Gear ratio and 33s

[FROADER]

I have the d4 would that be ok with 32" tires?

It will be a little sluggish, but a lot of guys run 33s with 3.73s. It would be best to regear to 4.10 but you could get away with it. Right now I have 32s with 3.55s and it's a pig, but I just cruise and don't off-road with it yet.

 

[exlporer]

Awesome. Thanks for all the info. Still torn between 32s and 33s. i guess I will just go 32s. I am trying to do everything with as little money as possible.

 

[jd4242]

Awesome. Thanks for all the info. Still torn between 32s and 33s. i guess I will just go 32s. I am trying to do everything with as little money as possible.

You said you have the 5.0&3.73 right?? Your be fine with 33s, not ideal but not real bad.great for highway. 4.10 would be better and 4.56 would be great for more offroad..

 

[Dave 1955]

Just remember bigger tires means more rolling resistance...harder on the tranny also...steering..brakes.

For me me 31's with 3:73's are ok..myself I would not go bigger then 32's for a daily driver.

 

[corkey]

okay, plain and easy,,

i have a 96 Explorer with the xl options, or control trac,, they call it,
here's what i have run on it,
stock 3:73's with all these, 235/75/15 , 31's and 33's,,
with 235/75/15 it was great, but no traction in winter,,
With the 31x10.5 it was great for traction , but a bit sluggish (bigger tire than suitable for the gear ratio)
with the 33's it had the same good traction, but it was a dog, unless in 4 lo, than it was marginal , but not great,,

i went to Kansas got a lift kit and some 4:10 gears,
and with 285/75/16's it was awesome, great power , good traction, and highway mileage was great,,
33's it was excellent too, just like the 285's which are just a hair smaller than a 33 anyways,,
i than went and made it up to 35x12.5x15 BFG's,, and it was a hair sluggish , but livable, and all kinds of power in 4 low,,
but i would have liked to have a bit more gear, like 4:56 or 4:88's for highway, as it only got like 13-16 mpg on the highway,,

with a 4:56 gear or 4:88 gear set , it would have gotten way better gas mileage and been a bit peppier off a light or on the highway,,

so glean out of my experience what you want,,
experience on somebody elses part can greatly enhance your own choices if you let it,,

 

[exlporer]

corkey,

I have the 5.0 do you have the v8 as well? I know that the power is slightly higher (still sad for the size) haha! I have 3.73 gears and the 5.0 awd set up. I want to go 33s but after all this advice I think I will go 32s. I also want to get rci bumpers front and back which will add tons of weight.

 

[Dave 1955]

corkey,

I have the 5.0 do you have the v8 as well? I know that the power is slightly higher (still sad for the size) haha! I have 3.73 gears and the 5.0 awd set up. I want to go 33s but after all this advice I think I will go 32s. I also want to get rci bumpers front and back which will add tons of weight.

Depends on a lot of things.
If you really do go off road the 32's or bigger could really benefit with the transfer case switch out so you can have low range.
Way better for the tranny.
I still say 31's are enough for a daiyl driver seeing very limited off road use.

This pertains to the 3:73's .

 

[MercuryMullet]

It also depends on what tire you run. A all terrain is easier to turn than a mud terrain. I have 4:56 and 33s. I wouldn't run any less unless the gears were free. 31s and 3:73s make a nice dd weekend bomber.

 

[Campoli]

Bfg all terrains 33x11.5's 4.0 and its not sugish at all IMO its a truck not a race car I wouldn't run any smaller

 

[Dave 1955]

It also depends on what tire you run. A all terrain is easier to turn than a mud terrain. I have 4:56 and 33s. I wouldn't run any less unless the gears were free. 31s and 3:73s make a nice dd weekend bomber.

I concur,that's what I run and even at that i can tell the diff.,,in both performance and my wallet! lol