All terrain tire comparison

[mcgaskins]

So the local 4wheel parts shop helped me out and test fitted a BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 35/12.50R17 on one of my wheels. And yeah it ain't gonna work without something changing. I had hoped I would be able to have them mounted up and daily drive until I figured out which way I wanted to go with the mods to accommodate the tires, but rubbing is too much for me.

I have a KDSS relo on the way, but I'm starting to rethink about the need for regearing, some of the folks not being happy about using the KDSS relocation, etc. So I'm stuck at this point. However, in the interests of helping provide some information, here's some shots of the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 34 /10.50R17 versus the 35/12.50R17

Wheels are at full lock. Reminder this is with an OME medium duty lift.

Thanks to everyone for their input.
View attachment 1557666

That's exactly what I found too with that exact tire. Really wanted it to work out, but I am so glad I went down to a 285/75/17. It's the biggest tire you can safely run on these without going down the rabbit hole too far. 285/70/17 takes even less work, but I think the 285/75/17 is truly perfect on this truck.

 

[linuxgod]

So the local 4wheel parts shop helped me out and test fitted a BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 35/12.50R17 on one of my wheels. And yeah it ain't gonna work without something changing. I had hoped I would be able to have them mounted up and daily drive until I figured out which way I wanted to go with the mods to accommodate the tires, but rubbing is too much for me.

Looks like you have stock UCAs? If so I doubt you'll be able to get enough clearance with 35s in the area around the mud flaps. I have 34s and I had to do a lot of massaging to keep them from rubbing when turning and driving >5-10mph back there. With 35s you're adding another 1/2" of sidewall height, so you will need to push the caster more positive to give you more clearance. Then once you add caster you need to watch out for KDSS bar rubbing on the DS and sway bar rubbing on the PS.

Having done 34s and dealt with the rubbing, I personally wouldn't go to 35s on a daily driver. They are doable but you're going to need to be very patient and willing to deal with the occasional scrub.

 

[FatHero]

Looks like you have stock UCAs?

Yep, stock. Was hoping that the 35's would be OK as a daily driver until I could decide on either changing the UCA's , and the KDSS relo, or the Tundra arms. But with the folks mentioning the additional need for re-gearing etc (I had to re-gear a Rubicon LJ I was running 35's on so I experienced the improvement), I think I'm gonna keep my current 34 KO2's. They only have 7k miles on them and seem to work well. The biggest reason for attempting the switch was cosmetics. The awesome rigs here rocking35's had me wanting to try it out. I appreciate the advice though, it's confirming what I feel like is the way to go for my setup and use.

 

[TonyP]

I wouldn't say it's 100% required to re-gear if going to 35s. I'm sure I'll change my opinion when I do re-gear but for now, it's perfectly fine. The 5.7 has enough sauce to keep the wheels spinning.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Yeah Tony I think you will defiantly change your opinion on gearing once you do it. I’ve regeared all my vehicles so maybe I’m too far the other way.

Now I felt the stock gear with a bone stock truck was phenomenal. Could hold gear going head first in west Texas wind, up and down steep hills and get 19mpg all day. But once I put a winch bar on, a normal height lift and a roof rack, but still with the stock street tires and rims, I could barely hold 6th gear, but only on flat no wind roads. Solely due to the aerodynamics lost. Once my 33s when on, forget about it, 6th was a lost cause.

I really don’t know how you guys handle it with equally built trucks and 35s! Doesn’t having the TC unlock constantly just drive you mad, it does me, it’s like my kryptonite.

 

[Markuson]

I wouldn't say it's 100% required to re-gear if going to 35s. I'm sure I'll change my opinion when I do re-gear but for now, it's perfectly fine. The 5.7 has enough sauce to keep the wheels spinning.

Only reason I haven't re-geared my 35's yet is cost...but meanwhile, it does surprisingly well.

My concern is the TC overworking/heat... Just seems like that can't be a good thing.

Wish I was more knowledgable about the gory details.

 

[TonyP]

Yeah Tony I think you will defiantly change your opinion on gearing once you do it. I’ve regeared all my vehicles so maybe I’m too far the other way.

Now I felt the stock gear with a bone stock truck was phenomenal. Could hold gear going head first in west Texas wind, up and down steep hills and get 19mpg all day. But once I put a winch bar on, a normal height lift and a roof rack, but still with the stock street tires and rims, I could barely hold 6th gear, but only on flat no wind roads. Solely due to the aerodynamics lost. Once my 33s when on, forget about it, 6th was a lost cause.

I really don’t know how you guys handle it with equally built trucks and 35s! Doesn’t having the TC unlock constantly just drive you mad, it does me, it’s like my kryptonite.

