bigger tires on unlifted Sport S

[ShadowsPapa]

Points taken, but correct me if I'm wrong, the factory Dueler A/T is also not an LT, it is 112T (2,484#/tire).

This Falken is a 115T (2679#/tire) so no problem maintaining factory towing and payload.

Still taking in advice, but I spent most of the 6 weeks waiting for my truck thinking about what size and type of tire to get and have come full circle from a hybrid 285/70 to this because:

I don't need mud tires - I need all-season with 3-peak mountain snowflake rating

I don't need a fat tire - narrow tires are better in the snow (but the factory took that to far with the 245 IMO)

A good % of my miles will be travelling between home in NH and camp in ME on 1 & 2 lane limited access roads and other area roads where good road holding (lower c.g., cornering grip, lower unsprung weight, etc.)

Less rolling resistance and weight improve fuel efficiency

No loss of towing or payload due to tall and/or heavy tires

Still expect a huge improvement in looks - my S has body colored fenders and visually to me even the factory tires look bigger when they are not competing with the huge std. black fenders

More than capable enough for the off-roading I am likely to do

For ordinary snow, yes, but this from a tire site - >
----------------------------------
Generally, narrower tires are better in snow and on ice because they are more stable and get better linear traction by penetrating the snow. This is not always true though; on hard-pack snow, wider tires with more sipes are better. In deep snow, wider tires might be able to float over the top, but that’s a very specific situation. Narrower wheel widths are normally better because it rounds the profile of the tire and helps both penetration and flotation.

----------------------------------

And this - which helps explain why even a wider tire on a rim that's not wider can have some positive impact (using a tire on the lower side of the recommended rim width) ->
-----------------------------------
A tire's contact patch or "footprint" greatly influences its performance. On the same vehicle, the area of the contact patch essentially remains the same with different width tires. When the footprint gets narrower as it will with a narrower width tire, it has to get longer. And the mechanics of the longer footprint help with the longitudinal traction for acceleration and braking.
------------------------------

Sponsored

 

[WXman]

I see a LOT of people going for a larger diameter...Anyone out there kept the same diameter of the Sport S tire but just gone wider? Like a 265 70 R17 or even a 285/65 R17 tire? (I'm concerned about losing towing capacity so I want to stick with the same diameter)

While a 265 or 285 is certainly wider technically speaking, in my opinion it's sort of a waste of time. You're talking 10-30 millimeters which is almost hard to even notice when you're standing back looking at the truck. If you're going to go bigger, then my advice is GO BIGGER. You don't have to run a 35" or 37" tall tire to get something that has a noticeably wider and better look. Try a 305/65-17. Those will fit the factory wheels perfectly and you'll actually see the difference over stock.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I find it interesting that so many "Jeep people" buy tires strictly on looks - while others buy to get the best for their needs and driving stability, etc.
Buy for looks and you may screw yourself for performance in snow or on dry, why not buy for what your needs are other than to satisfy what others will think as far as how it looks?
It's a vanity club. Not a performance on the road/in the snow club.

LOL - I can hear it now - do these tires make my Jeep look weak?

 

[Scott_in_NH]

I find it interesting that so many "Jeep people" buy tires strictly on looks - while others buy to get the best for their needs and driving stability, etc.
Buy for looks and you may screw yourself for performance in snow or on dry, why not buy for what your needs are other than to satisfy what others will think as far as how it looks?
It's a vanity club. Not a performance on the road/in the snow club.

LOL - I can hear it now - do these tires make my Jeep look weak?

Exactly, and I agree with your previous post, but for most part that to me means a wider tire would be good off road in deep snow (where I am unlikely to be), the hard-packed condition you describe rarely happens on road here in NH except for when the conditions are right and just an inch or less packs onto the road

 

[Scott_in_NH]

While a 265 or 285 is certainly wider technically speaking, in my opinion it's sort of a waste of time. You're talking 10-30 millimeters which is almost hard to even notice when you're standing back looking at the truck. If you're going to go bigger, then my advice is GO BIGGER. You don't have to run a 35" or 37" tall tire to get something that has a noticeably wider and better look. Try a 305/65-17. Those will fit the factory wheels perfectly and you'll actually see the difference over stock.

