max tire size with 3.42's

Fitting oversize tires, raising and lowering, suspension modifications...

Moderator: F9K9

will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

max tire size with 3.42's

Post by will1551 »

What is the max tire size i can run while keeping reasonable milege/power with my stock 3.42 gears? reason im asking is im trying to decide if i want to add a body lift to my truck and either 31x1050's or 33x1050's, but im not sure i can afford new gears. btw right now i am running 30's w/cranked t-bars and a 1.5 inch aal and getting about 17mpgs w/ my extended cab 4x4.
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

Stay where you are. That is about as good as it will get.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
F9K9
Mod K Elite
Mod K Elite
Posts: 6183
Joined: Sun May 30, 2004 12:26 pm
Location: London, Kentucky, United States

Post by F9K9 »

HenryJ wrote:Stay where you are. That is about as good as it will get.
Glad you chimed in there and glad I kept quiet.
[size=75][b]"For those who have fought for it, [i][color=red]FR[/color][color=white]EE[/color][color=blue]DOM[/color][/i] has a taste that the protected will never know."
[url=http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73349]GUIDE TO SEARCHING. [i] (Some of the forum software is different but, it has helped me a lot.)[/i][/url][/b]
[b]"Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." Edmund Burke[/b][/size]
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

dang even the 31's are going to be hard on my engine w/o new gears!? ok what gearing are most people with 33's running? 4.10's or 4.56?
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

will1551 wrote:...what gearing are most people with 33's running? 4.10's or 4.56?
I would bet the majority have not changed gearing and are running 3.73

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

ok so i might be able to find a blazer/s-10/sonoma in the junkyard with 3.73 gears and swap em out then :D! Ive also been wondering how much my milege would drop with the addition of the 33's? I know it wont be near what im getting currently, i just want to know what to expect.
User avatar
Walt
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 1556
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:27 pm
Location: Mize, MS

Post by Walt »

Just to give you an example: I have 3.73 gears, and I'm running 31x10.5x15 BFG AT/KO's. I might one day make the jump to 33x10.5x15's, but I'd never bother going higher, even if I could. IMO, you would probably hate the performance/sluggishness with 3.42's and 31's.
--Walt
2001 S-10 CrewCab - Retired...
User avatar
green02crew
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 863
Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:56 pm
Location: Northern NH
Contact:

Post by green02crew »

See I have the 3.73s and they do well for towing and whatnot but I would rather not tow as well and gain fuel economy and just run a smaller tire as well. Haha wanna trade gears?!?
2002 S-10 Crew Cab
Too Many Mods Check the Readers Rides Page
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

hell yeah i do!
User avatar
bwenny247
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 8:45 pm
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Post by bwenny247 »

I had 3.42's with 33X12.50 mud terrains. I did a lot to enhance power, and I never felt underpowered when accellerating. the truck always pulled hard.

millage was respectable for a lifted truck with 33's. as low as 12/13 MPG in the winter city driving, and as high as 19 MPG.....once, lol!

Power while cruising was good at 55-60 MPH. the truck would only downshift on really steep hills. It would pull up long flatter hills without a problem.

Power on the freeway was my biggest issue. being lifted, at 70-75 MPH, the trucks pushing a lot of air and with 12.50 tires you've induced a lot of rolling resistance. the truck would constantly downshift and I would sometimes drive in 3rd gear to avoid that.

I never towed with the truck so I have no input there.

again this was with a 33X12.50 mud terrain. Big heavy meats.
I often wondered what it would have been able to do if I followed the "Marvelous Mystery Lift" like Brule, no suspension lift and 33X9.50 alterrains. I think the truck would have ripped and had real respectable Milage.

just throwing my extended $.02 in :D
[size=75]*SOLD* 5" BDS, 2" PA, 33" MT's, HPPIII , Airaid TB spacer, K&N FIPK, March pulleys, 2.5" straight pipe, Trucktec tonneau, Herculinered body line down, 3/16" custom skid plates[/size]
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

wow tthats better mileage than i expected. so far the only engine mods i have are cold air intake and tb mod. At this point all im really concerned about is whether or not my cold air will be a problem with the body lift and if i need the skidz/cut fenders in order to run the 33's? any feedback?
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

You will need to cut fenders a little to run 31's comfortably. 33's require real cuts.
Do a little searching and reading. The Marvelous Mystery Lift shows what needs to be done.

I don't know what CAI you have, but the 1" TB spacer helps align things.

Try to keep the thread on subject, and feel free to bring an old one back to life.

If you are worried about power and mileage, go no further than adding a cat back. The 30" tires and 3.42 gears are as good as it will get.

