Topic: Can I run 35's & 4.88 with 2.5L???

[Bounty Hunter]

Any time you add larger tires, even if you compensate with gearing the performance and mileage will be worse.  Especially with a motor which has no extra power to spare.

I would have thought the same, but my setup with 35" or 36" tires and 5.38 gears average about 15mpg, with a best of 18mpg.  Not bad for uber-low gears.

[YJmechanic]

couple things,  the differance between 33 and 35 makes a huge change when i went from 33 to 35,  that being said you can always do what i did and make an insane little 4 cylinder.  i run 35's with 410s and have no problems with hills anymore.  i do plan to go to bigger gears but for now it works fine.  i still get 15-18mpg.  but a motor build may be out of range for some,  and if you can't do it shops will probably kill you with labor costs.  unfortunatley to say i will be going with jeffy soon,  my 4cyl will be coming out and a v8 in.  i love my little motor but the plans are going much bigger and i can't say that i will keep the motor. 

[garydubf]

I'm running 35" Toyo MT's and 4.88's.  No complaints!  Well maybe a few.  But really for daily driving here in Oregon the combo works fine.  I did have some issues with loss of power on some hills. I would hit 3rd gear to hold 55mph but with a simple ignition upgrade I rarely pull her out of 5th.  The issue with clearance for the tires with 4" of lift seems like it needs to be addressed!  I had to install 2" coil spacers up front to keep the 35's out of my fender flares off road.  Had to compensate for the weight of winch and bumper I guess!

P.S.   I average 16-18mpg and didn't have to recalibrate my speedo

[j33p3r]

I'm running 35" Toyo MT's and 4.88's.  No complaints!  Well maybe a few.  But really for daily driving here in Oregon the combo works fine.  I did have some issues with loss of power on some hills. I would hit 3rd gear to hold 55mph but with a simple ignition upgrade I rarely pull her out of 5th.  The issue with clearance for the tires with 4" of lift seems like it needs to be addressed!  I had to install 2" coil spacers up front to keep the 35's out of my fender flares off road.  Had to compensate for the weight of winch and bumper I guess!

P.S.   I average 16-18mpg and didn't have to recalibrate my speedo

Ignition upgrade?

Could you enlighten us/me?

[hozer]

I have a 97 TJ 2.5 stock with stock gears in it, Auto tranny, 4" rough country suspension lift and 33" 12.5/15 on American Racing Baha wheels. I took it on a 2 hour trip earlier this month and got 14.5 mpg. It cruised 65-70 fairly easy. The cross winds suck even though I have a new steering stabilizer on it. I  was fighting to stay between the lines at times. I have 7" flares on it and the tires only stick out about an inch or so. Good luck with what ever you decide to do to your Jeep.

[garydubf]

I'm running 35" Toyo MT's and 4.88's.  No complaints!  Well maybe a few.  But really for daily driving here in Oregon the combo works fine.  I did have some issues with loss of power on some hills. I would hit 3rd gear to hold 55mph but with a simple ignition upgrade I rarely pull her out of 5th.  The issue with clearance for the tires with 4" of lift seems like it needs to be addressed!  I had to install 2" coil spacers up front to keep the 35's out of my fender flares off road.  Had to compensate for the weight of winch and bumper I guess!

P.S.   I average 16-18mpg and didn't have to recalibrate my speedo

Ignition upgrade?

Could you enlighten us/me?

No problem.  Instead of going with the Screamon Demon Kit, I got a hold of a MSD coil, Mopar performance wires, NJK U groove plugs gapped at .055", And Bosch cap and rotor.  Simple upgrade cost about $140.00.  Oh yeah I had to splice a older style plug on for the coil.  Any particulars can be answered at www.backwoodsoffroad.com.   Evan is pretty knowledgeable

[j33p3r]

Thanks gary.

[garydubf]

You bet!