Thinking about new tires

dvTJ

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2020
Messages
79
Location
High Point
I bought an 2002 Sahara last July. It has the Dana 44 and 3.73s. The previous owner put a 3" lift (2" spring, 1" puck) and has 33x12.5 BFG Muds on 15x8 wheels. The suspension is probably getting older. It's Rough Country, but I replaced the shocks with Rancho RS5000Xs a few months ago. The springs aren't really sagging from what I can tell they measure 10" in the rear, and 14" up front or at least within a 16th of that.

My main issue is the ride is still rough with those muds, and tends to bounce around when I hit pot holes, or bumps. I really don't wheel it much, although I'd like to but just don't have the time to get out to trails lately. That being said, I'll never be doing anything extreme just fun day trips of mild to maybe moderate trails.

So, to the point. I want to improve the ride, without sacrificing too much of the look and capability. I was hoping maybe going to a slightly smaller AT tire will do that for me. My question is do I go with a smaller tire to better match my gears and my 3" lift or stick with the 33s and save money for new gears. Which for me would be pricey since I still want ATs for the ride issues so I'd have to spend money on gears, and tires. The jeep is only really sluggish out of 1st but it chugs out of 1st on the 33s unless I'm perfect with the clutch and gas, and that is annoying. Here are some pics for reference.

IMG_20200907_135423.jpg

PXL_20210507_130422691.jpg

PXL_20210507_130434929.jpg
 
Good question. I will check that. I was thinking The MTs would ride rougher than an AT that isn't as knobby.
BFG MT and AT are built on the same carcass. Pressure will have more to do with it than tread design. Drop the pressure down and see if that helps any. I ran 26 in my TJ on the streets and it rode pretty good for a short wheelbase Jeep.
 
I'm running the Maxxis Razr 33x10.5 and they are the quietest MT I've run.

Might even get them for the Toyota.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NashvilleTJ
22 lbs of air if you're not loaded down with stuff will make a decent ride provided you don't have something else causing the shit ride too.

What shocks are you running?

I just put Rancho RS5000X on it, but haven't put many miles on them yet. That definitely helped some. The old shocks were Rough Country Performance 2.2 but were pretty much shot. I'll be checking air pressure shortly.
 
Are you running more than 28 psi in the tires? MT tires ride the same as AT tires. Maybe slightly louder when they wear out.
What tire pressure are you running?
BFG MT and AT are built on the same carcass. Pressure will have more to do with it than tread design. Drop the pressure down and see if that helps any. I ran 26 in my TJ on the streets and it rode pretty good for a short wheelbase Jeep.
22 lbs of air if you're not loaded down with stuff will make a decent ride provided you don't have something else causing the shit ride too.

What shocks are you running?

Ok folks. I may have found the issue. I'm running 32-33 on all 4. It's honestly something I never checked after buying it. I'm gonna start by dropping to 26 or 28 and see how that feels.
 
On my 2003 Sahara I inherited from my son was set it up with a BDS lift/shocks and Mickey Baja MTZ 33x12.5 tires on the Sahara factory rims, so we're close to the same. Mid 20s PSI is a much better ride in ours vs. the 30s but we don't experience the bouncing around you describe with pot holes etc. Just the opposite (even at 35 PSI). I haven't driven a vehicle that absolutely ignores the road issues like this one does. Railroad tracks, bridge transitions etc always have me getting ready to fight the wheel and nothing but a smooth ride over them every time. I assumed it was the combination lift kit/shocks, tires and the OME stabilizer that allowed it to eat up the roads. Hope you get it setup so you love it like I do mine.
 
The plot thickens a little. I was using an old tire gauge as I was unable to find my Jaco Deflator/Gauge. Well, I found the Jaco and it reads 24-25 PSI on all tires. Which is more of what I thought it probably was based on how they look. So the PSI is relatively low, but it sounds like that's not too low for these tires.
 
On my 2003 Sahara I inherited from my son was set it up with a BDS lift/shocks and Mickey Baja MTZ 33x12.5 tires on the Sahara factory rims, so we're close to the same. Mid 20s PSI is a much better ride in ours vs. the 30s but we don't experience the bouncing around you describe with pot holes etc. Just the opposite (even at 35 PSI). I haven't driven a vehicle that absolutely ignores the road issues like this one does. Railroad tracks, bridge transitions etc always have me getting ready to fight the wheel and nothing but a smooth ride over them every time. I assumed it was the combination lift kit/shocks, tires and the OME stabilizer that allowed it to eat up the roads. Hope you get it setup so you love it like I do mine.

Thanks for the reply. What was your lift size?
 
The problem with ride and the inTRAnet is an issue that is completely subjective.

You might like or hate a particular setup that's a dream to someone else.

Certain shocks are more firm or less than others but to suggest one "rides better" is impossible. Only the ass and back of the beholder can make that determination based on their preferences.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Ephry73
Thanks for the reply. What was your lift size?
BDS 2.5 suspension lift (No body lift). Rear spring cups were modified by the installer so the tires wouldn't rub on the cups with the factory rims and oversized tires. No spacers. Tires come to the very edge of the factory Sahara wheel flares.
 
I found that my sway bar links were too short for my set up and was causing way too stiff of a ride. I went to a antirock sway bar, but proper link length is huge. Try disconnecting the sway bar links then drive around the block a few times. You might find it better. If it is, just order or make a pair of links that are the proper length for your lift. Rear sway bar links too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ephry73
Ok folks. I may have found the issue. I'm running 32-33 on all 4. It's honestly something I never checked after buying it. I'm gonna start by dropping to 26 or 28 and see how that feels.
I was going to ask about the PSI on the tires and well, most times if the tires are off, or too tight this will make the ride feel like shit. Start with 26 and see what you like.
The problem with ride and the inTRAnet is an issue that is completely subjective.

You might like or hate a particular setup that's a dream to someone else.

Certain shocks are more firm or less than others but to suggest one "rides better" is impossible. Only the ass and back of the beholder can make that determination based on their preferences.
I cannot agree more. I personally like the Bilstein 5100 shocks I put in her.