Retreads...and 3rd Gen tire/lift preferences

[CrispyCracker]

So I put a downpayment on a 2001 XLS and I pick it up this coming Friday. Took the family up to see/drive it and everyone approved. Clean title, pretty good cosmetics, ran strong despite the 140K miles. I'll be starting a build thread soon (after tackling water pump, timing belt, tranny service, etc.) but first I have a question for the locals:

The XLS is sporting 34-inch Treadwright tires under a lift comprised of a spacer kit, KYB adjustable struts (front) and some "Amazon off brand" struts (rear). A budget-minded approach all around. Looks great with the beefy tires and lift. But on the test drive we noted a moderate but consistent shudder through the steering wheel. I have some experience chasing death wobble on lifted trucks, but this felt different -- just seemed more tire related since the vibration was so clearly communicated via the steering. So I read up on Treadwrights last night. They get generally positive reviews -- glowing ones, in many cases -- but I dug deeper and found consistent references to out-of-round tires, balancing issues, blowouts and even considerable vehicle damage and rollovers. No disrespect intended to anyone who likes Treadwrights -- and I know big-name brands can have issues, also -- but I've already decided 100% to move down to 33s in a more proven tire name. I would, however, welcome dissenting opinions about the brand as well as what else might cause said shudder.

Related question: when I gut the current lift and purchase new tires, what basic suspension elements (springs, shocks at a minimum) do you personally recommend for a good combo of highway travel, offroad competence and occasional trailering? I see references to Lovell, OME, Adventure Driven Designs, and more. I've spent hours reading resident build threads. My head is spinning a bit and I still don't get a sense that there's a consensus on a "best" solution—maybe because (despite the notion that Montero's have limited aftermarket support) there are plenty of good solutions. I also know that many of you have experimented with various setups over time so I'd value your opinion re: the best Gen 3 suspension and tire setup you ultimately found.

Happy to be joining this group as a (soon to be) legit member and thankful for any helpful replies. Also, a shout-out to Micheal Brown who (via IM) has already provided me with great direction re: addressing basic maintenance items post-purchase. This is a damn fine little community.

 

[Toasty]

I recommend Bilstein 4600's and real BFG KO2's for your truck, Gen 3's are more sensitive to tires than other Monteros. People get upset when i say don't run cheap tires, some brands can have their ups and downs and just because "awesome brand" owns "lesser brand" does not make lesser brand equal to awesome. You can read tire reviews for the rest of your life online and get nothing out of it, the best thing to do is see what the local trucks are running and go for rides in those trucks, go 4 wheeling with them and make a decision based on what you experience.
If we ruled out all lesser quality tires and focused on nothing but the best tires we would still experience huge differences in on/off road comfort, ability and noise. Something that is quiet to one person might be loud to another or be quiet on one truck and loud on yours. When it comes to tires dollar amount doesn't always mean better tire but the better tires are typically a bit more money. Unfortunately you can spend way too much on tires that can't hang offroad but you can get good inexpensive tires like Yokohama Geolanders or spend a bit more for a BFG (more agressive A/T).
Be careful on review sources too, a website may give great reviews on a certain brand and that brand also sponsors the site like Peterson's or Expedition portal.

Anyway the best suspension and tire setup i've ever seen on a Gen 3 was King shocks and BFG KO2's hands down. Worst tire i've experienced on a Gen 3 were Winrun Maxclaws followed by Cooper A/T3's.

 

[plh]

I agree with Toasty. Don't go narrower than 265 as well, and ditch the KYBs for Bilsteins at a minimum.

 

[CrispyCracker]

Thanks Toasty (and plh). I've seen enough accolades in here for the King shocks (and Bilsteins, frankly) to put them high on my wish list. My son has the KO2's on his XJ and we've been extremely impressed by them so frankly I was already leaning that way, as well (likely 33s or 285/75/16). What about springs, tho? Strong preference there for options over OEM? And what about spring spacers? Again, I see lots of different approaches in the various forums I've visited and I'd like to hear from folks who have strong opinions on a "best" approach. I'm willing to spend the hard-earned dough but I'd like to move in the direction of a proven, balanced solution that provides on-road manners and improved-over-OEM off-road ability.

