New Gladiator Overland owner with questions

[Nonstopnick]

I purchased a 2023 Glaiator overland with 10k by miles, it’s indistinguishable from new. The truck came with a 2.5” lift (I think), jeep/ Fox shocks and Nitto Ridge Grabbers -285/75/18. Theses are E rated tires that are much stiffer than I would like, so I’m shopping for a new set.

I will not be hitting the trails as THE activity, rather in the woods for other activities

I think I’ve decided on the Falken A/T4W, but can’t decide on size.

There is a 285/70/18 that is a C rated tires, but has the stiffer sidewalls and is as heavy as the Nitto’s. I like that they wouldn’t stick out past the fenders, but the weight is not great on mileage and the stiffer sidewalls wouldn’t offer much of an improvement over the Nittos that are on it.

They also make a 35/11.5/18, C rated that is 8lbs lighter.
I'm wanting a more compliant ride on the pavement, but wonder if the extra width of the 35/11.5/18 would have a negative effect on tracking.

Any help and experience would be greatly appreciated.

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[Rahkmalla]

Before you drop money on new tires consider the PSI you're running at.

stiffer sidewalls generally need less PSI to support the same weight. I run load range E 315/70r17s and at 29-31 cold PSI it rides just fine.

However, quite recently i let my father-in-law borrow my truck and like a father-in-law he saw my tire pressure was "low" and decided to fill to 37 for me and when i got it back my truck rode like shit.

I had to remind him i have on-board air and larger and stiffer tires so the "low" psi had nothing to do with me being too lazy to swing by the local Wawa.

As for tire widths: your 285s are 11.2 vs the 11.5s you're comparing them to. You'd never notice the difference of .3 inches... especially when tire manufacturers all lie about their measurements anyway. Your 285s could end up being wider than the 11.5s you replace them with. Conversely the difference may end up being more than .3 in which case... well i guess my point is it's a gamble unless you're seeing both in person with a measuring tape.

I will tell you going up to a 12.5 will have a noticeable impact on hydroplaning though. I've driven gladiators with 255 (willys) 285 (mojave OEM) and 315 (mojave 35s) and the difference in how they handle roads with improper drainage in heavy rain has not gone unnoticed.

Outside wet conditions, i never noticed my wider tires negatively impact my vehicles tracking, BUT i have OEM suspension and this is one of those areas where sometimes when you modify 2 things they interact much differently than when you just modify one thing; but that's just life with a jeep. Every modification works perfectly in a vacuum, but once you start combining stuff things can get weird.

 

[jmdusza01]

I purchased a 2023 Glaiator overland with 10k by miles, it’s indistinguishable from new. The truck came with a 2.5” lift (I think), jeep/ Fox shocks and Nitto Ridge Grabbers -285/75/18. Theses are E rated tires that are much stiffer than I would like, so I’m shopping for a new set.

I will not be hitting the trails as THE activity, rather in the woods for other activities

I think I’ve decided on the Falken A/T4W, but can’t decide on size.

There is a 285/70/18 that is a C rated tires, but has the stiffer sidewalls and is as heavy as the Nitto’s. I like that they wouldn’t stick out past the fenders, but the weight is not great on mileage and the stiffer sidewalls wouldn’t offer much of an improvement over the Nittos that are on it.

They also make a 35/11.5/18, C rated that is 8lbs lighter.
I'm wanting a more compliant ride on the pavement, but wonder if the extra width of the 35/11.5/18 would have a negative effect on tracking.

Any help and experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jmdusza01]

I have a 2021 Overland that I put the 2 inch Mopar lift on. I recently purchased the new Falken AT4 in 35 x11.5x17 on the upgraded mopar rims. They have offset to allow fir wider wheels. Great smooth ride and look great no extra poke. Very happy with them. I purchased five so I can replace the spare as well.

 

[DanW]

I purchased a 2023 Glaiator overland with 10k by miles, it’s indistinguishable from new. The truck came with a 2.5” lift (I think), jeep/ Fox shocks and Nitto Ridge Grabbers -285/75/18. Theses are E rated tires that are much stiffer than I would like, so I’m shopping for a new set.

I will not be hitting the trails as THE activity, rather in the woods for other activities

I think I’ve decided on the Falken A/T4W, but can’t decide on size.

