Olean NY Jeeper

I have a 2009 2 door x 6 speed manual with 3.21 gearing. It came with 32 inch stock tires and I put 32 inch rubicon tires on. I am contemplating getting new tires for the summer and wheeling and using my rubi tires for the winter/off season and I am debating sizes. I am going to install the RC 2.5 lift soon.

I am debating between 33's and 34's. Now I am confident that I will be ok with 3.21 gears and 33's but I am not sure about 34's. I assume that 35's would be out of the question with 3.21. Not sure I want to put the stress on my dana 30 either.

305/70-17 Goodyear MTR with Kevlar measure 34.1 x 12.2 and weigh 64 pounds. Would I be ok with this tire with the stock gearing or should I stick with 33 inch tires?

I am fine with the performance of my jeep with the rubicon tires and have no problems at all. I live in a hilly part of the state and simple have to use 3rd/4th gear to get up long steep hills. I am a pokey driver and never speed. I wheel at least once or twice a month other than winter and it is my DD exceptI only have top drive 2 miles to work.

Whats everybodies thoughts?

joneszj

I have 3.21s and 35s. It's liveable. Does fine off road, not great. Liveable.

Go bigger if you can, it's more fun.

nthinuf

Start with the Drivetrain FAQ's, there is a good rpm chart for you to plug sizes and ratio's into.

Then check any of the 1000's of gearing vs tire size threads.

Then check around for the 'actual' height of the tires you are looking at. (the mfg's listed height is very rarely accurate. Though I have read that new mtr's are close?)

Then decide IF you are willing to re-gear, and if so, how long you'll have to wait.

I went with 34's as the compromise between 33's and 35's also. 10k later, I sold them and went to 35's. Do yourself a favor and start with the size you want instead of compromising. You can live with poor performance until you get around to gearing...

Olean NY Jeeper

Thanks for the chart suggestion, that was helpful. With a 6 speed the chart seems to indicate that I could possibly go with a 35 so I would think I could go with a 34. I am going to regear but not for several years. When I regear, I will probably go with 4.10's to get the best of both worlds.

Olean NY Jeeper

Can you describe the performance problems that make it not great. I am interested in on road and off road performance problems with 3.21's and larger tires.

_J__C_

I put the RC 2.5 lift on last week... And I got new shoes - 34" Maxxis Bighorns (305/70R17). The price was right and I've heard they're a good tire. I have 3.73 gears, so I can't really give you a comparison for how it drives

IcyFridge

You live near where I grew up. Hills indeed. I have 3.21s with the stick and plan on getting 33s for now.

After I get my 2"-2.5" lift, I will move up to 35's with new gears at the same time, after the 33s go out...

VaNomad0530

Just curious, what's your gas mileage like with that setup? I'm debating on getting my lift with tires right now...or getting regeared with lockers....budgets....gotta love'm. I really want the lift and tires now though and I will be doing moderate wheeling...any suggestions?

VaNomad0530

Actually the more I think of it, I think I'll probably do gears now, then lift and tires after I get my taxes back Any thoughts about 5:13 gearing on stock X tires? I looked at the gear chart and saw that it was in the white (I have a manual). What does that mean exactly? Will it be abnoxious to drive?

IcyFridge

You might not be able to use 1st or 2nd gear at all. White means a no-no basically (in my book)