38's are the Goldilocks of tires (owner review)

[xcd]

Did a little more testing before Moab to determine if I needed a small .5" spacer up front. I'm just about full bump, aired up to 31 PSI, and plenty of room. I'm going to run it as is.

Do you have any pics that show how close the tire comes to control arm during full turn to the stops ? Really curious. I have my suspension coming and 5:13 gears sitting on my Bench. Running the metalcloak arms with the AEV wheels. Planning 38’s. Seeing your clearance would be confidence inspiring. Seeing your rig is making me hemorrhage money.

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[RodRecket]

I don't have anything at full flex. There's no rubbing though. I'll try to grab a full lock pic for you to see. Just Empty Every Pocket!

 

[RodRecket]

Do you have any pics that show how close the tire comes to control arm during full turn to the stops ? Really curious. I have my suspension coming and 5:13 gears sitting on my Bench. Running the metalcloak arms with the AEV wheels. Planning 38’s. Seeing your clearance would be confidence inspiring. Seeing your rig is making me hemorrhage money.

Took this today. It's not flexed but full lock. Plenty of room

 

[xcd]

Took this today. It's not flexed but full lock. Plenty of room

Lots of room indeed- thank you for posting that.

 

[xcd]

Well it took me a couple days start to finish to get the cloak lift and steering done. But here’s your twin from the other side of the great river.38’s are perfect. 5.5 on caster. Probably up that to 6.5. Toe in is also a little light but it drives perfectly. Other than my 5:13’s are on the bench and not in the diffs. Still waiting for my back ordered bearing and shim kit.
I could do a full write up on the game changer install. It was ok but there were a couple things I made to make life a little better.

 

[RodRecket]

Well it took me a couple days start to finish to get the cloak lift and steering done. But here’s your twin from the other side of the great river.38’s are perfect. 5.5 on caster. Probably up that to 6.5. Toe in is also a little light but it drives perfectly. Other than my 5:13’s are on the bench and not in the diffs. Still waiting for my back ordered bearing and shim kit.
I could do a full write up on the game changer install. It was ok but there were a couple things I made to make life a little better.

Looks killer

 

[Kristian13]

What didn’t you like about the KM3’s and How long did you run them? I’m curious as that was a tire I was looking at but the price of them currently has me looking at other options for the future. I currently run Maxxis Razr MT’s in a 40” (that’s all I could get during Covid times) looking to drop down to a 38” in the near future. I may just go back to nittos or Mickeys. I wish the Baja boss MT was offered in a 38”

What’s the reason in wanting to drop from from the 40s? Any negatives

 

[ArchEtech]

That looks awesome. I’d love to have 37” but I’m concerned anything above 35 is going to be a bit more for a daily driver and don’t want an extra 50lbs at all corners.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

What’s the reason in wanting to drop from from the 40s? Any negatives

When I started this build, it was during Covid and the supply constraints, so tires were extremely hard to come by at that time. My build was going to originally be built with 39’s or nitto 38’s But I couldn’t get my hands on a set. I was told it would be nearly a year out at that time.
During that time the only tires I found were Maxxis Razr MT in 40’s. So I bit the bullet and got them.
After living with them for awhile the size has grown on me. They look great and just work so now I go back and forth with myself on what to do when the time comes.
I’m not 100% sure on what I’m going to do when the time comes to purchase new tires… The 39” KM3s have skyrocketed in price and not sure it makes sense to go that route anymore.
so it will probably be between 38” nittos or 40” Baja boss MTs when the time comes.

 

[Kristian13]

When I started this build, it was during Covid and the supply constraints, so tires were extremely hard to come by at that time. My build was going to originally be built with 39’s or nitto 38’s But I couldn’t get my hands on a set. I was told it would be nearly a year out at that time.
During that time the only tires I found were Maxxis Razr MT in 40’s. So I bit the bullet and got them.
After living with them for awhile the size has grown on me. They look great and just work so now I go back and forth with myself on what to do when the time comes.
I’m not 100% sure on what I’m going to do when the time comes to purchase new tires… The 39” KM3s have skyrocketed in price and not sure it makes sense to go that route anymore.
so it will probably be between 38” nittos or 40” Baja boss MTs when the time comes.

