Enthusiast I
Good morning. Looking for guidance here. So I have F150 w 4" lift and 35's. Its time for new tires. I'm debating going to 33's for sake of reliability and performance. Whats consensus on this? Thanks in advance and God Bless!!!
35 vs 33's
- Thread starter ChilaMan
- Start date
Advocate II
33s will lower your effective gear ratio (more power).
33s are nicer to drive, on pavement.
33s will give you a lower unsprung weight. Lower unsprung weight is A: better for handling, and B: easier on suspension components.
33s cost less (a little).
35s raise the axles (ground clearance).
35s go over obstacles a little easier.
35s might have a higher load rating.
I've used 33s on a Ramcharger and an F250, and I was perfectly happy.
I have 35s on my van, but it's kind of over the top anyway.
For an F150 and 4" lift, I'd say 33s were best.
33s are nicer to drive, on pavement.
33s will give you a lower unsprung weight. Lower unsprung weight is A: better for handling, and B: easier on suspension components.
33s cost less (a little).
35s raise the axles (ground clearance).
35s go over obstacles a little easier.
35s might have a higher load rating.
I've used 33s on a Ramcharger and an F250, and I was perfectly happy.
I have 35s on my van, but it's kind of over the top anyway.
For an F150 and 4" lift, I'd say 33s were best.
Enthusiast I
Advocate I
- 1,988
- First Name
- Matt
- Last Name
- Stoddard
- Member #
-
27782
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6TZY
- Service Branch
- Fire
Pathfinder III
I am also a newbie, and I drive a 4Runner.
However I thought this YouTube from Australia was really helpful. What leaps off the page is the stopping distance on the highway is MUCH greater with 35" tires, and road handling is much worse. Plus they need regearing on my 4Runner = $$$. I have BFG KO2 33" tires and while I do a lot of off road, I also do a lot of highway. Plus it seems 33" will get me most places 35" will go - probably all I really need.
However I thought this YouTube from Australia was really helpful. What leaps off the page is the stopping distance on the highway is MUCH greater with 35" tires, and road handling is much worse. Plus they need regearing on my 4Runner = $$$. I have BFG KO2 33" tires and while I do a lot of off road, I also do a lot of highway. Plus it seems 33" will get me most places 35" will go - probably all I really need.
Skinny 33s definitely. Like 33/10.50s
Better ride, increase yer gas mileage and range. Better acceleration AND braking, even if you regear, lighter tires spool up faster.... and spool down faster too.
Bigger tires only offer better floatation, if you need floatation you need bigger tires, maybe also lighter tires. If you aren't running thru the dunes you likely don't want floatation. On hard ground skinnier footprints will ride and track better. And lighter tires will ride and handle better. Floatation can be a factor on hard ground if you are crawling up a waterfall and aired down. Over irregular surfaces like rock ledges bigger and aired down is an advantage when properly geared.
Speed is another factor. The faster you are going the smaller, lighter, skinnier a tire you want. Thru standing water, slush, mud a skinny tire will track far better. A fat tire, regardless of diameter will be pulled sideways thru puddles and slush. Crawling you won't feel a difference but highway or forestry roads at speed. a wide tire can kill your confidence.
Tire choice is being honest about where you drive.
Plus $$$$$ why spend more than you have too. The choices are mind boggling once you ignore the crowd.
Better ride, increase yer gas mileage and range. Better acceleration AND braking, even if you regear, lighter tires spool up faster.... and spool down faster too.
Bigger tires only offer better floatation, if you need floatation you need bigger tires, maybe also lighter tires. If you aren't running thru the dunes you likely don't want floatation. On hard ground skinnier footprints will ride and track better. And lighter tires will ride and handle better. Floatation can be a factor on hard ground if you are crawling up a waterfall and aired down. Over irregular surfaces like rock ledges bigger and aired down is an advantage when properly geared.
Speed is another factor. The faster you are going the smaller, lighter, skinnier a tire you want. Thru standing water, slush, mud a skinny tire will track far better. A fat tire, regardless of diameter will be pulled sideways thru puddles and slush. Crawling you won't feel a difference but highway or forestry roads at speed. a wide tire can kill your confidence.
Tire choice is being honest about where you drive.
Plus $$$$$ why spend more than you have too. The choices are mind boggling once you ignore the crowd.
Last edited:
zgfiredude
Rank VI
Steward I
Or, go in between.....285/75 and 17 dia. in my case, measures out at 34 fully inflated, and still 33 when aired down.
Enthusiast I
Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,865
- First Name
- Donald
- Last Name
- Diehl
- Member #
-
0745
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WRPN 506
Good vid from our friends in OZ. Another consideration, a big one, is how available a tire size is. I prefer tall and narrow - 255/85/16, however, good luck finding that size tire readily available in any remote town or fuel stop. So, I compromise and use 285/75/16, a little too wide for my taste, but stocked at most any tire shop in North America
Educator I
- 10,890
- First Name
- Jim
- Last Name
- Bro
- Member #
-
12989
- Service Branch
- USAF DAV
Moak you nailed a VERY important consideration. While going from Reno to Vegas via trails and mining camps got flat, spare was in worse shape than I remember, played hell finding my size tire...........
Jim
Jim
Educator I
- 10,890
- First Name
- Jim
- Last Name
- Bro
- Member #
-
12989
- Service Branch
- USAF DAV
I think 35's over 33"s as long as new gears are no needed. Tires are the only way to raise the diff off the ground and every inch counts and that 1" will help. Performance is same unless motor small or weak and again the average weight diff should be ok. Now 33's to 37's are a whole different game and research NEEDS to be done.
Now you need to consider what type wheeling you do and how often, if it is a daily driver taken out once in awhile, go 33's, if it is off-road often, 25's IMO.
Jim
