 70 mph. (Door sticker says 205/75R15 and i don't know when/how the bigger tires were added.) It's not horrible but climbing mountains kind of sucks and merging onto the freeway could be a lot better. I feel like i might be able to live with 31s without too much more trouble, but anything past that definitely needs more gear.

I'm still trying to figure out where i want to end up with my 2.5, but I'm thinking 31s, small (1-2") spring lift, and tucking the tummy a little some day. Anything beyond that doesn't seem practical for the squirrels.
 
I have 4 happy squirrels, 3.73, auto, 235/75R15 which seems to convert to 30" tires. (I think it was 29.6 when i looked up the tires i actually have.) I have not checked the speedo gear or gps speed but according to the gauges I'm at about 3100-3200 rpm at 70 mph. (Door sticker says 205/75R15 and i don't know when/how the bigger tires were added.) It's not horrible but climbing mountains kind of sucks and merging onto the freeway could be a lot better. I feel like i might be able to live with 31s without too much more trouble, but anything past that definitely needs more gear.

I'm still trying to figure out where i want to end up with my 2.5, but I'm thinking 31s, small (1-2") spring lift, and tucking the tummy a little some day. Anything beyond that doesn't seem practical for the squirrels.

He’s giving you pearls here
 
Ok, I get it just plain sucks having 4 angry squirrels, no matter what you are doing. I have lived my life with 4 angry squirrels, just not in a Jeep. With that being said, with 6 "wolverines" under the hood, which would be ideal. A 3" lift or a 2" lift with a 1" body lift? I am looking for my wallet to cry once and be happy with it. Not wanting to spend more money just to buy what I should have bought in the first place. Spend it right the first time actually saves money in the long run.
 
Ok, I get it just plain sucks having 4 angry squirrels, no matter what you are doing. I have lived my life with 4 angry squirrels, just not in a Jeep. With that being said, with 6 "wolverines" under the hood, which would be ideal. A 3" lift or a 2" lift with a 1" body lift? I am looking for my wallet to cry once and be happy with it. Not wanting to spend more money just to buy what I should have bought in the first place. Spend it right the first time actually saves money in the long run.
It just depends on what you are wanting to do with your Jeep. What are you trying to accomplish? Looks? Trails? Snow? Beach? Rocks? Overlanding?
 
The 4 squirrels don't suck. It all depends on what you want to do. I have read that the 2.5 is plenty capable offroad. It suffers a little on the highway. I'm new to this game myself but that's how i understand it. If you want big tires you need gears. I can't afford gears so I'm trying to figure out what i can do to keep up in the dirt. I've seen several guys with 33s or 35s say they wish they stuck with 31s and more conservative looking builds. Because i have limited funds I'm trying to learn from them. I know there's stuff i just can't do, but depending on where you want to go it may not be necessary.

Maybe you should talk to Jerry, I'm pretty sure he had a 2.5 a while back.