There is a 285/70/18 that is a C rated tires, but has the stiffer sidewalls and is as heavy as the Nitto’s. I like that they wouldn’t stick out past the fenders, but the weight is not great on mileage and the stiffer sidewalls wouldn’t offer much of an improvement over the Nittos that are on it.

They also make a 35/11.5/18, C rated that is 8lbs lighter.
I'm wanting a more compliant ride on the pavement, but wonder if the extra width of the 35/11.5/18 would have a negative effect on tracking.

Any help and experience would be greatly appreciated.

If you are not in love with the Overlander rims, I would buy a take-off set of 17¨ rims from a JT or JL and throw some 35´s on them. There are many C-rated options in the 17¨ size. I´m not sure what the 18¨ range offers.

 

[Josh00333]

Go with the 35x11.5's, the AT4's are great tires.

 

[Nonstopnick]

Before you drop money on new tires consider the PSI you're running at.

stiffer sidewalls generally need less PSI to support the same weight. I run load range E 315/70r17s and at 29-31 cold PSI it rides just fine.

However, quite recently i let my father-in-law borrow my truck and like a father-in-law he saw my tire pressure was "low" and decided to fill to 37 for me and when i got it back my truck rode like shit.

I had to remind him i have on-board air and larger and stiffer tires so the "low" psi had nothing to do with me being too lazy to swing by the local Wawa.

As for tire widths: your 285s are 11.2 vs the 11.5s you're comparing them to. You'd never notice the difference of .3 inches... especially when tire manufacturers all lie about their measurements anyway. Your 285s could end up being wider than the 11.5s you replace them with. Conversely the difference may end up being more than .3 in which case... well i guess my point is it's a gamble unless you're seeing both in person with a measuring tape.

I will tell you going up to a 12.5 will have a noticeable impact on hydroplaning though. I've driven gladiators with 255 (willys) 285 (mojave OEM) and 315 (mojave 35s) and the difference in how they handle roads with improper drainage in heavy rain has not gone unnoticed.

Outside wet conditions, i never noticed my wider tires negatively impact my vehicles tracking, BUT i have OEM suspension and this is one of those areas where sometimes when you modify 2 things they interact much differently than when you just modify one thing; but that's just life with a jeep. Every modification works perfectly in a vacuum, but once you start combining stuff things can get weird.

thanks for the detailed response.

to be more specific; the main reason for the tire change is to get better wet performance, as everyone seems to agree that the Nitto’s are awful.
The current tires are at 35psi, but are filled with nitrogen, so I haven’t messed with them. I am hoping Comfort and noise will be an ancillary benefit of a softer sidewall and more compliant tread design.

 

[Nonstopnick]

Go with the 35x11.5's, the AT4's are great tires.

I think this is the direction I’m going. I’d like to see pics from anyone running these

 

[Gvsukids]

You'd never notice the difference of .3 inches

@ShadowsPapa probably would.

the main reason for the tire change is to get better wet performance, as everyone seems to agree that the Nitto’s are awful

Michelin tires will have great wet performance.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

stiffer sidewalls generally need less PSI to support the same weight. I run load range E 315/70r17s and at 29-31 cold PSI it rides just fine.

All else being equal, so do larger/wider tires.

As for tire widths: your 285s are 11.2 vs the 11.5s you're comparing them to. You'd never notice the difference of .3 inches...

@ShadowsPapa probably would.

LOL - yeah, it matters in mpg. Otherwise, just a bit less air.

 

[Josh00333]

I think this is the direction I’m going. I’d like to see pics from anyone running these

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/joshs-rig-oscar.47649/

 

[Sarge502]

Overland owner here on 295/70/18s (35 equivalents) ran them on my stock overland wheels for the longest time before buy new wheels. Ran AEV 2" spacer lift for awhile but just added the AEV dual sport the other day.

 

[Nonstopnick]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/joshs-rig-oscar.47649/

Thanks, Josh - I enjoyed your build post. I liked that you put together a very custom and capable rig that looks so clean. Well done, sir.

 

[imallcrawl]

I have a 2021 Overland that I put the 2 inch Mopar lift on. I recently purchased the new Falken AT4 in 35 x11.5x17 on the upgraded mopar rims. They have offset to allow fir wider wheels. Great smooth ride and look great no extra poke. Very happy with them. I purchased five so I can replace the spare as well.

NICE

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