If you have $5000 or so to spend on mods you can run 33's and maintain the stock mileage figures.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

Thats a negative on the 5000 to spend. Im 18 and just graduated highschool so funding is low. I have the k&n fipk or whatever its called. i also already have a cat back exhaust setup (2.25 inch pipes and a glasspack splitting into duals straight out the back)
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

Stick with 30's

Bigger than that is a snowball rolling down hill out of control.

Tires>spacers>springs>cutting>regear>thermostat>fans>alternator>radiator>programmer>the list just keeps going.

Be happy with it for a few years and once it is paid off and the new career has money in your pocket, then dive in deep.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

unfortunatly i dont think i can wait any longer now that the truck is paid off! the way i see it i can afford it if i do it in the order as follows: already have tb crank and rear springs (not boise spring works but will do), cutting is free so all i need is the bodylift which at this point is around 250 bucks, next would be wheels and tires ( planning on bfg at/ko on 15 inch black steelies) which would be about $1000 give or take which would be purchased around christmas, and i figure i can get by with my stock gears for about six months after that unless i can find an old s-10 or blazer in the local junkyard with 3.73's (and if im lucky a gov loc). this is why i like the idea of the mystery lift! you can just add to it as you aquire the parts. OK i have one more question for you henry j: i know i need to cut the fenders in order to clear the 33's but would it be possible to to run the tires without cutting for just a few weeks? or even a day or two?
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

will1551 wrote: i know i need to cut the fenders in order to clear the 33's but would it be possible to to run the tires without cutting for just a few weeks? or even a day or two?
No. Measure the wheel wells. They are only 31"
You would not be able to install the wheel and tire let alone turn the wheel.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
will1551
Regular
Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Post by will1551 »

ok. thank you for all the info, it has been extremely helpful! im sorry for all the questions, but id just rather find out now than in the driveway.
User avatar
a2b
Mod K Elite
Mod K Elite
Posts: 1765
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2002 11:20 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Post by a2b »

finding gears is the cheap part. even if you buy them new, they are cheap. the expensive part is the labor. getting someome to setup your gears is gonna cost a 800 bucks or higher. and you getting 3.73 gears out of a junk yard is a rather big job.

if you are going to run 31's to 33's....get the 4.10's.

i had 4.10's and 31's and it was a good combo for the stock hp.
[size=75] -HOBIE

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||__\
| ##Budweiser ###### | ||''|"\,__.
|_...__...________ ====| |__|__|...]
"(@)'(@)""""**|(@)(@)******(@)I[/size]
User avatar
kermit
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 186
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:30 pm
Location: South Carolina

Post by kermit »

I have 3.42 gears and I am running 33x10.5 ATs with a 2" body lift, tbar crank, BSW spring kit, and skidz cut out flares. The only performance mod I have is a drop in K&N air filter and cut out air box.

I would have to agree with bwenny247 on the performance. The truck will go anywhere in 4wd.
backroads are no problem. The 55-65 mph range is perfect, but once you go faster than that the truck goes 'gear hunting' on hills and on the interstate. I just drop into 3rd when that happens.

As far as gas mileage... it has ranged anywhere from 13 to 17 mpg, depending on where and how I drive.

I don't have the money to switch gears, but I have often wondered what kind difference it would make.
2003 Dark Green S-10 Crew Cab 4x4 with 265/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers on 17x8 Black Rock Type D Series 909B Wheels, TB crank, Boise Spring Works rear leaf spring kit, 2" PA body lift, Skidz Custom Cut-Out Fender Flares
User avatar
turkeestalker
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 117
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:57 am
Location: Cottleville, Missouri
Contact:

Post by turkeestalker »

a2b wrote: if you are going to run 31's to 33's....get the 4.10's.

i had 4.10's and 31's and it was a good combo for the stock hp.

May I jump in and ask what kind of mileage you got with that combination? Further, I've a buddy who does suspension lifts as a side job on weekends for local dealers. He is insisting that I just go with something like the BDS 5" rather than a BL. Claims he can get it for under $500 for me. How would things look with say 31's and a 5" lift with spacers? Would it look undersized in regard to the tires vs. the lift?

Dum Bass with a wicked thick skull, ( as many of you already know ), who doesn't know squat and is just asking yet another stupid question.
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

turkeestalker wrote: I've a buddy who does suspension lifts as a side job on weekends for local dealers. He is insisting that I just go with something like the BDS 5" rather than a BL. Claims he can get it for under $500 for me.
Normally I would agree with him, but not in our case. I think your buddy will give you a different story on the price of the suspension lift when he does a little more home work. Then expect another $1000 involved for the installation. Half that if He works for free. Things like a front driveshaft, exhaust modifications, shocks, wheels, the list continues. The kit is not all inclusive.

