New Tire Advice

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TJK

TJ Enthusiast
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British Columbia, Canada
Hey guys, I've been driving my BFG K02's for a while now but haven't been impressed by their wet weather and ice/packed snow performance. I have been turned on to the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and they look to be superior in these conditions.

My question is, I currently have size 30x9.5x15 tires with no lift. Surprisingly I still had to put a washer on my steering stops when I put these tires on because they rubbed at full lock. As it turns out, it is very difficult to find these tires in this size, but I can find 31's. I've read on this forum that 31's should fit without rubbing with no lift. If mine rub at 30, how much worse would they be at 31?
 
Typically a 265/75r15 tire is 10.5 inches...well technically 10.43 inches wide.

That would be wider than your existing tire.

And typically metric sizes are harder to find in load range C.

-Mac
 
TJK said:
so 265/75r/15 is equivalent to 31?
Click to expand...

265 technically is 30.68"

Well within what folks call a 31" tire.

We bought 35s for my Jeep and my wife's JK. I got BFG KM3s and they're almost actually 35s...by a 1/4" under. The JK got Mickey Thompsons 35s were really 33.5".

Everyone interprets numbers/specs differently.

-Mac
 
Are you talking a 31x10.50R15 tire size?
 
TJK said:
Yes
Click to expand...

The extra width will make them rub slightly more. It shouldn't be horrible, unless your stock springs are sagging. However, if you're rubbing on a 30 x 9.50, I'm guessing the springs are tired, or your wheel BS isn't correct. You could always just add a cheap 1" spacer on top of the springs, if that's the issue.
 
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Irun said:
The extra width will make them rub slightly more. It shouldn't be horrible, unless your stock springs are sagging. However, if you're rubbing on a 30 x 9.50, I'm guessing the springs are tired, or your wheel BS isn't correct. You could always just add a cheap 1" spacer on top of the springs, if that's the issue.
Click to expand...

This is a valid point. I do think my springs are sagging and plan to change them out as well as the shocks which don't look to have been changed since it was built in 97. 31x10.5x15 may fit better overall once that change is made as I would imagine there would be a slight increase in height.
 
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GPK03X said:
What rims do you have ? Do you know the width and backspace?
Click to expand...

They are these wheels
Grizzly


GrizzlyWheel.gif



* 15x7 aluminum
* 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern
* Backspacing = 5.5"
* Offset = +38 mm
 
TJK said:
Hey guys, I've been driving my BFG K02's for a while now but haven't been impressed by their wet weather and ice/packed snow performance. I have been turned on to the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and they look to be superior in these conditions.

My question is, I currently have size 30x9.5x15 tires with no lift. Surprisingly I still had to put a washer on my steering stops when I put these tires on because they rubbed at full lock. As it turns out, it is very difficult to find these tires in this size, but I can find 31's. I've read on this forum that 31's should fit without rubbing with no lift. If mine rub at 30, how much worse would they be at 31?
Click to expand...

They’re replacing the AT3W with the AT4W as of late just a heads up though a lot of positive feedback on the AT3W.

I’ve been looking at the AT4W as well as the R/T01 from Falken for my 1/2 ton pickup and have read a lot of good feedback for both tires on various forums.

The AT3/4W has been praised on how well it does in rain/snow.
 
Sgt Jarhead said:
They’re replacing the AT3W with the AT4W as of late just a heads up though a lot of positive feedback on the AT3W.

I’ve been looking at the AT4W as well as the R/T01 from Falken for my 1/2 ton pickup and have read a lot of good feedback for both tires on various forums.

The AT3/4W has been praised on how well it does in rain/snow.
Click to expand...

I have AT3W's and have zero complaints. Rain, snow and ice are no problem. They are dead quiet on the highway. Perform great in outer-beach soft sand too.
 
Yes I have seen that they are replacing with the AT4W, I'm hoping to still get my hands on the AT3W as it looks like some of the changes they have made, while offering other benefits, may have actually decreased its performance in rain/ice....not that its bad, but I was quite impressed with the reviews I've seen of the AT3W in this area
 
Putting a set of AT4W in my kids truck soon. Falken makes great stuff. The 265/75R15 isn’t super common either but was OE on early Colorados. Lots more options in 31x10.50R15.

I’ve ran several sets of BFG KO2 and never had any issues. Have a set on my truck now. Are yours just worn out?
 
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I bought the K02's brand new a couple years ago. But after a few winters i'm not too happy with them. I know they are a great tire, that's why I chose them when purchasing new tires but I've had issues, skidding, hydroplaning and slipping on ice even at extremely low speeds to have me start searching elsewhere...
 
AMS417 said:
Putting a set of AT4W in my kids truck soon. Falken makes great stuff. The 265/75R15 isn’t super common either but was OE on early Colorados. Lots more options in 31x10.50R15.

I’ve ran several sets of BFG KO2 and never had any issues. Have a set on my truck now. Are yours just worn out?
Click to expand...

+1 for KO2 packed snow performance. Best AT tire I’ve run on a 1 ton tow rig (when new).

Disclaimers:
1) prior tires were several sets of MTs which are uniformly AWFUL on packed snow.
2) I did try the Wild Peak AT3 but returned them because they couldn’t be balanced. That probably isn’t an issue for OP’s 31” size. Mine were metric 35x13 (325/65r18) and E rated.
3) KO2 tread depth isn’t real deep (19/32 in the above size). I usually sell my tires when they are 1/2 gone. That happened in about 25-30K miles with the KO2 at which point performance was noticeably falling off.
 
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To add to this, my jeep is relatively lightweight with no aftermarket parts that would add weight. Is it potentially too light for the LT tires leading to these issues?
 
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