tire discussion! big ol' tire thread.

[jayson44]

ok, I searched a little and didn't find a big ol' thread where everyone discussed tires. so I'm starting one. mostly because I just got new ones and they're pretty awesome.

when I bought my Jeep, it had BFG KM2s on it that were about 1/2 tread and siped. I hadn't run them on any of my previous Jeeps, and they weren't that bad of shape, so I kept them to see how they were. they were ok. the siping helped in the wet and a little on the ice, but I really hated winters with them. they dug into snow too much and didn't really have good grip. especially when they wore down. on the trail they performed as expected, but for a DD, they were not ideal. very loud as well. not as loud as Swampers, but louder than other MTs I've run. in the end, I was glad to get rid of them.

last Friday, I got a set of the new BFG KO2 all terrains put on my Jeep. same size as the MTs, 35x12.5r17s. we had a thread on these last year when they were announced and I'm not sure if anyone else ever actually purchased these. I've been excited to get them on my Jeep for a while now, and I can say that so far they're living up to the hype!



they're pretty tough looking for an AT and they ride really smooth. (granted, that might be because I've been running MTs on all my Jeeps for the past 6 years, so take that with a grain of salt...) they're quiet too. they hold well around corners and feel very stable at all speeds.

and the real reason I wanted these? SNOW. they have a 3-peak snow rating on them (all sizes) and BFG says they've improved the winter driving by adding enough siping to earn the rating. we got some snow this week and I was able to get on a little of it on my way to and from work. I drive a 6-mile stretch of gravel through Golden Gate Canyon State Park every day and it gets SUPER sloppy when it's wet. enough so that I've had to put 4wd on in the mud a few times with my old tires. I wanted to see how they handled the snow and mud, so I kept the Jeep in 2wd for my way though...the tires didn't slip once! there wasn't a lot of snow on the road, but enough to make it seem slick. but even giving it some throttle (not a lot, but enough) to see if I could get it to slip out, they still held. I wasn't pushing it, and the conditions were very mild, but just that little bit gave me a good sense that these tires are going to be pretty awesome in the snow this winter.

anyways, it's only been a week of driving on them, but I'm pleased so far.

if anyone else wants to chime in and give a review of their tires, that's what this thread is for. tires are expensive and nobody likes buying tires and ending up hating them. so getting other's opinions/reviews is a good way for us to help each other out.

J.

[jayson44]

also, a list of tires I've had experience with:

CJ5:
31" no-name street tires
31" Swamper LTBs (awesome on a stock CJ, I had no issues with them, got them used and worth them down to the bars, awesome off road, loud)

05 Jeep TJ:
31" BFG KO ATs (street only for a month, no off road, no real opinions)
33" Mickey Thompson MTZ (great MT that isn't too loud and pretty good on the street. performed well off road, but weakish sidewalls)

Commando
33" Swamper Boggers (annoying as all get-out on the street. didn't have them long)
37" Goodyear MTR (old style, performed well off road. didn't really use them on the street as it was a trail rig)

98 Jeep TJ (current):
35" BFG KM2 (not bad for a MT, but not as good as the Mickeys I had on the other TJ)

J.

[ExplorerTom]

I bought my original BFG KOs in the 30x9.5r15 size (way back) and was excited to have the mountain snowflake symbol as well. The previous several winters on different vehicles I had run dedicated snow tires so I was happy to have tires similarly capable that I could use year round.

And then it snowed. The tires sucked. I wasn't happy. The wife's car with Michelin X-Ice was sure footed and controlled in that same storm.

in 4wd, the the KOs would take off like a scalded dog through an intersection but as soon as I touched the brakes they were sliding and the ABS was having a hell of a time.

BUT..... I ditched the 30s in favor of some 33x12.5r15 and stayed with the BFG KOs. Now I've got the same weight spread out on a larger contact patch, thus reducing my contact psi, and the tires are crap as expected on snow. Because of this, it stays parked in the garage when there is snow on the roads. But off road I've been very happy with them. Even snow wheeling they do fairly well. I think the difference is the hard packed snow on the roads vs snow that can be "floated over" on the trails.

