Misc How concerned should I be about 33 inch tires on 2.73 gearing?

[timemachine]

Just as the title states? Doing a rebuild and want to run 33s. Gearing is 2.73 and read lots of comments about sluggish behavior but then read some that says it’s fine for street?? I’ll be running listing street.

Looking for real life input?

 

[Belizean]

Depends on a few things. Engine and Transmission to start.

 

[timemachine]

straight 6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with 5 speed manual. Sorry

 

[Belizean]

I have that with a4 speed and efi. 3.54 gears and 31s and 33s. I have good road power with that. And 4 to 1 for the Transfer Case when off-road. I have no experience with 2.73 but I would think a little sluggish. Others will chime in.

 

[boney]

I have the same ratio setup as you. My engine may be a bit tired. I'm running 31s and it can't keep highway speed in 5th.

Have a look here- in a perfect world.

 

[timemachine]

I was steered towards a Transmission shop not to far from me. Going to inquire about a gear change. I don’t plan on doing much highway but you never know.

 

[boney]

To change ratios down from the 2.73 you will need the change the carrier. This is your chance to install a true-track, locker or other traction device.

 

[CJ27]

My 84 CJ7 , AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , T-4 originally had 2.72 gears. When I was using 31's it seemed fine, but when I switched to 33's, it seemed a little too weak. Accepting that my stock AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l had only around 100HP it made sense. I eventually switched to 4.10 gears to have a more enjoyable torque at lower speeds, I have a little too high RPM at highway speeds since the T-4 I'm still using Has 1:1 4th gear.

 

[timemachine]

I talked to a couple shops this morning and I’m leaning towards the 410s just for that reason and having the five speed

 

[Belizean]

That should work.

 

[TSB8C]

I talked to a couple shops this morning and I’m leaning towards the 410s just for that reason and having the five speed

You'll be much happier. I have 4.56 with 35" tires. So 4.10 with 33's is a good match. And since your 5-speed has an Overdrive , highway driving shouldn't be too bad in terms of RPMs. I run about 2,100 RPMs at 70 mph with a tranny that has Overdrive .

 

[timemachine]

Apt made and dropping axles off later this week.

 

[CJ27]

I don't know if your trail driving style warrants a locker, but if it does, as boney mentioned, if you ever considered a locker, the best time for it is when you are changing the gears out. Probably save a few hundred by not getting a second install. Either way, I hope to hear if you like the new ratio.