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Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Phylodog

Phylodog

Hidin since '06
Minuteman
Aug 9, 2006
2,372
22
52
Arcadia, IN
#1
My Jeep is gonna need some new shoes soon. I think the steel wheels are bent up and the Goodyear MTR's are getting low on tread and howling on the highway. I'm a fan of BFG AT's mainly due to good tread life and the fact that I don't get offroad much.

I bought a set of dynamic wheel balancers this year and can't get the rear balancers on because the 15" wheels are just a touch too small. I'm thinking of going to 16" wheels and will likely go with alloys if I can afford it to save a little weight. I wish I had the time and location to take this critter offroad more but unfortunately this thing is used mostly for taking my daughter to school and grocery store runs.

Looking to move up to a 35" tire and 16" wheel if possible. Hoping to find a tire with decent tread life and relatively low road noise. Sidewall strength isn't a huge priority at this point.

What would you guys recommend?
 
#2
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Here's a pic of the Jeep for reference
Rubicon.jpg
 
#4
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

check out the new wrangler DURATRACS . they have a real nice looking/working tread with sidebiters but they are QUIET.every 4w buddy who sees mine are impressed. i an amazed at how quiet,as quiet as the junk factory tires that came on my tahoe.got them in a ten ply from tirerack for 190 shipped back in march.
 
#5
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

If you have the Dana 35 rear I would advise against anything above 33's. You will need to seriously beef up the Dana 35 in order to handle the weight and stress of the 35's. If your set on 35 inch tires look into a Dana 44 rear swap.

Im running the new Goodyear MT/R with kevlar on mine. I love them. Balanced great, run smooth and wear slow. and they grip a ton better than the old MT/R pattern.

qq92tc.jpg
 
#7
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Thanks Knight, you're correct I already have the 44's.

I've spoken with a couple of guys who have gone to 35"s on a Rubicon and they haven't had any trouble with gearing. 1st gear is so short with the 33"s that it's almost useless and I'm still running 2500+ RPM's on the highway at 65mph. I was hoping the 35"s might make things a little better. I don't know if it's something with the gearing of the 6 speed manual (what I have) versus the 5 speed or what.
 
#8
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Like the looks an function of the Toyo Open Country M/T.

But if your running mainly on road, the Old style BFG's are hard to look past. Wear is good, road noise is not that bad, and heck they hold their own off road.
 
#9
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like the looks an function of the Toyo Open Country M/T.

But if your running mainly on road, the Old style BFG's are hard to look past. Wear is good, road noise is not that bad, and heck they hold their own off road.

</div></div>
This is true, Im running Toyo Open Country's on my H3. Love em.
This is the only pic I have of them, but they are great tires for off road riding.
Let us know what you decide on.
Hummer H3 With Vogue "force" rims and Toyo Open Country MT tires:
hummer1234.jpg
 
#10
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I'm a Super Swamper Radial fan, personally the TSL Radials, but they can be a little noisy, but they wear good, and don't break the bank. On my little Jeep, I run Goodyear Wrangler Authority A/Ts, but I don't think they make them any bigger than a 31...
 
#11
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

As for balancing....

...Are people still using beads in the tires to balance OR tires?

I always knocked the damn lead weights off on easy trail rides anyhow.
 
#12
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I like the Super Swamper SSR's the best. No problem to balance, low road noise (comparitivly) and excellent traction. I also got 45K on my last set on my diesel truck.
 
#13
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

AFA tires, I've ran TA KOs on my last three trucks. The next one will have the same (unless BFG makes something better by then). Relatively quiet on the highway, reasonably good traction off road and great tread life.
 
#14
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Mickey Thompsons have lasted for us and we drag and pull heavy diesels. Then we drive them home. I have run Nitto Terra Grapplers on my Tahoe for years now. They hold up well but are loud when going on long(er) trips
 
#15
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I ran my Pro Comp AT's to 49000 miles on mostly highway, and rough dirt and snow. Do't go any higher than 16" wheels. If you like the steel stuff, US Wheel makes a similiar model to what you have and Pro Comp has some alloys that look like them too.
The larger the wheel, the smaller the tire sidewall, the harsher the ride offroad.
Since you don't go offroad much, why bother with the extra $75 - $100 of a larger tire?(x5, need a spare). A Pro Comp AT/Extreme AT http://www.procomptires.com/truck-jeep-tires/xtreme-all-terrain-radial.aspx has a 40k warranty as well.

Also avaialbele in street rolling 17's as well for that serious 4x4 Jeep pimpin

315/75R-16, Pro Comp Xtreme All Terrain Radial PCT56315
Load Range D
Max Load 3195
Tread Depth 20/32
Overall Diameter 34.6 Inches
Black SideWall
Sidewall Construction= 2-Ply
40,000 Mile Tread Wear Warranty

xtreme-all-terrain-radial-trans.png
 
#18
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I ran BFG A/t'S on my Scout and TJ. They behaved very well on the street and decent offroad when they were aired down. Those were 33's, not sure if they have them in 35's. All around great tire if you are not crawling every weekend.
 
