RE: JPOR: Tires, again....

[jeff reynolds <jefe4x4@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<SNIP>

James E Howe wrote:
I do hope I don't bore you people however I have yet another question
about selecting the proper trail tire for my application, and was
hoping for some insight from those of you that have more trail time
than I do.

I live in OH, so not much of an opportunity for rock crawling here.
Mostly slippery wet off camber trails covered in moss laden rocks and
roots. I am not big into mud bogging, but some times you don't have a
choice.

85 CJ7 258 t176 D300"factory gears for now", D44 locker 4:10's D30 Dana
LS 4:10's front. As you see, I am not running big axles or big HP. My
biggest concern is axle breakage, next traction. I know that Super
Swappers are the best, but I am worried about running a 33x12.5 tire
with that much traction and weight. Again, I refer to my biggest
concern, parts breakage. I personally think a 33x10.5 would be the
right combination with the lug of a swapper, how ever the only ones
that come in this size are the 2 ply radials. I am not to concerned
about road manners for I am fortunate enough to be able to have street
tires. So I am now thinking a 33 12.5 tire with less traction, like a
BFG MT.

<SNIP>

Jim,
	Virtually everyone on this list will have his/her own 
personal favorite tire. One thing that folks overlook is weight. Some 
of the coolest tires for medium strength drivetrains that I've used 
(['ve bought and worn out 35 SETS  of tires since 1965) are the 
33x9.50 BFG Mud Terrains @ 44 lbs. : light and narrow.  (The 33x12.5 
Muds are 57 lbs ea.) Tread and sidewall; tough as nails. I NEVER had 
a flat on one of these, even running them at 8 lbs. off-road, no bead 
locks, beating the peawadden out of them. Work very well on stock 7" 
wheels. This is a great combo for 'muddin'. They dig right down and 
get to the bottom of things, but will spin easily for tread clearing. 
I got over the 'Hammers' several times with these tires very easily. 
For a less agressive, but more useful in snow, tire, try the same 
size in the All-Terrain. They have a new larger void version which a 
friend has and I think I like them as well. I'm still  a fan of the 
33 x 9.50's even though after my axle upgrades i now run 4.10's, 
36-12.5 TSL Swamper Radials on 8" rims.
	As you are running 4.10's, the 33 x 9.50's would be a fine 
choice. When down the road you upgrade to heavier duty drive train 
components, 12.50's or 15.50's (35-36's) become a good choice. Right 
now, these would have a LOT of traction feed back on mud(or 
anything), very much increasing your breakage vulnerability. I would 
say that the drawback is that they are not very sexy, being skinny 
and tall. Dogs tend to pee on these more than 35 x12.5's  8<)
	regards, as always, jefe
jefe@trailcraft.com http://www.4x4wire.com staff writer
jefe4x4@earthlink.net http://homepage.mac.com/jefe/
'82 CJ-8, SOA, 4.4L, H.O., MPI, NP435, D300/4:1, D44, AMC20, ARB's, 
110:1, SO. CAL.

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