Looking for new 37" tires.

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Thanks @Rusty PW! Great summary. Just placed an order for a set of five.

Got 40K out of my Falken MT 35s (prob still had another 5k left to go) and looking forward to stepping up to the 37s.

Good advice on the 4K rotation plus with the 5th Kenda M/T2 tire they hopefully will last a long time.

Sponsored

 

[Rusty PW]

At Rausch Creek right now. The Kenda's are great off road. People that seen the tires in action are impressed. 2 guys said that they are going to get the Kenda's as the next tire. I've walked up stuff that I didn't need to use the lockers, but would have before.

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Thanks again @Rusty PW. I’ll do a writeup on mine so others have the benefit of my experience too.

Last week, I installed a set of Kenda MT2s size 37 x 12.5 R17 on stock Gladiator Rubicon 17 x 7.5 wheels. Because the 12.5 Kendas spec for an 8” rim (many 12.5 tires spec for a 8.5 rim), I didn’t feel the need to change to wider wheels. This tire on this wheel (on Rubicon axles) fits flush with the fenders (my preference) and have no clearance issues (on an AEV high capacity 3.5” lift).

Took a trip and already put almost 1,000 miles on these tires with no issues.

Good dry road traction and handling. Have been impressed with heavy rain and wet road traction too. Slightly quieter than my worn Falken MTs and ride smooth (even when running 50 psi to contribute to better gas mileage).

Had the chance to do a forest trail this weekend and didn’t need to switch into 4wd or air down the tires - just drove through with no slippage. Also very sure footed on steep sections that were covered in loose gravel (my prior Falkens seemed to float/dance on gravel). While I didn’t get to test deep mud, I can’t see how the aggressive deep lug pattern won’t just dig down and claw its way out.

Speaking of the tread pattern, the wide open channels between lugs on the tire do pick up larger rocks that later fly out on the highway. Smaller pea sized rocks can wedge inside the tread pattern and a few will stay (similar to AT tires).

Completely unrelated to Kenda, some shops (Goodyear plus three local tire retailers) stated they don’t have equipment rated to balance 37” tires (cutoff seems to be 35”). After four attempts, Pepboys balanced the set but charged an extra “large tire fee” and only warranty the balancing for 90 days.

I’m running stock Rubicon gears. Will need to re-gear at some point but it’s not as bad as I thought. The truck does hunt for gears more with the taller tires as expected. Uphill grades on the highway tend to be in 5th/6th gear. On extremely steep winding mountain passes the truck held 2nd gear much longer than before, so being less aggressive on the accelerator pedal avoided extended high RPMs. The taller tires definitely kept me at slower speeds which isn’t a bad thing. On the highway between 65 - 75 seemed to be the sweet spot.

Overall, I’m pleased and I’d buy another set.

 

[Rusty PW]

Up date. The Kenda's will need rotating at around 4,000 miles. They start to show signs of cupping on the front.

 

[Camaroboi13]

My RT Trails just hit 34k and still have half tread. I rotate every 5k and balance every 15k. Been very happy with them thus far.

 

[Dougstdig]

I just went the other way myself, went from Toyo RT's that started wearing odd and had gotten LOUD, now on BFG KO2 AT's and the quietness is AWESOME.

…until they wear…. All tires get loud as they age.

 

[Gvsukids]

Up date. The Kenda's will need rotating at around 4,000 miles. They start to show signs of cupping on the front.

Update?

 

[Proximo]

Update?

I've also found Kenda to be subject to cupping. I did get 40k miles out of Kenda M/T 35's. Switched to Pat's M/T 37's and got 48k miles out of them. I've now switched to an X/T, Arturo Trail Blade, since my 100k miles have only been 5% off-road and the only rock crawling i do is at Drummond Island every other year.

 

[MPMB]

If anyone's looking - Patagonia X/T in 37s for 17" wheels at Walmart: $228/ea. It's not the firesale a couple years ago, but that's the cheapest 37 I see.

Milestar Patagonia X/T Rugged Terrain LT37X12.50R17 124Q D Light Truck Tire - Walmart.com

 

[Rusty PW]

Update?

Love them. Wearing well once you find the right air pressure. With the diesel, it's 30 in the front and 28 in the rear with an empty bed. Have to look in my maintenance book to see how many miles are on them. The book is in the JT, which I'm not going out in this cold right now to look. I'll do that tomorrow. With all the snow we got over the past week. They have done great. Deeper the snow, the better. You can see clumps of snow flying up from the front tires. When it's icy or lightly packed snow. You have to watch yourself. Not enough for the lugs to bite into. Like any other tire MT tire.

 

[Gvsukids]

Love them. Wearing well once you find the right air pressure. With the diesel, it's 30 in the front and 28 in the rear with an empty bed. Have to look in my maintenance book to see how many miles are on them. The book is in the JT, which I'm not going out in this cold right now to look. I'll do that tomorrow. With all the snow we got over the past week. They have done great. Deeper the snow, the better. You can see clumps of snow flying up from the front tires. When it's icy or lightly packed snow. You have to watch yourself. Not enough for the lugs to bite into. Like any other tire MT tire.

Would you try the Kenda AT2, or stick with the MT?

 

[Rusty PW]

Would you try the Kenda AT2, or stick with the MT?

For what I do. The MT's for now.

 

[Dougstdig]

There just something about saying to yourself…I better not do that, try that or I better turn around that takes a little bit of your soul.

Also, it may just take a little more skinny pedal to get you through with an AT or RT, but that little more skinny pedal may also be all that’s needed to hear that loud crack, boom or pop.

Different tires, but am of the school of thought even though the MT’s I’m running aren’t as loud as swampers and I may be giving up some mileage (still getting 18-22mpg JTRD on 37’s) I’m not shedding what I have. This being said, I may through on some 315x11.5R17’s in my stock wheels for between my off-roading trips. Looking at the Toyo RT Pros or new Nitto Tera Grappler G3’s. Will not be going to an E rated tire though…. Only a D

 

[Rusty PW]

I have 28,000 miles on the Kenda's. They're about halfway through their tread life.

 

[Gvsukids]

For what I do. The MT's for now.

So winter driving leave something to be desired?

Sponsored