Tire Selection

It looks like I will be purchasing tires soon for my '69. I have a pretty wide range of uses in mind, so I'm not sure what tire will best suit me. I do know I want something tall and skinny- either 7.50-16 or 235/85r16. This Jeep has a 2.5" lift, so fitting shouldn't be an issue.

Here's the situation: Currently, this Jeep takes me back and forth to school (about 350 miles each way a couple times a year). There is a fair amount of snow here in northern Indiana, so that is one consideration. As far as off roading around here, its mostly mud. This summer, however, I plan to drive the Jeep from Indiana to southwest Colorado (1400 miles each way) and spend the summer there. Once there, I'll use the Jeep for exploring and at least one trip to Moab. Maybe those who have experience in this environment can comment on what tread styles are best and which are a good compromise?

I'm on a pretty tight budget, so I have been looking at retreads mainly. Unfortunately a brand new set of big name tires just isn't possible at this time.

The first set I found are my favorite design. They are $114 shipped. I have the same tread pattern but a different manufacturer (STA) on my other Jeep, and I have been very satisfied with those, for on and off road performance as well as wear. Bias ply does not bother me at all. My only concern with these is that they seem too cheap for a new tire to not be questionable...
$104.99 - Power King Power King Super Traction II - tires | Buy Power King Power King Super Traction II tires at SimpleTire

Next is a recap of similar style ($114 shipped). Tire Recappers has mixed reviews... they use the cap on carcass method, as opposed to the bead to bead process Treadwright uses.
Tire Size | LT235/85R16 Retread Extra Grip M/T | Tire Recappers

Treadwright offers a clone of the popular BFG All Terrain ($115 shipped). I'm a little reluctant to go with an AT... but I may have to make that compromise because of all the road miles and for better performance in winter weather. How does an AT compare to a MT when wheeling in Moab?
WARDEN II | 235/85R16 all-terrain truck & SUV | 4x4 off-road tires.

Finally, Treadwright makes a clone of the older BFG MT ($130 shipped). I'm not a huge fan of this tread pattern, and I'm afraid their performance in the snow/ice would be pretty poor (as with pretty much MT). It looks like they do have at least a little siping, unlike the real BFG MTs. These are also the widest, shortest, and most expensive. Unlike Treadwright's AT, these are not molded bead to bead.
CRAWLER - C2316E Treadwright Remold 235/85R16 Mud Terrain Tires

 

It's always cheaper and easier to buy tires at your convenience where you live.
Pain in the rear to try and do it out on the road in Joe's Tire/Hair Care and Donut shop.....
Don't skimp on tires.....buy the BEST you can afford.
There are other areas to cut corners...tires isn't one of them...especially when driving cross country.
Jeeps don't make good tripods......

 

Just speculating about that, since it has big tread blocks and not a lot of siping. I could be wrong?

 

You mean snow on-road, or off-road?

Big self-cleaning tread lugs are my choice for chewing through deep doo-doo - be it mud or snow.

On the highway, maybe the sipes, but you could just follow a plow truck...

 

I meant snow/ice on the road. Really the only time it is an issue is when I travel at Christmas time. Otherwise the Jeep can just stay parked if the roads are slick.

 

Agree with #2,and add I would definetly want a radial and no caps for long distance driving.

 

I agree...radials are a huge improvement on an old CJ. BTDT
As far as tread design...I don't think any of the MT designs posted above would be good on snowy roads, you need a tire with smaller lugs and more siping. The AT design looks like it would be pretty good.

 

bias ply tires look so great and are just fine for trail riding, but on road... not great. For all the road driving you're doing, go radial.

 

JMO - you're on a tight budget and plan to depend on the Jeep for long distance commuting. I presume you don't need a daily commuter car while you're at school. IMO you need to consider your needs before you look for a tire that meets your wants. To me, an aggressive mud-terrain tire will be 1) too expensive, much more expensive than one of the many all-terrain designs that are available in the size you want, 2) not safe on wet and/or icy roads, or 3) the only affordable new tar (the Power King) is an inferior performer to radials in all but deep mud or maybe snow, won't last very long, and will both deafen you and rattle the fillings out of your teeth.

Again, IMO, your best solution is a new radial AT tire which will meet your needs (your long commutes) and still be capable on the trail. For example, look at this Kumho - Kumho Road Venture AT51 - this NEW tire costs about the same as the retreads you are looking at, and will be better, quieter and more durable for the highway driving you must do.

I'd say put off buying the aggressive mud-terrain tires until you can afford them and you can limit the Jeep to mostly off-road miles (ie after you graduate and have a regular job). The AT tires will look good, give safe and long-lasting service while you are in school, and work pretty well for your off-road excursions.

Just a comment - look at what Treadwright is doing - there are quite a few 235/85R16 tires on the market, so they are taking these carcasses (likely AT tires), capping them with an aggressive tread, and reselling them for near their original retail price. They are exploiting the large premium the tire mfrs charge for the MTs to sell these caps at what I consider a very high price. These tires were great when the company was young and they were aggressively priced. Not so much now, IMO. I also expect that, now that they've developed the market, the carcasses are getting harder to obtain and more expensive.

So I'd suggest you compromise on tread design. Give up on being "optimal" in deep snow and mud.

 

if your going to drive mostly on highways / interstates . I would buy a standard AT tire that fits your rims . I really can't comment on retreads . never ever brought them

 

BFG/AT are a reliable all-round tire for general jeep use. Very popular over the years.

A clone may be cheaper, but the compounds used may not give you as many miles, or as good grip.

Shop around - my local one-man tire shop gave them to me for $100 less than Sears "on sale."

 

"Remolded" is the euphemism. Really they aren't caps but retreads, where they apply a soft compound, and the tire is put in a mold and cured to give the desired tread. It's still a recycled carcass.

 

IMO the only problem with the BFG ATs is the premium price. The name seems to sell for a lot. I have Firestone Destination ATs, which compete with the BFGs, on my J20, and they were a lot less than the comparable BFGs. The Kumhos I listed above are made in Vietnam, so you're likely getting a break on production cost for those.

If you go to the TireRack link I posted above, select the pull down "Tires - Shop by Size" it will send you to a list of about three dozen different tires they can supply in that size. Plenty to choose from. Add up their cost with shipping, figure out how much your local shop charges for mounting and balancing, and take your numbers with you when shopping. Generally I just buy the tires I want from TireRack, have them shipped to my favorite local tire shop, and drive there for installation. Likely you can find abetter price locally if you shop around. Pep Boys sells a lot of tires ... you can also try WalMart if you local store has a tire center.

Another inexpensive option - Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 - though the appearance may not be as appealing.

 

I'm with Tim. I know they don't look as cool as as a big-lugged mud tire, but you'll be so much happier with that new radial he listed than any bias ply anything. They'll last a long time, they won't have flat spots every morning, and your ears will thank you.

Don't be worried about Moab. There's so much traction on slickrock, I once saw a local running a whooped-out beater on slicks making a rock buggy on swampers look silly in Pritchett's Canyon.

Your in school, so I'll ussume your single? Sensible tires score more points with girls' parents.

 

I am with Tim 100% too.

 

Got these a few months ago. Toyo M-55
Winter tire. (Can even add studs)
One of the best write ups for an all around tire. Rain, snow, ice or mud, it's all covered. Nice smooth ride too!