I'm looking to get some advice, input, and recommendations on some wheels, tires and if coil springs will fit with stock shocks? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

First question is I want to put on 32's and have been looking at the Mastercraft Courser MT's (32x11.5x15), any thoughts on these tires for wear & tear and noise production on highway driving? The 31's (31x10.5x15)are also an option but wanted to go with something just a little bigger. Comparisons on both?

Second, I'm looking at the Cragar 397 Soft 8 wheels. Should I go with a 15x10x4.5 or 15x8x4.5 for the 32's? And what about the 31's?

Lastly, I have an opprotunity to get a set of Pro Comp Coil Springs w/2" of lift at a real bargain. If I go with the 31's I really don't need the lift, but would the 32's fit on a stock setup w/o any issues? If I need the lift for the 32's can I use the stock shocks or do they need to be replaced when the springs are added?

I appreciate the help and any recommendations, suggestions or alternatives anyone may have. Still new to the Jeep scene as I was driving a mod'd Rodeo.

I'd go with the 15x8 wheels, rather than the 15x10 wheels.

Don't know how ProComp coil springs are -- the 4" ProComp leaf springs on my CJ are pretty stiff.

Were it me, I'd get new longer shocks with the lift.

You'll likely need to re-gear after the 32's. What ratio do you have now, and what would you go to?

Thanks! The 15x8's are cheaper anyways, I was just concearned about popping a bead on them if the wheels were to small, the 32x11.5 should fine then.

Unsure of the gearing. I bought the TJ used from a dealer, only had 27K on it and was in execellent condition. As far as I know its stock so whatever gearing comes with the X model is what I got!

Do you know of any way of getting an invoice list of what came with the TJ as far as stock equip. & options if I use my VIN #?

Howdy cn Tell us a bit more about your new ride.. Is it a 4 or 6 cylinder? Auto or 5 speed stick?
One thing for sure if you go from 26/27 inch tires to 32's you will HATE the way it runs without changing the gearing.
There went hi gear never to be seen again.
the way to make certain of the gears is to jack up a rear wheel and put her in neutral...MARK (with chalk or something you can see) both the bottom of the raised tire and the driveshaft... then turn the tire ONE TURN while counting the turns of the driveshaft... the driveshaft will turn either 3.07 or 3.5 or 3.73 or 4.10 times to one turn of the tire... THAT will be your present gear ratio.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

The X is the 6 cyl. 5 speed. I'll jack it tonight and find out.

What is a better gearing ratio, low or high depending on tire size...
27's = ??? for better performance
32's = ??? for better performance

Is there a good balance to have between performance and tire sizes?

Also, what am I looking at for cost & parts to change the gearing?

The usual gearing of a 6 cyl 5 speed is 3:07. Although with a factory towing package a lower gearing might have been installed.
The 3:07 gear with the 26/27 inch tires would have the best gas milage from the factory. However evey increase in tire size would slow performance and lower the milage.
I'd be for a 4:11 with those tires you are after.
As the tire size increases it will take a few more rpm to turn them so if your hiway rpm is now 2100 you may want 2500 with the taller tires.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

As far as wheel size goes, you want the width of the rim to be no less than 4 inches smaller than the width of the tire.

There is the exception of some tires like boggers and such that you can get in 19.5 inch widths.

15x8's would work great for an 11.50 tire.

Getting it regeared will cost a bit. You can wait and do it later. I ran 33's for quite some time (maybe 2 years?)with the 3.07 gears. You just loose 5th gear. Not a big deal...4th becomes more like 5th, but 1st still works fine. 4.10 would be good when you do regear it. Also think about whether you'll want to go higher than a 2 inch lift....you don't want to do this work more than once, so make sure you'll be happy with the end result of what you're doing now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

To find out what your present gearing is, get a piece of chalk. Make a chalk mark at the bottom of a rear tire where it meets the pavement. Make another chalk mark on the rear driveshaft and a corresponding mark on the rear differential. Have a buddy push the Jeep forward until the tire makes excrly one revolution (as indicated by the chalk mark being at the bottom of the tire again. While he's doing that, you lay under the jeep on a creeper and count the number of revolutions that the drdive shaft makes for one revolution of the tire. That number is your gear ratio.