What brands are true to the sidewall dimensions

Tj04

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 4, 2017
Messages
960
Location
Minneapolis, MN, United States
In the market for new tires, i have KO2 30x9.5r15 now, which barely measure 29 inches, and that's the spare with no wear. PSI is whatever it says on the sidewall, i think its 38. Don't have jeep in front of me to check.

What brands of tires are true to their size? Im looking for 33s that are actually 33. Or, at least some 32s that actually are 32. I don't want to get 33s only to find they are like 32.1 or something. I don't mind if its like 1/4 or less of an inch lower than the size. And does the PSI change the tire height? I assume it would, but i must not be good at searching as i couldn't find that out online. Now, if it turns out that they are e.g. 33 inches tall at X psi, that would make sense as well and explain why they aren't living up to the tire sidewall specs.

I've measured a few tires off friends trucks, and none of them are the size that it says on the sidewall. I get that it will change a bit when they are on the vehicle, but the fact that my spare is 29 1/16 and has never touched the ground frustrates me.

What brands/tire models are truly the size they claim to be? Preferably only imperial/standard tire sizes i hate the metric ones. I've stumbled across this complaint on a few forums a couple years ago but cannot locate them.

My jeep is my daily driver and i do offroad some mild to moderate trails and whatever i can find, and see a lot of mud, so i would like tires that are good for both like the KO2. (90-95% paved/dirt roads) Preferably ones that dont wear fast either, but any suggestions on brands are welcome and appreciated!
 
Nothing is a true size.

Just like a 2x4 measures 1.5"x3.5" the tire size is a nominal number.
KO2s are some of the longest lasting tires out there.

Most of my experience is with BFG no doubt there are a few other brands which last just as long. BUT expect a MT2 to wear out 30% sooner.
 
Nothing is a true size.
I may be wrong, but i am going to disagree. ive been told a number of times that there are a lot of brands that are true to size/closer to size than others. I wish i could find the thread, but i have no clue what forum. But im looking for brands that are close to size at least, like as stated above 1/4 or less of an inch less than sidewall specs. Ive seen that on forums a number of times where people have said its almost what it states on sidewall, but a full blown inch off isnt acceptable to me.
 
I am not just going to jump up and buy whatever is closest to 33. I want to know what brands are closer to the size they say they are. It will be another year before i get new tires. Obviously there are many things to consider, which is why i am looking for suggestions so i can then begin researching the brands suggested.

And im not exclusivly looking for 33s, im just wondering what brands out there sell tires that are more accurate to the sidewall dimensions.
 
Treadwright tires measure out to their specified size. I had two sets and both were at their height unmounted.
 
Treadwright tires measure out to their specified size. I had two sets and both were at their height unmounted.
How do you rate them, being that they are retreaded? When I got my jeep used within a month a tire blew up and it turned out to be retreaded. That thing tore into so many pieces. Never going to that dealership again. After I called them turns out they pulled the lift off and the tires to install in another TJ, then stuck some crap retreads on there. So I have a slight 'fear' of retreads. I see they say they make them very differently.
 
Treadwright makes some good retreads. I had a set that is nearly 6 years old and now being run by a guy I know with a lifted XJ. He wheels em hard.

The ones I had were capped tires but I think they make them bead to bead now which are alot more durable.

Both sets took little weight to balance.
 
Nitto and general both make ties that are very close to posted size I believe. I just went with a set of Cooper STT Pros that barley measured 32 and width is just over 11. They did not balance very well either.
 
In the market for new tires, i have KO2 30x9.5r15 now, which barely measure 29 inches, and that's the spare with no wear. PSI is whatever it says on the sidewall, i think its 38. Don't have jeep in front of me to check.

What brands of tires are true to their size? Im looking for 33s that are actually 33. Or, at least some 32s that actually are 32. I don't want to get 33s only to find they are like 32.1 or something. I don't mind if its like 1/4 or less of an inch lower than the size. And does the PSI change the tire height? I assume it would, but i must not be good at searching as i couldn't find that out online. Now, if it turns out that they are e.g. 33 inches tall at X psi, that would make sense as well and explain why they aren't living up to the tire sidewall specs.

I've measured a few tires off friends trucks, and none of them are the size that it says on the sidewall. I get that it will change a bit when they are on the vehicle, but the fact that my spare is 29 1/16 and has never touched the ground frustrates me.

What brands/tire models are truly the size they claim to be? Preferably only imperial/standard tire sizes i hate the metric ones. I've stumbled across this complaint on a few forums a couple years ago but cannot locate them.

My jeep is my daily driver and i do offroad some mild to moderate trails and whatever i can find, and see a lot of mud, so i would like tires that are good for both like the KO2. (90-95% paved/dirt roads) Preferably ones that dont wear fast either, but any suggestions on brands are welcome and appreciated!
I use https://tiresize.com/ as a good reference. They list actual sizes for different brands and sizes they make.
 
Thanks everyone i give those a look.

Now should I start a new thread or ask anyway about this... I guess it's related in my opinion. so with a 3.25-3.5 lift, could I get away with say BFG ko2s since they are technically only 32.5 inches and people say 3 is good enough for 32s? Or is 3 good enough for 32s that are actually more like 31.5?

Does the same apply to 33s? A 3.75-4 inch lift as the minimum for 33s, since they are often more like 32.5, could I fit 32.5 tires with a 3.25 -3.5 inch lift? Opinions?
(Likely a 2 inch budget boost and a 1.25 body lift, with 1 in mml, until i get money for better foil springs.)
 
This is just the question I was about to ask, how did you get on ? I'm currently running 31's and was going to change to 32's as I've just fitted a BB lift, but definitely don't want to buy a 32" tyre that's close to the 31's that I already have ...
 
This is just the question I was about to ask, how did you get on ? I'm currently running 31's and was going to change to 32's as I've just fitted a BB lift, but definitely don't want to buy a 32" tyre that's close to the 31's that I already have ...
I believe metric tires are more accurate to the sidewall measurements than sae. I could be wrong though. I'd actually like to know for sure. But, if your BB is about 2" you won't be able to fit more than 32's on your rig (if done right). YOu really need 3.5+ of overall lift to fit 33's. And 4" is ideal.
 
JMT, I'm in the UK so metric sizes are easily available so will check that out, 32's are my max also due to low gearing ...
 
These guys were said to have erred on the side of failing to check a fitment guide, prior to upgrading in tire size:

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