I have been thinking about getting 35s and I can't say that I've ruled out the KO2s. They do seem to be better than the KOs in a lot of regards.

[GPP33]

I started running KM2s this year and am less than impressed with wet rock and dry dirt road performance. I wouldn't even go as far as to say they are great on dry rock. The thought of running them in snow sends shivers down my spine. I've run the KOs and while they are ok on the road and easy dirt trails they fall into the classification of doing everything ok but nothing great. The best tire I've run is the Truxus. MT. They did everything great but after about 8 years they didn't roll as smooth (never got them dynamically balanced) and in one summer I got two pinch flats so I think the rubber was really degrading.

[jayson44]

I've read a bunch of reviews from guys who ran the KOs in the past and weren't happy with them. they've reported great things about the new KO2s, especially in the snow. all I know is that they have to be better in snow than the KM2s, haha.

J.

[xaza]

I have used a General Grabber which worked great until about 50% tread and then it went totally downhill. I upgraded to the old BFG MT which even with very little tread did pretty great on the trail. From there I went with the KM2 thinking it was going to be even better. I was disappointed in the overall performance of the KM2. Did pretty good on dry rock for me but if it was wet forget about it. Snow was terrible, if you lost any momentum they would immediately bury down. Running the BFG All terrain now which handles as everyone has said, but am looking forward to a set of KO2.

[moose]

xaza previously posted:

[xaza]

It was an AT, first set of tires I bought for my XJ 13 years ago.

[moose]

Just curious. A former co worker of mine only puts the red lettered version on her jeep. Swore by em. My only concern with them is that hey have no siping

[FINOCJ]

B/C you started a tire thread - here is my gripe after searching for a while...Would be nice if there were more options in the 15inch rim width, as well as more tall and narrow options. e.g. like a 33x10.5R15. Especially since the new BFG KM2 mud tires (one of the few with 33x10.5) don't seem to be loved - debating going to the AT KO2s but hate giving up the traction for a mostly off road vehicle and not a DD. I really like the old version of the BFG Mud-terrains (and it seems similar to the BFGs on JK rubicons) but guess things gotta change.

There used to even be options for a 33x9.5R15.... guess nobody likes the old school look...but for light jeeps the wide tire causes too much flotation as well as the excess weight hinders mpg, braking and puts unnecessary wear on knuckles, hubs etc. ok rant off....

[BLOODBANE]

Since we are talking tires, I put these on my Ranger over the summer...


36x13.5x15 IROC radials on 15x10 AM Racing rims. Was gonna go with the Staun internal beadlocks, but didnt this go around. So far they have been a great tire (at least they ride better than the BOGGERs, which I still have)

[jayson44]

I know what you mean, James. the Swamper LTBs I had on my CJ5 were 31x9.5s and they worked great. they're harder and harder to find.

J.

[GPP33]

Because wider is cooler, or so the people who buy most of the tires think.

[Java]

I have 33x12.50r15 duratracs on my Jeep with 30k of very even wear on them and they're still excellent. I always loved my BFG ats until they wore about 1/2 way, but so far the Duratracs are still doing well. I probably will get the again.

The new BFGs look great though, and now they come in 33x10.50r15s. Good deal here that I'm considering- http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Tires-Jeep-T...FQOUaQodVIUBzw

[The StRanger]

I run a 33 X 10.50 Hankook M/T...
Love these tires. A little short on Longevity but they will clime a tree if I ask them...

[cfr]

Paul previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

The StRanger previously posted:

[jayson44]

after seeing the Falken Wild Peak ATs after some mileage, they look like the tread loses the siping pretty quick. that's just from seeing them on other people's trucks. but I would think they wouldn't be very fun in the snow.

J.

[sdswingr]

Yeah, ran my mud terrains last winter..not great at stopping...but great at going forward...picked up a set of 5 rims with good year sra stock wrangler tires, going to sipe them, and see how they do...probably will go with a set of dedicated winter tires once these wear out though

[cfr]

sdswingr previously posted: