Willys Tire Advice Needed

[Jrap]

Bought a new 2022 Willys Gladiator (3.6 Pentastar) a month ago, coming from a 2016 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel, wife has a 2019 JL Sport 2-dr with Toyo Open Country AT3's on them. I've had a ton of cars and trucks over the years.

I knew the BFG KM2 MT's (255/75/17 - 32") on the Willys would be loud, didn't realize how loud to the point where using the phone and having a normal conversation inside the cabin would be difficult. I love the truck otherwise, no complaints no regrets.

Going to replace the KM2's, not going to go too big, definitely nothing larger than 33's, don't want a lift other than maybe a leveling kit. Questions:

1. Can I install 285/70/17 on the stock Willys 7.5" rims with no suspension modifications and will there be any rubbing?
2. I can find 285/70/17 Toyo AT3 with a SL rating or a C rating. There is a 9 pound difference (C heavier of course). Can I get away with the SL to save weight and keep MPG's? Gladiator will be a town vehicle daily driver with a fair amount of highway. No serious off roading, maybe dirt roads once in a while. Maybe a bit of trailering, but very infrequent.
3. Leaning towards the Toyo's due to good experience with them. I also like Cooper AT3's, they were on the Ram 1500 and loved them. Any other strong suggestions - looking for as quiet ride as possible, but want the aggressive look - AT's.

Thanks in advance!

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[CJ99x]

Use this as your guide great information https://tiresize.com/tires/Jeep/Gladiator/2021/Willys/

 

[be77solo]

Own a Willys, I ran the MT's too until they finally drove me bananas lol

Swapped to 315/70/17 (Load C ~35s) BFG KO2's on stock wheels with no issue on stock suspension. I wouldn't want to do serious offroad with a lot of flexing that way, but it's fine for the road. I've since installed a 2.5" lift that was part of the plan all along.

So, to answer your questions, any of the sizes you mention will work just fine with stock parts, so pick what you like! I'm so much happier with a good AT instead of the factory MT. Smoother, quieter etc.

And just because pics are fun, this is before the lift, with the bigger AT tires (and since I'm a sucker for a tire poking out a bit, 1.5" wheel spacers too). So, your tires won't stick out anywhere near that much. I'm just a big kid at heart and love the look.

 

[bd100]

285/70/17

I have 265/70/17 AT on a stock height Sport S, regular not Max Tow, and the tire rubs slightly on a full lock right turn. I think they also rubbed slightly under full articulation with swaybar disconnected. So the 285s probably will rub in some circumstances. Mine doesn't have the slightly wider axles that the Rubicons and several others have. If you have the Max Tow package then you may be ok.

 

[Bear Hunter]

Yes, they will work great!!

 

[Gren71]

Im on 255/75/17 dueler AT (bronco take offs) and love them.

had 285/75/17s for a while but ended up going closer to my stock size to preserve my tow rating.

 

[dcmdon]

Something that hasn't really been mentioned is that you can buy K02 Rubicon take offs or Falken AT3 Mojave Take offs for pennies on the dollar.

If you're good with 33s (285/70-17s) that is what I would get. Stupid me took the leap to 35s. But if I was still on 33s, I'd probably never buy new tires again. You can find very low mile take offs easily.

 

[Brahmajoe]

Own a Willys, I ran the MT's too until they finally drove me bananas lol

Swapped to 315/70/17 (Load C ~35s) BFG KO2's on stock wheels with no issue on stock suspension. I wouldn't want to do serious offroad with a lot of flexing that way, but it's fine for the road. I've since installed a 2.5" lift that was part of the plan all along.

So, to answer your questions, any of the sizes you mention will work just fine with stock parts, so pick what you like! I'm so much happier with a good AT instead of the factory MT. Smoother, quieter etc.

And just because pics are fun, this is before the lift, with the bigger AT tires (and since I'm a sucker for a tire poking out a bit, 1.5" wheel spacers too). So, your tires won't stick out anywhere near that much. I'm just a big kid at heart and love the look.

No rubbing on stock wheels?

 

[Jrap]

Own a Willys, I ran the MT's too until they finally drove me bananas lol

Swapped to 315/70/17 (Load C ~35s) BFG KO2's on stock wheels with no issue on stock suspension. I wouldn't want to do serious offroad with a lot of flexing that way, but it's fine for the road. I've since installed a 2.5" lift that was part of the plan all along.

So, to answer your questions, any of the sizes you mention will work just fine with stock parts, so pick what you like! I'm so much happier with a good AT instead of the factory MT. Smoother, quieter etc.

And just because pics are fun, this is before the lift, with the bigger AT tires (and since I'm a sucker for a tire poking out a bit, 1.5" wheel spacers too). So, your tires won't stick out anywhere near that much. I'm just a big kid at heart and love the look.

2.5" leveling kit or a 2.5" suspension lift? How's ride on the KO2's vs the OEM MT's? Surprised your 315's didn't rub but others reporting some rubbing at full lock . . .

 

[Jrap]

Something that hasn't really been mentioned is that you can buy K02 Rubicon take offs or Falken AT3 Mojave Take offs for pennies on the dollar.

If you're good with 33s (285/70-17s) that is what I would get. Stupid me took the leap to 35s. But if I was still on 33s, I'd probably never buy new tires again. You can find very low mile take offs easily.

I am looking for take-offs, there's a fair amount for sale in the Atlanta area, most come with wheels though and I really don't want the wheels (like the Willys ones better), looking for tires only.

 

[Jrap]

I have 265/70/17 AT on a stock height Sport S, regular not Max Tow, and the tire rubs slightly on a full lock right turn. I think they also rubbed slightly under full articulation with swaybar disconnected. So the 285s probably will rub in some circumstances. Mine doesn't have the slightly wider axles that the Rubicons and several others have. If you have the Max Tow package then you may be ok.

Wow, very surprised the 265/70/17 are rubbing at all?? hardly any larger than stock. Is the Sport S stock suspension different than the Willys? Thought they were same, not certain though

 

[bd100]

Well the original tires were 245/75/17 but not all-terrain. 7" wide tread. The new tires are 265/70/17, about the same diameter, but they are all terrain and the tread block is now 9" wide. And my truck was loaded down while off roading, which can help explain the rubbing while articulated. And I don't have the wide track axles nor the Max Tow springs. I may get some Max Tow springs to carry the weight a little better. I don't want to lift the truck much or go to much larger tires because of handling, towing, and the climb-in height.

 

[Jrap]

Well the original tires were 245/75/17 but not all-terrain. 7" wide tread. The new tires are 265/70/17, about the same diameter, but they are all terrain and the tread block is now 9" wide. And my truck was loaded down while off roading, which can help explain the rubbing while articulated. And I don't have the wide track axles nor the Max Tow springs. I may get some Max Tow springs to carry the weight a little better. I don't want to lift the truck much or go to much larger tires because of handling, towing, and the climb-in height.

My OEM Willys are 255/75/17

 

[bd100]

Yes the Willys gets 255/75/17, and my Sport S had 245/75/17.

 

[jacebc]

Just got a 2022 Willys with the 255/75/17 BFG M/T tires.

I live in the Seattle area. I don’t go to deep snow often, but I need a tire that works in the snow and our wet streets. With 300 miles so far, they seem okay in the rain.


I would love opinions on how the M/T tires do in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks so much!

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