Even thought it is only modestly wider, the Falken will look way better than the Dueler and perform well for my actual daily needs....

View attachment 56451

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Exactly, and I agree with your previous post, but for most part that to me means a wider tire would be good off road in deep snow (where I am unlikely to be), the hard-packed condition you describe rarely happens on road here in NH except for when the conditions are right and just an inch or less packs onto the road

Back in the 80s when I lived in north Iowa, we had some massive snows in that decade. I recall my first Eagle I decided to have some fun with it. Had about 5 acres - several out buildings and about 3 clear acres and those were covered with deep big drifts. I was zipping around the yard in the snow and went up onto a 4' or so drift and got that "uh-oh - o.....sxxt" feeling and found myself high-centered, supported on the drift by floor pan and skid plates. That was a case of the stock tires not floating on that crusty drift.
Another time I was flying up a highway after a big snow - the roads hadn't been plowed and the snow was easily as deep as the tops of the tires at times and that car flew through that like nuttin. The stock tires blew through the snow, no troubles, straight line, 55 mph on a deep unplowed roads.

That's an example of how the same tires on a 4x4 worked great on deep snow, not crusty, fluffy stuff, but didn't carry me up over the more solid drift and I broke through.

 

[Scott_in_NH]

Back in the 80s when I lived in north Iowa, we had some massive snows in that decade. I recall my first Eagle I decided to have some fun with it. Had about 5 acres - several out buildings and about 3 clear acres and those were covered with deep big drifts. I was zipping around the yard in the snow and went up onto a 4' or so drift and got that "uh-oh - o.....sxxt" feeling and found myself high-centered, supported on the drift by floor pan and skid plates. That was a case of the stock tires not floating on that crusty drift.
Another time I was flying up a highway after a big snow - the roads hadn't been plowed and the snow was easily as deep as the tops of the tires at times and that car flew through that like nuttin. The stock tires blew through the snow, no troubles, straight line, 55 mph on a deep unplowed roads.

That's an example of how the same tires on a 4x4 worked great on deep snow, not crusty, fluffy stuff, but didn't carry me up over the more solid drift and I broke through.

We had a 86 Eagle Wagon Limited in the mid-nineties, blue, tan leather, self leveling, selectable AWD....I put some nice chrome rims on it and BFG's - Loved, loved that car and yes it kicked ass in the snow!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We had a 86 Eagle Wagon Limited in the mid-nineties, blue, tan leather, self leveling, selectable AWD....I put some nice chrome rims on it and BFG's - Loved, loved that car and yes it kicked ass in the snow!

They did kick ass in the snow. I could drive unplowed drifted roads with no problem.
I recall going up to the dealer in Mason City, Iowa, to talk about ordering one and I'd been there many times before - but this time things looked different. It was December and the Jeeps didn't have blades on them.
I asked the guys inside - what's up - they put the blades on Eagles instead. They said the Eagle plowed better, was better balanced - the weight better distributed for the blade. Sort of funny looking out their window on the other side and there were a couple of Eagles with blades on the front.
I've not driven my Eagle SX4 in snow for about 5 years now but when I did, it would go through some pretty nasty deep stuff and not slip a bit. It walked right through. (restored, rust-free, so no more winter driving for it)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Even thought it is only modestly wider, the Falken will look way better than the Dueler and perform well for my actual daily needs....

View attachment 56451

I'm putting Rubicon take-offs on my Overland - better snow rating. I'll keep the stock Overland wheels with tires for good weather summer driving and use the Falken A/T take-offs for all other weather.

