Who's actually run 33s, 4:11s, and an auto?

[BillR]

I was looking at the rig requirements for this summer's Rubicon run. "Adequate gearing" is listed, and it states that 33s should have 4:11s or better. I want to know from those who've done it how this combination works with an auto. I have enough lift to clear 33s without much trimming, and I'd rather run them due to availability. If I'm going to turn my rig into a gutless pig, I'll go with 32s. I DID do a search :dunce: and saw that most recommend 4:56s or 4:88s for 33s, but I wanted to get some first-hand experience feedback from those who've run 4:11s with 33s behind an AW-4.
TIA!

[racer122]

I was looking at the rig requirements for this summer's Rubicon run. "Adequate gearing" is listed, and it states that 33s should have 4:11s or better. I want to know from those who've done it how this combination works with an auto. I have enough lift to clear 33s without much trimming, and I'd rather run them due to availability. If I'm going to turn my rig into a gutless pig, I'll go with 32s. I DID do a search :dunce: and saw that most recommend 4:56s or 4:88s for 33s, but I wanted to get some first-hand experience feedback from those who've run 4:11s with 33s behind an AW-4.
TIA!


That's how my rig is set up, and I'm very happy with it. However, I've been a pretty light-weight wheeler for now, because I still have that dang D35 in the back and I'm afraid to get too crazy.

My rig was originally geared 3.55, and with the 4.11s my speedo reads dead-on, so I guess I'm just back to stock gearing. But it's not gutless, and in 4low it gets up just fine.

[COXJ]

i run it and well it leaves a little to be desired. im gonna be going 4.88s and 35s so with 33s i would go with 4.56 if ya wanna go over hills. the 411 just aren enouf here in co to pull the passes.

WIll

[CRASH]

I was looking at the rig requirements for this summer's Rubicon run. "Adequate gearing" is listed, and it states that 33s should have 4:11s or better. I want to know from those who've done it how this combination works with an auto. I have enough lift to clear 33s without much trimming, and I'd rather run them due to availability. If I'm going to turn my rig into a gutless pig, I'll go with 32s. I DID do a search :dunce: and saw that most recommend 4:56s or 4:88s for 33s, but I wanted to get some first-hand experience feedback from those who've run 4:11s with 33s behind an AW-4.
TIA!

As Rubicon event coordinator, I deem that combo barely adequate.

Expect harassment, however.

CRASH

[juicexj24]

I run the same set up with 33" BFG at's, 4.11 gears and the AW4. I think it's great for highway and most if not all offroading I have done. The only time I feel that a lower gear would have been nice was going down a snow covered high two weekends ago in Paragon. But other than that. It's great for me. Juice

[Jes]

As Rubicon event coordinator, I deem that combo barely adequate.

Expect harassment, however.

CRASH

Haha, ya. Remember Scott(ShinyXJ) on the Rubicon last year? Either the torque converter was loading up or his wheels were spinning.

Jes

[CRASH]

Haha, ya. Remember Scott(ShinyXJ) on the Rubicon last year? Either the torque converter was loading up or his wheels were spinning.

Jes

How could I forget the barking of BFG M/T's on Sierra rock.

This sport is called rock CRAWLING for a reason......

CRASH

[ChuckD]

Bill's question is, will 33's over 32's really make that much of a difference with 4.10's. The only two major advantages are going from 11.5 to 12.5 wide and the greater range of thread patterns. The .5" of extra clearance is debatable.


I ran the Con last year, with my 33's and 4.10's with a MT and I think did pretty well. I gave my starter a workout, just ask GaryE if I held him back any. From what I read on the board, those Torque Converter guys are suposed to have an advantage. :rolleyes: My MT didn't stop me from having fun on the Con!

BTW, 4.88's are coming :spin1:

[sintax]

33's with 4.11's would be a little rough. I know it kind of all depends on how much tourqe you are putting down and how much rotational weight your tires have and how tall your 33's actually are. I have seen some 33's that acutally measure about 31 and some 33's that measure closer to what most 35's measure.

In my personal opinion 4.11's would be not quite enough. I am running 4.88's with some heavy ass TSL's. On the freeway I feel it us under-geared. On the way up to Greg's house this last weekend for some fender trimming I was climbing that hill before going down into the valley, I lost a lot of speed in 4th so i dropped it down to 3'rd and ran it at 3500 rpm's. This blew out some seals, I have oil pouring out of everywhere now. I need to tear into this weekend, good thing i'm not going to Calico :bawl: Looks like the stroker will be closer then I expected.

