skinny vs fat?

[Silverwulf]

Ok guys, once again I call upon the collective wisdom that ExPo.
I have a 1999 montero (winter pkg) and I am getting really close to needing tires. I will have a 2" roger brown lift and cranked the front t-bars 1.75" as well as 2" rear spring spacers.

I cant decide if I should go with 33x10.5 and stock wheels or 33"12.5 with some black steel wheels ( or alu). I f I go wider it opens a whole other question, should I stick with 15" wheels, or 16, 17?

I have looked through the photos on this site. Feel free it inspire me with pictures.:Wow1:

I'm diggin the look of this members rig.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13922&page=87

Thanks, Silverwulf

[Jeff@QuadShop]

No question....narrow!

http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

[zukrider]

well, honestly, 33's fit stock, even 12.50's. i would go 35/12.5 and get some 15x8 with 3.5 or 3.75 backspace. alu vs. steel is your choice.

or go 33's with the factory rims. cheaper, and skip the lift. put that money into sliders and a front bumper/winch, or lighting. hope this helps.

about the wheels. if your gonna crawl, steel is king unless you wanna pay for good high dollar forged aluminum. but day to day with typical backroad get aways, aluminum will be lighter, cost more, but stop better and get better fuel mileage.

cheers

[off-roader]

IMHO, it's a matter of your wheeling needs.

In my case, I'm building up a rock crawler so fat is where it's at. The added floatation and protection warrant it. Same for sand.

For general trail riding, and the lower rolling resistance and therefore better mileage, the skinnies could be very beneficial.

[Silverwulf]

Thanks for the info so far. That article makes sense.

As for my wheeling needs...
75% commuter/grocery getter
25% going whereever the eff that thing can go =D

Kidz & dogz live for the 25%

Oh, in the interest of total disclosure, factor in another 50% for posing. Hey, at least i'm being honest ;)

No REAL crawling. Probably nothing more than rugged back roads. Would like more ground clearance and off road traction. I am from the school of thought that " its better to have it and never need it, than not have it and need it)

Who knows, once I start to wheel more, I may upgrade later to more serious equipment.

What drew me to these awesome rigs in the first place was how capable they are right out of the box.

Any suggestions for tires in the 33x10.5x15 range?

It might look cool to paint the stock wheels black. They are not a bad looking wheel.

The $500 for 5 steel wheels can buy a roof rack.

Sorry for the long post, just kinda stoked on my rig right now.:smiley_drive:

[RogerH]

BFG all-terrains or KM2's or Wrangler probably would fit the bill. That being said my AT's were actually louder on the highway than my current BFG KM2's at same mileage. I have been so impressed with my KM2's (highway, snow, desert). Not everyone has same experience and that can be from different tire rating, loads, vehicle. It has a slight hum at speed but a lot less than my AT's and definitely the original KM's.

(For me) the 33x10.5x15 has been a perfect size for this rig. Wider and I would notice the steering response, and loss of oomph, and gas mileage. There are other brands too, but this is what has worked well on my Montero.

Oh and they look good too!:clapsmile

[john101477]

I am a fan of the 33x10.5 as well. as for what brand etc. you gonna get a lot of conflicting info. from toyo MT to KM2 to wrangler Duratrac /at/ats etc. Any of the above are great semi low noise tires awesome in the environments your talking about. I have first hand knowledge of the toyo and love them but hate the price tag as of the last year or so. wheeled with guys that had the KM2 and they are ok imo but not spectacular. I have the ATS on the powerstroke right now and look forward to something different to be honest they have a very odd tread pattern. My next set I am looking at for the powerstroke is the duratrac for the powerstroke so we will see if I replace the toyos on the 4runner down the road or stay with them

[Silverwulf]

Thanks again for the info. I'm pretty sure I will go with the skinnies. Now a toss up between the KM2's or the duratracs. I just read an artical in a jeep mag that kind of bagged on the duratracs saying that sharp rocks off road will take chunks out of them. Hmmm.. I dunno. I understand that there are differing personal experiences.

Anyone got pics of either on their rig?

