Wheels & Tires Opinions/Preferences

Hello CJ Lovers!

Its been a while since I posted and wanted to get some thoughts and advice for the wheels and tires for my 79. We have started the restoration and it is going pretty good, just a slow process to make sure everything is done correctly.

Im needing some advice when it comes down to the wheels and tires for this when we get er done.

I am going to go with 33x12.5x15 and I am PRETTY sure I am going to go with the MT Classic Locks for the wheels but, I am debating on the tires.

Im considering the Super Swamper TSLs or the Buckshot Mudders and to see if anyone could off any advice or opinion on these two sets.

I also would be interested in suggestions from those of you that have purchased wheels and tires over the net. I am of course looking for the best "bang for the buck" but, I also want a company I can depend on. I will not need these tires for another 3 months or so and this is why I am asking now. I have already spent an insane amount of time searching the net for dealers across the US and have not seen a lot of difference in price from one dealer to another.

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

I have had a set of TSL/SXs, they are the nylon radials with side tread, awesome in the mud, noisy on the street, and flat spotted in cold weather, took about 3 miles to warm them up and then they would smooth out.

Regardless what tire you choose, my only suggestion would be if you are going to be doing any street driving at all might consider a radial tire, you will thank yourself later. If mostly off road then many people say bias ply is better for traction and toughness.

 

Thanks for that tidbit of info...it sorta follows the pattern of everything else I have read or been told.

Common sense I suppose would tell or SHOULD tell me or anyone else that an off-road tire is not going to do well on the highway at 60mph...one the other hand a radial would be better for the highway, less tread wear, quieter and so on.

As I sat here contemplating this tire ordeal I got to thinking how "common" is it for enthusiasts to have multiple sets of tires? One set for off road and one for any highway use they may be doing...as crazy as that sounds, I am sure there are people that do it.

That very well might be something I need to consider along the way. Yes, it would cost a lot more money to have 2 sets of tires and yes, it would be a pain to have to switch the tires back and forth but, over the long run, I would think that the tires would probably "pay" for themselves if one would choose to do that.

I have never had good luck with any off-road tire lasting very long with any regular or day-to-day driving on the road.

Just something else to think about I suppose...it is part of what makes working on and driving these toys so enjoyable

 

I run Pro Comp MTs 33x12.50x15 on American Racing Baja (alum) and used the Jeep (YJ) as a dd for 3 years. Lots of trail rides with them and no problem.


A few of my friends tried the 2 set of rims and tires. One set of alum rims with ATs the other set steel rims with MTs.
Only one is still swapping back and forth that I know of. Gets to be a pain.
I did it with my sand rail so I could drive it on the street.

 

Goodyear Wrangler MTRs. Work great in everything except mud where they are just ok. They are radials and work very well on a daily driver.

 

Even though I have seen them played down some in some magazines, I have had good luck with BFGoodrich MTs. I am on my 2nd set of 32x11.50s on the CJ7, and replaced my TSL/SX 36x12.50-16.5s with some BFG MT 35x12.50 back in 1999. They ran smoother and quieter, and only gave up a little pull in the mud.

I was surprised how long the TSLSXs lasted, and they had some gnarly gashes on the sidewall from spinning them against rocks, but they never quit on me. Actually sold them (nearly bald!) in the end to offset the new tires.

What really sticks in my mind was a 1980 Toyota I bought with bias ply Kelly safari 35"s on it. Those tires Su***d! When I went to 33" BFG Trail T/As (now discontinued) it accelerated better, stopped better, rode better, was quieter, and actually did better off road, especially in the mud cause the engine had the power to spin them.

 

I run BFG MT's on my TJ and probably won't ever run anything else, that's how welll I like them. A lot of people in my Jeep Club run Truxxus MT's and they really talk them up. I just bought a used set of Truxxus for my CJ. I haven't got to try them out yet, but I like the look of them on the CJ, because they are a narrower tire than the BFG's.

 

Appreciate all the feedback. I guess it is safe to say that what works for one person and their driving habits, may very well not work as well or might work better for someone else. No two jeeps are the same, no two drivers are the same and nobody is ever driving the exact same conditions with the exact same equipment.

Im going to take notes on all the responses and do some reading on some of these other tires that all of you have mentioned. I have heard good and bad already on just about all the ones brought up so far and again, one person might say this works for him and the very next say the exact opposite..just depends on the tire, the equipment the tires are on, the driver and where and how the jeep is driven more than anything I do believe.

Another thing, are there any reputable online dealers that any of you could suggest. I think I touched on it briefly in the original post in this thread but, I have chased wheels and tires for hours at a time on the net and usually I am finding that there is not that much difference (5-10 per tire) from most of the online companies.

If anyone can suggest dealers that can be fair and trusted..Im all ears!

Again, thanks for everything and hope to hear more opinions on these tires.

 

Nice looking CJ there TigerShark I've got a '75 I'm restoring, and was wondering what size tires you're running. I have the same factory aluminum wheels and plan to run without the flares. I just like the look better. Your tires look perfect for the size I want. Thanks!

 

glad your project is moving along. Just a quick note about tire size for your Jeep.
The larger in diam you go the more shock/stress can be transferred to the Jeep drivetrain. If stock, your Jeep would have the AMC 20 rear axle.
Just make sure you check and tighten the rear axle nuts and keep your foot out of the throttle. Some folks swap 2 piece for 1 piece axles. Just wanted to point this out.
(some folks never have any problems with 2 piece)
ymmv

 

You might like the looks of these BFG Mud Terrains. 235x85R16... 32" tall, 9.5" wide. '74 CJ5 with narrow track axles in progress.

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16241&page=2&pp=10

Red JEEP (partially anyway) Just follow the link

 

What sort of wheeling are you going to do? That will help determine what tires you need.

We're lucky now as there seems to be a plethora of special use tires for the offroad market.

I thought bfg mts were an awesome tire for a street rig, until the mtrs came out. The mtrs are awesome off road while still being streetable.

Right now I have some super swamper tsls and they are great off road, but suck on the highway. I jammed the sidewalls against rocks and sharp roots all day and they don't complain. Unfortunately I now want to pick up a tow rig due in part because of those tires.

I bought my mtrs through Tire Rack online. They carry the Mtrs and Bfgs. They have good prices and I didn't have any issues getting my tires. I bought my super swampers through Desert Rat off road out of arizona (saw add in magazine) and same thing, best price and no trouble getting the tires. You might check to see if local shops can get you reasonable prices.

Kevo

 

They are 31 X 10.5's I think the Truxxus are narrower than than some of the other brands.

Jim

 

Is anyone running a 33x10.5 with a mild lift (2-3")? Thanks.

 

A buddy of mine has Super Swamper TSL 33x10.5s on 15" wheels on his old WILLY'S although the lift is a bit more (4" spring lift, 1" Shackle lift).
His is the Yellow JEEP

My red '74 has since undergone much renovation as shown previously. Looking forward to completion. I stayed clear of the 10.5" Width to continue the narrower turning radius.

 

I like these rims http://www.spidertrax.com/drivetrain_whl.htm They are heavier than most steel wheels and come with some real shallow backspacing to move the tires out further if you are looking to do that and the stem hole is set waaay back in the rim to prevent them from getting broken...

BUBBA