ElovesC

Hey guys I have a 6 speed and I am planning on installing 35" tires. I have the 3.73 gearing. My question is can I actually enjoy the 35"s with that gearing and a 6 speed? Thanks!

BaltChief

I believe the 35's will make your 6 speed a 5 speed as 6th becomes worthless other than high speed on flat grounds. I say this because I have a 6sp and 3.21's with 33.4" tires...I am holding out for the 4.56.....I have no problem other than big hills.

wayoflife

it can be done and you'll be okay. i had done it for years on my TJ and it will only really become tough to deal with on long climbs up hill.

RevyJKU08

I went with 33's with 3:73 and 6 speed. Reason I went with 33's is I live in the Rocky & Selkirk Mountain Range and did not want to have a long slow climb up some of the Mountain Passes with 35" tires. Also, I had no plans to re-gear for a few years. I have been happy with 33's and a 2" lift and it works for needs.

ElovesC

Thanks for teh responses! How about wheeling? anyone have any troubles? Will my milage go down on a daily basis? Thanks in advance!

riverzendz

I have the same gears and I'm running 33's. This is good info as I'm hoping to bump to 35's in the very near future.

I know what to expect from the day to day driving standpoint now but how about off-road?

35's + 3.73 gearing + the X/Sahara transfer case gearing (2.72 I think), how do you think that will be?

I'm looking to upgrade the gears to 4.88's and the transfer case to a Rubi case but for the meantime, will it suffer much offroad?

RevyJKU08

With my 33's I have not really notice a difference except that I needed a 2" Budget boost with the 12.5 wide tire. With the 33's in stock stance I was rubbing on my fender flares at full flex off-roading due to the BS on my new rims. The 2" BB cured that issue.

I have not noticed any real power lose with the 33's except at highway speeds going up a mountain pass I have to kick down to 3rd or 4th to maintain speed. Where as with the stock 32's I could get up the pass in either 4th or 5th to maintain highway speeds.

Fuel mileage with the 33's it dropped maybe a 1/2 to 1 MPG difference but I expected it with a heavier and wider tire. I would expect more of a drop with 35's but you have to account for your speedo being out by 5-15% depending on the original stock tire size vs the new size tire.

Big Clint

I have 3.73 with 35's but with an automatic and it's so~so. Around town is not bad, but holding a steady speed on the highway makes it downshift if not on completely level ground just to hold speed. Off road I haven't encountered anything it would not do in 4 wheel LOW. In 4 wheel HIGH it runs out of torque climbing anything very steep, but shift to LOW and no problems.

TEEJ

My experience says what WOL said...its fine.

Sure, even with the stock 32's, I have to down shift for steep hills...6th is a deep overdrive, and 5th is 1:1, 4th is still 1.25:1...so a down shift too 3rd/4th is normal for a 6 speed in those ranges on steep sections.

Going to 35's from 32's is ~ 8.6% change....dropping your rpm by ~ 8.6%.

Shifting from 6th to 5th is ~ 16% change.....RAISING your rpm by ~ 16%





End results:

Say you were going ~ 60 mph in 6th at ~ 2,000 rpm, with stock 32's...and you dropped it into 5th for a hill, your rpm would RISE to ~ 2,320 rpm.

Same place and gear, but with 35's - you are cruising along ~ 60 mph at ~ 1,828 rpm in 6th...and you drop it into 5th for a hill, your rpm would RISE to ~ 2,120 rpm.

IE: With 35's, you are at ~ 2,120 RPM, with 32's you are at ~ 2,320 rpm...a difference of ~ 200 rpm as you climb the hill in 5th, as you would do with 32's.



200 rpm is NOT that big a deal....most people would hardly notice it.

Of course, some people were not happy with the 32's (Stock) performance either, so the 35's are a great excuse to get new gears. Which is how the mod bug gets a bite.



People with 3.21's (Those not smart enough to click the $50 option box for 3.73's, etc...) will be less pleased, as their rigs were ALREADY geared for low rpm to maximize mpg at cruising speed, etc.

People with automagic trannies with even deeper final gearing will also be less than thrilled, etc.

So - some of what works involves your personal preferences for more mpg, vs more acceleration off the line/higher rpm on hills, etc.

There really is no WRONG answer...its what ever works for YOU.

justinstoffregen

I don't mind it. I have a manual so I have more control.