custom a/ts, redneck style

[MontySquareo]

about a year ago i found some very lightly used cooper discoverer HTPs for a really good price, but I wanted a/ts. my dad has a tire knife, and has regrooved heavy truck tires before. together we came up with the idea of turning the coopers into a proper a/t, and we figured it would be safe as long as we didn't cut deeper than the original tread. these tires have been great for a year, no hum or other funny business.

original tread pattern, not exactly the same as the HTPs I got, but really similar.

modified tread pattern, only the one tire has the triangle treads. the other tires i just cut the original grooves longer.

 

[Somecallmetimm]

Very cool! I recently scored a set of Pirelli Scorpion ATR, lightly used and abused, for basically free. They're in good shape but I really don't like the tread. I was considering giving them similar treatment so they can be a little more aggressive... Your experience pushes me closer to doing just that. Thanks for sharing!


20230105_205201 by Tim, on Flickr

 

[1stDeuce]

I bought a knife as a way to extend the usable mileage from my tires, and to improve the snow performance of non-3-peak rated tires. I deepen the grooves that are shallow when the tire hits about 50%. Seems to get me one more winter of good traction even though the tread depth is starting to get lower than I like. I'm glad you are happy with your mods!! Extending the outer grooves should do wonders to prevent hydroplaning too...

 

[MontySquareo]

it never rains in Arizona, you could run drag slicks 95% of the time lol. i have very little experience with hydroplaning. im considering getting some more cheap tires and customizing them because you can get some tires for cheap but never the tires you want