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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. Oct 19, 2019
    Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    Denver
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2019
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    13
    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
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  2. Oct 19, 2019
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    Jan 10, 2014
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    2,137
    Nothing wrong with 33’s
     
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  3. Oct 19, 2019
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Agreed
     
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  4. Oct 19, 2019
    58 willys

    58 willys Sponsor

    Millsboro, Delaware
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    Jul 2, 2010
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    Ran them on mine no problems
     
  5. Oct 19, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Oct 25, 2006
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    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.
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  6. Oct 19, 2019
    Norcal69

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

    Northern California
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    Sep 6, 2014
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    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.
     
    Mark Landry likes this.
  7. Oct 19, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,367
    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.
     
  8. Oct 19, 2019
    dane71

    dane71 Member

    USA
    Joined:
    May 11, 2017
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    195
    I'd run them until they wear out then go to 32s, a little less stress and better proportions IMO
     
  9. Oct 19, 2019
    Walt Couch

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

    cordele, Ga.
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    Welcome from ga. I run 33's.
     
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  10. Oct 19, 2019
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Nov 10, 2009
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    650
    If you ever downsize, I suspect, your turning radius will improve, if that would ever interest you.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  11. Oct 19, 2019
    Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    Denver
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2019
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    That’s an issue now - PO put a few long bolts through the front fenders, but easily changed/cut. Other than that no probs
     
  12. Oct 19, 2019
    Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    Denver
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    Aug 28, 2019
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    Yeah - the 33’s look a bit funny, like a kid wearing dads shoes, but traction is amazing
     
  13. Oct 19, 2019
    Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    Denver
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    Aug 28, 2019
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    That’s good to hear - I’m not planning on doing anything crazy...
     
  14. Oct 19, 2019
    Mark Landry

    Mark Landry New Member

    Denver
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    Aug 28, 2019
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    It’s a workout to be sure. I’ll probably keep the 33’s and cancel my gym membership
     
  15. Oct 19, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    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..
     
    Rich M. likes this.
  16. Oct 20, 2019
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    Mar 21, 2007
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    1,516
    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.
     
  17. Oct 20, 2019
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
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    Jun 12, 2005
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    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.
     
  18. Oct 23, 2019
    74CJ5 Renegade

    74CJ5 Renegade Member

    Houston, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2002
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    269
    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.
     
  19. Oct 23, 2019
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    Jan 15, 2011
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    2,115
    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.
     
  20. Oct 23, 2019
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    Nov 15, 2003
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    I run 33's on my D 44 and D 30 and abuse it a lot. Never had a problem, run em!
     
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