It's not that bad... But I agree, I don't think I know what I'm missing. I'll probably kick myself for not re-gearing earlier once I do. One thing I definitely notice and get frustrated by is the lack of power in 4H. Especially in the mountains or in Moab. It bogs down pretty bad with the stock gearing trying to climb stuff. Once I go to 4L it's fine, but that's a bandaid fix.

Gears and lockers are definitely in my future before the next 200 meeting.

 

[TonyP]

Only reason I haven't re-geared my 35's yet is cost...but meanwhile, it does surprisingly well.

My concern is the TC overworking... Just seems like that can't be a good thing.
You can tell when it kicks in, and I try to avoid it...

Wish I was more knowledgable about the gory details.

This is a big one. Since doing gears and lockers at the same time just makes sense. But that's some serious coin just in parts alone, over $4k.

 

[Markuson]

This is a big one. Since doing gears and lockers at the same time just makes sense. But that's some serious coin just in parts alone, over $4k.

Ya, and since I'm not prepared to do it myself...that $4k can jump way up.

 

[Willy beamin]

start selling plasma and saving your tooth fairy money

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I promise you Mark, you can do it yourself. We’ll FaceTime through the whole process and save you a grand.

 

[Markuson]

start selling plasma and saving your tooth fairy money

What sucks is...my "tooth fairy" is called a dentist...and so far, I leave HIM money if I lose a tooth... No worky, dangit!

 

[Markuson]

I promise you Mark, you can do it yourself. We’ll FaceTime through the whole process and save you a grand.

Hmmmmmm.....

 

[TonyP]

start selling plasma and saving your tooth fairy money

It's funny you mention that. A lot of co-workers do that. They pull in something like $350/mo. Not too shabby. Less than a year of ripping fluids from my body, I can have lockers! And a damaged immune system!

 

[Markuson]

It's funny you mention that. A lot of co-workers do that. They pull in something like $350/mo. Not too shabby. Less than a year of ripping fluids from my body, I can have lockers! And a damaged immune system!

They wouldn't want my plasma anyway...
Too many bouts of malaria & other weird third-world illnesses from too many jungles on several continents.

Heck, I was even treated for rabies as a kid in South America. -Rabid bats. If you went camping and a foot was sticking out of your net...you could either end up bitten by more anopheles mosquitos than usual (malaria) or...if you woke up with a little trickle of dried blood from between your toes...it meant a bat had likely bitten you...and it likely sat there lapping up blood drops from your foot while you slept. You don't even feel it. -In those days, that meant 10 shots in the stomach over a week or so to treat for possible rabies. I loved my kid life down there, but jungle critters are nuts. Ended up with malaria three times as an adult too. Fun stuff!

 

[linuxgod]

It's not that bad... But I agree, I don't think I know what I'm missing. I'll probably kick myself for not re-gearing earlier once I do. One thing I definitely notice and get frustrated by is the lack of power in 4H. Especially in the mountains or in Moab. It bogs down pretty bad with the stock gearing trying to climb stuff. Once I go to 4L it's fine, but that's a bandaid fix.

Gears and lockers are definitely in my future before the next 200 meeting.

You think it bogs down bad for you, try pulling a 5000# flat wall behind you up those damn mountains in Colorado At one point I was doing about 40 and looked over at my wife and said "I'm givin' her all she's got, captain".

 

[linuxgod]

Great insight. Where are you rubbing on the passenger side bar?

Finally got home from work early enough to get a picture before it was pitch dark out

Wasn’t rubbing when my right side was below caster spec. With +2 degrees on the UCA and a total caster of just over +4 degrees on the right side this is the shiny spot

 

[SWUtah]

They wouldn't want my plasma anyway...
Too many bouts of malaria & other weird third-world illnesses from too many jungles on several continents.

Heck, I was even treated for rabies as a kid in South America. -Rabid bats. If you went camping and a foot was sticking out of your net...you could either end up bitten by more anopheles mosquitos than usual (malaria) or...if you woke up with a little trickle of dried blood from between your toes...it meant a bat had likely bitten you...and it likely sat there lapping up blood drops from your foot while you slept. You don't even feel it. -In those days, that meant 10 shots in the stomach over a week or so to treat for possible rabies. I loved my kid life down there, but jungle critters are nuts. Ended up with malaria three times as an adult too. Fun stuff!

Dam you need to go on that new TV show Naked and Afraid!!

 

[Markuson]

Dam you need to go on that new TV show Naked and Afraid!!

Heh! I used to think naked was attractive til I saw that show... Yikes!

I can definitely relate to the mosquito bites though.
When I contracted malaria in Papua New Guinea, my brother and I stopped counting bites at 400, and that was just my legs.

 

[TonyP]

Luckily, we're given doxy for all of our wacky trips so I've avoided malaria, so far. Also, doxy is use for some STDs but that's another story all together. But since we're posting pics of us in 3rd world countries. This was one of my many doxy required trips. Apparently middle of nowhere Tanzanian children find a copper haired white guy fascinating.