OK4WD Daily Driver / Overland Rubicon

[rino]

I noticed that in one of your pictures you had the max tracks on the ground where are you stuck in that spot or were you just testing the max tracks?

It didn't seem like a lot of snow in that exact spot so I was surprised to see em.

This was one of many recoveries during the storm, in this case our plow truck slid off the driveway and I was attempting to pull him with a snatch strap. This was unsuccessful and later required myself to winch him.

Later in the day I helped winch my neighbors Kabota tractor which had slid off the driveway into a slight ditch. My Warn Zeon 10s had a fair workout and my Factor55 is no longer one solid shade of OD green :ugh:

 

[MtnBubba]

A follow up on the KM2's.

Obviously there is some trade off having a MT tire, but what about them is pushing you toward the KO2's? Wear, road noise, vibration?

Is their off road performance only marginally better then the more pavement friendly KO2's?

I have Cooper AT3's on my stock Rubi wheels. I was thinking of doing the AEV 2.5" Dual Sport lift and the same tire / wheel combo you have, with the option of putting the AT3's on for long road trips where the off road performance isn't needed. What are your thoughts on how that would work/look?

 

[rino]

A follow up on the KM2's.

Obviously there is some trade off having a MT tire, but what about them is pushing you toward the KO2's? Wear, road noise, vibration?

Is their off road performance only marginally better then the more pavement friendly KO2's?

I have Cooper AT3's on my stock Rubi wheels. I was thinking of doing the AEV 2" lift and the same tire / wheel combo you have, with the option of putting the AT3's on for long road trips where the off road performance isn't needed. What are your thoughts on how that would work/look?

The KM2 is a great tire, but may be just more then I personally need. Multiple friends of mine have followed me on trails with KO2 tires without any issues so it has me thinking.

If you are running an AEV 2" I would recommend the 34x10.50x17 KO2, for the 2.5" I would suggest the 35x12.50x17.

 

[MtnBubba]

What do you feel you would gain / improve by switching to the KO2?

The T/A KO is a popular tire. I ran a set on my Tahoe and felt they didn't wear evenly, requiring frequent rotation to minimize feathering and they didn't last long. I then ran some Toyo Open Country AT and had a lot of flats. After that I resolved to only use 10 ply LT tires. My next tire was a set of Cooper M+S and they were long, even wearing and relatively quiet. I have Cooper AT3 on my Tahoe and Rubicon now and have been impressed with the wear, ride and noise level.

The KM2 being only 8 ply concerns me a little. They look good. But if the noise and wear don't justify the high cost I'm thinking a 35" AT tire will do the job for all but the most extreme situations.

 

[rino]

What do you feel you would gain / improve by switching to the KO2?

The T/A KO is a popular tire. I ran a set on my Tahoe and felt they didn't wear evenly, requiring frequent rotation to minimize feathering and they didn't last long. I then ran some Toyo Open Country AT and had a lot of flats. After that I resolved to only use 10 ply LT tires. My next tire was a set of Cooper M+S and they were long, even wearing and relatively quiet. I have Cooper AT3 on my Tahoe and Rubicon now and have been impressed with the wear, ride and noise level.

The KM2 being only 8 ply concerns me a little. They look good. But if the noise and wear don't justify the high cost I'm thinking a 35" AT tire will do the job for all but the most extreme situations.

I hope to slightly improve fuel economy and mostly highway feel and road noise.

I'm confident after what I have witnessed that the KO2 will take me where I plan to go without compromising off-road traction.

 

[MtnBubba]

Would you say the KM2 is noisy on the highway? How does it do in the rain?

 

[MtnBubba]

Would you recommend the OME BP-51 shocks with the AEV 2.5" Dual Sport lift?

 

[kojackJKU]

They would be awesome with the AEV lift. Shocks are the only thing with the AEV systems I do NOT like. Bilstiens are not the be all end all. MANY better shocks out there...including the OME '51s

 

[kojackJKU]

I had to pull my suburban out twice yesterday plowing the driveway. LOVE MY JK! barrels through the snow, and rescues the less fortunate ( my suburban). I third the KO's/KO2's. They are the ideal tire for true overlanding situations. M'Ts wear to fast. I have 80k or more on my KOs and they are still kicking. I am installing 34/10.50/17s on my JK this spring. Sell my KOs before I cannot get anything for them.

 

[rino]

Would you say the KM2 is noisy on the highway? How does it do in the rain?

On the quieter side for a M/T and snow is not to shabby, but an A/T will be better in snow

 

[rino]

Would you recommend the OME BP-51 shocks with the AEV 2.5" Dual Sport lift?

Absolutely, but the soon coming 2" lift versions. I could not be happier with the BP-51's on my AEV 3.5" kit, in terms of improved on road stability and no more rocking from side to side off road.

 

[kojackJKU]

I just replaced my reflex monos with a new set, under warranty, they have an awesome warranty....anyhoo. I had been noticing softer than normal ride, control etc. The new shocks fixed it right up. WOW is all I can say. I had about 80,000 on the monroes. the rubbers were worn and the two front shocks would not rebound. The rears were really slow too. Now, I have 185,000 on my rig and its like brand new.

 

[rino]

Join us for the world's largest outdoor show in Harrisburg, PA February 6th-14th at booth 3135. We will be displaying the best parts from brand like American Expedition Vehicles, ARB, XVenture, Warn, Alu Cab, James Baroud, Rhino Rack, Maxtrax and more!


And a familiar Jeep JK Rubicon!

 

[kojackJKU]

Hey Rin, Can you give some details on the silver ram?

 

[rino]

Hey Rin, Can you give some details on the silver ram?

Surely, this is the AEV RAM from SEMA 2014 with the addition of a bed rack and James Baroud Grand Raid XXL.

Did you have any tech related questions?