I looked at a 4 wheel off-road site earlier today to get some opinions on tires and in my search came across an article where the editor and a couple of tech people that work there were talking tires - 2 out of 3 said they liked the larger tire, but the narrow old-school 4x4 look. One was a Jeep from the late 60s and the other if I recall was a Bronco.
Here people talk about wider - there they were talking not wider for better snow and dry road traction - but they actually preferred the look of the less wide tires.
I just found it interesting to see the different takes on looks and preferences.

 

[GladiatoRic]

Thanks! Ya the 7.5” wide stock sport wheel pulls the sidewalk in so much less likely to throw a bead when airing down and keeps the 12.5” wide mud terrain tire under the fenders to avoid throwing mud and rocks all over the side. Also keeps it street legal with out terrible looking mud flaps!

Came up on some rubicon wheels and tires. Running these for daily driving and towing and slap back on the meats for wheeling.

 

[Scott_in_NH]

I've had feelers out at the dealership and have been watching online markets for a fresh set of Rubi takeoffs for a couple of weeks now.

The "great deal" going rate seems to be ~$1200 and I may eventually go that way (or sooner if I find some before I buy tires).

That said, while I like the big and wide look (who doesn't?), I also like the tall and thinner for its vintage military looks and that it also works better on road.

If there was a 265/75 I might go for it over a 285/70 (on stock S rims)

 

[Scott_in_NH]

My truck just came in, not picking it up Until Tuesday, but this is the way I think I am going.

Walmart has the Falken AT3W in 265/70r17 for $114.29 and their mount and balance is very reasonable too!

I think I'm going to pull the trigger

I didn't pull the trigger yesterday for a variety of reasons and they went up ~$22 each overnight

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've had feelers out at the dealership and have been watching online markets for a fresh set of Rubi takeoffs for a couple of weeks now.

The "great deal" going rate seems to be ~$1200 and I may eventually go that way (or sooner if I find some before I buy tires).

That said, while I like the big and wide look (who doesn't?), I also like the tall and thinner for its vintage military looks and that it also works better on road.

If there was a 265/75 I might go for it over a 285/70 (on stock S rims)

I kept searching here and elsewhere for Rubicon take-offs - the stock Falken A/Ts. Everything here is priced fine but it's a $400 trip plus hotel to go get them. I'd find something, do the math, it was 12 hours there, 12 back, the gas and all - made it a lot more expensive in $$ plus the time lost.
Finally I found a set near Omaha, 4 standard JT Rubicon wheels, Falken tires, lug nuts, no sensors.
I needed to make a trip over that way anyway as a friend has an old dealership sign he's been holding for me for over a year now. I asked him how far the seller was from him - he said 10 minutes! I asked if he'd go get them -sure thing.
So he's got the tires/wheels and lug nuts in his garage and the sign, I make one trip, done, about 3 hours each way.
The seller was asking 1200 for 4 wheels with tires and lug nuts, less TPMS. We talked and he said he'd go 1100. With TPMS that makes them about 1200 roughly.

I'll have a set for bad weather, snow, ice, whatever and keep the stock tires - at least FOR NOW - for good summer driving around home.
I didn't want wider tires really - clearance, not as good in ordinary snow, that sort of thing. I've already had a couple of people comment "look at the tires on that thing!" - meaning they thought the stock Overland tires were BEEG. (one guy who commented drives a full size Ford pickup) so - it's only Jeep people who have a problem with the looks, apparently LOL

>>I also like the tall and thinner for its vintage military looks and that it also works better on road.<<
One of the sites I was looking at yesterday - that was a comment mentioned specifically in their article - in fact, that's almost word for word what they said.

 

[PyrPatriot]

That is why I like my Falken M/T in 255/75/17

Reported good results on snow/compact

Narrower but still wide enough

Close enough to OEM size that I dont need to recalibrate speedometer/odometer

 

[jcor8]

That is why I like my Falken M/T in 255/75/17

Reported good results on snow/compact

Narrower but still wide enough

Close enough to OEM size that I dont need to recalibrate speedometer/odometer

I'm thinking about the BFG A/T KO2 in 34"x10.50"/17. The price is pretty steep, though, $348.

Sponsored