Whos runnin 33x9.50's with an auto 4cyl? Its tire time and i love the look but worried about power loss!! How bad is it!! I have stock gearing(4.30).Forgot to add that i have a new long block from oriental engine-600 mi on it.

 

it's going to be slow for sure, i run the 33x10.50's with 4:88 and a 5 speed and it moves ok (i've got a lot of motor work done though)

 

AxleIke is running them with 4 cyl manual tranny - not sure what gears he has though

 

tc..
4spd manual? What...in a 4rnr? Never heard of that.

I've been curious about running that size myself...'cept my '86 has a manual. I ran some 31x10.50's briefly and didn't notice any change at all. Since then, with searching the web, I've found other folks running the 33x9.50's on their 4cyl 5spd's and no one mentioned anything about detriments....which doesn't mean a whole lot, I suppose. But, with an 4spd auto trans. and 4.30's? I'd be surprised if you didn't notice a difference...and a big one. Even with a V6 and 4.88's, the 31's on my '92 have a marked difference from 30's (x9.50). Probably, mostly because I live in the hills. Still, I do wonder if the width of the tire (9.50 as opposed to 10.50) might not compensate a bit for the diameter.

Personally, I'd ask ZUK here on the forum. He most likely has some experience (more than me, for sure) with what you're asking.

 

I'm running 33x12.5's on a 88 4cyl auto... It's not so bad...

All depends on your expectations; but highway driving kinda sucks - you end up gear hunting between the top two gears...

 

And what's your mileage like?

 

if you have to ask - you shouldn't be driving a lifted 4 runner

mileage is crap, but likely for reasons other than the tires

 

5speed is what troy meant to type i'm sure. 4.88's. Drives like it did stock.

 

Yeah - meant 4cyl 5 speed ...

 

I run 33x10's with a 5-speed and 4.56 gears. Fine for offroad and city use. Fast enough on the highway as long as it doesn't get too steep. Not the fastest vehicle, but I'm ok w/ it. Does 120km/h on highway with ease until it get's too steep. 4.88 gears would be ideal.

 

I drive in the mountains of CO. It pulls 55 (without weight) in third at 3900-4000 no problem. I don't like to rev mine too high, so you might get more speed, but who knows.

Auto will be different, and slower. Consider a regear.

When the truck is tuned properly, i get 23-25 hwy, 20 city mpg, max i've ever gotten was a runout to Moab, 28.5 mpg.

 

Wow, that's great mileage, Ike! What's your secret for "tuning it properly"?

My 4Runner has a brand new 22re, 33x10.5's, 4.88's, 5 speed, and when I'm as careful as I can I seem to get 18.5 or 19 regardless of city or hwy driving. Granted I also compensate for the fact that the gearing and tires causes my speedo to read about 11% too much.

 

My 4rnr's not lifted, mate.

Oh....okay.

 

This I would also like to know.

BTW, how do those 33x9.50's "feel". I mean when I had the 31's on the steering felt more sluggish (of course) and just generally felt "heavy". The 30x9.50's feel more nimble. I realize they would because they are smaller, but...again...I wonder about the width making a difference. It'd be nice if I could go taller yet still retain a bit of that nimble quality. It's be even nicer if I could just try a set on to see for myself, but I don't have that option.

 

Height has some to do with it. On my brothers turbo truck which runs a 30x950, the steering feels easy. the 33x950 feels a little "heavier", so to speak. However, when compared to a 33x1250, the 33x950 is a breeze, like nothing at all.

As for tuning, its about getting the valves set to a perfect height, timing set well for the elevation and for the exhaust/intake i have, replacing plugs wires cap and rotor anually. Not sure exactly what does it. However, as soon as one thing goes bad, like my 02 sesnor, the mileage drops into the teens. I also run a 10-30 oil in there, which some won't be able to do if the motor is leaky.

The other key is that i drive like a grandma. Granted, most of these trucks cannot get out of their own way, but i don't push it. I take the slow lane and run the approprate gear.

 

Hmmm...so, what... Do you advance the timing a bit for higher elevation? I live in the hills. Granted, it's not near the elevation you are at, but I'm not at sea level, either.