Stepping down a tire size

[OldMan Aech]

I am thinking of getting an All-Terrain tire for my 98 TJ. It has 35-1250-15 Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3's on it now and I am looking at 33-1250-15's in an A/T tire. The Mickey Thompsons are a bit loud, and the road manners aren't great either. I am thinking about the Kenda Kleve A/T and the Falken Wildpeak AT4W's. The jeep is geared at 4:56 and running stock axels with a 4 1/2" lift right now. Who has done something like this and what can I expect in handling and rode noise? I know I will need to regear the speedo but what else must I pay attention to? Price point is a big issue, so my absolute favorite tire is out the BFG KO3's. Let me know what you guys think of these choices as a step-down

tire size. Thanks.

 

[Chris]

An A/T tire will perform much better on the street. I'd also suggest 10.5" width as oppose to 12.5" width.

The A/Ts will be smoother, quieter, and you'll pick up some off-the-line power due to less weight.

There's every reason to make the switch and no reason not to. I always laugh at guys who run M/T tires on the street.

 

[JMT]

I always laugh at guys who run M/T tires on the street.

Laugh away buddy!

 

[DaveC]

Going down in tire size will make the jeep feel a little more peppy/powerful since you'll have the same gear ratio turning smaller tires.
AT tires will always be quiter than MT and provide a smoother ride.
Narrower tires usually handle better than wider tires (less wandering/don't grab all the grooves in the road)

I run BFG KO2s in 33/10.5/15 and love the way it handles and rides. I specifically planned on 'skinny' 33s for this reason.

 

[GATORB8]

An A/T tire will perform much better on the street. I'd also suggest 10.5" width as oppose to 12.5" width.

The A/Ts will be smoother, quieter, and you'll pick up some off-the-line power due to less weight.

There's every reason to make the switch and no reason not to. I always laugh at guys who run M/T tires on the street.

Agree with ATs being much better on the street and will wear significantly better. It is a bigger tradeoff off road in this neck of the woods where terrain varies from mud to mud on rocks.

As long as you are staying on the road, I've had a good experience with the last generation of Wildpeak ATs on a truck and have a lot of good miles on KO2s on Jeeps.

 

[Chris]

Laugh away buddy!

 

[Chris]

The only place where those M/Ts will ever outperform a good A/T is going to be deep snow, mud, or rocks. If you aren't doing any of that, the A/T is the better choice.

M/Ts have a place for sure, I just hate daily driving with them!

 

[GATORB8]

Side note, you can likely find new JL Rubicon takeoff KO2s including wheels on FBMP in 285/70R17 (~33x11.50) that will require adapters, but you can probably get the whole set less than just buying new 15" tires and could sell your 35s as a set with wheels.

 

[Moglocker]

Side note, you can likely find new JL Rubicon takeoff KO2s including wheels on FBMP in 285/70R17 (~33x11.50) that will require adapters, but you can probably get the whole set less than just buying new 15" tires and could sell your 35s as a set with wheels.

Yep if his Mickey Thompson wheels are 15x8 they are kinda rare,I just sold a set for 1000.00

 

[NashvilleTJ]

An A/T tire will perform much better on the street. I'd also suggest 10.5" width as oppose to 12.5" width.

The A/Ts will be smoother, quieter, and you'll pick up some off-the-line power due to less weight.

There's every reason to make the switch and no reason not to. I always laugh at guys who run M/T tires on the street.

Oh man, Chris. Ahhh, how do you feel about stickies?

 

[OldMan Aech]

I ordered a set of 5 new Kendra AT2's today. They will be in Monday so I will take pics and let you guys know what I think so far. I ordered at set of 33-12:50-15's. Now I need to get a speedometer gear to get it set right.

 

[fourpointzero]

OP, I love my Mickey's but if I had to pick between Kendra or Falken Wildpeaks Id go with the latter. 33's are IMO the best size for TJ's if you want to daily but also go larger than stock. They also look great proportionately on the TJ's.

 

[inkedrose]

I had a set of 33/10.5/15 KO2's for awhile on last Jeep. They were great for daily driving and still did decent on dirt. KO3's weren't a thing yet

 

[JMT]

OP, I love my Mickey's but if I had to pick between Kendra or Falken Wildpeaks Id go with the latter. 33's are IMO the best size for TJ's if you want to daily but also go larger than stock. They also look great proportionately on the TJ's.

Aww man! For real?

 

[TheBoogieman]

33's are IMO the best size for TJ's if you want to daily but also go larger than stock. They also look great proportionately on the TJ's.

 

[OldMan Aech]

I just had a new set of 5 Kenda AT2's installed this morning. 33-12.50-15's on 15X10 MT Wheels. After setting the correct pressure using the chalk method the tires ride great and are very quiet. I am pleased with the looks and the ride so far. If anything, changes I will let you guys know.

 

[OldMan Aech]

Yep if his Mickey Thompson wheels are 15x8 they are kinda rare,I just sold a set for 1000.00

I found out today they are 15x10's

 

[Moglocker]

I found out today they are 15x10's

Those look great,but will start to shear the bolts off when aired down on rocks.

 

[CharlesHS]

I just had a new set of 5 Kenda AT2's installed this morning. 33-12.50-15's on 15X10 MT Wheels. After setting the correct pressure using the chalk method the tires ride great and are very quiet. I am pleased with the looks and the ride so far. If anything, changes I will let you guys know. View attachment 682739

Good Looking Jeep Sahara....