[Inyo_man]

I've been very pleased with the Duratrac blend between the MT and AT tread.
They have chunked a bit during the high speed desert runs. However this is only due to the great sipes they have for snow, ice and wet roads. The traction afforded in winter conditions is a fine trade off IMHO.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Wrangler Duratrac 33x12.50x15 on stock wheels
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs047.snc6/167755_588731924961_62002887_32982817_3955688_n.jp g

Cruises at lower RPM at freeway speeds than stock tires= slightly increased MPG. But, on the other side of the coin, I get lower MPG in town. Averaging about 16mpg city/hwy with heavy foot.

I like the added stability of this tire's width. To me it already feels top heavy, but I am hoping to try 255 85 16s on it soon to get a feel for the skinny.

[Jeff@QuadShop]

Wrangler Duratrac 33x12.50x15 on stock wheels
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs047.snc6/167755_588731924961_62002887_32982817_3955688_n.jp g

Cruises at lower RPM at freeway speeds than stock tires= slightly increased MPG. But, on the other side of the coin, I get lower MPG in town. Averaging about 16mpg city/hwy with heavy foot.

I like the added stability of this tire's width. To me it already feels top heavy, but I am hoping to try 255 85 16s on it soon to get a feel for the skinny.

Are they very noisey going down the road?

[Silverwulf]

Wow, 33x12.5 on stock wheels? I waqs told you couldn't do that. Do they rub anywhere?

I just might go that route because I won't HAVE to buy new rims. AND the 33x12.5 are cheaper than the 33x10.5 because they are more common.

4wheel parts wants $191ea for the 33x10.5 km2's (the only tire they sell in that size). but I can get the duratrac 33x12.5 for 168ea.

Thats almost $115 less for a set of 5.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Are they very noisey going down the road?

Not at all, equal or better than BFG A/T.

I have been very impressed with these tires! Good offroad, great on rainy roads, good in snow and ice.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Wow, 33x12.5 on stock wheels? I waqs told you couldn't do that. Do they rub anywhere?

I just might go that route because I won't HAVE to buy new rims. AND the 33x12.5 are cheaper than the 33x10.5 because they are more common.

4wheel parts wants $191ea for the 33x10.5 km2's (the only tire they sell in that size). but I can get the duratrac 33x12.5 for 168ea.

Thats almost $115 less for a set of 5.

Only rub on full lock left turn on sway bar. Acceptable in my book. I've had the truck fully flexed out (with sway bars on) and have had zero rubbing. I bought my set used with less than 4000miles for $400.:chef:

[off-roader]

Most shops won't mount a 12" wide tire on a 7" rim (Stock aluminum is 15x7) due to liability concerns especially when the tire manufacturers recommend a minimum 8-8.5" rim width but that doesn't mean someone wouldn't be willing to. ;)

If I were you, I'd closely watch craigslist for tires. I recently bought a set of four lightly used BFG 35x12.5x15 KM2's for $500.:Wow1::smiley_drive:

[Silverwulf]

I do check craigslist regularly. Trouble with CL around here is that most of the time they are flaketastic.

[LaOutbackTrail]

I went to a hole in the wall shop run by our southern border amigos... "no ploblem my fliend":sombrero:


By the way, I am anticipating installing rear spring spacers and cranking the torsion bar soon. Later I'll install a proper lift, likely Iron Man.

[off-roader]

I went to a hole in the wall shop run by our southern border amigos... "no ploblem my fliend":sombrero:

Actually, you've got the wrong ;). Spanish speakers have no issues with R's. Just ask Rrrrrricky Rrrrrrricardo.

I believe it's people who originally speak Cantonese (no R's in that language) that have problem with them and usually say them like an L.
:ylsmoke:

[LaOutbackTrail]

Actually, you've got the wrong ;). Spanish speakers have no issues with R's. Just ask Rrrrrricky Rrrrrrricardo.

I believe it's people who originally speak Cantonese (no R's in that language) that have problem with them and usually say them like an L.
:ylsmoke:


Gotta be picky, even with hokes, aye Ray? :sombrero:

[Mr. Leary]

I lesemble that lemark! :sombrero:

[off-roader]

Gotta be picky, even with hokes, aye Ray? :sombrero:

Well, I'm sure you didn't want to mis-inform other readers.:bike_rider:

[Silverwulf]

Will the 33x10.5's fit on a 8" rim? I mean, I know they'll fit, but will the sidewalls be too straight?

