35" tires and 3.73 gears?

[MoparBob]

Got a question for everyone. I will be upgrading to 35" tires in the future and I currently have 3. 73 gearing. Is anyone running this combo and if so, how do you like it? I'm hoping that I won't need to switch to 4. 10's anytime soon. Luckily, I'm not towing over 8500 or so and I do that only on occasion. If you are running that combo, could you tell a difference in power or mileage? I'm currently running 33" tires in an aggresive tread pattern already so I'm curious if I am going to notice any difference (other than handling) especially with the torque our CTD's are putting out anyway. Any info would help here.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JCleary]

I have a manual, but had similar concerns.



After a few hundred miles learning how to drive it, I don't notice any more. With additonal power, the only thing I notice is that my 285's go up in smoke at a touch of the throttle, while the 35's take some more effort to break loose.



Go for it. The lower cruising rpms is a nice side-effect.



I lost about 1. 5mpg.

 

[GaryCarter]

Bob, the acceleration is noticeably down compared to stock tires, but it's by no means a slouch. If not heavy towing or racing, no problem.

You do need to get 55 mph to lock the TC.



Gary

 

[Lorenz]

I notice my truck will "dump" from 3rd to 4th. It hits the 1400rpm mark going into 4th. I don't like it at all. I try to keep the OD off, when I remember, and let 3rd ring out to the 2400rpm mark before I let it shift to 4th in order to cure the "dump".



When I tow the OD is always off.



I Love the 2000 rpm mid 70mph cruise when unloaded. I was going to change something, be it gears or smaller tires, but the situation has grown on me a little. With the OD off while towing, it allows me to cruise at 60-65mph mark in a great RPM range, 2000-2300. I think I just talked my self out of alot of money, then again, next week is just around the corner.

 

[WStephens]

When I had the 99 it had 3. 54 gears and I went to 34" tires and the milage got better on the highway and did not notice any difference in power and pulled more weight than I did with the stock tires.

 

[Lorenz]

When I had the 99 it had 3. 54 gears and I went to 34" tires and the milage got better on the highway and did not notice any difference in power and pulled more weight than I did with the stock tires.

Just filled up last night and got 18. 7mph hand calc. If this is correct, I'm not seeing a drop in mpg with 35". I've been meaning to see were my milage went after the 35" were installed, this thread got me curious again.



I adjusted the miles driven by 8%. I found 60mph on the odometer is really 65 per GPS.

 

[Coolslice]

I had 35's w/ the 3. 73 and 48re. Notice I said "had" because they were only on for about 800 miles. They were too hard on things. Driving at around 55 will really bog the motor and raise egt's and I'm sure it wasn't good for the transmission either. I lost a lot off the line and anywhere from 3 to 4 mpg. If you have a 6 spd then it wouldn't matter. All I can tell you is what I experienced, but it seems I'm one of the few who didn't like the setup.

It wouldn't be so bad if you are doing mostly interstate driving at higher speeds, but if you are going to be doing lots of driving around 45 to 55 then I would tell you it's a mistake.

 

[DieselFiend]

Also, if you get your stuff reprogrammed for the new tire size your transmission shift points are going to be all screwed up, causing mileage to go down and extra stress on your transmission.

 

[j.m.mcfly]

i have 35. 12. 50. 17 procomp xterrains with six speed milage is the same if not better power feels the same also my truck is an 05 with bully dog pup on 90 setting ts ramifier on half way volant intake setup roktec crank sensor and mbrp stanless duals

 

[Regcabguy]

35's and 4.10's

I had 35's w/ the 3. 73 and 48re. Notice I said "had" because they were only on for about 800 miles. They were too hard on things. Driving at around 55 will really bog the motor and raise egt's and I'm sure it wasn't good for the transmission either. I lost a lot off the line and anywhere from 3 to 4 mpg. If you have a 6 spd then it wouldn't matter. All I can tell you is what I experienced, but it seems I'm one of the few who didn't like the setup.

It wouldn't be so bad if you are doing mostly interstate driving at higher speeds, but if you are going to be doing lots of driving around 45 to 55 then I would tell you it's a mistake.

My buddy has 4. 10's w/48re and 35's and it's perfect. I guess the 6-speed guys can suffice but auto guys with any weight or towing must have 4. 10's. I've got a '99 that I had 3. 73's installed just to "normalize my rig" to the 285's,up from the "micro tire 245's" my year came with. 285's are a good compromise. I do wish a 33 1/2" or 34" tire would come out in an e-rating.

 

[tpicard]

Also, if you get your stuff reprogrammed for the new tire size your transmission shift points are going to be all screwed up, causing mileage to go down and extra stress on your transmission.

How is this? I would figure that it would improve shift points?

 

[MickeyMiller]

I just don't get it. I run 35's (34+ ie 315 70X17's) on my '03 6 speed w 3. 73. With stock tires you had to start in 2nd and easy the throttle to keep the rear tires from hopping when accellerating. On the street, 1st is still only good to get you across the cross walk lines, mid range accelleration remains great, crusing speed is more comfortable. I had wanted 4. 10's but ended up taking a deal on the truck off the lot with 3. 73's and I am sure glad.



If your want more speed... bomb!

 

[AAllen]

35s

did have a drop in stock performance with my 35x12. 50x17 but added a little power and hooray

 

[JEnnis]

If you're not going to be towing a really heavy load you will be fine. I actually like the lower cruising rpms... I lost 1 - 2 mpg (it varies)

 

[Blblanchard]

I have 35's and 3. 73's and I love it. I tow a 8000 # trailer and the setup works great on the highway, I manage about 14MPG fully loaded, and get about 20 empty, however I am still waiting for the engine to finish the break in process. As far as city driving, I don't really spend a lot of time there so I can't be any help. Just my 2 cents

 

[Coolslice]

Keep in mind that he has the 48re which will make a HUGE difference compared to you guys with 6 spds. I average 16. 9 empty with stock tires, intake, exhaust, and timing mods. I got about 14 mpg with 35's. . If you guys are getting 20 mpg with 35's, what in the heck kind of mileage did you get stock. The gears will really depend on what type of transmission you have.

 

[Poulsen]

I'm runnin 325 60 20's, 3. 73's - they are about 35", and love them - I've only got 2k on the odometer, and hand calc'd at 14mpg - all city driving.



I love the power, but I came from '00 2500 gasser wih 3. 55's that was so gutless...

 

[MoparBob]

Thanks for all the info so far. Sounds like the trucks personality may be somewhat of a factor here. I do a lot of mixed driving... about 50% highway and the other in the city. I'm already running 33" x 12. 5" x 17" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws as they came with my truck from the dealership when I bought it (local package deal... they put the claws on it, side steps, a truck box and a bedliner). They definetely have a smoother ride than the stock tires but then again, that's a bit more rubber. I'm wondering if I'll notice as big a difference going to 35's since i've got 33's than someone would going from stock to 35's? I'm also curious if going to a milder all terrain style tread when going to the 35's might offset some of the mileage penalty. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Jeepr]

This is a great thread. I've been debating between 33's or 35's also. I've got a 2005 QC 4x4 with auto. I frequently tow a flatbed with a Jeep (about 5000 lbs total), and sometimes take trips that have me towing through the mountains of Colorado.



Also, love the fact that many of you responding have pics in your profiles!

 

[JonathanBurk]

I figure I don't have anything to lose. I've had a gear swap done before, $1500, so if push comes to shove I'll just fork out the dough for that too. These things are just a money pit.