I've caught the Jeep thing, now what?

[Nuclear Redneck]

Next up: Tires. I'm staying with the stock wheels unless presented with a compelling reason to change now. The stock tires are not so good off road. I want a good quality AT in the R16 line. I am thinking about 235/85R16 or 265/85R16 (31.7 and 31.6) respectively. I've heard good things about Cooper and I've got good first hand experience with BF Goodrich and Firestone. Any other brands I should consider? My only hold up is I am worried about how the load range E tires will ride on my comparatively light Jeep (4300 lbs with the hardtop, full gas tank and no one onboard) Thanks.

 

[nwoods]

Goodyear Duratrac's are the bomb. Agressive for an AT, but smooth riding, and excellent in the dirt

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

Goodyear Duratrac's are the bomb. Agressive for an AT, but smooth riding, and excellent in the dirt

So this is where I admit to being a bit shallow and noting that every ever Jeep out here has those tires. I was hoping for something different. Also, I like the pizza cutter look.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have added them to the list.

 

[Septu]

Also, I like the pizza cutter look.

Toyo's has some tall skinny ones (33/34s x 11?) My buddy has them. Looks good.

 

[nwoods]

Take a look at Cooper STT Maxx tires. Not quite as agressive as the Duratrac's, but enough tread to get the job done without looking too effeminate (important for a Jeep!)

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

Take a look at Cooper STT Maxx tires. Not quite as agressive as the Duratrac's, but enough tread to get the job done without looking too effeminate (important for a Jeep!)

On the list now. Thanks!

 

[JChatary]

Oh how I love jeep porn....

Nice rig! :sombrero:

Depending on the type of wheeling you plan to do with your JK...I have Falken Wildpeak AT's on my Jeep...perfect for the type of wheeling I enjoy (nothing too extreme...but fun nonetheless) and great on the asphalt too!

 

[HogHoden]

So this is where I admit to being a bit shallow and noting that every ever Jeep out here has those tires. I was hoping for something different. Also, I like the pizza cutter look.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have added them to the list.

If you are going to stay with the pizza cutters, I wouldn't be so quick to eliminate the Rubi take-offs. You can likely find a set of new wheels and tires for $800 or less. Those are 32's and if you are sticking to a skinny tire long term, you can use the wheels no matter what lift you go with - it's the width of the tire that will dictate how much backspacing on the wheel you need, not the lift itself.

I'm actually running 315/70's (35" equiv) on my stock Rubi wheels with 1.5" spacers and the AEV 2.5" lift.

Otherwise, I'd suggest checking out the Nitto Terra Grapplers and the Nitto Trail Grapplers, depending on how aggressive you want to go.

 

[kwill]

Ditto on the Nitto. Great tires.

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

If you are going to stay with the pizza cutters, I wouldn't be so quick to eliminate the Rubi take-offs. You can likely find a set of new wheels and tires for $800 or less. Those are 32's and if you are sticking to a skinny tire long term, you can use the wheels no matter what lift you go with - it's the width of the tire that will dictate how much backspacing on the wheel you need, not the lift itself.

I'm actually running 315/70's (35" equiv) on my stock Rubi wheels with 1.5" spacers and the AEV 2.5" lift.

Otherwise, I'd suggest checking out the Nitto Terra Grapplers and the Nitto Trail Grapplers, depending on how aggressive you want to go.

I'll take another look at the Rubicon wheels.

 

[nwoods]

Ditto on the Nitto. Great tires.

Actually, I don't agree. I think the Nitto's are good tires, but not great tires. I ran Nitto Terra Grapplers for about 35,000 miles and they chunked out pretty bad over time, and were past due for retirement at that mileage. I switched to the Cooper Zeon LTZ's, which are very similar in tread design, but have more silicone in their rubber compound. The result of which, they are much smoother and quieter on the street, and more pliant AND durable in the rocks. I sold the vehicle they were on with 40,000 miles on them, and the Cooper Zeon's still had plenty of life left, and no chunking out. I did slice one sidewall in the Nitto's, and never had any damage to the Coopers, but that could have just been luck.

Nitto Terra Grapplers, pretty new:

Coopers, about 30,000 miles into their service life:

They even do pretty well in mud, given that they are a mild AT.

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

Decisions, decisions....time to break out the ol' D&D dice and roll for the answer!

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

Trek Armor Seat Covers

I installed my Trek Armor seat covers this weekend, front and rear.









It took me about an hour to install them all. Overall fit and finish seem top notch. I really like the color change; the designer at Jeep that thought a black interior would be suitable for an off road vehicle ought be flogged or at least made to sit through multiple viewings of the classic Navy Training film "The Heat Stress Monster" Actually, the flogging would be more merciful.

The covers took 4 weeks to arrive. They cost about $600 and included three bags to attach to the Molle webbing. My wife thinks the amount of Molle webbing is over kill, but I think it will come in handy, especially on the back of the back seat.

After they have settled a bit, I'll retighten everything and reinstall the kids' carseats.

 

[fullofdays]

what about the side airbags?

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

My Jeep does not have side airbags. These seat covers are NOT rated for side airbags.