does anyone else labor over this decision as much as i have. i want 3.5 no i want 2.5, and 33s no 35s. 4.33s look nice but what if I have to run 33s because of tire rule size at my camp. Get my drift. I only want to do this once. Overdrive is out a ways so i no that means another gear change. Just wondering if anyone else stresses over this
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tires, gear ratio, lift what to do too many choices
- Thread starter fordguy
- Start date
Shouldnt really stress you out if it is you need to take a break. Not sure about what you mean by tire size rule at ayour camp whats that about? I say build what you want if some camp or club or what ever has a rule against it then find your way out of being a member.
Most of my decisions are based upon what I want and how I want it to look along with price. Do I really want 35 in tires which will require a gear change and taller lift or can I stay with 2.5 and 33's with no gear change?The main problem is that the higher you go and the taller the tires the more modification and money it takes to get there. There are times I wished for more lift and bigger tires but 90% of the time I'm very happy with what I have.
I dont blame you for being confused as there are a lot of options out there. I would sit down with pen and paper lisiting all the parts(w/prices if thats a concern) that you want and would need. Then try to narrow it down to your top 2 options then pick from there maybe seeing it on paper will help you decide. Good luck
Most of my decisions are based upon what I want and how I want it to look along with price. Do I really want 35 in tires which will require a gear change and taller lift or can I stay with 2.5 and 33's with no gear change?The main problem is that the higher you go and the taller the tires the more modification and money it takes to get there. There are times I wished for more lift and bigger tires but 90% of the time I'm very happy with what I have.
I dont blame you for being confused as there are a lot of options out there. I would sit down with pen and paper lisiting all the parts(w/prices if thats a concern) that you want and would need. Then try to narrow it down to your top 2 options then pick from there maybe seeing it on paper will help you decide. Good luck
SecondChance
Jr. Member
For me it is all budget. How much do I have to spend and what can I get for it. Which is where the paper comes in.
Ohio Bronco 21
Bronco Guru
Im going with a 3.5 suspension, 33's, and 4.11 gears. Running a c-4 tranny
I feel sure that it has been pondered over for may hours for almost everyone here as what they need and to a greater extent what they want. Most of us want to get it right the first time due to the expense of doing it again, but I doubt many of us get it right the first time.
I am in the same position. I want lower gears, but want to go down the highway at a decent speed without my engine screaming. Lower gears and I need a od to keep rpms down. Lower gears and I guess I need to find a 44 to replace my 30 front end. When I do this, do I go Ox or ARB to lock? Do I really need a Atlas or Stak? I went 3.5 lift and wondering if 2.5 would have been enough? Now I need nerf bars or something to get into this thing.
Yes, we all are in the same boat.
Bill
I am in the same position. I want lower gears, but want to go down the highway at a decent speed without my engine screaming. Lower gears and I need a od to keep rpms down. Lower gears and I guess I need to find a 44 to replace my 30 front end. When I do this, do I go Ox or ARB to lock? Do I really need a Atlas or Stak? I went 3.5 lift and wondering if 2.5 would have been enough? Now I need nerf bars or something to get into this thing.
Yes, we all are in the same boat.
Bill
ooberdoob
New Member
i'm looking at it this way.
my previous truck was a 2001 s10 ZR2, stock 3" susp, wider track, 31"s, 122.9" wheelbase.
i got most everywhere i wanted to really go, i'm not into rock crawling or mudholes, i never got the ZR2 stuck. i went on a good few trails in uwharrie too. no issues there.
now i've got a ~93" wheelbase. a 2.5" lift is inexpensive, i won't need new radius arms or drive shafts and i can clear 33s. i'll have more power, a D44 front and 9" rear, no top and no doors too.
i'm happy with my ~$5k worth of parts to go from now to the trail/road.
what i'm saying is you should decide your needs and your wants. i know 5.5" on 35s w/ a 351 is great and looks badass... but do i really want to spend $3k on driveline alone for abilities i'll never use?
do what YOU want, not other people. you're already ahead of most, you are working on a classic truck, not just another yj/tj.
my previous truck was a 2001 s10 ZR2, stock 3" susp, wider track, 31"s, 122.9" wheelbase.
i got most everywhere i wanted to really go, i'm not into rock crawling or mudholes, i never got the ZR2 stuck. i went on a good few trails in uwharrie too. no issues there.
now i've got a ~93" wheelbase. a 2.5" lift is inexpensive, i won't need new radius arms or drive shafts and i can clear 33s. i'll have more power, a D44 front and 9" rear, no top and no doors too.
i'm happy with my ~$5k worth of parts to go from now to the trail/road.
what i'm saying is you should decide your needs and your wants. i know 5.5" on 35s w/ a 351 is great and looks badass... but do i really want to spend $3k on driveline alone for abilities i'll never use?
do what YOU want, not other people. you're already ahead of most, you are working on a classic truck, not just another yj/tj.
hey that camp rule is by the landowner (Anderson Tully). We have some guys running 35s right now, but that may change. I think i can go where they go with 35s with 33s on my bronco, plus i dont like tearing the road up. But if they mess with me i will be running Qs (deltarat knows what i am talking about). All other points are well taken and good.I have figured out what traction device. Keep the advice coming it is all good.
Tire size has little to do with tearing up the road/trails its how people drive although bigger tires do tend to put less PSI to the ground which can cause the tires to break traction easier.
I just wasnt sure about what you meant by camp since hunting is involved by all means you cant ditch it. For traction device I'd suggest the tried and true detroit in the rear just a rear locker can really get you in and out of a lot of spots. Front is kinda up to you I plan on some type of LS for the front of mine but I'm in no hurry for the front.
I just wasnt sure about what you meant by camp since hunting is involved by all means you cant ditch it. For traction device I'd suggest the tried and true detroit in the rear just a rear locker can really get you in and out of a lot of spots. Front is kinda up to you I plan on some type of LS for the front of mine but I'm in no hurry for the front.
Tru tracs are supposed to be a very good choice for fronts a lot of guys like them in the rear also.. I run a trac loc in the rear of my 73 works pretty good for what it is. Might want to try shimming the clutch pacs to get it a little tighter. Just be careful with the trac loc and too much skinny pedal I broke one with 31in tires and too much skinny pedal. Now I run a billet steel clutch cover that I got from currie ent.
oober the hard part is deciding what i want. i have always built to suit my needs not what others think. 2.5s , 33s and 4.11s is where i am leaning
I run 3 1/2" suspension lift, 2" body lift, 4.56 gears and 35's. This is pretty standard for the advice on this site. Believe me brother I feel your pain, I pondered/stressed about this for a very long time. I only recently purchased the 35's and had 33 inch Thornbirds before that as a temporary filler until I could get the 35's. These were possibly the worst tires ever made for many reasons but did very well for me on the trails here in AZ. I also have front and rear ARB's and am a very conservative driver. I built the truck as a trail rig but really have no desire to do body damage. In saying that, I have found that most trails around AZ that are rated to require 35" tires or larger are also rated to expect body damage. With 33's, I was geared low but 35's are perfect. I went slightly overkill for my desires and skill level but am happy with my decision. Most people on this site that regret a decision went too small and wish they had gone bigger initially instead of having to upgrade later at more cost. Good Luck
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CDOG the body lift is a good idea. I am thinking 2.5 suspension lift and if that it not enough i will go to a body lift. For some reason I never considered the body lift as an option. I like 2.5 because it keeps the steering good and the driveline angles are not so severe. Still have not sold out on the 4.11s though. I will start another post on what has to move with body lifts.
