Originally Posted by Mark Doiron

First off, be honest with yourself: Why do you want 33s or 35s? Why do you prefer 35s? If the answer is for off-road performance that you need, then that's your answer--end of discussion (except I will point out that I followed a lot of guys on 35s all over Moab and Disney on my "little" 33s!). If the answer is for looks, well, only you can decide whether 33s (or even 35s) will satisfy that craving. Here are comparison pictures of my Jeep with stock SRAs, 33s and a 2.5" BB and 35s and a 2.5" coil lift (try to ignore the other mod's and concentrate on the tires/lift):



33" Dick Cepek FC IIs


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My driving impression was stock, after break-in (about 3K miles) it had okay highway performance. This is a six speed and 4.10 gears (factory tow pkg netted me that upgrade back in '07). With the 33s and 4.10 gears, the highway performance was so-so. I always said I would not want any larger tires or any taller gears (3.73, etc). And that would include the auto tranny, which requires switching to the next lower set of gears (4.56 in this case) to get the same overall gearing as a manual. Plenty of folks attest to problems with the auto in overdrive on the highway when running larger tires on stock gears.

With the 35s I also upgraded to 4.88s. It's a great combo--feels like factory again. Be aware that I was running the Hypertech tune at all times. As for MPG (these are accurate numbers, CALCULATED over many long distance trips since I take a 3-6K mile trip several times a year and the Jeep speedometer/odometer is confirmed with GPS): Stock, 19-21 MPG. 33s and 4.10s, 16-17 MPG. 35s and 4.88s, 14-15 MPG.

As for mod's: You can go to 33s with barely any mod's. If you put a 2.5" BB on you will probably want adjustable front lower controls arms unless you can tolerate that "driving on ice" feeling. It's very annoying at highway speeds, so you probably should figure on at least that expense. The 33" tire will be fine on your stock tire carrier. As for 35s: You should plan on eventually doing something to beef up the tire carrier. If that is a new bumper, and you throw a new bumper on the front, then the additional weight is going to cause spring sag. Then you're looking at a coil lift to replace the BB.

The above advice is based on my 76K miles with my Jeep over the past four years. YMMV.

Originally Posted by 08yellowx

Go with 35's or you'll regret it. i went with 35's and regret not going with 37's since I have the room for them. 35's will kill your mileage around town, I still get 19-20 on the freeway. The 35's will fit your spare holder with no mods and the 3rd brake lite is still useable. So lift it and run 35's or leave it low and run 33's, just dont lift it and run 33's JMO

Originally Posted by sky

For ME, the most vital piece of information in regards to the OP's question is the fact that the OP already has 32" km2s. Why waste all that dough on 33's to gain 1/2" clearance difference??

Spend the extra $ to get 35s and enjoy all the looks you get rolling w bigger meats & enjoy the increased capability on the trails. I doubt youd be able to wheel no better in 33's than 32's

Originally Posted by FrankCastle01

Nice looking Jeep Mark you went from a Jeep that looks like it goes to church every sunday to a jeep that looks like it just robbed a liqour store and shot three people...bada$$ my friend

Originally Posted by MarbleheadGuy

Thanks for all the responses. Still not sure! I do wheel and one of the reasons I want 35s is to be able to do more. Although I've seen people with 33s do just fine. Agh can't decide!