-Scott

[JP]

My 4.11s with 32x11.5 (closer to a 31) are acceptable, but when the 33" TSLs are on.............OD is useless unless you are going downhill. As for the trail they have gotten me by and I have had a good time, but 4.88's are in my near future. Wish I had done that the first time.

[Shanbo44]

33's with 4.11's would be a little rough. I know it kind of all depends on how much tourqe you are putting down and how much rotational weight your tires have and how tall your 33's actually are. I have seen some 33's that acutally measure about 31 and some 33's that measure closer to what most 35's measure.

In my personal opinion 4.11's would be not quite enough. I am running 4.88's with some heavy ass TSL's. On the freeway I feel it us under-geared. On the way up to Greg's house this last weekend for some fender trimming I was climbing that hill before going down into the valley, I lost a lot of speed in 4th so i dropped it down to 3'rd and ran it at 3500 rpm's. This blew out some seals, I have oil pouring out of everywhere now. I need to tear into this weekend, good thing i'm not going to Calico :bawl: Looks like the stroker will be closer then I expected.

-Scott



Damn Scott sorry to hear about the seals, you can use the cardboard I had at Greg's :thumbup: I think you should regear to 3:55's thats were its at! :doh:

Shannon

[BillR]

i run it and well it leaves a little to be desired. im gonna be going 4.88s and 35s so with 33s i would go with 4.56 if ya wanna go over hills. the 411 just aren enouf here in co to pull the passes.

WIll
That's the concern I have too. I live at 7000 ft, so that robs the power anyway.
If you're having trouble on the passes, I'm sure I would also here in Flagstaff.
Thanks! :thumbup:

[basalt51]

Bill - I have a set of 4.56s for a HP d30 and Truetrac I don't need any more. I'ld make you a pretty good deal. Then all you have to find is the rear gears.

[BillR]

Bill - I have a set of 4.56s for a HP d30 and Truetrac I don't need any more. I'ld make you a pretty good deal. Then all you have to find is the rear gears.

How good a deal, and how many miles on the gears? :yelclap:
PM'd you...

[Fergie]

BillR, you know I got dibs on the Torsen if you do!!

Fergie

PS- you have PM

[Lincoln]

Haha, ya. Remember Scott(ShinyXJ) on the Rubicon last year? Either the torque converter was loading up or his wheels were spinning.

Jes

BINGO! It's also nice when you pull up to a rock and it just stops because the torque converter is slipping too much.

[thecroat1]

Do you still have those 4:56's for a HP30? If so how many miles, how much, and do you have 4:56's for a C 8.25 as well? I live in Sacramento, so maybe we can work a deal if BillR doesn't want them.

[Beezil]

As Rubicon event coordinator, I deem that combo barely adequate.

Expect harassment, however.

CRASH

wait a damn minute, what that the flat sound of you "pulling rank"?

man, you corporate guys are all alike.

[robs]

Got the same set up... with the 32x10.50 TSL radials... these 32's are almost as tall as most 33s...

Works fine for me... It will only pop out of overdrive on the larger instate hills.. but so will my car so it's not an issue.

In my case it was also intentional.. there's no way I'll ever be tempted to run larger rubber on the D30.

[BillR]

Do you still have those 4:56's for a HP30? If so how many miles, how much, and do you have 4:56's for a C 8.25 as well? I live in Sacramento, so maybe we can work a deal if BillR doesn't want them.
They're all yours. I'm going to stick with my almost-new 4:10s, so PM him and make a deal.

[mattk]

I have an auto and ran 33's with 4.10s for a couple of years. I run it at Tellico a couple times a year and a few other places and it is still my daily driver. I have never had need for lower gears. I've always been able to turn all four tires in low range.
I'm tired of the guys who like to play with their sticks try to tell guys with autos what gears they should run. They don't know. If you want to know what gears to run with an auto, listen to someone who has one.
With that said, I have no idea what works on dry clean rock. Haven't seen any in years. Good luck
mattk

[Jes]

I have an auto and ran 33's with 4.10s for a couple of years. I run it at Tellico a couple times a year and a few other places and it is still my daily driver. I have never had need for lower gears. I've always been able to turn all four tires in low range.
I'm tired of the guys who like to play with their sticks try to tell guys with autos what gears they should run. They don't know. If you want to know what gears to run with an auto, listen to someone who has one.
With that said, I have no idea what works on dry clean rock. Haven't seen any in years. Good luck
mattk

3.55s are much better. :laugh2:

Jes

[CRASH]

I have an auto and ran 33's with 4.10s for a couple of years. I run it at Tellico a couple times a year and a few other places and it is still my daily driver. I have never had need for lower gears. I've always been able to turn all four tires in low range.
I'm tired of the guys who like to play with their sticks try to tell guys with autos what gears they should run. They don't know. If you want to know what gears to run with an auto, listen to someone who has one.
With that said, I have no idea what works on dry clean rock. Haven't seen any in years. Good luck
mattk


Are you intimating that becuase one currently owns a manually shifted vehicle, they have no basis for referance to comment on the gearing needs of an automatic transmission-equipped vehicle?

