33x10.50x15 or 31x10.50x15 ?

[Gerdo]

Good choice on the 31"ers. I went from 31" to 32" in my 2000 4runner V6 4:10 and noticed some power loss. I stayed away from 33" myself. I was wheeling the same trails that guys with 33"s were doing. I'm taking the same lines that my friend does with 33+ and making it.

You would have hated 33", 4cyl, 4:10. You start going up some mountains and you would be pushing.

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

Good choice on the 31"ers. I went from 31" to 32" in my 2000 4runner V6 4:10 and noticed some power loss. I stayed away from 33" myself. I was wheeling the same trails that guys with 33"s were doing. I'm taking the same lines that my friend does with 33+ and making it.

You would have hated 33", 4cyl, 4:10. You start going up some mountains and you would be pushing.

I hear ya. I would like 32's ideally, but BFG doesn't make them except in the 32x11.50x15 size and I want skinnier tires than that AND I want BFG (all-terrains).

I'm still debating. 31" makes sense, but I hate to buy tires twice. Even cheap used ones. I am actually thinking now, that I might go 33" and suffer until I can get some used 4.88's. Worse case scenario, I have to wait until summer to install the new, used diff's.

4Rescue related his experience with the same setup I'm looking at. Basically, 2nd gear up the mountains and 5th on downhills with a good wind. Not my favorite option, but like I said, I can swap gears this summer probably, with some help, using used equipment....an option I didn't really consider until I got some good advice on here.

 

[Micah]

I've got 31's on my 4banger, and as it is now, accelerating is rough. When I do, people zoom past me and give me a wierd look. The worst part is that after I'm done swearing, and calling them names I realize they can't hear me. I even roll down my window when I drive hoping it will help them hear me. It makes me feel better. :victory: Anyway, I'm regearing for sure. My only question 4.88 or 5.29. I'm leaning towards 4.88s though.

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

I've got 31's on my 4banger, and as it is now accelerating is rough. When I do people zoom past me and give me a wird look. The worst part is that after I'm done swearing and calling them names I realize they can't hear me. I even roll down my window when I drive hoping it will help them hear me. It makes me feel better. :victory: Anyway, I'm regearing for sure. My only question 4.88 or 5.29. I'm leaning towards 4.88s though.

Yep, I never had much power with my 31's either. I'm currently running 235/75/15 studded tires and I have pretty good power. I can do 5th uphills on the highway and actually gain speed. Gonna miss that when I get bigger tires. I'm personally switching to 4.88's based on what I've read here. Gearing is new t ome so I'm not the best person to ask. I will basically trying to get back lost power and mpg's. I'm not really sure what the advantage to running 5.29's would be, but my guess is that you would lose some speed on your top end.

Where are you sourcing your gears from? Used Toyota stuff or brand new?

 

[PirateMcGee]

I've got 31's on my 4banger, and as it is now accelerating is rough. When I do people zoom past me and give me a wird look. The worst part is that after I'm done swearing and calling them names I realize they can't hear me. I even roll down my window when I drive hoping it will help them hear me. It makes me feel better. :victory: Anyway, I'm regearing for sure. My only question 4.88 or 5.29. I'm leaning towards 4.88s though.

4.88's or 5.29's and 31's is a bad combo......your engine will be screaming at highway speeds.

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

4.88's or 5.29's and 31's is a bad combo......your engine will be screaming at highway speeds.

4.88's and 31's isn't a workable combo? what is the right gearing for 31's then?

 

[Micah]

My understanding is that the 4.88s are more multi-purpose, where the 5.29s are more of a rock crawling ratio. Unless I hear strong contrary arguments, I'm planning on the 4.88. I'm not worried too much with fuel-econ with my rig, that's why I'm getting the wifey a prius.

 

[Micah]

4.88's or 5.29's and 31's is a bad combo......your engine will be screaming at highway speeds.

I was saying that I'm regearing so I can throw on 33's. I don't think old Bruce would want to run 33's on with 4:10.

 

[PirateMcGee]

4.56's = 31's

4.88's = 33's

5.29's = 35's

 

[Owyhee H]

Pirate ^^^^^ has it right. If you want to turn 33's then 4.88 is a good ratio.