Are 33s too big?

[DirtDawg]

I’m not sure, pretty sure it’s a Dana 35 in the rear and a 30 in the front, that’s what the saharas came with right. It’s also the 5 speed manual if that means anything

The Sahara option was essentially a package of convenience options (with exception of unique Sahara interior seating cloth plus decals), with Dana 30/44 axles in combo with 3.73 gearing plus 15x8 "Canyon" wheels (which yours no longer has) typically included. If you've not done so already, run a VIN decoder as below, which should confirm how yours was built. FCA Equipment List decoder

In any case, 33" tires on 3.73 gearing won't be great off-pavement - much better with 31" tires...

 

[Bensjeeptj]

You really need to know what gears you have, anything less than 3.73 and you're going to hate 33's. that thing will be a dog up there in Boone on the hills. Get you some good 31 mud terrains, 1 in. extra ground clearance ain't going to make a big difference. Or get 33's and in 6 months when you decide it has no power in those mountains you can throw a couple grand at regearing it to get some power back. But I was 19 once and you want 33's, when I was 19 I had a 71 Bronco on 38's

Bronco on 38s is hard to one-up! Boone really isn’t the place for big ole tires! Love the place, but 31s are the logical choice! I’ll grab a nice aggressive set at some point, love my ko2s, but something with more sidewalk would be better, and they are pretty worn currently.

I also have a classic case of tire dysmorphia, as the dudes in my club have big ole tires, but a tj on 31s seems to keep up with trucks on 35s, the tjs rock a different scale

 

[Bensjeeptj]

The Sahara option was essentially a package of convenience options (with exception of unique Sahara interior seating cloth plus decals), with Dana 30/44 axles in combo with 3.73 gearing plus 15x8 "Canyon" wheels (which yours no longer has) typically included. If you've not done so already, run a VIN decoder as below, which should confirm how yours was built. FCA Equipment List decoder

In any case, 33" tires on 3.73 gearing won't be great off-pavement - much better with 31" tires...

https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=1J4FA59S53P374702

You are correct, it’s 3.73

 

[tr21triton]

My 97 Sahara has 31" Hankook MT's on it and it does good on road and off.

 

[Fakahatchee]

Split the difference, my 2001 Sahara,dana 44 with 3.73 gears. 32 x 11.50 x15. Two inch spring lift, one inch body and motor mount lift. Even with 32's fifth gear is too high. 60 mph in fourth is 2500 rpm, in fifth 2100 rpm.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Split the difference, my 2001 Sahara,dana 44 with 3.73 gears. 32 x 11.50 x15. Two inch spring lift, one inch body and motor mount lift. Even with 32's fifth gear is too high. 60 mph in fourth is 2500 rpm, in fifth 2100 rpm.View attachment 674383

Not sure why I didn’t even consider 32x11.5x15s, seems like a great option, are they an unusual size? Definitely going to look into these

 

[Fakahatchee]

Common size, jeep performs great with them. Just don't use fifth gear even in flat SW FL were I live.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Common size, jeep performs great with them. Just don't use fifth gear even in flat SW FL were I live.

I live in the Appalachian mountains so it’s super hilly terrain for me

 

[Shank]

Ran 33’s on 3.73’s with a 6speed manual, it was at the absolute limit of tolerable.

 

[KennethS]

Common size, jeep performs great with them. Just don't use fifth gear even in flat SW FL were I live.

I have no issues with 32s, 3.73s and AX15 here in Arizona. Sure, downshifting on uphill grades is required, but on flat Interstate no problem using 5th at 60-70 MPH. I do it all the time back and forth to work on I-10.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Ran 33’s on 3.73’s with a 6speed manual, it was at the absolute limit of tolerable.

Oh man, and I have a 5 speed,

I have no issues with 32s, 3.73s and AX15 here in Arizona. Sure, downshifting on uphill grades is required, but on flat Interstate no problem using 5th at 60-70 MPH. I do it all the time back and forth to work on I-10.

I’m already used to downshifting all the time due to the grades where I live, eastern nc is very hilly so I’m used to it lol. So long as I can cruise 70 on the highway I have no need or desire to go faster, I mean, it a jeep for crying out loud, they’re not know for their speed

 

[That'll Buff]

I ran 33's on 3.07's with a 3" lift for years before I finally figured out what regearing was (took me long enough). I used this set up for a very long time and it kinda worked, just involved a lot more skinny peddle than I liked. Daily driving was also not great as I never left 4th gear and hills were an absolute pain. Flex wise I was normally completely fine until I reached the obstacle in this picture. The tire was pressed so far into my fenders that it looked like it was flat (E rated side walls at around 12 psi) and I couldn't turn at all. Most flexed out I've ever been and have since gone up another inch in suspension.

 

[TimV]

Ran 33’s on 3.73’s with a 6speed manual, it was at the absolute limit of tolerable.

What he said. Same setup for mine.

Tim

 

[Bensjeeptj]

I ran 33's on 3.07's with a 3" lift for years before I finally figured out what regearing was (took me long enough). I used this set up for a very long time and it kinda worked, just involved a lot more skinny peddle than I liked. Daily driving was also not great as I never left 4th gear and hills were an absolute pain. Flex wise I was normally completely fine until I reached the obstacle in this picture. The tire was pressed so far into my fenders that it looked like it was flat (E rated side walls at around 12 psi) and I couldn't turn at all. Most flexed out I've ever been and have since gone up another inch in suspension.

View attachment 674414

I’m very likely just going to get a more aggressive set of 31x10.5x15s or a set of 32x11.5x15s, it seems like if I’m aired down, giver ‘er some skinny pedal, and have a friend to pull me out, all should be great.

Side note, your front fenders are very similar to the kind I’ll likely end up getting, I think they look better, and they’re probably cheaper than oem.

 

[That'll Buff]

Side note, your front fenders are very similar to the kind I’ll likely end up getting, I think they look better, and they’re probably cheaper than oem.

Mine are some old, cheap EAG tube fenders that I got off of amazon that I don't think they sell anymore. They rusted pretty quick so I got them blasted and powder coated. Scroll around on marketplace and you'll likely find a set eventually.

 

[Bensjeeptj]

Mine are some old, cheap EAG tube fenders that I got off of amazon that I don't think they sell anymore. They rusted pretty quick so I got them blasted and powder coated. Scroll around on marketplace and you'll likely find a set eventually.

I just desperately need something, if you scroll up you’ll see the picture of my rusted out front fenders, I also think the factory fenders look quite goofy without flares, but also aforementioned, the flares rubbed at flex.

 

[Mullet Jeeper]

Your jeep should have 373 gears, look at the tag on your diff covers for confirmation. I run 33 11.50s on my jeep with 2.5 inch lift springs, flexes out just fine. Might need to extend my bump stops slightly but it’s nothing major, just when turned.

My jeep has 307 gears so it doesn’t do great. I’m upgrading to rubicon axles and 35s soon. I recently drove a jeep on 33 12/50s with 373 gears and it was great. Had good power and decent gas mileage.

 

[KennethS]

2” OME lift and 32s. Just a bit of fender rubbing.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Get some aggressive 31s and a BL.

 

[suicideking]

General clearance for 33's is 4" (if wheeling and disconnecting the sway bar).

35's is 5".

I've seen some do 2.5" springs and 1.5" body. I believe there's a writeup on here somewhere on what parts to buy for budget lift components. I did a quick search and didn't find it.

Though I'll also note that if you ask on social media, they will say 2.5" is enough for 35's lol.