CRASH

[mattk]

What I am saying is that if someone hasn't driven an auto equipped rig on the trail for a period of time, I would ignore his advice on the subject. This guy has already searched several threads on this forum and they are not clear. I think that is because a lot of guys are blowing smoke. :passgas: Some simple advice to listen to those who have more experience than opinion might help to clarify things. Besides his request was for those with "first hand experience"
Some on this forum (who only drive stick) have told me and others that our trannies will "burn up" using low gears. :BS: 101K miles so far and I'm not alone. It's sometimes hard to know who to listen to.
mattk

[CRASH]

The problem is, there is a difference between "barely getting by" and "ideal".

I can guarantee you that I will make it through the Rubicon with 3.07's and 37's and an auto. I know it can be done.

Will it be enjoyable? No.
Will it make obstacles more difficult? No.
Is it good for your vehicle in the long run? No.
Will your friends heckle your wheel-spinning antics? Very likely.

CRASH

CRASH

[mattk]

I have none of those problems and I'm not just getting by. 4.10s may be just getting by with a stick but I wouldn't know.
mattk

[CRASH]

I think I'm wheeling the wrong trails............they seem tough at 85 to 1 gearing!

CRASH

[Fergie]

I have none of those problems and I'm not just getting by. 4.10s may be just getting by with a stick but I wouldn't know.
mattk
Where is Beezil?

I know he is gonna read this sooner or later.

Fergie

[Bryan C.]

Besides his request was for those with "first hand experience"


OK My XJ is an auto and I ran 33's with 4.10 gears. I did it for about 2 months on my daily driver. I wheeled a few times during that time too. I hated it. The Jeep felt totally gutless on the freeway. Climbing any sort of grade required shifting out of overdrive. My gas mileage sucked too. Off-road was just as described above. Lots of wheel spin and torque convertor slipping. I quickly saved up the cash and installed some 4.56 gears and I love it. I got all the power back on the freeway and off-road I does make a difference. At least to me. Gas mileage still sucks, but is better. 4.56 was as low as I could go with the 8.25" diff, but I would have went lower if I could have.

Here is some first hand experience. Not a bunch of :rattle:

Bryan

[BillR]

OK My XJ is an auto and I ran 33's with 4.10 gears. I did it for about 2 months on my daily driver. I wheeled a few times during that time too. I hated it. The Jeep felt totally gutless on the freeway. Climbing any sort of grade required shifting out of overdrive. My gas mileage sucked too. Off-road was just as described above. Lots of wheel spin and torque convertor slipping. I quickly saved up the cash and installed some 4.56 gears and I love it. I got all the power back on the freeway and off-road I does make a difference. At least to me. Gas mileage still sucks, but is better. 4.56 was as low as I could go with the 8.25" diff, but I would have went lower if I could have.

Here is some first hand experience. Not a bunch of :rattle:

Bryan
Thanks Bryan!
That's the kind of info I was looking for.
I think 32s will have to do, since my R&Ps are almost brand new. :repair:

[Beezil]

Where is Beezil?

I know he is gonna read this sooner or later.

Fergie

yeah, gearing posts used to be fun...it sets up an easily winnable debate with the "stock gears work for me" crowd.....

thing is, that crowd is stubborn to begin with, so why should I try to help those bark eaters regear their trucks correctly?

you can spend valuable web-wheeling time illustrating logic and mechanics to them, and they still don't get it...

they can go ahead and burn out their clutch packs or suffer driveline damage from not understanding torque load reduction for all I care.

a barkeater will always be a barkeater, no matter how much help you give em.

[Fergie]

yeah, gearing posts used to be fun...it sets up an easily winnable debate with the "stock gears work for me" crowd.....

thing is, that crowd is stubborn to begin with, so why should I try to help those bark eaters regear their trucks correctly?

you can spend valuable web-wheeling time illustrating logic and mechanics to them, and they still don't get it...

they can go ahead and burn out their clutch packs or suffer driveline damage from not understanding torque load reduction for all I care.

a barkeater will always be a barkeater, no matter how much help you give em.
And thats why I am regearing. #0s and 4.10s will be fun...might eventually go to 31s though. Who knows. All I know is that 3.55s are the best combo for 35" tires :)

Fergie





thats a joke, azxjman