All Terrain tires vs "Highway Terrain" tires

[Fishpilot]

I also upgraded my 245/75/17 for the very common and readily available 265/70/17. This is the tire size that Jeep should have put on the Sport and Sport S trim levels. The diameter is slightly increased also the width is increased noticeably. I went with the updated version of the cult classic Michelin Defenders LTX M/S2. These tires are standard with XL sidewalls with LTs available in certain sizes. I think heavy LTs with Sport gearing would be a mistake. The Defenders are road quite with decent off road performance if needed. Also because the 265/70/17 are close to the stock diameter, the engine and transmission will be happy and acceleration will still be brisk.

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[AustyPosty]

I’m a fan of the stock falken AT3ws that came stock on my rubicon, however they are decently heavy for the size and the At3ws are being phased out.

The BfG ko3 looks promising and are lightweight, pricey though.

 

[JAsh1967]

So the weight ATs will add compared to the stock HTs might become an issue, I might end up sticking with the HTs. When we hitch up the camper and put all our gear in the appropriate places, we're already getting close to max payload with the Gladiator (tongue weight, plus us, plus gas, plus gear in the bed / backseat)

Just roughing it from the last time I took the truck over a CAT scale, between the tongue weight of the camper, me and the wife and a full tank of gas, based on the weight difference a set of ATs bring to the table, I'd have to travel with the bed empty (or darn close)

phooey

 

[AustyPosty]

So the weight ATs will add compared to the stock HTs might become an issue, I might end up sticking with the HTs. When we hitch up the camper and put all our gear in the appropriate places, we're already getting close to max payload with the Gladiator (tongue weight, plus us, plus gas, plus gear in the bed / backseat)

Just roughing it from the last time I took the truck over a CAT scale, between the tongue weight of the camper, me and the wife and a full tank of gas, based on the weight difference a set of ATs bring to the table, I'd have to travel with the bed empty (or darn close)

phooey

The duelers weigh about 33 pound per tire, Not sure if you're looking to go up in tire size, but the 265/70r17 Bfg Ko2 All terrains are about 1.5 inches taller than the stock Duelers and weigh 13 pounds extra per tire. Or the BFG Trail terrain in 255/65r17 which is only 39 pounds. Both options listed are 3-peak mountain snowflake rated. There's plenty more options just giving a few examples!

 

[Camaroboi13]

Anything with a more aggressive tread pattern is going to be louder, there’s no way around that. The key is to rotate religiously to avoid any runout and keep the tires quieter. I’m a Toyo fan myself, I run the RT Trail but have seen and heard good things about the Open Country AT3 as far as mileage and traction. The Goodyear Duratracs are a good choice for longevity as well.

 

[Screen Protech]

Right now, tire-wise, I don't have anything in particular in mind.

Wheels? Wheels I've got in mind
My personal preference, sadly, Method has discontinued (MR706 in titanium) so now I'm looking at MR705s in titanium.

Great looking wheel!! I always have a hard time deciding on rims. Even my kids appreciate a good tire/wheel set up. I have so many pictures of them standing next to lifted jeeps that they liked.

 

[Fishpilot]

I went from the stock highway 245/75/17 to LT-E all terrain 265/70/17. About the same diameter so no adjustment for tire size or speedometer is required, no loss in towing ability. But wider due to 265 instead of 245, and then wider still due to all-terrain tread. About 9" wide instead of 7" even though the same diameter.

I keep them around 50 PSI because I tow and that's what it took to keep the tires cool at 70 MPH in the summer heat. Wear is excellent. Did so on another truck for decades.

About a 10% hit, around 2 MPG. Where I used to get around 22 with the stock highway tires, I now get around 20 MPG.

Good cornering and emergency maneuvers due to being LT tires. Good for towing stability and offroading durability. Survives the rocks. Great for blasting through switchbacks.

Also have Bilstein 5100 shocks, making for a well controlled vehicle. Drives like a sports truck, but you do feel the little bumps. It's not a big deal if you are used to trucks with LT tires, or sports cars.

