Okay so have completely stock 86 4wd pickup. I have heard MULTIPLE different opinions. But I am currently running 31X10.50R15 tires with the stock transmission and 4:10 gears. I've heard that 31 is as big as I want to run without swapping out gears. Is 33's a option or will it damage clutch and trans?

 

It all depends on how you use the Truck and your driving habits.

If you can live with the slower starts and spend more time at highway speeds 55mph +

You might hate the drop in performance or not care only you will know. Anyone Close with that set up to give you a ride.

 

It is my daily but i normally don't rub "interstate speeds" 55-60mph and then I have a pop up camper I pull sometimes. Not wanting a "off road truck" but would like the extra clearance and traction. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to shell my tranny or diffs or even worse end up having to replace my clutch every year

 

I have 33's on my '87 4WD 22R with a Weber 38. I actually bought a set of gears then decided not to install them because it ran about as good as it did with 31's. I drive my truck to and from work on a daily basis (300k + miles) and nobody blows the horn or gives me the finger so I'm good. I even pulled a 6x12 pressure washing trailer with all the associated parts and supplies (empty 225 and 65 gal tanks) with it for many years with the 33's. It ain't fast no matter how you look at it, stock or otherwise. You definately won't be doing 85 on the interstate though.

 

the camper might be a problem; might hate the total drop in the already limited power/performance. i do have a set of 32x11.5x15 that i run in my stock 4.10 geared '87 4runner, 5mt, 22re. not fast, not powerful, but it gets me from point to point just fine, and can handle some moderate off-road stuff. i doubt it is significantly affecting the clutch/transmission, ie, i never ride the clutch, and i shift gears regularly to get into the appropriate power band. ymmv.

 

I have a bit newer machine, a 98 T100 with the 3.4L 5vz, it has the 4.10 gearing, 5 speed manual, and I run 32's. I get good mpg, and I use the truck for work quite often and haven't really had power issues. Of course the 3.4L puts out a bit more than the 3.0L, and a fair bit more than the 2.4L 22re. My 2wd 86 pickup has something like 3.56 gearing and I put oversized tires on it from a Jeep, something like 29 or 30in (stock is probably around 24-25in, tiny tires) and it did fine. The 22R has a lot of low end grunt, it just didn't do anything fast on the highway. To give context, I had to ride the clutch till about 10mph, it was very high geared, but I easily got 30mpg+ with it too.