33" on 200 6cyl

[Phoneman]

Need new tires and contemplating going to 33's from 31's so im not wound out at 60. I live in pretty flat country and biggest thing id pull is a 15 foot jon boat. Has 3 on the tree and 4.11 gears. Thoughts?

 

[jim3326]

Gearing is ok. I presume yours runs better than mine, it's about worn out. I'm flat-footed and still only doing about 65, and that's after a downhill start. I have to downshift going uphill but like I said it's worn out.

Jim W.

 

[Crawdad]

Get you some skinny 33s and you will be screaming down the road with 4.11s!

 

[Phoneman]

I was leaning toward some 33x10.50 bfgs

 

[blubuckaroo]

Usually, bigger tires to make a vehicle more highway capable, sacrifices your first and second gear performance. Since your's is a 6 cyl, your first and second gear ratios are an bit lower. Yours first is 3.46 on a 6 Verses 2.99 on a V8. That will help but I still think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Phoneman]

it winds out quick with the 31's. I can get 4 33x10.50 BFG AT's for 660 shipped to my door. This aint gonna be a hard core wheeler

 

[broncnaz]

As others have said you'll probably be disappointed. The 200 just doesnt quite have the power to keep 33's turning effiecently thats why they came stock with 4.11 gearing and 28in tires. You've already taken some of the power away with the 31's While the RPM's may be up there they are needed with the smaller engine. Add any towing into the mix and performance suffers more with the larger tires.

 

[Phoneman]

I had a wrangler with 4.0 and 3.08 gears and 32's. It wasn't to bad. 5th was about worthless but it pulled my boat fine. If the bronco will perform that good i'll be tickled.

 

[Phoneman]

guess my best bet is to put a set off a buddy's bronco on it and drive it first and see how they do.

 

[broncnaz]

That would be a good idea. Doing a test will allow you to determine if you really like what it becomes. You can just do rear tires for the test. You also have to consider brakes if you dont already have discs brakes in the front. As your taxing that system as well although not being able to get up to speed kinda helps the brake situation.
You cant really compare a wrangler 4.0 to the 200 3.3L. the wrangler engine puts out double of what the 200 put out. Your giving up 58 Cubic inches of engine as well thats like 25% of your 200.

Im sure you will still be able to pull the boat its just performance is going to suffer all around.

 

[Phoneman]

preciate the help fellas. I'll definitely try the 33's and see how they do. Was kinda looking at weights for the tires. The BFG 31's and 33x10.50 AT's are only a pound difference. The 33x12.50 are 5 pounds difference. Figured 33x12.50 would be too big anyway but thought the 10.50 would be a good compromise. I like tall skinny tires anyway.

 

[Crawdad]

Great choice in tire selection! I had those exact same tires on my 76 just before I sold it. I did keep those tires as they will be going on my next build. Here is a pic of my old 76 with those skinny 33s on 15x6" steelies, 2" BL and 3.5" SL.

 

[Phoneman]

Great choice in tire selection! I had those exact same tires on my 76 just before I sold it. I did keep those tires as they will be going on my next build. Here is a pic of my old 76 with those skinny 33s on 15x6" steelies, 2" BL and 3.5" SL.

that's sharp looking!

 

[blubuckaroo]

preciate the help fellas. I'll definitely try the 33's and see how they do. Was kinda looking at weights for the tires. The BFG 31's and 33x10.50 AT's are only a pound difference. The 33x12.50 are 5 pounds difference. Figured 33x12.50 would be too big anyway but thought the 10.50 would be a good compromise. I like tall skinny tires anyway.

The tire weight is the smallest part of it. The effective gear ratio is gonna kill the fun. Big tires really don't make more fun. Why not something closer to stock? I've got a strong 302 with 4.11s and that's the direction I'll be going next.

 

[broncnaz]

The 10.50's are a better choice. Still dont think that your 200 and gearing are up to it tho. I went from 10.50's to 12.50's on my 73 with a 302 and I could feel the power loss. Cant wait to go back to teh 10.50's
As Blubuckaroo mentioned tire weight is only a small part of it. Rolling resistance is your biggest power robber. Next comes more areo drag due to the taller hieght of the vehicle.
As you can see there are lots of factors involved and none are working in your favor at thi point with the small engine and high gearing.

 

[Green '70]

Where did you find that deal on the tires?

 

[Crawdad]

Swap in an inline 300 and really enjoy the ride!

 

[Explorer]

Going from 31" to 33" tires only reduces rpm's about 200 rpms at 60mph. Is it worth the swap to you? http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html I'm running 30" tires and turn 3K at 60mph. It will run all day at that, no problem. With a stock engine, I think you will run out of power.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Don't ruin the thing by trying to make it into something you see everyday. Why not just replace the tires with something more conventional? I think a good stock six cyl with baseline tires is a kick to drive. Sure it won't be a great long range commuter but it would be fun for local errands and winter runs.

 

[Phoneman]

still working on getting her sanded and ready for paint. Tires are away off anyway. Thanks for the advice fellas