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Ditch The Big Tires?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Mark Landry, Oct 19, 2019.

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  1. Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    hey all
    New here - just bought a 74 cj5 with Dana 30 in the front and Dana 44 in the back.
    The Jeep came with 33x12.50’s but I’m hearing that’s too much for my axels.
    Should I get something smaller or am I relatively safe sticking with the bigger tires? Not planning on doing anything crazy but I live in Colorado and there are tons of good trails here.
    I looked for other similar posts but couldn’t find any - sorry if this is discussed elsewhere...
    Thanx for any input you can provide
     
    Mark Landry, Oct 19, 2019
    #1
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  2. 73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Nothing wrong with 33’s
     
    73 cj5, Oct 19, 2019
    #2
    jpflat2a and ITLKSEZ like this.
  3. Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Agreed
     
    Rich M., Oct 19, 2019
    #3
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  4. 58 willys

    58 willys Sponsor

    Ran them on mine no problems
     
    58 willys, Oct 19, 2019
    #4
  5. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I run 35's but dont do any wheeling. If you don't have power steering and power brakes, it can be a workout. Maybe someday I can grow up and break something with my big stupid tires.
     
    47v6, Oct 19, 2019
    #5
    Twin2 likes this.
  6. Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I have nothing against the XJ, TJ, full size crowd.... Tons of nice folks over there...... But most of them know nothing about Pre 76 jeeps....
    Best thing I learned: Ask here before going elsewhere... chances are somebody here has seen/done what you want to do.
     
    Norcal69, Oct 19, 2019
    #6
    Mark Landry likes this.
  7. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    If you're reasonable with the gas pedal and the clutch pedal you should be ok. And of course keep up with maintenance i.e. u-joint lube, bearings, etc.
     
    Glenn, Oct 19, 2019
    #7
  8. dane71

    dane71 Member

    I'd run them until they wear out then go to 32s, a little less stress and better proportions IMO
     
    dane71, Oct 19, 2019
    #8
  9. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Welcome from ga. I run 33's.
     
    Walt Couch, Oct 19, 2019
    #9
    Mark Landry likes this.
  10. Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    If you ever downsize, I suspect, your turning radius will improve, if that would ever interest you.
     
    Dave B, Oct 19, 2019
    #10
    Glenn likes this.
  11. Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    That’s an issue now - PO put a few long bolts through the front fenders, but easily changed/cut. Other than that no probs
     
    Mark Landry, Oct 19, 2019
    #11
  12. Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    Yeah - the 33’s look a bit funny, like a kid wearing dads shoes, but traction is amazing
     
    Mark Landry, Oct 19, 2019
    #12
  13. Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    That’s good to hear - I’m not planning on doing anything crazy...
     
    Mark Landry, Oct 19, 2019
    #13
  14. Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    It’s a workout to be sure. I’ll probably keep the 33’s and cancel my gym membership
     
    Mark Landry, Oct 19, 2019
    #14
  15. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    A 74 has the stronger D30 - many of us hear are running 33s on the previous D27 and all is mostly well as long as you are just a bit aware. You can break anything if you try hard enough with the skinny pedal...if you put a locker in then its a bit iffier. I wouldn't worry about the rear D44 - its one piece. I run a locker in mine. A couple other points: the 74 comes with saginaw steering already so that is a nice upgrade already done for you - swapping it from manual to power is quite easy I believe (at least it was on my later cj7). Also, its not a huge difference, but going to a 33x10.5 instead of the 33x12.5 tire helps reduce weight and load on the axles and some friction when steering.
    Welcome from Denver...hope to see around. You can run just about everything around this state in a cj5 on 33s with what you have - a locker in the rear will help a lot, but otherwise unless you are looking to run the buggy trails, I keep up with all the JKs on 37s without much issue..
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 19, 2019
    #15
    Rich M. likes this.
  16. DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    I’ve been running HEAVY 33x13.50 swampers on factory d30/44 for 14 years. And I used to be a more aggressive driver off road. I’ve popped a few front axleshafts, but i deserved it at the time. All in all they have held up much better than the internet tells you they should.

    also, remember that the CJ DANA30 is a different animal than what came on modern jeeps. The lockout hubs and serviceable bearings add a good bit of safety margin that the newer unit bearing axles don’t have.
    I’ve broken an axle u-joint and just kept going for the rest of the day.
     
    DrDanteIII, Oct 20, 2019
    #16
  17. wally

    wally SSSSTER

    shouldn’t be a problem. i ran 34x9.5x15 LTBs for seven years on my ‘75 w/30 & 44, and have a set of 34x9x15 bias swamper tires to run next. no diff issues, and it wheels pretty well.
     
    wally, Oct 20, 2019
    #17
  18. 74CJ5 Renegade

    74CJ5 Renegade Member

    I run 33 x 12.5 Super Swamper TSL’s with no issue.

    I did put wheel spacers on. Widens our the stance and the tires don’t rub when turning at full lock. I highly recommended the spacers.
     
    74CJ5 Renegade, Oct 23, 2019
    #18
  19. johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    You're good....if you run fully locked on the front you will have problem stay open . You can run the rear fully locked all time, even on the road....never broke an axle shaft on 36" tsl tire.
     
    johneyboy03, Oct 23, 2019
    #19
  20. jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    I run 33's on my D 44 and D 30 and abuse it a lot. Never had a problem, run em!
     
    jzeber, Oct 23, 2019
    #20