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

[RodRecket]

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

The control arm brand (bend), wheel offset, backspace, width of wheel, and width of tire will all factor into whether the tire will rub. My combo 38x13.5 tire, 17x8.5 wheel (+25mm offset, 5.7" backspace) and MC control arms just touch the control arm at full lock/stuff while aired down to ~ 9psi. I do not feel or hear it but I have noticed about 2 inches of wear on the finish of the front lower control arms.

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[Flyin6]

Fellow JT370 owner
Now at 3.5" lift and still on 37" KM3s
Considering moving to 38's for the exact same reasons you spoke of, except I have tall garage doors, so no worry there.
I run 5.13's and carry a RTT and rack, so I am already concerned by the poor acceleration and lack of power when I get to higher elevations
Thinking...

 

[Jaydebe]

Just found this post and now it's making me reconsider buying 37s...
Great 411! Thx!

 

[Minty JL]

Just found this post and now it's making me reconsider buying 37s...
Great 411! Thx!

Yes, always go up one size larger then you think you want......prevent you from wasting money

 

[RodRecket]

Fellow JT370 owner
Now at 3.5" lift and still on 37" KM3s
Considering moving to 38's for the exact same reasons you spoke of, except I have tall garage doors, so no worry there.
I run 5.13's and carry a RTT and rack, so I am already concerned by the poor acceleration and lack of power when I get to higher elevations
Thinking...

I don't regret moving up to the 38x13.5 one bit. I am however making some changes to the JT. I have regeared to 5.38s and am swapping the suspension over to a rock krawler 3" silverback kit (parallel long arms in front, triangulated 4 link rear). The suspension swap is based on use case. I've gone from light trails and "overlanding" with a roof top tent and full load out everywhere to more technical rock crawling and a teardrop camper for a base camp. The AEV kit has been great, and I like the ride but I have found its limits on the rocks.

I think the 5.38s do a great job of moving the Jeep and I dont think there is a very big difference between 5.38s and 5.13s. That being said its a V6 jeep, I don't expect it to be "fast" in any sense of the word. I merge into traffic just fine, but maybe you have different expectations for acceleration.

 

[RodRecket]

Just found this post and now it's making me reconsider buying 37s...
Great 411! Thx!

It all depends what you want to do with your rig, but I'm very happy with the 38s! How much lift are you running now?

 

[Flyin6]

I don't regret moving up to the 38x13.5 one bit. I am however making some changes to the JT. I have regeared to 5.38s and am swapping the suspension over to a rock krawler 3" silverback kit (parallel long arms in front, triangulated 4 link rear). The suspension swap is based on use case. I've gone from light trails and "overlanding" with a roof top tent and full load out everywhere to more technical rock crawling and a teardrop camper for a base camp. The AEV kit has been great, and I like the ride but I have found its limits on the rocks.

I think the 5.38s do a great job of moving the Jeep and I dont think there is a very big difference between 5.38s and 5.13s. That being said its a V6 jeep, I don't expect it to be "fast" in any sense of the word. I merge into traffic just fine, but maybe you have different expectations for acceleration.

Gotcha
And if I may...I also like the 5.38 but did not choose it for one pretty significant reason. That being the pinion gear head being so small. I would suggest you study that and juxtapose that information over what you are actually doing. My thoughts: The technical stuff creates the exact conditions for grenading that spindly pinion gear of the 5.38 set.
Hope this helps...

 

[RodRecket]

Gotcha
And if I may...I also like the 5.38 but did not choose it for one pretty significant reason. That being the pinion gear head being so small. I would suggest you study that and juxtapose that information over what you are actually doing. My thoughts: The technical stuff creates the exact conditions for grenading that spindly pinion gear of the 5.38 set.
Hope this helps...

I'm not heavy on the skinny pedal when crawling....going in eyes wide open. 100:1 crawl ratio should help prevent the need for that.

 

[Flyin6]

I'm not heavy on the skinny pedal when crawling....going in eyes wide open. 100:1 crawl ratio should help prevent the need for that.

I look forward to your success.

 

[RodRecket]

I look forward to your success.

Well i sure hope it works out too!

 

[NylesR87]

Still happy with the winter performance on these tires? I’m on 37” ko2 now and looking to give them to my wife next month since she’ll be getting a lift on her JT and 33’s will look like it skipped leg day. I’m hesitant to not run 3peak rated tires up here in Reno but I want to move to 38’s on my JLURD. It’s between these MT BB A/T and’s maybe milestar Patagonia XT

I do see Falken has the AT4W listed as coming out in Q3 of this year for 38x13.5r17. Problem is I don’t think I can wait that long.
Thanks!

 

[RodRecket]

Still happy with the winter performance on these tires? I’m on 37” ko2 now and looking to give them to my wife next month since she’ll be getting a lift on her JT and 33’s will look like it skipped leg day. I’m hesitant to not run 3peak rated tires up here in Reno but I want to move to 38’s on my JLURD. It’s between these MT BB A/T and’s maybe milestar Patagonia XT

I do see Falken has the AT4W listed as coming out in Q3 of this year for 38x13.5r17. Problem is I don’t think I can wait that long.
Thanks!

I'll say the winter performance is good enough, but it is not as good as the KO2. The offraod capability is significantly improved compared to the KO2. For me, the trade off is worth while, it's competent enough in snow and DD but more capable off road and the extra bit of height really pays off wirh this wheelbase.

That being said, I think it may be worth waiting for the falkens. I am not a believer in cheap tires (milestar) and if there were more quality AT options in a 38 I would have given those more consideration.

 

[NylesR87]

I'll say the winter performance is good enough, but it is not as good as the KO2. The offraod capability is significantly improved compared to the KO2. For me, the trade off is worth while, it's competent enough in snow and DD but more capable off road and the extra bit of height really pays off wirh this wheelbase.

That being said, I think it may be worth waiting for the falkens. I am not a believer in cheap tires (milestar) and if there were more quality AT options in a 38 I would have given those more consideration.

Thank you!!

I couldn’t agree more, I don’t think tires is a place you ever want to skimp on to save a few bucks.

If I can’t wait for the AT4W which is seeming more and More likely I’m really thinking about biting the bullet and going with Some Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T.

The caveat is I now work from home and am driving significantly less mileage. So maybe getting something that isn’t 3peak rated isn’t out of the question. I know of a local guy who runs the MT BB MT’s and had Les Schwab cut sipes in them and he finds them to be adequate enough here in the Sierra.

I found some BB AT for $395per or the MT For $410 per and would have my local @Discount Tire match them like I’ve always done. I really wish I could find a the Wildpeak RT/01 for less than $469 per.

We’ll see, thank you again for the info and the write up.

 

[JT_explore]

Is anyone running the new 38 x 11.50 R17 Nitto Ridge Grappler?
Seems like a perfect size to minimize rubbing.

 

[RodRecket]

Is anyone running the new 38 x 11.50 R17 Nitto Ridge Grappler?
Seems like a perfect size to minimize rubbing.

This is really about use case. If you like playing in the rocks then I think the 11.5 is too narrow. I've run a 35x11.5, 37x12.5, and 38x13.5 and the more I go off road the more I appreciate the extra wide footprint. If you are daily driving and doing light trails then I think the 11.5 makes sense from a perspective of having the look and less worry about rubbing.

The wheel you are running plays into the equation as well.

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