31" tires can look "Ok" with the 5" lift if the rearspacing is right to widen it out proportionately.

Do some research and I think you will find the body lift to be a better choice in this application.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
turkeestalker
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 117
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:57 am
Location: Cottleville, Missouri
Contact:

Post by turkeestalker »

Thanks Brule, I kind of suspected that he wasn't familiar with smaller trucks, let alone ours, which seems to have more limitations than some others might. I would however still like to know what sort of mileage gains could be expected from changing gears.
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

Don't expect mileage gains. If I recall correctly his mileage dropped a little , but the power was great.

Can you say 4.10?

We may never know exactly how mileage was since I don't think he ever had the speedometer corrected for the gear change.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
bwenny247
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 386
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 8:45 pm
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Post by bwenny247 »

pic of a crew with 5" BDS and I believe 31's

http://www.bds-suspension.com/php/Produ ... .php?pid=2
[size=75]*SOLD* 5" BDS, 2" PA, 33" MT's, HPPIII , Airaid TB spacer, K&N FIPK, March pulleys, 2.5" straight pipe, Trucktec tonneau, Herculinered body line down, 3/16" custom skid plates[/size]
User avatar
a2b
Mod K Elite
Mod K Elite
Posts: 1765
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2002 11:20 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Post by a2b »

ya i dont know the mileage but i drove it like a race car since i had all sorts of power that i wasnt used to.

to get the BDS 5" just to put 31's on is a bit overkill.

your buddy is one of those guys who rant about body lifts and says that suspension lifts are "better".

"better" shouldn't be in the vocabulary. one isn't better than the other, they serve different purposes and one can allow you to do thing that the other cant.

the way GM designed our vehicles are a staple reason of why body lifts can be very important and useful.

here are some other reasons, some jeeps use body lifts to tilt drive train to make the rear drive shaft angle better.

some toyotas used body lifts to lift their transercase up into the frame rail so it doesnt get hung up on rocks.

its about how you build it and the purpose you are building it for. not what is "better"
[size=75] -HOBIE

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||__\
| ##Budweiser ###### | ||''|"\,__.
|_...__...________ ====| |__|__|...]
"(@)'(@)""""**|(@)(@)******(@)I[/size]
User avatar
F9K9
Mod K Elite
Mod K Elite
Posts: 6183
Joined: Sun May 30, 2004 12:26 pm
Location: London, Kentucky, United States

Post by F9K9 »

a2b wrote:..............here are some other reasons, some jeeps use body lifts to tilt drive train to make the rear drive shaft angle better.

some toyotas used body lifts to lift their transercase up into the frame rail so it doesn't get hung up on rocks.

its about how you build it and the purpose you are building it for. not what is "better"
Actually jeep does the BL for the transfer case as well. They also do it to install after marked fuel tank shields and to raise the the tanks. They also need the 1" BL for '03 and later Wranglers to do a "tummy tuck to get rid of that gawd awful "shovel that was the oem tc skid.
[size=75][b]"For those who have fought for it, [i][color=red]FR[/color][color=white]EE[/color][color=blue]DOM[/color][/i] has a taste that the protected will never know."
[url=http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73349]GUIDE TO SEARCHING. [i] (Some of the forum software is different but, it has helped me a lot.)[/i][/url][/b]
[b]"Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." Edmund Burke[/b][/size]
User avatar
turkeestalker
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 117
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:57 am
Location: Cottleville, Missouri
Contact:

Post by turkeestalker »

Didn't the little 4 poppers with a manual tansmission come with 410 gears to give them more power? In light of that, a really stupid question would be.....are the internal units the same from front to rear? Yep, he actually asked!
User avatar
a2b
Mod K Elite
Mod K Elite
Posts: 1765
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2002 11:20 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Post by a2b »

turkeestalker wrote:Didn't the little 4 poppers with a manual tansmission come with 410 gears to give them more power? In light of that, a really stupid question would be.....are the internal units the same from front to rear? Yep, he actually asked!
ya, alot of car makers put 4.10's behind their 4cyl motors and usually those motors are more of a higher reving motor than our v6's sometimes.

and no the diffs arent the same front and rear. the gears arent the same size and the diff parts are different.
[size=75] -HOBIE

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||__\
| ##Budweiser ###### | ||''|"\,__.
|_...__...________ ====| |__|__|...]
"(@)'(@)""""**|(@)(@)******(@)I[/size]