 

[plh]

Ditch the spacers. You will need a little lift for 285/75R16 (I have these). I went with ARB/OME medium springs and like them. They raise the truck about 1.5" from stock. I have KYBs in the front of mine & Bilsteins in the rear. Can't wait to swap out the KYBs in the front and replace with Bilsteins. In my opinion, the Gen 3 KYBs are seriously harsh.

I understand that ADD (Adventure Driven Designs) markets nice Gen 3 springs now. They we not on the market when I did mine thou.

 

[nnamssorxela]

I run a 235/85 Cooper ST Maxx tire (as posted in your other thread) and my 3.8 has a little trouble moving them. They are heavy but I love them and they have gotten me places similar vehicles with other tires couldn't make it, mostly due to their performance on ice. Hoping to snag a 4.9 diff weekend which should help out. I also dislike the ride quality of the OME/ARB springs, and think that if you're doing springs, go with the ADD set as they can only be better.

Toasty – What did you not like about the Cooper AT3?

plh - Why do you say to stay 265 or wider?

 

[plh]

I run a 235/85 Cooper ST Maxx tire (as posted in your other thread) and my 3.8 has a little trouble moving them. They are heavy but I love them and they have gotten me places similar vehicles with other tires couldn't make it, mostly due to their performance on ice. Hoping to snag a 4.9 diff weekend which should help out. I also dislike the ride quality of the OME/ARB springs, and think that if you're doing springs, go with the ADD set as they can only be better.

Toasty – What did you not like about the Cooper AT3?

plh - Why do you say to stay 265 or wider?

I ran 235s (BFG A/T KO) for about 35K miles on my '05 and hated every mile. Truck handled way too squirly. Previously to those I have had 265/75R17 (Falken Wild Peak) for 45K and currently have 285/75R16 (BFG A/T KO2) on the truck for approximately 10K. With the wider tires the truck feels glued to the road. I've owned the truck over 7 years, and 90K miles.

 

[coffeegoat]

There are several recent threads on tire choice for the Gen III a quick search should bring them up (1, http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/173420-Gen-3-and-tire-noise?highlight=tires+gen+III, 3). I went with 265/75/r16 - Toyo Open Country AT II, I've had great success with Toyo's in the past so I stuck with them. Not much off road yet but great on the highway, snow, gravel, etc, I think they're pretty quiet.

I need to upgrade my springs, I'm leaning towards A.D.D. because, well, why wouldn't you? Manufactured and developed here by some guys who really love these trucks. They're going to be similar or a bit better than Lovells or OME at a similar cost. I went with bilsteins and they've been great.

For maintenance, make sure you track down a spreadsheet, there are several running around for the 3.5 engine, they'll help make sure you don't miss anything.

 

[Toasty]

Toasty – What did you not like about the Cooper AT3?

They actually did pretty good performance wise as far as traction goes offroad, our friend really liked them onroad as well. The thing that steers me away from them is that we had two of them pop on the Rubicon (I believe day 1) and for like no reason. What got me was that we had 3 trucks running brand new tires on that trip; KO2s, AT3s and NanKang Mudstars. We all had a good chuckle and serious doubts on the Nankangs, despite being unruly onroad they survived the Rubicon, Fordyce Creek then miscellaneous wheeling for a year then the following year Dusy Ershin, Mirror Lake, Red Lake with no issues.

I guess what I don't like about them the most is that one broke Clay's leg... Ha ha ha, joking. He slipped changing a tire and that could have happened to anyone anywhere with any tires. I really shouldn't be so hard on the Coopers but it's not an experience i'll forget.

 

[Toasty]

Thanks for the kind words on the A.D.D. parts guys, we certainly try to build the best parts for the money.