Are you referring to the difference between the 33's and 32's or the 32.6 and 32.07 ?

 

I was meaning between the 32 and the 33 in size difference. Even between manufacturers I have seen an inch difference in overall diameter when looking at tires. I have seen 34" tires measure out at 35"+ and also 35" tires that are more like 34". You need to look at the contact patch as well since say a skinnier 33" tire has much less contact with the road as compared to say a wide 31" tire, that is where the issue comes in. The height will create the issue of overall power to the wheels if you do not re gear the vehicle.

 

If you get 33's get the skinniest tire possible. The wider the tire the more the leverage will be on the axle to snap. Going to 33's does the same thing but going to 33's and wide adds insult to injury. I agree with a previous post. Jeeps runs weak axles as well and they do fine off road. A lot breaks here and there but honestly as long as you drive softly offroad, take your time, be smart you'll keep it to a minimum. You can buy new diffs for $100 all day long on ebay and used axle shafts for $60 all day long on ebay too. I say get the 33's and have fun. Just use better judgement offroad.

 

Oh yeah... if you have a 03 you better get CDL. If you snap an axle or bust a diff you're not going any where with out a CDL. You need CDL to drive out of the woods on one axle or another.

 

Well I don't plan on doing heavy duty offroading but I suppose that would be a concern. I found a guy parting out a 99 D2 and he still has the CDL. Is that compatible with the 2003?

 

Your def not going to break an axle. 33's are a nonfactor in driveline life. Say your engine makes 300 ft pounds of torque. If you have a 40" tire, your engine makes 300 ft pounds of torque. If you have a 22" tire, your engine makes 300 ft pounds of torque. Your truck does not make enough power to hurt anything.

 

RoverMasterTech hit the nail on the head. I have a 1988 Suzuki Samurai with 35" TSLs mounted on stock axles. The stock 1.3L produces 64 HP and 100 ft/lbs. The only driveline failure I've had is a rear driveshaft U-joint. I've wheeled it in Moab, UT, Disney, OK, Flat Nasty, MO, and Devil's Creek, TX. I'm not sure what type of off roading you're planning on doing in your Disco but unless you're a "Throttle Jockey", as I call them, you'll be fine. Finess over an obsticle is always the classy way.

 

Thanks for the responses that relieves some of my fears. Can I get any conformation if a 275/65/18 will fit on the stock ride height? And will a 99' CDL work on an 03?

I think I'm gonna go with (32.07) 275/65/18 BFG TK'Os and 2'' Terrafirma lift kit. Just from browsing the forums, the 265/65/18's(31.56) look adequately large on other stock Disco's and lifted ones alike. I don't want to overkill it with 285's(32.5) on a 2 inch lift. I'm afraid it'll look too tonka truckish if you catch my drift and I'd like to avoid rubbing if possible.

Thanks again for all the feedback this thread has been very helpful.

 

Any pictures of the result? :-)

 

Sure man. These are old photos but she has since been fitted with a wrap around brush guard and the roof rack lights are painted black now.







I ultimately like my choice. I like keeping my truck nice and pretty so the beefier stock look is more of my thing. The BFG's have good tread life as well, I just got them rotated and the guy said it's like they're still brand new. Still may go with 16's down the road.