More tire talk

[rasband]

IIRC a local guy runs the swampers, they’re sticky and pretty good if you want to trailer everywhere. On the road you can pretty much watch the tread wear down and you’ll want earplugs.

I went 15” wheels for the same reasons you mentioned, price for tires (and selection) is much more reasonable. Not everyone loves the “balloon” look, but they sure fold well Offroad.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I had some Kenda Klever MT tires on another Jeep. They were the longest lasting tires I've ever owned, but louder than most from day 1.

 

[Mike_H]

Have you considered the Goodyear Wrangler MTR in a 275/80-17? It’s a size that piqued my interest for a Toyota I was considering before buying my TJ.

No. I'm generally opposed to anything Goodyear. I've had a lot of bad tires from them, so I don't bother anymore.

 

[Irun]

Mike, if you start getting into the 35x12.50R17 tires, take a look at the Mickey Thompson MTZ P3 or Baja Boss. I've been through a number of different tires, Duratrac, KM2, KO2, MT/R, Dick Cepek, and more. Although the MTZ is D rated, these are hands down my favorite tire. They're tough as nails, grip well on rocks (I run them at 8 PSI), do very well in the mud, and, best of all, have very good street manners. With the sipping, they even work well on wet pavement.

They are a little noisy, but what MT isn't? Truth be told, I did have trouble with one tire balancing. However, Discount tire sent me another one that solved the problem. I can't remember if you're a Veteran or not, but Discount also offers a 10% discount to Vets.

Edit: I should also mention I run the MT ATZ P3 on my TJ and love those as well!

 

[sierradmax]

The Klever is advertised as a "R/T" tire, which I think they market it as a hybrid between an A/T & a M/T. By your description, you want a quiet mud tire (which I think is non-existent) or an aggressive A/T that cleans out mud well.

I'd strongly suggest trying the Kenda KR601. I've used them in mud once and I cannot comment however my Klever R/T's have been hands down the best tire for on-road & snow performance with my JK. Far more aggressive than my previous BFG A/T's and If you don't like them, there will be plenty of JK folks who will snatch them up from you should you sell.

 

[Mike_H]

The Klever is advertised as a "R/T" tire, which I think they market it as a hybrid between an A/T & a M/T. By your description, you want a quiet mud tire (which I think is non-existent) or an aggressive A/T that cleans out mud well.

I'd strongly suggest trying the Kenda KR601. I've used them in mud once and I cannot comment however my Klever R/T's have been hands down the best tire for on-road & snow performance with my JK. Far more aggressive than my previous BFG A/T's and If you don't like them, there will be plenty of JK folks who will snatch them up from you should you sell.

I really don't mind tire noise. It's part of the experience of driving the jeep. I'd go with the Interco's, but I just feel like they might be a step too far toward the "trail only" category. The best answer is probably just buy new wheels and stick with 15" tires.

@Irun I'll check out the Mickeys further. A local shop quoted me a decent price on them (less than 1000 for the tires, be about 1100 mounted and balanced with tax) but I'm not sure exactly which variety he was quoting.

 

[mvigo]

@Mike_H if you are getting a "deal" on the SST's, I would suggest buying them, I have had real good luck with Coopers for years. The $$ you are saving on the deal can be put towards new wheels...my only caveat is I don't play in the mud, so can't comment on how they perform there...

 

[Mike_H]

@Mike_H if you are getting a "deal" on the SST's, I would suggest buying them, I have had real good luck with Coopers for years. The $$ you are saving on the deal can be put towards new wheels...my only caveat is I don't play in the mud, so can't comment on how they perform there...

He ran them in the same areas I wheel. They are "decent" He hasn't given me a price yet though...

 

[kickice24]

Here's another option to consider. Mastercraft Courser MXT 35x12.50r15. They're made by Cooper and they're lighter than the Cooper and many others as well. My friend has them on his Rubicon and they're very impressive. He's running the 37's on a 17" rim and he didn't even balance them. I was surprised how little vibration there is on the road.

 

[mrblaine]

Did you see the Toyo’s Blaine mentioned a few days ago? I think they were 35x11r17’s and weighed only 64lbs.

To be very clear, the sum total of mileage I have on those is measured in feet. I've rolled one of them mounted on a rim back and forth across the driveway a few times. It is coming off here shortly to send that rim and the other 4 out for machining to fit over the large hub kit. After that they come back for powder coat and then the tires put on all 5. I bought them for a specific reason and that has nothing to do with how well they may or may not work off road.

If I need a tire that works off road around here, I'm getting the MT/R because so far, no one has anything that is better.

 

[Rickyd]

All the swampers I've run were very very noisy.like headache and or tinnitus noisy after more than a few miles.definitely ear plugs or earbuds to preserve my hearing.Though i do that anyway when the doors are off.

But i love running around on them at low speeds or on the trail.they are mean looking! Throw a pitbull or rott in the back and go scare every karen you can find!

They flat spot and shake for a few miles,longer when its cold.they need extreme amounts of weight to balance sometimes too.

They are very heavy compared to street friendly tires.that and the aggressive tread with high rolling resistance will have you staying out of overdrive wondering where your hp went at highway speeds.your mpg's and range will tank also.

