Michelin XZL vs. BFG BAJA

[EL_3grab]

Hello guys


On my LC now Siam 9.00R16 (255/100-R16)
http://www.gulfcoastco.ae/images/p11-3.jpg

Great on sand, sucks in every thing else

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The XZL in 9.00R16 (255/100-R16)

Pros:

- Military Choice around the world
- "100" side wall

Cons:

- More expensive
- Too stiff for LC100 ?

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The BAJA in 315/75-R16

Pros:

- To many

Cons:

- "75" side wall
- Might be too wide?

The thing is I found the BAJA in very reasonable price, 215$ a piece, but I can't trust this quotation from a BFG branch I will be at the head office to verify that.

I found the XZL in 382$ a piece. Choice of military and DAKAR rally trucks.

I can't go wrong with BAJA, IF it's really were 215$


My heart tells me XZL
My brain tells me BAJA

Help me decide , Please?​

P.S: 315/75-R16 BFG All-Terrain not available "From the Dealer" only the BAJA as they said!!

 

[ginericLC]

That is an awesome price for the Baja. Be aware that the Baja is a race tire designed for a very limited mileage lifespan (short life). How the heck are you getting these on a stock 100? My 315s rub with a 2.5" OME lift.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

That is an awesome price for the Baja. Be aware that the Baja is a race tire designed for a very limited mileage lifespan (short life). How the heck are you getting these on a stock 100? My 315s rub with a 2.5" OME lift.

12.8 wide vs 12.2 wide (AT KO)

 

[EL_3grab]

That is an awesome price for the Baja. Be aware that the Baja is a race tire designed for a very limited mileage lifespan (short life).

The 100 is barely covering 5000km a year. Only for playing off-road, trips, and garages

 

[zmw100]

having used the BAJA T/As previously on a trail equipped ZR2 blazer (yeah yeah, i don't want to hear it - it was actually fairly competent...) I can tell you they are great tires in the sand but don't have wide enough lugs to clean well if you are in the rocks or mud at all. - Their sidewall seemed to be damn near bullet proof, and i never had a single tear or puncture with them (destroyed plenty of MT's and AT's though)...

I bought the Baja because it was readily available and Discount Tire was still willing to put road hazard warranty on it...

Honestly though - They are TERRIBLE in slipperly situations, I'm not sure if it's the compound or just the tread pattern but the few times I had the truck in the snow and on wet roads it was aweful...

If your rig is purely for fun, and you are in the sand most the time, the baja will be great, but if you are ever in the rocks, or on slippery terrain that is wet, you might think of something a bit more realistic like a mud TA or AT, I've never used or seen the XZL but it looks angry

You might also consider the load rated BFG's - you can get them with a 10ply sidewall in both the MT And the AT, the ATs do great in the sand and better than most at lots of other stuff...

just my .02 - Z

 

[1loudLX]

in the middle east i dont think they have much rock or mud to worry about I think theres only a rock there.

 

[EL_3grab]

having used the BAJA T/As previously on a trail equipped ZR2 blazer (yeah yeah, i don't want to hear it - it was actually fairly competent...) I can tell you they are great tires in the sand but don't have wide enough lugs to clean well if you are in the rocks or mud at all. - Their sidewall seemed to be damn near bullet proof, and i never had a single tear or puncture with them (destroyed plenty of MT's and AT's though)...

I bought the Baja because it was readily available and Discount Tire was still willing to put road hazard warranty on it...

Honestly though - They are TERRIBLE in slipperly situations, I'm not sure if it's the compound or just the tread pattern but the few times I had the truck in the snow and on wet roads it was aweful...

If your rig is purely for fun, and you are in the sand most the time, the baja will be great, but if you are ever in the rocks, or on slippery terrain that is wet, you might think of something a bit more realistic like a mud TA or AT, I've never used or seen the XZL but it looks angry

You might also consider the load rated BFG's - you can get them with a 10ply sidewall in both the MT And the AT, the ATs do great in the sand and better than most at lots of other stuff...

just my .02 - Z

Appreciate your input. Thank you

The XZL are from Michelin, search the forum and google'em, you will find all what you need to know

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/

 

[EL_3grab]

in the middle east i dont think they have much rock or mud to worry about I think theres only a rock there.

