Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

On 05 Dec 2003 08:02 PM, Valued User posted the following:
> Yeah, I'm opting for the stock tiny bicycle tires on the 15x7 rims.
>
> They're exactly the same ones as on my 96 xj except they have a
> different cap - i have BFG AT's (forget which size) but they're
> chunky and are aiiight in the mud (no lift, though).
>
> According to t looks like i can put 31" MTR's on a 15x7 rim - anyone
> confirm?

IIRC, they will fit but might rub offroad without modification, which
can range anywhere from additional washers under the steering stops (
limiting turn radius) to a simple coil spring spacer lift.

> How do these compare to BFGAT's? The last time I had goodyears on my
> XJ was a set of wrangler rt/s' which were not too great off road. The
> stock wrangler AT's were better but a little smaller.

I've never used BFGATs but a buddy of mine has a set and likes them a
lot. I'm a bit of a Goodyear snob having formerly been a dealer but I
will say that the RT/S is a piece of garbage. I never stocked them,
although I would occasionally order one as a replacement for somebody
who ruined one out of their set. In my opinion, it was designed as a
cheaper tire they could sell to the OEMs, and they certainly didn't hold
up worth a damn in rural Alaskan conditions. The RT/S actually hurt our
business because it was more difficult to sell a customer a set of the
higher end Goodyear tires with the lousy experience with their OEM
wrangler RT/S, Wranger AP, or whatever fresh in their mind.

I may catch some flak here for saying this, but I believe the GY
Wrangler AT is the best "all around" light truck tire ever made, and it
was really annoying when it was discontinued, it being our best selling
tire at the time. It rode well, was quiet on the highway, did
acceptably well for mild offroading, gave decent winter traction and in
the heavier ply ratings, was damn near invulnerable to ordinary road
hazards. I have personally seen several cases where the carcass stopped
nails from penetrating. The nail would go in until it hit the steel
belts and stop right there, while the rest would be a mangled mess.
About the only thing that would kill them short of normal wear, was
sharp rocks at high speed and underinflation.

Now a lot of readers here will poo-poo the Wrangler AT for its mediocre
performance in serious offroad use, but the fact remains that it wasn't
designed for serious offroaders and we are at best, a fringe group. 8^)
Which is why they designed the MT/R...

I don't have the operational experience with the MT/R that I do with
some of the other Goodyear tires since I got out of the tire business
shortly after buying my set, and only sold one or two other sets. But
based on 28,000 miles of experience with them in some pretty nasty
conditions I would put them up against anything on the market. What is
most amazing to me, is that for as well as they do offroad, how well
they perform on the road too. There is a little bit of a hum but that
is it as far as noise goes.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

On 05 Dec 2003 08:02 PM, Valued User posted the following:
> Yeah, I'm opting for the stock tiny bicycle tires on the 15x7 rims.
>
> They're exactly the same ones as on my 96 xj except they have a
> different cap - i have BFG AT's (forget which size) but they're
> chunky and are aiiight in the mud (no lift, though).
>
> According to t looks like i can put 31" MTR's on a 15x7 rim - anyone
> confirm?

IIRC, they will fit but might rub offroad without modification, which
can range anywhere from additional washers under the steering stops (
limiting turn radius) to a simple coil spring spacer lift.

> How do these compare to BFGAT's? The last time I had goodyears on my
> XJ was a set of wrangler rt/s' which were not too great off road. The
> stock wrangler AT's were better but a little smaller.

I've never used BFGATs but a buddy of mine has a set and likes them a
lot. I'm a bit of a Goodyear snob having formerly been a dealer but I
will say that the RT/S is a piece of garbage. I never stocked them,
although I would occasionally order one as a replacement for somebody
who ruined one out of their set. In my opinion, it was designed as a
cheaper tire they could sell to the OEMs, and they certainly didn't hold
up worth a damn in rural Alaskan conditions. The RT/S actually hurt our
business because it was more difficult to sell a customer a set of the
higher end Goodyear tires with the lousy experience with their OEM
wrangler RT/S, Wranger AP, or whatever fresh in their mind.

I may catch some flak here for saying this, but I believe the GY
Wrangler AT is the best "all around" light truck tire ever made, and it
was really annoying when it was discontinued, it being our best selling
tire at the time. It rode well, was quiet on the highway, did
acceptably well for mild offroading, gave decent winter traction and in
the heavier ply ratings, was damn near invulnerable to ordinary road
hazards. I have personally seen several cases where the carcass stopped
nails from penetrating. The nail would go in until it hit the steel
belts and stop right there, while the rest would be a mangled mess.
About the only thing that would kill them short of normal wear, was
sharp rocks at high speed and underinflation.

Now a lot of readers here will poo-poo the Wrangler AT for its mediocre
performance in serious offroad use, but the fact remains that it wasn't
designed for serious offroaders and we are at best, a fringe group. 8^)
Which is why they designed the MT/R...

I don't have the operational experience with the MT/R that I do with
some of the other Goodyear tires since I got out of the tire business
shortly after buying my set, and only sold one or two other sets. But
based on 28,000 miles of experience with them in some pretty nasty
conditions I would put them up against anything on the market. What is
most amazing to me, is that for as well as they do offroad, how well
they perform on the road too. There is a little bit of a hum but that
is it as far as noise goes.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

Nice options!-D35's are fine for weekend warior type stuffs.We got a
plan?-A buddy-a route? A winch? We don't all hop big rocks here."Baby
steps,Baby,Baby steps,now".A good stereo could muffle the woman.Think
ahead!Have a plan.D44's cost big money.Go figure.
All the best to you-Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

Nice options!-D35's are fine for weekend warior type stuffs.We got a
plan?-A buddy-a route? A winch? We don't all hop big rocks here."Baby
steps,Baby,Baby steps,now".A good stereo could muffle the woman.Think
ahead!Have a plan.D44's cost big money.Go figure.
All the best to you-Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

Nice options!-D35's are fine for weekend warior type stuffs.We got a
plan?-A buddy-a route? A winch? We don't all hop big rocks here."Baby
steps,Baby,Baby steps,now".A good stereo could muffle the woman.Think
ahead!Have a plan.D44's cost big money.Go figure.
All the best to you-Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

I have the "Apex"pkg.that included chromed wheels.
Q.Do you think I have the 3.73 gears?
-The "Apex" is based on the "X"Sport.
-Thanks,Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

I have the "Apex"pkg.that included chromed wheels.
Q.Do you think I have the 3.73 gears?
-The "Apex" is based on the "X"Sport.
-Thanks,Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

I have the "Apex"pkg.that included chromed wheels.
Q.Do you think I have the 3.73 gears?
-The "Apex" is based on the "X"Sport.
-Thanks,Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

I have the sound pkg.It is HOOPTIE and laud but good on the highway.It
drowns out most noise but be kind to your neighbors.-Hank.

Re: Ordering a 04TJ this weekend - opinions please!
 

I have the sound pkg.It is HOOPTIE and laud but good on the highway.It
drowns out most noise but be kind to your neighbors.-Hank.