#19
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

+1 for the Toyo Open Country MT. whichever rim size you decide on, get a set of the TOYOS. great tread life, low noise, and great performance. I researched this for six months before i got a set for my 2010 Screw and I couldnt be happier.
 
#21
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Savage110</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like the looks an function of the Toyo Open Country M/T.

But if your running mainly on road, the Old style BFG's are hard to look past. Wear is good, road noise is not that bad, and heck they hold their own off road.

</div></div>
This is true, Im running Toyo Open Country's on my H3. Love em.
This is the only pic I have of them, but they are great tires for off road riding.
Let us know what you decide on.
Hummer H3 With Vogue "force" rims and Toyo Open Country MT tires:
hummer1234.jpg
</div></div>

Those look like Toyo ATs to me. Anyhow, another vote for Open Country MTs. I also like about anything TSL makes and I've had TSL radials, TSL SXs and Boggers. If you're looking to get new wheels, I love WELD wheels and you may as well get 17s or 18s while you're at it. Here's a couple shots of my project Chevy. It'll be what I want it to be when completed. I'm also on my third set of Cooper Radial STTs on my work truck and they're great tires. Only about 30k worth of great though.
IMG_0179.jpg

IMG_0175.jpg
 
#22
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

All depends on what you do with the jeep. I have run alot of different tires on different jeeps. I have had good luck running ssr's. Was looking at trying the new KM2's as they have good reviews but decided on running 35" bfg all terrains in the next couple weeks.
 
#23
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Having installed, tested and destroyed thousands of tires from off road racing (Baja, Vegas etc.) from class 4, 7, 7S, 7S4x4, and class 8 including a lot of chrome street 4X4's also known as money makers here. I will give my professional "opinion" on some of the better tires.

Most of the tires for mudding will hold up well on your Jeep as it is low power and light. (less than 300hp) and you can use just about anything. As to higher end tires I have had huge issues with the larger series of BFG's in the all terrain and to a lesser extent the mud terrains. The problems that I have encountered are sidewall breakage and terrible problems with balancing issues that have only been cured with replacing with another tire. Also the BFG you get at the store is not the tire that "we" get for our trucks. Don't know if that has changed since I stopped racing.

The Goodyear M/T's with the Kevlar sidewalls are just about friggen' indestructible with good side bite and I have never had one single balance problem ever. They also cost a lot more than the BFG's. The Mickey Thompson tires are some of the best money can buy but you will fork over a butt load of it for them.

Switch you know I love you man but the Pro Comps are a very high profit tire. I could buy that size pro comp for about $120 each as long as I bought 100 or more at a time. The economy here killed the construction industry and that killed the lifted truck industry and such is life....
 
#25
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Saito</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Savage110</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like the looks an function of the Toyo Open Country M/T.

But if your running mainly on road, the Old style BFG's are hard to look past. Wear is good, road noise is not that bad, and heck they hold their own off road.

</div></div>
This is true, Im running Toyo Open Country's on my H3. Love em.
This is the only pic I have of them, but they are great tires for off road riding.
Let us know what you decide on.
Hummer H3 With Vogue "force" rims and Toyo Open Country MT tires:
hummer1234.jpg
</div></div>

Those look like Toyo ATs to me. Anyhow, another vote for Open Country MTs.
</div></div>

Funny cause they say "open country" on the side. ROFL at some peoples stupidity, you must know what tires I have on my truck better then me. Ill get a close up for ya tomorrow if I have time.
 
#28
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Look for a set of Remington Mud Brutes. They hold up and they're cheaper than a lot of radial mud grips. They don't howl on the highway and I've seen them do pretty good in this nasty Louisiana gumbo mud.
MUDBRUTE.jpg
 
#30
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I've run BFG AT's, BFG MT's, Goodyear MT/R's, Swamper SX's and now Swamper TSL's throughout the evolution of my jeep to whatever it is now. The BFG's and Goodyears were great on road and held up great offroad. I am even considering them for my tow rig when the time comes.
When you step up in tire size you definately have to consider the gear ratio. A step from a 31" tire to a 33" tire to a 35" tire is considerable and will put your drivetrain out of the optimal operating range. IIRC, Rubicons had the 4.10 gears. When I had 4.10's and 33's the operating range was just barely off while on the road. On hills the jeep was a dog and lost top end speed. It won't hurt to try the 35's, but it may make you look into a gear swap in the future if you keep that size.
You may also consider the clearance issues with the tire size and lift.
 
#31
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

Oh, one caveat; if you are driving your rig in SNOW on icy asphalt, stay away from MT's. Most do not do well on ice or snowy asphalt due to the lack of silica or the minute tread variations found in an AT that are made to handle on icy asphalt. A good friend of mine didn't listen to me, bought a really nice set of MT's and during winter found himself in a ditch when he was rounding a corner one snowy day."Bubba, it just went straight. Right into the ditch. I was like WTF??? WHat you think happened?" "Uh, Bird, it's those MT's. LEt's go for a ride." We jump into the Dak, and away we go to the place where he went off. NP, and 45mph around the same corner in 4x4 like he was, with one exception. My Pro Comp AT's handled very well on the ice at speed.

Be very careful in your tire selection. If you are even close to thinking you are going to be offroad and in snow or muck, get a good set of aggressive tires and be done with it. If you are only going on gravel and asphalt, stick with the AT's and be done with it.
 
#32
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Switchblade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh, one caveat; if you are driving your rig in SNOW on icy asphalt, stay away from MT's. Most do not do well on ice or snowy asphalt due to the lack of silica or the minute tread variations found in an AT that are made to handle on icy asphalt. A good friend of mine didn't listen to me, bought a really nice set of MT's and during winter found himself in a ditch when he was rounding a corner one snowy day."Bubba, it just went straight. Right into the ditch. I was like WTF??? WHat you think happened?" "Uh, Bird, it's those MT's. LEt's go for a ride." We jump into the Dak, and away we go to the place where he went off. NP, and 45mph around the same corner in 4x4 like he was, with one exception. My Pro Comp AT's handled very well on the ice at speed.

Be very careful in your tire selection. If you are even close to thinking you are going to be offroad and in snow or muck, get a good set of aggressive tires and be done with it. If you are only going on gravel and asphalt, stick with the AT's and be done with it.</div></div>
Now that is something I didn't know. I am so glad I don't have to deal with the snow. My whole body just starts locking up as soon as it gets in the 50's. Just can't do it. Give me 120 over 50 any day.
 
#34
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

The Toyo Open countries work so damn good in snow I did not even have to use 4x4 mode when we got that 2 or 3 feet of snow year before last. I was cruising.

The MT's howl and are not comfy on the street - if you get them for offroading good but if you are onroad more than 50% of the time go with the AT.

 
#35
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I'm looking for new tires for my '99 ford f150.

off roading with street tires wasn't the best idea i've had
grin.gif


planning on 6" body lift, new suspension, new tires, flood lights

(sorry for the hijack)

IMG_1482.jpg
 
#37
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Savage110</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Like the looks an function of the Toyo Open Country M/T.

But if your running mainly on road, the Old style BFG's are hard to look past. Wear is good, road noise is not that bad, and heck they hold their own off road.

</div></div>
This is true, Im running Toyo Open Country's on my H3. Love em.
</div></div>I also like the Toyo O.C.'s
If you get Toyo's, be sure that the tire dealer gets the Made in Japan tires. My last set was made in China and they suck. They came with 11/32" tread instead of 17, they fill with mud and are not as good on the highway. If I get Toyo's next time, I'll be sure to make them put it in writing that I'll be getting tires made in Japan.. China crap sucks.
 
#38
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

I'm running a set of Michelen LTX A/T's on my 94' F-150. They work excellent on the ashphalt, snow, ice, mud, rock etc. My truck is completely stock except for a shift kit (makes my 5.0L put out more torque than my dads 5.7L hemi) and I have made it back into some nasty places. Granted I haven't pushed the mud bogging abilities but I have made it up Baldy here in Wasilla. It's all hard pack clay, 3-4 inches of loose dirt of top of that and large rocks everywhere. I had excellent traction going up some severly steep inclines even after it had rained for a week before hand. Made it to the top when the guys with quads were turning back too (alright granted they probably didn't know how to ride but it still adds to the story!).
 
#39
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Switchblade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bail a body lift. Go suspension only. Tires are dependant on what you are going to be driving in, but Pro Comp and Dick Cepek's kick ass. Mickey Thompson's are killer too. All that other hardcore stuff sucks on asphalt which is where most do most of their driving</div></div>
+1 on no body lift. You have to butcher the truck to much. To be honest with you the best lift is a fabbed one not a $1,000 kit. Along those lines fitting a larger tire by means of aftermarket fenders and some body work is the way to go.
If you wanna go fast you don't want a truck you need a ladder to get in to. You want a large tire, a normal ride height, and as much travel as you can afford. Hard suspension requires kidney replacements because you won't go over whoops faster than 15 miles and hour. 3 feet of soft suspension means you need a lot of loud pedal a bigger balls.
 
#41
Re: Allright offroad guys, need some opinions

The reason you do not do both a body lift and a suspension lift is vehicle stability over rough terrain at speed. Suspension only, and make sure add enough to clear your chosen wheel/tire combo as well as offer enough travel and flex to handle what you are driving on. Bumpy gravel, and light trails you will be good with enough travel to let your tires clear. If you are going hardcore you will want serious fender mods anyway.
I say 6" and cut the fenders so the tires can go all the way up on suspension but then I am more into the going fast over dirt part and not so much into the flex and rock stuff.
That little Dak, she goes where we point her, and she has never left Panty 6 stranded or lost in the most extreme weather. That truck shined on 81 onenight coming back from Syracuse. 70mph through 16" of fresh snow on icy highway in 4x4 on those Pro Comps. Those KC's lit shit up and we rolled straight to the house. Vehicles in the slow lane were lined up doing maybe 25mph. I kept saying,"Hey killer, you sure you want to be doing 70?" Yeah, SHE was driving. My little lead foot
 
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