1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

33x10.50x15

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Renegade ll, Oct 6, 2022.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Oct 6, 2022
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2013
    Messages:
    785
    I plan on putting some 33" x 10.50 x 15 tires and wheels for off road trips. Do I need to add different front shackles to prevent rubbing. Right now I have 31" x 10.50 x 15 with stock shackles and the only rubs I get are on the leaf springs. I could just adjust the wheel stops to prevent rubbing I guess. What are your thoughts.
     
    Renegade ll, Oct 6, 2022
    #1
  2. Oct 6, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,719
    Do you have lift springs? Generally people seem to fit 33s with no issues (other than reduced steering) with 2.5" lift springs.
     
    Fireball, Oct 6, 2022
    #2
    Renegade ll likes this.
  3. Oct 6, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,651
    Julius - having seen your jeep in action quite a bit, I think you'll be fine with stock height shackles - I believe you have the 2.5" BDS kit. Many of us have added just a bit more lift with a slightly longer shackle, but not sure its necessary. The taller tire might cause some rub on the flat inside wall of the rear fenderwell/tub, and I also catch the the inside lip of the front fender some when at full stuff. I am only running a 0.5" longer shacker (3.25" eye to eye) - so that is like 1/4 inch of additional lift. And I might run a bit heavier than you with winch, rocker protection, dual tanks, and a decent collection of tools and recovery gear. Again, I am guessing you'll be fine, but, even if you need a little extra shackle length, that is pretty easy to do at anytime.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2022
    FinoCJ, Oct 6, 2022
    #3
    dnb71R2 and Renegade ll like this.
  4. Oct 6, 2022
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2013
    Messages:
    785
    Sounds good. I can always add some height later if it becomes a problem
     
    Renegade ll, Oct 6, 2022
    #4
  5. Oct 6, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,628
    Buildflycrash, Oct 6, 2022
    #5
    homersdog, Renegade ll and Cj5dale like this.
  6. Oct 6, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2006
    Messages:
    1,362
    You'll love the 33 x 10.50s ... that's what I have. ;)
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2022
    dnb71R2, Oct 6, 2022
    #6
    Renegade ll and Buildflycrash like this.
  7. Oct 6, 2022
    Bob

    Bob Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    439
    I went with 33x10.50’s after running 31’s for years. I love them. They look great and work well with how the Jeep is setup.
     
    Bob, Oct 6, 2022
    #7
    Renegade ll likes this.
  8. Oct 7, 2022
    Stakebed

    Stakebed Member

    Lake Co....
    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2022
    Messages:
    678
    The former owner of my CJ is a Rubicon/Dusy/Death Valley/etc veteran.
    He said 33x12.50's were the size to go with. Do our trail veterans here agree or disagree?
     
    Stakebed, Oct 7, 2022
    #8
  9. Oct 7, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,176
    My experience pretty much mirrors what's already posted...I switched to 33x10's a couple years ago & really like them.
    Turning radius is reduced a little bit, adjust your steering stops so the tires don't rub.
    I didn't want the 33x12's because they'd hang out of the fenders more & I didn't want that. The downside is limited availability...everyone & their brother makes 33x12.50r15 but there's only a few options in the narrower size.
     
    colojeepguy, Oct 7, 2022
    #9
    Stakebed and Renegade ll like this.
  10. Oct 7, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2006
    Messages:
    1,362
    33 x 12.50s are a bit wide IMO. They will rub your rear fenders more during suspension flex and limit your steering radius more than 10.50s.
     
    dnb71R2, Oct 7, 2022
    #10
    Stakebed and Renegade ll like this.
  11. Oct 7, 2022
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2013
    Messages:
    785
    Thanks for all the good info. Much appreciated. I am also adding the u-bolt skid plates.
     
    Renegade ll, Oct 7, 2022
    #11
    dnb71R2 likes this.
  12. Oct 7, 2022
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2013
    Messages:
    785
    I have the 2.5" BDS suspension and I love it.
     
    Renegade ll, Oct 7, 2022
    #12
    dnb71R2 and Fireball like this.
  13. Oct 7, 2022
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,380
    Which tires are you getting? Pictures please when you are done!
     
    homersdog, Oct 7, 2022
    #13
  14. Oct 7, 2022
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2013
    Messages:
    785
    Grant I am not sure. They are all over $250 ea. The wheels will be the Mickey Thompson Classic III in 15"x8" in polished alloy.
     
