32's vs 31's

[Big Bear Bob]

I know there really isn't that much of a difference in the 32's over the 31's, but does anyone know if there is enough difference to spend the extra money, and do the trimming you have to do to get them on?

I know there was a big difference between the 235 75r 15s and the 31's. but...

 

[Soundguy01tx]

yeah... what he said... Ive been meaning to ask too.
--bryan

 

[Adam Foote]

thirty threes are worth it i know that....

 

[Adam Foote]

lol... well i dunno bigger is usually better.... soo really it depends on if you want to trim... and spend the money...

 

[section525]

I think my 32MTs are waaaaay better than my 31ATs were!

 

[ahhjaws]

Do you think a half inch will do anything? It's not that much.

I would go with the 33's

 

[DB_1]

I believe most 32's are 11.5 in wide as compared to most 31's which are 10.5 in wide from what i've seen in off road magazines.

 

[becker69]

This is a weird place for a thread like this...
I am thrilled with my 32's, I never considered 31's (well my OEM tires were 30.4" diam... so 31" wasn't much of an improvement)... I would tell others to look into body lifts and 32's or 33's. No matter what even at .5" improvement over 31's you gain a HUGE footprint over the 10.5" wide tires, and that much more clearance when airing down. All things the same, I think 32x11.50's and 33x10.50's are the best sizes for those of us that are short on lift, with no body lift plans. Give either size a look and test fit... you may be surprised.
Good luck 3B.

IMO; Traction is drastically improved with the 32x11.50 tire vrs a 31x10.50's plus they look mean!

 

[TunnelFear]

what about if you have a 31X11.5 tire like me?

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Douglas I've seen some of those 32X11.50,s and they really do look good on a Jeep. The extra width is noticeable, but I'm already rubbing my front antisway bar a little on extremely tight turns, so I have to wonder what another inch in width would do.

TunnelFear I didn't even know they made 31X11.5X15s. But I would like to gain some clearance. I hate scraping the differential on rocks, and with my 31" BFG AT/KO's I get allot of under carriage scrapping. Two trips ago it cost me a new rear diff plate and refilling it. And I had to have it done twice because the first guy just tried to hammer out the ding where the lip had caught the rock and separated the rear plate. It was just leaking around the seem, with a really slow drip, but I did not want to have to worry about it every time we went off road, or even long trips as far as that goes.

 

[Lifted95X]

Originally posted by section525
I think my 32MTs are waaaaay better than my 31ATs were!

I second that 110%

 

[Big Bear Bob]

I know 33's would be a great way to go, but it does cost allot to make the mods, and I'll probably buy an early 90's late 80's 4X when I can get it together. The X just gets us out right now, but an older Ranger. or maybe F-150 4X4 is where I think I'm headed in the next year or so. I've seen to slightly old Rangers with 33's that just plain kicked butt, and they would be cheaper than the F-150. But I'll always keep the X ready for day trips where I wouldn't need the extra clearance.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

OK with a 1.25" TT and Shackle lift will 32X11.50, fit without having to do a whole lot of trimming?

 

[Lifted95X]

Originally posted by Big Bear Bob
OK with a 1.25" TT and Shackle lift will 32X11.50, fit without having to do a whole lot of trimming?

With a stock rim?? If so..then yes. It will take some trimming of the plastic, but not extensive I wouldnt think.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Yes I still have the original rims,I don't doubt you but there seems to be plenty of room all around the wheel well. But like I said I am getting a little of the polising effect on the antisway bar in the front. When I went from the 235x75r 15's the looks of the X went up more than a few notches. With 32's I would have to think it would look very cool. The only problem I had when I put the 31's on was the spline on the drivers side inside the top of the wheel well. I went up 1.25" or so, and the rubbing didn't seem that bad, but I would hate it if the truck started rubbing up inside thre again.

I know a half inch isn't much so it would probably be ok, but it might make it just a little easier to get over some of those rocks on Gold Mountain
http://home.earthlink.net/~xlttrips/html/3n69.html
This page has a bunch of photos of a few of the guys in Southern Ca. going over Gold Mountain. Believe me, the pictures do not do the trail justice.

 

[Alec]

BBB, rubbing on the plastic inner fender liner is no biggie at all. Rubbing the swaybar with tire (rims is a different story) doesn't do anything either. The only rubbing you really have to worry about is that on either the front bumper, the fender itself, or the plastic outer fender trim.

 

[Ken Cooke]

Pop for a set of 32's when the 31's wear out!

Bob,

When I ran a set of 31's, I didn't get as good of traction in the dirt, on wet dirt, or on sand as with the 32's. That wider footprint has plenty to do with this. My 33's are a big improvement over the 32's, but I understand your dilemma with modifying the family 'X'. Think it over, and ask Rachel if she would mind that you are trimming fender on your Explorer. Once you go with a larger tire though, you can't go back down in size...

 

[Big Bear Bob]

What do you think about going with just the 32's though Ken? I'm not sure I would have to trim anything at all with the. I know the 33's would make a bigger difference, but I don't think I would have to regear my 373 LS rear end with 32's.

 

[Ken Cooke]

I donno...

With your automatic transmission, I think a 32" tire would necessitate a regear to 4.10 gear ratio...That is to keep your shift points as close to stock as possible...

 

[section525]

My 32's with the 3.73 LS are perfectly okay. Not much has changed from the 31s as far as shifts and gears. BBB.. if the woman allows it.. get the biggest tires you can!