Advice on 3.0L V6 and 33s

[awbeattie381]

As the signature suggests I have a NG wagon running 31s in 15 inch rims. I will hopefully be obtaining some 16 inch alloys soon and am currently tossing up between 265/75 R16 (approx 32s) and 255/85 R16 (approx 33s). Im considering the latter because I should not need a body lift to be able to run 33s, given the narrower tread.

When I originally converted from 29 inch to 31 inch I remember experiencing quite a bit of difference in gearing around town, highway cruising and in low range. I would like more ground clearance (as would everybody) but am concerned the car would become a slug on the road and basically have no low range in the bush.

How do others find running 33s on early model 3.0L V6 engines? Around town, highway and low range? Is the increase in diff clearance worth suffering on road? The car is probably used 50/50 road/offroad. The offroading varies from light fire trails and sand to relatively difficult tracks (Yalwal, Spanish Steps, Watagans, Zig Zag etc).

I may still be leaning towards 265/75 as there are many more brands to chose from (cheap brands) which will give me a bit more clearance than the 31s anyway.

Any thoughts?

[klrevo]

mate, from my experience, and this is with the Gen 2 3L V6, but im running 33"s at the moment with a fully stock engine. On road i find i still take off in 2nd, and dont really fin dit to be an issue, i was running 33" JT2s for a while which actually measure out to 34.6" so almost 35s, with just a 2" suspension lift, and no body lift, and still driving around on the road comfortably and keeping up with traffic, taking off in 2nd, as far as im concerned im happy the way it still drives and the benefits offroad. I use the paj as my daily driver, so in real life i prob use it 70/30 onroad. but as most would say, id prob say 50/50. im happy with it

dean

[klrevo]

mate i forgot to really mention anything about offroad driving, just wanted to add that i started out in my paj with 31" tyres on it and that was very driveable, from there i went to the JT2s and at 34.6" the offroad ability just simpkly went out the window, stalling the engine (manual) become a familair occasion and engine braking was almost non existant, especially when approaching downhill. Now with 33"s i find it quite comfortable, obviously not as bad as the JTs but downhill engine braking has been returned somewhat, atleast at the rate where up until rather steep hills i can let the paj go on his own and he wont runout too bad, uphill driveability i find is very driveable, obviously pajeros down have the best low range out there and fitting bigger tyres isnt going to help things, but the crawl ratio with 33"s isnt THAT bad i find, even on some of the harder stuff.

hope this helps some mate, its only my experience, and its the Gen 2, but as far as im aware, pretty much the same engine

dean

[Bitsamissin]

You can fix both issues by adding 2.85 t/case gears and lower diffs - 4.88's for 33"s or 5.29's for 35"s.
Yours will have 4.625 diff ratio's.
I found my 33"s acceptable on & offroad with my Gen 2 lwb 3.0 V6 5sp with 4.88 difs.
It became pretty hopeless when I added the 34" JT2's (34.6") particularly offroad. Once I added the 2.85 t/case gears offroad it was a sensational improvement but it was still poor onroad.
Now with 5.29's it's better onroad but I still want more power.
It was better onroad with 33"s and the old 4.88's the 5.29's still don't totally compensate for 35"s (and mine has more power than it did back then).

[klrevo]

yes gearing would be nice forgot to mention that

dean

[awbeattie381]

Thanks lads. My dilemma has just been solved, as the wheels ive just swapped are actually 15x7 not 16x7. Basically my only option at this stage is a new set of 31s as i only have one option of 33s (fat ones which would scrub). Im not all that keen on a body lift just yet. Is there any such thing as a set of "narrower" 33s??

Now for tyres.......As all brand vary, who makes the tallest 31s? Simex has been mentioned.

[klrevo]

bfg do a 9.5" wide 33" maybe, or 10" or 10.5" either way its skinny

dean

[-Scott-]

Motorway remoulds are normally significantly taller than "standard" - try their website?

Scott

[awbeattie381]

thanks lads. Nankang MTs are looking the goods (price wise anyway). Ill check out the monoform website.

[Locknut]

i just bought some kumho mud terain tyers 31x10.5x15 for $164.00 fitted and balanced,i have a 2nd set of rimms and these tyers are use for off road only.
Gav

[awbeattie381]

that not a bad price, but ive driven a pajero with Kumho MTs and couldnt hear myself think at 40km/h! Porbably best they are on second set of rims

I really cant comment on the nankang tyres though. Onyl going by others comments. Plus i love the look of the tread on them

[klrevo]

the nankangs work good for me, i find them to be a great tyre, i run them daily, wear alright considering how i drive, only things is there not so well protected, the shoulder lugs are rounded not square and theyre not 33", theyre more like 32"x11.5" rather than 33x12.5...but @ $178.50 or whatever i payed for them, $714 for four fitted and balanced thats pretty to me.

dean

[awbeattie381]

Anyone know what the actual OD of the good old 31x10.5 Bridgestone Desert Dueler 604V are?

Im also trying to find out the OD of the Kumho ATs for comparison purposes as ive had them before but didnt like them.

The 33x10.5 BFG tyres would be perfect for me although the budget wouldnt stretch that far!

Nankangs, Bridgestones, Monoforms are my current picks. I dont like the fact the 31inch nankang is only a 30. Monforms will always be bigger and the bridgestones just have awesome lettering lol although dont look like a true 31.