Am I a looney toon? 37" AT's

[Sempertoy]

Cross posted from mud. need expo opinions as well.

I need new tires for my 80 and have been giving this a lot of thought. I am about to pull the trigger on some nitto terra grapplers in 37x12.5x17 unless anyone can give me a good reason not to.

Pro's as far as I see them
Harder compound (last longer)
longer wear life
better mpg (hahaha)
smoother, quieter ride (new baby)

My one BIG trip every year is to Moab. On slickrock just about anything rubber sticks like glue. I think that these AT's will handle anything local that I can throw at them ( San Antonio)

Can anyone think of a reason not to do this?

everyone likes pics.

 

[Box Rocket]

replied on MUD. I say go for it.

 

[F5driver]

I went from MT's to Nitto TG's. Much better ride and I've been impressed off road. They do well on rocks and deep mud. However, I will say the MT's looked better.

 

[krazytoy]

A 37" Tire is pressing your luck with the strength of the front axle, if you don't drive like a jack *** you'll be fine. Other than the size and the can of worms your going to open trying to fit them I say go for it, bigger is always better... right?

 

[Sempertoy]

A 37" Tire is pressing your luck with the strength of the front axle, if you don't drive like a jack *** you'll be fine. Other than the size and the can of worms your going to open trying to fit them I say go for it, bigger is always better... right?

I've been running 37"s for a couple years now and have had no issues. The question was more about AT/MT than it was size. But thanks for the input.

 

[NOMADIC_LJ]

You didn't list any cons.

Great picture, awesome rig!

 

[Sempertoy]

You didn't list any cons.

Great picture, awesome rig!

Cons
they aren't m/t's

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I think that going to an AT isn't a bad idea for you and how you use your 80. Personally, I would go with Faulken Wild Peaks (Rocky Mtn) over the Nittos. I love them on my 100.

 

[RMP&O]

The only time I have found an AT not to work to good is in the mud. Generally they will last longer than any MT. They are better on the HWY too. Last set of BFG ATs I had, after 40,000 they still had 40-50% tread. Two trips to Panama on those tires, no flats.

I am considering BFG ATs in a 37. They are cheap and not a full 37, probably the smallest 37 out there.

Cheers

 

[Sempertoy]

Well, the KO2's just released yesterday in my size. The nitto's I ordered have not come in yet, but for the same price, the KO2's seem like a much better tire for my needs.

 

[Sempertoy]

Terra grapplers overall diameter 36.54 tread depth 17.5/32
KO2 diameter 36.5 tread depth 15/32

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I really think the Wildpeak A/Ts (Rocky Mtn @ Discount) are a better tire and less money...

 

[Sempertoy]

Chad, can you elaborate a little? I have been eying that tire for a couple years and thought about running it. Do you have any specs on it? sidewall?

 

[Sempertoy]

I like them, but the price difference is $3 per tire, same warranty.

 

[DirtAddictLC80]

With all the tire choices now, including very aggressive All Terrains to mild Mud Terrains, it seems harder than ever to make a decision.

I am in a similar dilemma. As I go up in tire size I fight the natural inclination to go more aggressive on the tread pattern. More clearance = more capable = more aggressive off road tire. I don't think that is necessarily the case though. I am currently on 33 mud terrains. My vehicle does a lot of highway miles to get to those off roading destinations. Also, I live in the west and most of the wheeling I've done tends to be in in rocks, dry dirt, sand, etc. As such it seems like I wouldn't lose anything off road by going to an aggressive all terrain, and only gain in the area of on-road (and desert) performance. Not a lot of mud, but hey, you always want to be prepared right?

For me, a strong carcass is a big requirement, with all the rocky terrain I travel on. As long as I can find a tire with a strong carcass, I would consider an aggressive AT as I go up in size. However, I'm still fighting that inclination to just go with another MT.

FWIW, here's an article that might give you some more perspective. MOAB is one of the terrains covered in the article...they recommend an MT for MOAB.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/1201-4wd-all-terrain-vs-mud-terrain-tires/

Cheers! :sombrero: