Hi all new to the jeeps, I just got my hands on a 98 TJ SE already had new 33" tread. Should I just regear for the 33s or get smaller tires. Or v8 swap its just realy driven on the road. Just not sure what I should do with the jeep. Paid 2800 no rust was a California jeep its in MI now anyway thanks for any advice
Should I re-gear for 33s or get smaller tires?
- Thread starter GHerremans
- Start date
Before you spend a dime, come up with your overall plan and research for what you want to do. Take a look at the build threads here and it will give you some ideas on a direction you may want to go. There is nothing worse than spending money twice because you didn't pay attention to people the first time. Don't be in a hurry to spend money or you'll spend a lot of it.
What they ^^^said!!!
If you plan to stay on 33’s you’d want to regear. But take your time and figure out what you want your final build to look like before buying.
If you plan to stay on 33’s you’d want to regear. But take your time and figure out what you want your final build to look like before buying.
Smaller tires and a V8. Regears are expensive!
SPECWAR
TJ Enthusiast
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for filling in your profile (2.5L and AX5).
Regear from what? What is your current gear ratio?
Regear from what? What is your current gear ratio?
4.10 is the factory ratio for his combo. 4.88 would be the right ratio for 33's.
As said before,decide what it will be used for and make a plan to get there before spending money. Ask us lots of questions!
Along with making a build plan, choose the biggest tire you can reasonably justify for what you want set that as your max, if your considering dropping down tire size, is it solely for performance or do they look too big?
Stock gearing
I'm not 100%, I know it's the stock gearing and at the moment you can't shift into 5th gear or you will start to decline speed
It would solely be on performance I think the size looks good they don't rub just can't get out of its owen way and you can't shift into 5th gear or you loose speed
I hear ya dude, I have a 2.5 with the auto, I spent a year on 33s and stock gearing and a year on 35s and stock gearing, now I’m geared to 5.13
The 33’s increase the versatility of the vehicle, increasing engine displacement or HP is not a substitute for improper gear ratios. Re-gear it.
A 2.5L with 4.10 gears on 33s would lose a race with this guy.
p.s. He's pulling a camper too.
KennethS
TJ Enthusiast
That’s easy enough - just don’t shift to 5th. That will keep the engine at around the same RPM as regearing would.
My two cents here mate @GHerremans And welcome to the forum!
I've got a '97 with the 2.5 and AX-5. I run a 33 and upgraded from the stock 4.10 to a 4.88 axle ratio and it made a huge difference! Both on the road and in the trails, as well as the slower crawl speed in low range. In a sense you gain a gear on the low end. 1st gear with 4.10's feels like 2nd gear with 4.88's if you know what I mean.
Ultimately its up to you alone to decide what route you want to go with your rig.
I've got a '97 with the 2.5 and AX-5. I run a 33 and upgraded from the stock 4.10 to a 4.88 axle ratio and it made a huge difference! Both on the road and in the trails, as well as the slower crawl speed in low range. In a sense you gain a gear on the low end. 1st gear with 4.10's feels like 2nd gear with 4.88's if you know what I mean.
Ultimately its up to you alone to decide what route you want to go with your rig.
With the end result that you also take off in the equivalent of second gear. Its a crappy scenario
