DougyintheBushies
TJ Enthusiast
I'm 4.88's on 35's and I'm thinking about getting 33's when I need new tires.
Going down in tire size (33s and 4.88 gearing)
- Thread starter Peppergat
- Start date
I am the other forum member that purchased the Jeep discussed in the original post.
To begin with I want to give credit to John (Peppergat) for great work on this Jeep. He is an experienced, and I’m sure thorough, big truck mechanic by trade. His attention to detail and not willing to settle for less than proper work really shows up on this Jeep. I’ve bought an untold number of used vehicles in my life and don’t remember buying one in such great condition as this one. He is very particular and thoughtful in his work and it shows in this Jeep.
As indicated earlier, it is a six speed, 4.0, 35”, and 4.88’s. The only pavement use it gets is about 30 miles of nice pavement at 70 MPH to reach the off-road area. It rolls along wonderfully at 70 and is very happy with that.
Off-road, the 4L and first or even second, makes for a very tractable crawling gear. The extra clearance from the lift and 35’s has been very welcome. I expect that traction wise the same tires in 33” would work just as well, but again where I wheel, clearance is very appreciated.
The Mickey Baja MTZ’s do well, but they are a little long in the tooth. A few members recommended this to be the right time to sell them and go to a fresh set. They are worn to 9/32, so they have a little value to them.
I’m am an obstacle “crawler” not an “attacker.” I think I am staying with 35’s, In granny gear it seems to crawl over most anything. I am probably replacing with Mickey Baja Boss M/T’s or possibly BFG KM3 M/T’s.
Sorry to get off on tire choice in lieu of tire size and gear ratio, but it’s all related.
Also , a comment toward Jj’s comment about MetalCloaks being ugly. I couldn’t agree more, but we all have our different areas of concern. For me, a Jeep is not a thing of beauty. The first Jeep was designed for function over form, and beauty couldn’t be found on the design goal list anywhere. In my thinking that has never changed. The beauty is in the functionality when it comes to off-road vehicles or tractors. I hope this doesn’t sound argumentative. It’s just how we look at things a little differently. Most everyone loves the taste of cheese, but I can’t manage to get it down my throat. Just a matter of taste. No good guys or bad guys in this equation.
To begin with I want to give credit to John (Peppergat) for great work on this Jeep. He is an experienced, and I’m sure thorough, big truck mechanic by trade. His attention to detail and not willing to settle for less than proper work really shows up on this Jeep. I’ve bought an untold number of used vehicles in my life and don’t remember buying one in such great condition as this one. He is very particular and thoughtful in his work and it shows in this Jeep.
As indicated earlier, it is a six speed, 4.0, 35”, and 4.88’s. The only pavement use it gets is about 30 miles of nice pavement at 70 MPH to reach the off-road area. It rolls along wonderfully at 70 and is very happy with that.
Off-road, the 4L and first or even second, makes for a very tractable crawling gear. The extra clearance from the lift and 35’s has been very welcome. I expect that traction wise the same tires in 33” would work just as well, but again where I wheel, clearance is very appreciated.
The Mickey Baja MTZ’s do well, but they are a little long in the tooth. A few members recommended this to be the right time to sell them and go to a fresh set. They are worn to 9/32, so they have a little value to them.
I’m am an obstacle “crawler” not an “attacker.” I think I am staying with 35’s, In granny gear it seems to crawl over most anything. I am probably replacing with Mickey Baja Boss M/T’s or possibly BFG KM3 M/T’s.
Sorry to get off on tire choice in lieu of tire size and gear ratio, but it’s all related.
Also , a comment toward Jj’s comment about MetalCloaks being ugly. I couldn’t agree more, but we all have our different areas of concern. For me, a Jeep is not a thing of beauty. The first Jeep was designed for function over form, and beauty couldn’t be found on the design goal list anywhere. In my thinking that has never changed. The beauty is in the functionality when it comes to off-road vehicles or tractors. I hope this doesn’t sound argumentative. It’s just how we look at things a little differently. Most everyone loves the taste of cheese, but I can’t manage to get it down my throat. Just a matter of taste. No good guys or bad guys in this equation.