Has anyone put 33s on their 2.5 TJ without re-gearing?

[alex14]

Hello everyone,

I just joined this forum after years of reading all of your useful inputs. I have an 01 Tj SE 4 cylinder automatic and I run 31x10.5x15 tires on it now. Even before I put on 31's it was slow, and the slowness doesn't bother me, my jeep gets me everywhere I want to go. It's time for new tires, and I want to go up to 33x12.5x15, I now have a 3.25 inch lift but the gearing and axles are stock. I want to know if anyone has done this on their jeep without regearing it. I am also open to and considering 32x11.5x15 if that meant my jeep would not need to regeared. I'm not concerned about power, I am concerned about my tranny and axles more than anything. Thanks for the help.

 

[JMT]

What is your gear ratio now? It’s hard to believe it doesn’t need to be regeared as an SE with 31’s, 32’s, or 33’s. They’re anemic. Granted, you don’t care, but why so negative about regearing?

 

[Jablinski]

Pay to play my friend. Sad but true. 33x12.5's want gears

 

[alex14]

I believe its 3.73. No other reason against regearing other than the cost, not the end of the world but just wanted to see if anybody has gotten away without regearing.

 

[alex14]

Pay to play my friend. Sad but true. 33x12.5's want gears

Pay to play my friend. Sad but true. 33x12.5's want gears

Gotcha. Thanks for the input. I've had mixed responses, a few local 4WD places said I might be able to get away with it and some said I definitely need to regear.

 

[alex14]

What is your gear ratio now? It’s hard to believe it doesn’t need to be regeared as an SE with 31’s, 32’s, or 33’s. They’re anemic. Granted, you don’t care, but why so negative about regearing?

I believe its 3.73. No other reason against regearing other than the cost, not the end of the world but just wanted to see if anybody has gotten away without regearing.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Your Jeep does have 3.73 gearing. Not regearing won't hurt anything except your self esteem when 1988 Yugos and Cops on horseback pass you going up hills.
p.s. A guy I knew ran 35s on a stock geared 4 cylinder Jeep and beat the Hell out of it. Slow was alright with him.

 

[Jablinski]

I believe its 3.73. No other reason against regearing other than the cost, not the end of the world but just wanted to see if anybody has gotten away without regearing.

You'll never "get away" from anyone, or anything with that gearing in your SE on 33s. It certainly won't hurt to run it though

 

[Plumber1]

Regear to 4:88's at least and you will be much happier, ask me how I know

 

[macleanflood]

I'm running factory 3.07s on 33s now. It sucks but it's drivable...you essentially have a three speed and it seems like all the common speeds are either 3500 or 1600 rpm... screaming or lugging.

I've ordered Super 30 and 35 parts... going 4.88...seems everyone is backordered on Eaton E-Locker Super 35s...so stuck and waiting for parts.

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Regear to 4:88's at least and you will be much happier, ask me how I know

How do you know? You told me to ask.
p.s. The vodka and tacos help with your happiness too.

 

[TRE3TOP]

How do you know? You told me to ask.
p.s. The vodka and tacos help with your happiness too.

Bro… TEQUILA with tacos!

 

[TheBoogieman]

Bro… TEQUILA with tacos!

I agree. I was quoting

Plumber1​

Vodka, Tacos, and 35's ​

 

[SSTJ]

Hey, you might enjoy this thread, where the consensus seems to be that after 31" tires, you're going to notice the need for gears more and more. But I don't think it would hurt anything to do 33s first, and then see how much it bothers you, and re-gear later if you want to.

 

[Plumber1]

How do you know? You told me to ask.
p.s. The vodka and tacos help with your happiness too.

From owing this little YJ 4 banger on 29's then, 31's and then, 33's and then a re-gear to 4:88's

 

[Sancho]

Hello everyone,

I just joined this forum after years of reading all of your useful inputs. I have an 01 Tj SE 4 cylinder automatic and I run 31x10.5x15 tires on it now. Even before I put on 31's it was slow, and the slowness doesn't bother me, my jeep gets me everywhere I want to go. It's time for new tires, and I want to go up to 33x12.5x15, I now have a 3.25 inch lift but the gearing and axles are stock. I want to know if anyone has done this on their jeep without regearing it. I am also open to and considering 32x11.5x15 if that meant my jeep would not need to regeared. I'm not concerned about power, I am concerned about my tranny and axles more than anything. Thanks for the help.

Engine and transmission are gonna suffer if you dont have the proper gears.

Think engine lugging and/or overrevving to maintain speed.

 

[DougyintheBushies]

I ran 00 TJ on 35s with a 2.5 for years but it was a manual.

 

[TheBoogieman]

From owing this little YJ 4 banger on 29's then, 31's and then, 33's and then a re-gear to 4:88's

View attachment 302010

View attachment 302011

I wanted that YJ. I don't live close enough or are related. If they sell it, let me know. Beautiful YJ!

 

[pc1p]

I'm running factory 3.07s on 33s now. It sucks but it's drivable...you essentially have a three speed and it seems like all the common speeds are either 3500 or 1600 rpm... screaming or lugging.

I've ordered Super 30 and 35 parts... going 4.88...seems everyone is backordered on Eaton E-Locker Super 35s...so stuck and waiting for parts.

-Mac

He already has a three speed (auto)

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Regear to 4:88's at least and you will be much happier, ask me how I know

While 4.88 would be good ratio for 33's with the 5-speed and 2.5 engine, it'd produce excessive highway rpms with his 3-speed automatic. If it were mine I'd go 4.56 for 33's with the 2.5 and 3-speed automatic.