That “tuck” though! - 37" BFG KO2 C with +25 mm Method Wheels - No Lift

[Mojohnny]

My Gladiator is a diesel. I have not noticed any difference at all in power or mpg. My mpg on the way out west averaged 24-25. On the way back with a pretty strong headwind through the flatlands I averaged a little over 22mpg. I also had the Falken M/T’s before. These tires run so much smoother and quieter. I absolutely love the setup.

Guess it’s time for me to look into swapping the engine to a diesel instead on my Mojave (joking)

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[Mike-len]

Guess it’s time for me to look into swapping the engine to a diesel instead on my Mojave (joking)

I don’t think we want to start a debate on gas vs diesel gladiators. I’ll just say that I’ve had both and I much prefer my diesel over the gas. ?

 

[.:eMETAL:.]

Revisiting this thread as I’m shopping around for new tires. I thought I wanted to go with 35” Mickey Thompson Baja Bosses but now seeing these BFG’s and Discount Tire stating they’re within 4 lbs. heavier per tire than my current Falken Wildpeak M/T’s (61.3 lbs.) vs BFG KO2’s (64.8 lbs.) seems like a no-brainer. How’re they holding up on 4.10s a year later or have you re-geared since?

I just finished regearing to 4.88s but not because of this setup. I have a manual transmission and feel the 3.6l is grossly underpowered even in stock form paired with the 6spd, so it was always a plan for me to regear. Manual should come with 4.56 from factory in my opinion. But now with the 4.88s I have have fallen in love with this truck like never before.

Your weight calculations are exactly why some of us have gone this route. This is a perfect pair. And if you’re looking at 35s… the BFG 37 is the perfect “true” 35.

This rides like a dream.

 

[Mojohnny]

I just finished regearing to 4.88s but not because of this setup. I have a manual transmission and feel the 3.6l is grossly underpowered even in stock form paired with the 6spd, so it was always a plan for me to regear. Manual should come with 4.56 from factory in my opinion. But now with the 4.88s I have have fallen in love with this truck like never before.

Your weight calculations are exactly why some of us have gone this route. This is a perfect pair. And if you’re looking at 35s… the BFG 37 is the perfect “true” 35.

This rides like a dream.

I have an 8-speed so I’m hoping that makes even the slightest difference whether or not I need to regear right away.

According to Discount Tire, the 35” MT Baja’s weigh more (73 lbs.) than the 37” KO2’s so I’m hoping I can maybe wait about another year before going up to 4.88, considering I do want an RSI Smartcap, slightly heavier wheels (Methods 705) and any additional weight I might be adding over the next year or so. I really appreciate your response!

 

[Deola]

Got my summer wheel and tire setup installed last night and man am I in love with this setup!

Method 703 (17x8.5. +25)
BFG KO2 C-rated 37x12.5r17

Zero lift, zero rub, nearly zero poke. Side pics taken with phone placed level on the body panels. Tires measure 35.25” loaded on the Jeep at 33psi.

I do plan on running a Rock Krawler 1.5” spacer all around to regain the wheel gap and travel, but wanted to mount this setup first to provide real feedback. Rides like a charm and at full lock side to side and in reverse without any rubbing.

Perfection

 

[.:eMETAL:.]

I have an 8-speed so I’m hoping that makes even the slightest difference whether or not I need to regear right away.

According to Discount Tire, the 35” MT Baja’s weigh more (73 lbs.) than the 37” KO2’s so I’m hoping I can maybe wait about another year before going up to 4.88, considering I do want an RSI Smartcap, slightly heavier wheels (Methods 705) and any additional weight I might be adding over the next year or so. I really appreciate your response!

You’ll be happy with these. Even the manual wasn’t terrible in comparison to stock I felt like there was no difference. I just speak from even the manual in stock form could use regearing. So take this information knowing that I felt no difference going from stock 33s to the 37s with my Method wheel set up. These load C BFG’s are a winner in my book.

 

[b-roc]

You’ll be happy with these. Even the manual wasn’t terrible in comparison to stock I felt like there was no difference. I just speak from even the manual in stock form could use rearing. So take this information knowing that I felt no difference going from stock 33s to the 37s with my Method wheel set up. These load C BFG’s are a winner in my book.

