Northern Wrangler

Ok I know as soon as people read the title they're gonna scratch their heads. I just picked up a set of used 315/70r17 (35's) duratracs from a friend. The spare hasn't arrived yet so my old 33 spare is still on my rig.

I've had the 35's on for a day. The actual height of my 33" (285/70r17) duratracs was 31.75" at 30 psi. The actual height of the 35's at 30 psi is 33.5". The difference being 1.75". Cut that in half roughly for height difference.

What I've noticed is that my mileage (according to the computer which I know can be flawed) has gone from 18.3 liters per hundred km to 19.7 liters per hundred km or 12.8 mpg to 11.9 mpg In the city (not a big deal).

The tires are wider and it "feels" as though the steering is a little stiffer than with the 33's. I also noticed that the ride is a bit rougher but this could be from the tires being used (not quite half worn).

Aside from the width there isn't a major difference in height. The 35's look a little beefier and I like how they look, but I'm a fairly utilitarian guy and the 33's were functional and handled well.

My main concern is wear and tear on the ball joints, bearings etc. Not too concerned about tie rods/drag link as I'll be upgrading them. The other thing (more my wifes point of contention) is if I keep the 35's I'll be dropping $ on the lod bumper/tire carrier which is 1300 we wouldn't need to spend if we kept our 33's.

Now just to clarify I like the 35's. "I" don't really care about bumper. My only concerns are about wear and tear which I realize is a fact of life but will it happen much faster running 35's vs 33's? I still have my 33's and haven't paid for the 35's yet so I need to decide what I'm doing.

As always thanks for your advice and opinions.

I attached a couple of pics taken in the morning before adding the 35's and a couple taken in the evening after adding the 35's. Sorry for the crappy angles. It's like -25c here and I wasn't in the mood to take many pics in the cold.

cfr

Considering your location, drive them for a month and decide which is better in the snow.

Northern Wrangler

Heres some pics taken tonight of the 33's compared to the 35's (35's are mounted).

Bosox5

Keep the 35s. If you wheel at all, you'll regret downsizing, and its a short adjustment period getting used to big meats on the road. Unless you're really unhappy, stay with them!

nthinuf

Who cares about them? A PR44 is on everyones upgrade list, right?

Suck up the small mpg difference and go have fun!

(you folks all have permission to come smack me upside the head if I ever consider downgrading to 33's...)

Tgoods 09 X

Heres another surprise... I went with 33's! Now I want 35's

Keep them.

Northern Wrangler

Can anyone speak to the difference a slightly wider/taller/heavier tire will have on the front end?

Xtremeone

I'd keep the 35's. To me you seem happier with the way your rig looks and you don't have to get a new bumper and tire carrier. I currently have 315's with the stock spare set up(except for the brake light extender). When I go wheeling I just take it off and ratchet the tire down real good in the back of my rig. You only live once and no matter what you do ball joints will go bad, so you might as well enjoy life

Crasher

If you didn't reflash your computer for the 35" tires, then the computer will indicate a lower figure, but you are actually traveling 6% further than the speedo says, so your mpg is 6% higher than indicated, which would be about 11.5. If you keep the 35s and go offroad, install c-gussets as they are prone to bending with 35" tires. I wouldn't worry about the ball joints. They are pretty poor quality and will go out sooner or later anyway.

RAINSTATEBEAR

stay with the 35s, I cant wait to get some