I am currently running a set of 35x12.50s I borrowed from Dale. They are fine and all, but they definitely would not be able to flex up into the fender wells. While I am not opposed to trimming the fenders a little, as I continue to to evaluate which tires I am going to by, I am thinking about going with 33s instead of 35s so I can 1) Get a little more flex without body damage, and 2) provide less stress on my axles, particularly my IFS fronts. What do you al think?

Also, when comparing a rim size 15 to a rim size 16, is the additional sidewll strength of the 16 solely attributed to the sidewall being shorter and, therefore more rigid, or are there other differences in construction where the 16 sidewalls are actually thicker?

Thanks!

 

I like the 33's and wouldn't go any bigger myself. The biggest factor for me is the gearing would be too high with anything bigger than 33's with my gearing set-up.

Sorry don't know about the sidewalls, Go Broncos!

 

I'm personally running the same left specs, 3" body and 4" susp lifts and I'm running 33x12.50 Super Swamper TSL Radials and I love'em..The reason I went with the 33's instead of the 35's was the simple reason that I wanted to get the most wheel travel out of my lift.....as for the 15's as opposed to the 16" rims...well I have no Idea on that one..all I know is that I'm running my tires on 15x8 All American Black Rock Crawler rims....

 

BTTT in case anybody else has some additional info

 

Stress on the axles is less of a concern than stress on your clutch or torque converter. The stock ratio is made to turn 28" tires, going to 33s without regearing = not nearly enough engine RPM per tire RPM. You will constantly be lugging the motor below its happy powerband . Look into 4.56 gears at the very least.

 

I'm not sure...but I thought my '89 came stock with 4:11 gears? If so I was going to regear up to 4:88's and keep my 33's or even go up to 35's....Don't know...

 

I'll second that, especially if you have the auto tranny. I had to regear to 5.29 with 33s to get up to the sweet spot of powerband. Unless you do most of your driving downhill or with a tailwind