You are right, it all sand here in UAE

But I can have all kind of terrain if I plan to travel around the Gulf countries, especially Oman, great backcountry

​

 

[hks3sgte]

9.00R16 XZL are about 36" tall. Do they fit?

Overlanders choose the XZL for its toughness. Although many times it is said that they are horrible on anything other than mud. On pavement performance is reportedly the worst. But you say your LC is mainly off road.

I don't know anything about the Baja. But if it were me, I would choose the XZLs just because it is a PROVEN tire worldwide.

 

[EL_3grab]

9.00R16 XZL are about 36" tall. Do they fit?


Overlanders choose the XZL for its toughness. Although many times it is said that they are horrible on anything other than mud. On pavement performance is reportedly the worst. But you say your LC is mainly off road.

I don't know anything about the Baja. But if it were me, I would choose the XZLs just because it is a PROVEN tire worldwide.

They certainly do. Skinny 255 but tall 100.

The siam have rounded edge so, they appear smaller

​

see the first pic in first post

 

[hks3sgte]

Yeah, they look "bubbly." What's the actual MEASURED height?

The XZLs look more skinny and tall.

 

[EL_3grab]

Yeah, they look "bubbly." What's the actual MEASURED height?

The XZLs look more skinny and tall.

Never tried that, I will find out tomorrow

In the main time, they say 9.00R16 on the side wall

 

[alkaline747trio]

9.00r16 isn't a good number to go with. There are 9.00r16s that measure out less than 35" tall. 9.00 just guarentees the width.

 

[EL_3grab]

9.00r16 isn't a good number to go with. There are 9.00r16s that measure out less than 35" tall. 9.00 just guarentees the width.

It doesn't really concerns me too much

Something in-between 34-36inch will do it

 

[zmw100]

man i don't know, I would still be prone to go with a more normal tire like a BFG mudder or AT, and if sidewall strength is a concern buy the load rated ones... the AT's are pretty good in sand - but if ALL you are going to be doing is dune hopping and sand running, the BAJA is a fantastic tire - although I am sure there are better purpose built tires... You also may need to think about availibility - If you have a complete shred of a tire, how quickly can it be replaced to get your rig up and running? Also is the XZL worth nearly twice the price? I would rather buy AT's or Baja's and carry two spares for that price.

-Z

 

[EL_3grab]

man i don't know, I would still be prone to go with a more normal tire like a BFG mudder or AT, and if sidewall strength is a concern buy the load rated ones... the AT's are pretty good in sand - but if ALL you are going to be doing is dune hopping and sand running, the BAJA is a fantastic tire - although I am sure there are better purpose built tires... You also may need to think about availibility - If you have a complete shred of a tire, how quickly can it be replaced to get your rig up and running? Also is the XZL worth nearly twice the price? I would rather buy AT's or Baja's and carry two spares for that price.

-Z

There is nothing available bigger than 285/75 from all the brands, only BFG BAJA and Michelin XZL. I'm uncertain about the BAJA quotation I have, I will find out tomorrow. ​

The goodyear MTR's 285/75 are priced at 330$

 

[zmw100]

well, I know for a fact that you can buy 315/70/17 BFG mudders in load rated trim - Obviously that's a wheel change too - but I ran that exact tire on my 4x4 cummins diesel... I also know there are some pretty good sizes availible in 16.5" wheel sizes.... I can't comment directly on 16"

-Z

 

[1loudLX]

3grab, i like your truck btw, looks nice with that black and white look.

 

[EL_3grab]

well, I know for a fact that you can buy 315/70/17 BFG mudders in load rated trim - Obviously that's a wheel change too - but I ran that exact tire on my 4x4 cummins diesel... I also know there are some pretty good sizes availible in 16.5" wheel sizes.... I can't comment directly on 16"

-Z

Yes, but the "dealer" won't order them only for me

 

[1loudLX]

grab, hate to go off topic but uhm why exactly do you have a LX470 errr Cygnus front bumper? It looks good just wondering why you swapped it.