    Renegade ll, Oct 7, 2022
    #14
    Stakebed likes this.
  15. Oct 7, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,651
    I think there is fair debate between 33x10.5 and 33x12.5 (heck - there is even a 33x9.5 option recently). Aesthetically, preference is always a bit individual, but I think on an early cj5 with the shorter 81" wb, and without fender flares, many prefer the look of the 10.5 (or even 9.5) over the wider 12.5. Of course, not everyone runs the exact same set-up - so some have added flares, a slightly wider D30 front, or have just gone to later, wider axles etc, so again its hard to say. Additionally, for those of us that run more original equipment, like manual steering and manual brakes (and 10" brakes as well), and closed knuckle D25/27 up front, the extra width and weight on 12.5" tires hinders engine performance and increases steering effort, turning radius, braking effort etc. On the other side of the discussion, some think that the 12.5" wide footprint really makes its value when off-road, especially in rocky and chunky trails. For someone with a later, longer cj, power steering, bigger brakes, better front turning radius D30 etc, If you don't mind the appearance of the 12.5" tires (and different wheel offset and fender flares and matching rock sliders all play a role in appearance here as well), they are probably pretty sweet - and there are a lot more options for sure. I haven't run 33x12.5 in many years since I had them on my cj7 almost 20 years ago - Trying to compare them to the current 33x10.5 on my current ecj5 is difficult, but my personal experience suggest not much difference between them.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2022
    FinoCJ, Oct 7, 2022
    #15
    Fireball, Stakebed, dnb71R2 and 2 others like this.
  16. Oct 7, 2022
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,507
    I'm still running the 9.50s I put on the JEEP like 30 years ago. I was thinking snow when I bought them. Tall and skinny. But this JEEP has not seen snow (read "salt") since OI finished it. I'm ready for new boots and will be going with 10.50s. They fill the wheel well perfectly without needing flares. The 9.50s don't quite fill it out enough for me but, I almost never get mud on the sides of the body.

    15's are getting harder find. I was considering some tall 16" tires. Still might. Only thing there is seem to be mostly LT tires.........8 ply and stiff sidewalls. But we've them work well off road on several JEEPs now. I'd have to do the conversion from metric size to SAE to see what equates to a 33 10.50. Maybe like a 305 or 315 - 85-16 or something. I'm just having a hard time with dropping a grand +/- on tires. Cheapskate quality in me shining through.
     
    wheelie, Oct 7, 2022
    #16
    Stakebed likes this.
  17. Oct 7, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,651
    255/85/16 gets you pretty close to 33x10.5.....235/85/16 gets you close to the ol 32x9.5 which stakebed knows as a popular willys wagon/pu size for mild lifts (the skinny works nicely with the tight rear fenders on a wagon). But as you mentioned, the 85 profile series seems to always come in a higher load range (E) rather than the load range C for the 33x10.5 and similar.
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 7, 2022
    #17
    Stakebed likes this.
  18. Oct 7, 2022
    Stakebed

    Stakebed Member

    Lake Co....
    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2022
    Messages:
    678
    Yes
    I
    do
     
    Stakebed, Oct 7, 2022
    #18
  19. Oct 8, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,176
    My son saw the tires on your Jeep & wanted a set for his Willys PU :)
    Then I told him no one makes them anymore :(
    So, of course he had to prove me wrong & he found the Kendas that are available in a 33x9.50R15.
     
    colojeepguy, Oct 8, 2022
    #19
    Stakebed likes this.
  20. Oct 8, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
    Messages:
    1,405
    Late to the discussion, but if you are getting in to Rubicon type trails, the 12.50's work much better, and protect the body, but ask a lot from stock axle shafts. The 10.50's look great on a 5, don't stick out much, and are great for mild wheeling, I have them on my '67.
    [​IMG]
     
    timsresort, Oct 8, 2022
    #20
    Bill Linenfelser, 3b a runnin, Renegade ll and 4 others like this.
Page 1 of 2
New Posts