But,they are sexy! And depending on how far and fast you drive they are tolerable. I have some ltb's on a second set of rims i use for certain wheeling and camping trips. Its the best of both worlds for me.just part of the raw jeep experience with no doors or top!

 

[Mike_H]

All the swampers I've run were very very noisy.like headache and or tinnitus noisy after more than a few miles.definitely ear plugs or earbuds to preserve my hearing.Though i do that anyway when the doors are off.

But i love running around on them at low speeds or on the trail.they are mean looking! Throw a pitbull or rott in the back and go scare every karen you can find!

They flat spot and shake for a few miles,longer when its cold.they need extreme amounts of weight to balance sometimes too.

They are very heavy compared to street friendly tires.that and the aggressive tread with high rolling resistance will have you staying out of overdrive wondering where your hp went at highway speeds.your mpg's and range will tank also.

But,they are sexy! And depending on how far and fast you drive they are tolerable. I have some ltb's on a second set of rims i use for certain wheeling and camping trips. Its the best of both worlds for me.

I kinda wish I had a set of swampers mounted up and ready to go. If I could get past the laziness of switching tires, some baja boss AT's and a set of swampers would be about perfect.

 

[Rickyd]

I kinda wish I had a set of swampers mounted up and ready to go. If I could get past the laziness of switching tires, some baja boss AT's and a set of swampers would be about perfect.

The job is tolerable to me with a cordless impact. I'm always a little sad to have to take them off so i normally procrastinate a few days.

I've wondered why nobody here runs them and was contemplating a thread about it this morning actually. Seems like a lot of guys value good road manners and perfectly balanced tires?

I haven't seen much in the way of offroad performance comparisons in different terrain so idk if interco is really a bonus in those depts.

 

[srimes]

The job is tolerable to me with a cordless impact. I'm always a little sad to have to take them off so i normally procrastinate a few days.

I've wondered why nobody here runs them and was contemplating a thread about it this morning actually. Seems like a lot of guys value good road manners and perfectly balanced tires?

I haven't seen much in the way of offroad performance comparisons in different terrain so idk if interco is really a bonus in those depts.

I've been fantasizing about getting some q78 TSLs but besides the expense and impracticality I worry about the Dana 30 holding up

 

[Mike_H]

The job is tolerable to me with a cordless impact. I'm always a little sad to have to take them off so i normally procrastinate a few days.

I've wondered why nobody here runs them and was contemplating a thread about it this morning actually. Seems like a lot of guys value good road manners and perfectly balanced tires?

I haven't seen much in the way of offroad performance comparisons in different terrain so idk if interco is really a bonus in those depts.

I’m running grabber X3’s so I wouldn’t say they have great road manners. They are tolerable…not very good in the rocks, but do work pretty well in the mud snow and slop. I’ve thought about siping them to get the blocks to move around a bit more and grab.

I have the Baja boss AT on my Colorado and I’m starting to really like that tire. It’s been good in everything so far…but I don’t really wheel that vehicle. Couple ladies in my 4x4 group run those tires on their JKs and swear by them.

 

[JMT]

I’m running grabber X3’s so I wouldn’t say they have great road manners. They are tolerable…not very good in the rocks, but do work pretty well in the mud snow and slop. I’ve thought about siping them to get the blocks to move around a bit more and grab.

I have the Baja boss AT on my Colorado and I’m starting to really like that tire. It’s been good in everything so far…but I don’t really wheel that vehicle. Couple ladies in my 4x4 group run those tires on their JKs and swear by them.

I’ve been looking at the Baja Boss MT, but I think I’ll go back to the GY MT/R when I outfit the beadlocks. You’ve got a good idea with running two sets of wheels. I should be in a good position for doing that. I think I’d run something like a Falken Wildpeak AT.

My son wants to get rid of his Interco’s. They didn’t balance well. 3 have beads. He’s real picky about ride quality though. I think they’re sweet, and they are great for wheelin’.

 

[Apparition]

I’ve been looking at the Baja Boss MT, but I think I’ll go back to the GY MT/R when I outfit the beadlocks. You’ve got a good idea with running two sets of wheels. I should be in a good position for doing that. I think I’d run something like a Falken Wildpeak AT.

My son wants to get rid of his Interco’s. They didn’t balance well. 3 have beads. He’s real picky about ride quality though. I think they’re sweet, and the are great for wheelin’.

Thought you didn’t like the MT/R’s?

Keep looking at the Bosses and maybe you won’t even have to balance them, like mine.

 

[psrivats]

I have the Baja boss AT on my Colorado and I’m starting to really like that tire. It’s been good in everything so far…but I don’t really wheel that vehicle. Couple ladies in my 4x4 group run those tires on their JKs and swear by them.

Good to hear. Likely my next tire

 

[L J]

I’ve been looking at the Baja Boss MT, but I think I’ll go back to the GY MT/R when I outfit the beadlocks.

Thought you didn’t like the MT/R’s?

I didn't know GY MT/Rs were an option ... again.

 

[JMT]

I didn't know GY MT/Rs were an option ... again.

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35x12.5r17 Load C