I completely agree. I have been running 705s and load c bfg for a little over a year denver with occasional interstate trips, city, and highway driving with an 8 speed. I only see 8th for brief flat highway runs. There is a small decrease in acceleration from a stop light (low end torque) ... but all of these differences are minor. With all of that said, I am regearing in about a week in anticipation of some more difficult offroad fun and some towing (it is completely possible that switching to 4L would have been all that was needed for the offroad part, but since I am throwing in a front locker too, this just seemed like the right time).

Short version- You can easily run this setup with an auto without regearing (likely exception would be regularly towing heavy loads)

 

[.:eMETAL:.]

UPDATE:

Installed AEV 2” spacer with geometry correction brackets and Apex autoLynx. Gained the wheel gap back for more travel and tucked the tires in a tad more perfectly. This setup is rockin.

 

[Danger_nurse]

UPDATE:

Installed AEV 2” spacer with geometry correction brackets and Apex autoLynx. Gained the wheel gap back for more travel and tucked the tires in a tad more perfectly. This setup is rockin.

Fantastic build, I’ll be doing the exact same ?

 

[5adventurers]

Just chiming in to say this exact thread was my inspiration. I always liked the 703s, but wasn't sure if I wanted +25 or 0 for offset. I chose +25 because it saves on bearings, turning radius (supposedly) and keeps the jeep cleaner. I like the look of a little poke, but just not as practical.

I decided to go for the full AEV dualsport after researching since May, and I'm happy with it.

But, as a Rubicon owner, I can now attest you can run 37s on 703s with no lift. Drove it around town for a bit before I put the lift on that evening.

See below for before and after. Thanks for posting and being the inspiration with "the tuck"

 

[.:eMETAL:.]

Just chiming in to say this exact thread was my inspiration. I always liked the 703s, but wasn't sure if I wanted +25 or 0 for offset. I chose +25 because it saves on bearings, turning radius (supposedly) and keeps the jeep cleaner. I like the look of a little poke, but just not as practical.

I decided to go for the full AEV dualsport after researching since May, and I'm happy with it.

But, as a Rubicon owner, I can now attest you can run 37s on 703s with no lift. Drove it around town for a bit before I put the lift on that evening.

See below for before and after. Thanks for posting and being the inspiration with "the tuck"

looks awesome my friend. I like that fender gap from the 2” dual sport; plenty of room for tire stuffing without diminishing form.

 

[5adventurers]

looks awesome my friend. I like that fender gap from the 2” dual sport; plenty of room for tire stuffing without diminishing form.

Thanks. I went back and forth between the dualsport and spacer....i liked the stock ride, but I was hoping for a touch more clearance and hoped ride and drive wouldn't suffer. It rides/drives great. It is a touch stiffer, which I'd heard, but no more bump recoil from the soft suspension. So a fair tradeoff. Steers true. So, I'm happy.

 

[subspd]

I have the exact same setup. We did some off-road trails in Idaho last weekend with some pretty decent ruts and rocks and I had no issues with rubbing even with sway bar disconnected and fully loaded down with camping gear. I do plan on lifting soon because the stock suspension is very soft with the truck loaded.
I

Are you running zero offset or 25+ ? Looks great! I want the new machined finish methods but I reached out to them and they are only going to offer that finish in 0 offset. Which is disappointing. So now I’m debating just keeping the stock wheels or going to the 0 offset methods.

 

[Mike-len]

Are you running zero offset or 25+ ? Looks great! I want the new machined finish methods but I reached out to them and they are only going to offer that finish in 0 offset. Which is disappointing. So now I’m debating just keeping the stock wheels or going to the 0 offset methods.

Those are the Method 703’s +25 offset.

 

[arskemp]

Are you running zero offset or 25+ ? Looks great! I want the new machined finish methods but I reached out to them and they are only going to offer that finish in 0 offset. Which is disappointing. So now I’m debating just keeping the stock wheels or going to the 0 offset methods.

For comparison, here is my setup with KO2s and 0 offset methods.

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