Question About Tire Size And Gears

[macdad626]

Ok I Have A 2002 Wrangler I Am Looking To Put A 4 In Lift On After Christmass. My Question Is Up To What Size Tire Can I Run On Dana 35's And 30 In Front (stock) Id Like To Run 35's But 33s Are Also An Option Thanks In Advance

~justin

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by macdad626

Ok I Have A 2002 Wrangler I Am Looking To Put A 4 In Lift On After Christmass. My Question Is Up To What Size Tire Can I Run On Dana 35's And 30 In Front (stock) Id Like To Run 35's But 33s Are Also An Option Thanks In Advance

~justin

This is all a matter of opinion, so heres mine.
I think the practical limit of the D35 is 33" tires but there are alot of variables such as driving style, lockers, terrain, use and so forth. The D30 actually fairs surprisingly well. I know of several people that are successfully running 35s on a D30. There are ways of strengthening both the D35 and D30 to run 35s reliably, it just depends on how much money you want to dump into it. Personally, I build my jeeps to use, not to look at. For me, 35" tires are a liability if the rest of the drivetrain was questionable.

[scoutinkeith]

what engine, transmission, and gears do you have in the jeep currently?
my jeep is a 93, with 4.0(6 cyl.) with 5spd manual trans, and stock axle gears (3.55 I think) and I have 33" tires. it dose ok off road as long as I keep it in 4 lo, and don't get to carried away with the skinny pendal. however, on the raod, the only time I can use 5th gear is if I'm going down hill with the wind at my back LOL. I've been looking around a little for information also, and the general opinion seems to be that you "can" run 35" tires, but even with 33" tires, if you drive agressively(sp), have lockers, etc... the chances of breaking things goes way up. I've only had my jeep a few months, and so far, it's done pretty well off road with the 33" tires, but I'm looking into doing an axle swap, just so I don't have to be as carefull with it off road, and could run larger tires without having to worry about the stock axles.