33" vs 37" tire performaces

[Rottie]

Hello all,
Dumb question... I know lot of folks like the look of the stock JT mounting those 37s …filling up pretty good the space underneath the flares (which is exactly what I like myself) ...but before I plan on a new set of shoes for my vehicle in 37" size I'd like to know how and where those bigger tires would eventually perform any better than the 33 considering to keep the vehicle stock except for a 2.5 rough country levelling kit
Don't even want to get talking about having to re-gear as I'm perfectly aware about all pros and cons .. so not even considering that ...I'd just like to know if there's any valid point to replace the 33 with the 37 if not only for a cosmetic look (again ….considering to keep the vehicle stock / no full lifting kit)
Many thanks for your thoughts / suggestions

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[Alabama Mud Machine]

Mud, rocks, offroad situations, random debris in the road, you can access flooded areas where normal vehicles can't, any time you will need the added ground clearance, looks, the wider tires and wider tires (12.50 or 13.50 or wider) & wider offset wheels increases your track-width, which seems to help the handling (it did on mine), compared to the stock skinny 33's and skinny +44 offset wheels that tuck under the fenders.

As for the flooded areas, the 6" lift and 38's on my Cummins came in REALLY handy when my grandmother's house flooded years ago. Nobody could get back there, no cops, no fire department, etc... I was the only truck that could get back there to her house. Saved a bunch of her stuff from being ruined, because of it, too. So, just because you say, "I'll never need that"... Never say never.

 

[tbaker]

I am running the rough country 2.5 leveling kit on my gladiator and I went with 37 inch milestar Patagonia MT tires mostly for looks I don’t do any off-roading I recalibrate my speedometer and it drives great with the 37’s I really can’t tell that I am running 37’s but I highly recommend recalibrating your speedometer I bought the rough country recalibrating programmer and it’s simple to use by the way mine is the rubicon model

 

[Rottie]

Mud, rocks, offroad situations, random debris in the road, you can access flooded areas where normal vehicles can't, any time you will need the added ground clearance, looks, the wider tires and wider tires (12.50 or 13.50 or wider) & wider offset wheels increases your track-width, which seems to help the handling (it did on mine), compared to the stock skinny 33's and skinny +44 offset wheels that tuck under the fenders.

As for the flooded areas, the 6" lift and 38's on my Cummins came in REALLY handy when my grandmother's house flooded years ago. Nobody could get back there, no cops, no fire department, etc... I was the only truck that could get back there to her house. Saved a bunch of her stuff from being ruined, because of it, too. So, just because you say, "I'll never need that"... Never say never.

Thanks Alabama Mud Machine !..love the comment on your 6" lifted truck Sir!

 

[Rottie]

I am running the rough country 2.5 leveling kit on my gladiator and I went with 37 inch milestar Patagonia MT tires mostly for looks I don’t do any off-roading I recalibrate my speedometer and it drives great with the 37’s I really can’t tell that I am running 37’s but I highly recommend recalibrating your speedometer I bought the rough country recalibrating programmer and it’s simple to use by the way mine is the rubicon model

Hi Tbaker
I've got the same vehicle (rubicon) and I was planning to go with the Taser lite JL for the calibration of my speedometer ….and to stay with stock rims with BFG Goodrich KO2
I'd just like to hear more about off road performances ...like flexibility ...articulation ..when with the 37 on stock vehicle we are going to reduce the excursion of them suspension .. s

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Thanks Alabama Mud Machine !..love the comment on your 6" lifted truck Sir!

Thanks. I noticed your username and you're in Atlanta, do you raise Rotties? If so, I'm looking to buy a pup sometime in the future. Just don't have a ton to spend on one...Spent a LOT on my last dog, and he ended up having to be put down before his 3rd birthday (bacterial lung infection). Kind of got burnt on buying expensive dogs after that. I'd rather still have him, than the money, but it still burns to end up with neither.

 

[Factoid]

The Rubicon is the only model you can put 37” tires on without a lift and still have an appropriate range of performance. The Max tow has the 4.10 gears like the JTR, but lacks clearance. Other models have 3.73 gears stock which are far from ideal when you move to 37” tires. Even the 4.10 gears have challenges with 37” tires, but many accept this limitation.

The clearance and flexibility that Bama brought up are real value adders in my opinion, plus the aggressive look is simply bad ass.

 

[mojocho]

Everyone is spot on.

Remember that in order to get more ground clearance there are two ways. A lift, raises the body. A tire, raises the axles and differential.

You can have a 4 inch lift on 33s, but your differential can get caught. You can have just tires, but your body can still get caught or tires rub.

The real question is what are you going to use it for. In stock form is the perfect balance. Tires and lift mods are shifting that to less on road comfort to more off road capable.

