I do not agree with you at all. The axles move with the suspension/tires, and if there is an obstacle sticking out to the point where it is contacting the axle, any seasoned wheeler knows to put a tire on it to negotiate it.

Now when it comes to jeeps and short wheelbase vehicles, breakover angle plays a much less prominant role, but we are talking fullsize trucks here, with longer wheelbases, and generally room for larger meats. In all my wheelin' on the tight mountain trails of WA in my '72, the lady's '78 f150 on 35's, friend's fullsizes, Dad's '99 v10, etc, I have NEVER once drug an axle enough to get me stuck. Even on deeply rutted muddy trails there is usually a way to stay above the rutts.

 

If axles and driveshafts werent the limiting factor then why do the military hummers have everything tucked up as high as they can get them to go?

#AnswerMeThat

 

...so would it be okay to run 33s with stock gears? Does anyone on here do it?

 

I'm currently running 33" GYMTRs with stock gears. Great mileage on the flats and it does pretty decent on some hills. Especially if you're running lighter than stock rims. It still bogs down and shifts when on some of the steeper hills here where I live. I was running 32" BFGATs on the same rims a couple months ago and it never downshifted once I was on the highway unless I got into it. The lugs on the tires also play a part in it. Smoother sidewalls will let the air travel around it easier than a heavily lugged tire.

 

Go ahead raz 33 on stock are fine but if have the means save up for 4:10 s but for now you will be 100% fine

 

Simply because ground clearance is measured from the lowest point. Which is usually the pig on the axle.

Best way to get more ground clearance? Larger tires. Lifts the WHOLE truck. Suspension and body lifts are simply so you can put larger tires on your vehicle. A truck with 35" tires is going to have the same ground clearance no matter which way you lift it. The advantage of suspension lifts over body lifts is the approach/breakover/departure angles. Not to mention the additional articulation you can get.

 

Because the purpose of the military is not to get out and goof around in the woods...

They are designed to get places, protect people, and be easily entered and exited. I wouldn't want to have to climb up into my cab of my '72 and take off in a hurry while being shot at, but I also should add that I have never been shot at while entering or exiting my truck.


Oh yea, and the other reason is so that when attacked, the underside of the vehicle is protected and least susceptible to damage. Never had grenades go off near me while I was wheelin' either.