[off-roader]

Will the 33x10.5's fit on a 8" rim? I mean, I know they'll fit, but will the sidewalls be too straight?

Too straight? Not technically from a basic mounting POV, but it also depends on your wheeling style. You'll effectively have 1" of bulge on either side. Keep in mind, you will typically be aired down to some degree when off road (should almost always air down off road) which means you will have some additional 'width' from the sidewalls flexing outward..

[Silverwulf]

Well, Ive made up my mind... Going to order the 33x10.5 km2's today.:wings:
Hope they come in soon. I was asking about the wheel width because Next month I want to get some black steelies. Need tires badly, and want to spend $ to get best tires now.
4wheelparts says They'll have'em by friday. install on sat, pics here on sun:elkgrin:

[LaOutbackTrail]

Waiting for pics!

[Silverwulf]

Well, some of the best laid plans can become foiled...
I should have ordered the BFG KM2 33 1050's when I first thought about it. I went to order them today and they are now on a national back order and I was told I would not even get them until mid April:Wow1:

Soooo kinda peeved I checked CL. 33's, nope, 31's, nope 32's yep?!

Some guy had 5 wheels and tires (4) BFG km mud terrains and a goodyear wrangler (spare) in 32x11.5x15, all with less than 100 miles. He wanted $750 for the set. Turns out I kinda new the guy and he let me have'em for $500. I jumped at that! 4 KM2's at 4wheelparts were going to be @ $970 installed. I ended up with 5 tires installed for $625. I gave the rims back to the guy as I have no use for heep, I mean Jeep steel wheels in white :/

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=526&pictureid=3700
I actually think this is a really good size for this truck. Only had time for a short "test". :jump:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=526&pictureid=3702

So far, I like them. Kinda noisy on the road. But its a cool kinda noisy.:smiley_drive:

Crappy cellphone pic:elkgrin:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=526&pictureid=3698

So, In the debate of skinny vs fat, I ended getting in between.


Next on the list...:snorkel:

[LaOutbackTrail]

Looks awesome man!

Have you done any of the lifting yet or is that stock height?

I was basically looking for 33x10.50, 33x12.50, or 32x11.50 used on craigslist. My 33's i picked up for $400 with less than 4000 miles. If I do it again, I'm really think I'll go with a 285 75 R16, its slighly narrower than the 33x12.50, but with a higher load rating.

[off-roader]

Next on the list...:snorkel:

Looking sweet. I've been known to plan local 4x4 trips (easy to hard depending on the trip) and go with a local group of Mitsu 4x4 owners. Usually I post up plans on 4x4wire's CA/NV forum. If you're interested, I'll keep you in the loop.

As for a snorkel, Airtech/TJM is the only option I know of for the gen II blister fender model (99 Pajero NL Blister Fender). Here's an installation write-up from 4x4wire (http://tinyurl.com/4rdrgot)

I forgot to mention that you can use a gen III ARB snorkel but it's not a perfect fit. Grasscat in San Jose did his using one he got for cheap at the San Mateo 4x4 expo show a couple of years ago.

HTH.

[Silverwulf]

Thanks Offroader. I would love to go wheelin with you guys. As for the snorkle, the TJM is $$$ and really hard to find. I called the onlu us inporter and got no response. I called TJM and they said I HAD to go through the importer. So, I was going to go the Gen III rout ala Grasscat style":costumed-smiley-007

[off-roader]

Thanks Offroader. I would love to go wheelin with you guys. As for the snorkle, the TJM is $$$ and really hard to find. I called the onlu us inporter and got no response. I called TJM and they said I HAD to go through the importer. So, I was going to go the Gen III rout ala Grasscat style":costumed-smiley-007
Well, he lives in the bay area. Maybe try and contact him for more pictures of his install.

[LaOutbackTrail]

Well, he lives in the bay area. Maybe try and contact him for more pictures of his install.

He has a write-up on it........ somewhere...........

[Silverwulf]

He sent me the link once, it was on 4x4wire: http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB69&Number=1174744&Searchpage=1&Main=1174744&Words=snorkel+Grasscat&topic=&Search=true#Post1174744