For MY needs I went 37s on stock wheels and suspensions on my Rubicon. I'll be doing some mild offroading but this will be 95% daily driver for 1 hour commutes. So for today this will serve me. If I find I want to do more difficult trails, I'll go to aftermarket fenders for more clearance. I doubt I'll be adding a lift as I don't think I'll be doing that extreme off roading as it's a new truck and I'll be stressing out of damages instead of enjoying the experience.

Here's mine. Stock suspension and tires with the stock Rubicon/higher fenders. Hope this helps.

 

[hjdca]

FYI, Normally, I 4wheel with 15 to 22 psi in the tires... - losing 2" of clearance.... In my Rubicon JT manual with the 33" stock Falken M/Ts, I have been keeping 34 PSI in the tires to maintain good clearance on ruts and rocks -- Surprisingly, with the lockers, sway bar disconnect, and going sideways through some ruts and peaks; I have had great clearances and great traction. I never had lockers and auto sway bar disconnect before, and they do allow you let you keep more air in your tires and get better clearances.... (Note: NOT for mud and dunes).

 

[Rottie]

Thanks. I noticed your username and you're in Atlanta, do you raise Rotties? If so, I'm looking to buy a pup sometime in the future. Just don't have a ton to spend on one...Spent a LOT on my last dog, and he ended up having to be put down before his 3rd birthday (bacterial lung infection). Kind of got burnt on buying expensive dogs after that. I'd rather still have him, than the money, but it still burns to end up with neither.

Hello Bama,
that's awful to hear about your experience with your dog … unfortunately there's really nothing you can do if they get that infection …
No I do not raise Rotties but I have one i bought when he was 8 weeks is now almost 7 years and oh man ...the sweetest dog I've ever had the whole family is in deep love with him

 

[Rottie]

The Rubicon is the only model you can put 37” tires on without a lift and still have an appropriate range of performance. The Max tow has the 4.10 gears like the JTR, but lacks clearance. Other models have 3.73 gears stock which are far from ideal when you move to 37” tires. Even the 4.10 gears have challenges with 37” tires, but many accept this limitation.

The clearance and flexibility that Bama brought up are real value adders in my opinion, plus the aggressive look is simply bad ass.

Thanks for your answer Factoid

 

[Rottie]

Everyone is spot on.

Remember that in order to get more ground clearance there are two ways. A lift, raises the body. A tire, raises the axles and differential.

You can have a 4 inch lift on 33s, but your differential can get caught. You can have just tires, but your body can still get caught or tires rub.

The real question is what are you going to use it for. In stock form is the perfect balance. Tires and lift mods are shifting that to less on road comfort to more off road capable.

For MY needs I went 37s on stock wheels and suspensions on my Rubicon. I'll be doing some mild offroading but this will be 95% daily driver for 1 hour commutes. So for today this will serve me. If I find I want to do more difficult trails, I'll go to aftermarket fenders for more clearance. I doubt I'll be adding a lift as I don't think I'll be doing that extreme off roading as it's a new truck and I'll be stressing out of damages instead of enjoying the experience.

Here's mine. Stock suspension and tires with the stock Rubicon/higher fenders. Hope this helps.

Hi Mojoco
nice looking truck man !
That's exactly what I'd like to go with ...37" tires on stock rims ...and the 2.5" levelling kit
Have you noticed a big difference on MPG ..and how the 4:10 handles those big tires ...is really that bad keeping 8th gear on hwy?

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Hello Bama,
that's awful to hear about your experience with your dog … unfortunately there's really nothing you can do if they get that infection …
No I do not raise Rotties but I have one i bought when he was 8 weeks is now almost 7 years and oh man ...the sweetest dog I've ever had the whole family is in deep love with him

That’s a good lookin pup.

Rotties, Cane Corsos, and other mastiffs often get a bad wrap, and are mislabeled as aggressive dog breeds. They’re some of the best dogs I’ve ever been around. Once you’re part of their pack, your their’s forever, and they will protect you at all costs.

 

[Rottie]

That’s a good lookin pup.

Rotties, Cane Corsos, and other mastiffs often get a bad wrap, and are mislabeled as aggressive dog breeds. They’re some of the best dogs I’ve ever been around. Once you’re part of their pack, your their’s forever, and they will protect you at all costs.

I hear ya…..nowadays more people wrong than dogs ....

 

[mojocho]

Hi Mojoco
nice looking truck man !
That's exactly what I'd like to go with ...37" tires on stock rims ...and the 2.5" levelling kit
Have you noticed a big difference on MPG ..and how the 4:10 handles those big tires ...is really that bad keeping 8th gear on hwy?

Pre COVID shut in I was getting 17 MPG of mostly highway. But I cruise at 75 mph. Heavy foot. That was in the Falken 33 MTs.

My rig is. Manual so I never hit 8th. LOL. But I definitely won't be 6th much.

Speaking of rotties, I'm on my second. First I've was the greatest. Passed away at 12. Current one is now 12 and honestly will be have to be pit down in a month or so. She's just getting old. Back end is not working like it used. Sucks. Lot of life in those eyes, but body doesn't want work. Can't think of any better family dog.

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