265/70 17 is a very common size. Available from many manufacturers, and thus probably easy to find a replacement in some small town if necessary.

If I lived closer to the mountains and forest then I'd probably get a larger size, but as it is I have to travel hundreds of miles to get anywhere interesting, usually towing as well, and am lucky to do so once a year at the most. So I'm content to use a practical size of tire and be limited to the mid-grade trails.

I happen to use Cooper Discoverer AT3, but I'm sure other brands would be fine as well.

Im also interested in updating to the Bilstein 5100 shocks too. I assume you either have the Sport or the Sport S without a lift like mine. Just a quick question that would be helpful to me. I would think that just swapping shock absorbers and not springs would render no height gain, which is what I want. Did your ride height (factory) stay the same with the upgraded Bilstein 5100 shocks? Thanks

 

[Uparms]

I ditched the stock 245/70/17 at 12K miles for a set of Rubicon wheels and Falkent AT sell offs.. Just makes simple plain sense till I start the real build..

 

[bd100]

Im also interested in updating to the Bilstein 5100 shocks too. I assume you either have the Sport or the Sport S without a lift like mine. Just a quick question that would be helpful to me. I would think that just swapping shock absorbers and not springs would render no height gain, which is what I want. Did your ride height (factory) stay the same with the upgraded Bilstein 5100 shocks? Thanks

Yes, Sport S. And shocks without springs yields the same ride height. You end up with a stock height mountain switchback carver which does fine for moderate trails, instead of a top heavy lifted rock garden crawler. And this is where stiff LT tires with an all terrain tread may be better than highway tires on the one hand or mud/hybrid tires on the other hand. Just a question of which tradeoffs you wish to make.

 

[Stan H]

I had totally different thinking I guess , I drive in very mixed terrain gravel, dirt,mud,pavement, grass & leaves, flat steep to super steep. A tire has to fit the terrain for sure.. So I with some Mickey Thompson Baja boss MT seem to be a great mix ..and for Rims I went with steel mainly for one reason. Once the aluminum ones are scratched up they are scratched till the next set of rims.. steel ..sandblast, paint, clear coat.. good as new.

 

[Vincent]

I also upgraded my 245/75/17 for the very common and readily available 265/70/17. This is the tire size that Jeep should have put on the Sport and Sport S trim levels. The diameter is slightly increased also the width is increased noticeably. I went with the updated version of the cult classic Michelin Defenders LTX M/S2. These tires are standard with XL sidewalls with LTs available in certain sizes. I think heavy LTs with Sport gearing would be a mistake. The Defenders are road quite with decent off road performance if needed. Also because the 265/70/17 are close to the stock diameter, the engine and transmission will be happy and acceleration will still be brisk.

I have a set of these in the 255/75r17 flavor and they’re great for winter and road trips!

 

[Uparms]

I had totally different thinking I guess , I drive in very mixed terrain gravel, dirt,mud,pavement, grass & leaves, flat steep to super steep. A tire has to fit the terrain for sure.. So I with some Mickey Thompson Baja boss MT seem to be a great mix ..and for Rims I went with steel mainly for one reason. Once the aluminum ones are scratched up they are scratched till the next set of rims.. steel ..sandblast, paint, clear coat.. good as new.

Yours looks good w Steel. I need o keep them in mind. # trailRepair

 

[mtudb24]

General Grabber AT's. Excellent tire. Good for on off road. Mountain peak snow rated. Rolled 51K and still have lots of tread left

 

[Stan H]

General Grabber AT's. Excellent tire. Good for on off road. Mountain peak snow rated. Rolled 51K and still have lots of tread left

Where in the Sam Hill did you get those Jeep center caps !! And did your rims have the screw holes pre-drilled and threaded ??
I want a set of 4

 

[mtudb24]

Where in the Sam Hill did you get those Jeep center caps !! And did your rims have the screw holes pre-drilled and threaded ??
I want a set of 4

The center caps are from the Quadratec CJ retro rims I have and those are vinyl decals I had a guy print for me.

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