I feel your pain, I have been going back and forth for 2 months. I’m between the Nitto 38s or Baja boss 40s.
The daily ride / control on 40s has been a positive, in your experience?

I have the 6 speed and my concern Is not having enough power to still be a daily. 40s just look awesome, and I’m sure preform well on the trail.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

Yes it’s definitely been a positive more than I expected. I have an 8spd with 5.13’s. It’s fine for daily, relatively speaking.

 

[RodRecket]

I feel your pain, I have been going back and forth for 2 months. I’m between the Nitto 38s or Baja boss 40s.
The daily ride / control on 40s has been a positive, in your experience?

I have the 6 speed and my concern Is not having enough power to still be a daily. 40s just look awesome, and I’m sure preform well on the trail.

I don't know your build but steering was a big concern for me since my JT is a daily and pulls a tear drop cross country. I have the Apex steering boost kit and that is adequate for the 38s on the street (barely) but still struggles offroad. Without hydro assist I don't see how the stock steering pump would hold up to 40s.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

Here are some poser shots in the fall colors. It just rubs the inner fender liner, not bad!

What size lift are you running here?

 

[RodRecket]

What size lift are you running here?

AEV 2.5"

 

[Viper]

I just mounted up a set of 38/13.5r17 Falken Wildpeak RT01 on my AEV Borah beadlocks and am very happy with the new tires so far. I had a JK on a few different lifts and tires and now two JT's with multiple sets of tires and lift heights. On the JT's I've run 285/75r17 KO2s, 35/11.5r17 Toyo ATIII, 37/12.5r17 KM3s, 37/12.5r17 KO2s, and now the 38" Falken RTs.

The Falken RT mounted on the truck comes in at 37.1 inches. My notoriously small 37 KO2s measured at 35.7 inches. It's a noticeable difference and one I think will make a difference on the trail. Additionally, my perspective on width has changed the more I hit the rocks. At 11.5" wide I was rubbing my wheels on every rock I tried going around. Even a 12.5 mounted on a beadlock would rub the hell out of the ring. The extra width is going to come in handy while crawling over obstacles.

I've always been a fan of AT tires since I spend most of my time on the road, but after a but of research I'm giving these RT's a try. I'll report back after I spend a Minnesota winter on them. So far the road manners are great, slightly louder than the KO2s (which were very quiet).

The other thing I kept hearing when considering jumping to a 38 was to just go 40's. This is a no go for me for a few reasons.
1. I'm already regeared to 4.56 and that will work for 38s but not 40s. If I could do it again I'd choose 4.88 or maybe 5.13 but I can get by at 4.56. I think 40s would force a regear.

2. When I decided on 38s I knew I would want to beef up my brakes (powerstop rotors and pads) and axles shafts (RVC up front, dana chromoly rear). This is a considerable expesne at $3k but I would be looking at 6X the cost for new axles if I went 40s.

3. I'd need a taller lift to fit 40s. At 38" I can keep my current lift (AEV 2.5") and retain a ride I really like. I did gut the fender liners and still need to check clearance at full lock/full stuff but I had quite a bit of room when I was running the 37s with the full fender liner. 40s and a 4.5" lift would mean I would no longer fit in my garage, another demerit.

Overall, it's just my opinion, but 38's are the Goldilocks of tires for these trucks. Not too small, but not too big.

Here are the quick specs on my JT for those curious:
2021 JTR AEV JT370 (4.56 gear package) auto transmission
AEV 2.5 lift
Metalcloak CAs (all 8)
Currylink steering (tie rod/draglink)
Teraflex rear upper control arm extended travel kit
Rancho adj trackbar
38/13.5r17 Falken Wildpeak RT01 on Borah Beadlock wheels (+25mm offset)

Do you have issues rubbing the control arms with 8.5 wheels. I am running 9 inch Dirty Life

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