Tires for my ZJ

[newman187]

Looking for suggestions for tires, I have a 1997 ZJ, HP D44/Ford 9" axles, 4.56 gears, NP231 xfer case, lifted, long arms blah, blah blah. . . .So I really like the new BF Goodrich Mudterrain mk2 tires, but the smalles wheel size they make them for is 17", I have the 4wheel parts special "Rockcrawling" rims 15" x 8", need some help on tire selection, the tires I want need to be semi streetable as the wife will drive the ZJ on the road from time to time (we are now towing to the trail on a flatbed), want some tires with some bite, been looking at the GoodYear Wrangler MT/R, what do you all suggest? Sucess/faileure, or tires to stay away from?

Thanks

 

[SAMI]

I like MT/Rs, they last a good long time, and they're quiet on the road(relatively speaking)

I also really dig the Maxxis Bighorns...

 

[Cody]

I have 35" MTR's on my current ZJ (bout the same as yours) and I had 35" bighorns on my last ZJ.

I really liked the bighorns. MTR's are ok too though.

I dig the Mickey Thompson MTZ's too.

 

[newman187]

I am really keen on the Goodyear MT/R's, the maxxis tirexs you mention are not appealing to me. . . any one else?

 

[Cody]

Well, I guess if you knew how much better they worked and how much cheaper they were maybe they would be lol

If you know what tires you want, why are you asking?

Hey, buy me 4 35" Bighorns, and I'll give you 4 35" MTR's with 90-95% tread Everyone wins!

 

[newman187]

I suppose, how ever I was merely asking advice on tires, true I do like the MT/R's, however since I have never used them I was asking for advice. The new BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires are sweet, but i'd need to get some 17" wheels.

 

[RockChucker]

i have 35 inch mtr's and love them. they get good road mileage and perform awesome offroad. however, my opinion is biased b/c i have never had or been wheeling with anyone that has anything but mtr's other than a few bfg a/t's and m/t's scattered in.

i don' t think you can go wrong with big horns though. they look like an awesome tire, and the really must be an awesome tire if cody approves them.

 

[Brett]

MT MK2's will be out in 15 inch sizes this year if you want to wait

 

[SAMI]

you can have my 37 mtr's on 17's for $300...

 

[1995zj]

I'm running 37" MTR's on my ZJ right now (first set of MTR's) and I gotta say I've been very impressed with them. I used to run BFG MT's but I think I'll stick with MTR's from now on.

 

[ChestonScout]

Toyo MT expensive but they are sweet! Got 33s on my wifes XJ and and the 37s on my superduty. Lasting a long time and good traction. I wont buy another tire for the Jeep

 

[Zombie]

I'd probably run MTRs if I were in the market for a set right now. I ran them in the 31, and loved them. I've never run a better all around tire. I'm on BFG ATs right now, cause I bought them at a time when my wife was driving the jeep alot in snow, and I wanted a little better snow tire for her.
I'd probably look at either the MTR, or the Cooper SST(I think?)
Both seem to be awesome tires for all around wheeler/dd type use.

Edit: As to what to stay away from, the Uniroyal MT (if they are still made). Save youself some time, and buy a swamper instead. I had the uniroyal MTs for a while. They are super agressive, work OK offroad, ride like poo, are louder than a bogger (yeah... really), and despite the radial stamp on the side, mine would flat spot if parked more than overnight. They look pretty cool, and were super cheap at Sam's club, btu I'd never buy another set of those things.

 

[Cody]

I ran some 37" MTR's on my first ZJ and they were ok, but I did tear a hole as big as my head in one sidewall (and I have an enormous head), punctured another pulling on my trailer, and had a stick go through a 3rd. I put creapy crawlers on and that was a huge upgrade--but those aren't a tire you would want on a rig that sees street.

I've seen tons of MTRs fail over the years, but to be honest so many people run them that it's probably just a matter of statistics. I have yet to see or hear of a bighorn failure, but again very few people run them relative to MTR's so it's really hard to make a judgement on which is more durable.

Just stay away from Toyo MT's.....or Iroks.

 

[newman187]

I'd be willing to wait on the MK2's if they are going to be coming about in the next month or 2. otherwise i'll go with the Mickey Thompson tires depending on how much they cost. My wheels are the 4wheel parts special "Rockcrawler" series which are 15" x 8", Will the Mickey Thompson tires fit on those wheels, looks like they reccomend a 10" wide wheel, thoughts?

Suggestions on the best place to look for the Mickey Thompson tires?

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cody]

I'm not sure the best place to buy the MTZ's, but I wouldn't worry about putting a 35x12 on a 15x8. I actually prefer the extra bulge in the tire for rockcrawling--keeps things off the rim a little better.

I'm sure you can find a good price online and get a local dealer to match the price.

 

[SAMI]

. I actually prefer the extra bulge in the tire for rockcrawling

i like the 8"-9" wide rim over 10" wide as well, also benefits during safety inspection time IMO...

-Jason

 

[newman187]

Mickey Thompson Venders in Salt Lake City, UT are Discount, Big-O, Les Schwab, and 4wheel parts, everyone is coming in at about 200 bucks a pop.



Any one find them for cheaper?

 

[XJEEPER]

I've run BFG AT, KM and MT's and I'm currently 3 years into a set of 285/75/16 Goodyear MTR's. They've worked well in the snow, sand , slickrock, granite and highway. They are good in the snow on the road and trail, great on slickrock and loose rock, I avoid wheeling in mud so ask someone else about this.

Things to think about.....as with any MT, religious rotation and balance in important for even treadwear. My MTR's need lots of weight to balance them, much more than my BFGs did. I would run them again but the last set I got a smoking cheap deal on, so coughing up $860 for new ones has me choking......I've been looking pretty seriously at Maxxis Bighorns which from everything I've heard and read, will be an equal/better all-around performing tire for $50 per tire less.

 

[SAMI]

i'm about to pull the trigger on 4 35x12.5x15 Maxxis Bighorns on ebay for about $650 shipped on ebay..

-Jason

 

[Cody]

I paid $604 for my 4 35x12.5r15 bighorns. Thats was a little more than a year ago though.