newbie confused about 33x9.5 BFG tires

[mmw68]

OK...I have read all the treads, on several fourms for the last several days and Iam still confused a little about 33 x 9.5 v.s. 33 x 10.5 BFG AT tires.

I've owned trucks before, but the largest tire I have ever run was 31x10 SUV style tire.

I have my new fj62, lifted 2.5 inches, with 15 x 8 aftermarket rims, it's going to be a daily driver...weekends, camping and on light trails....

So..... is there a really huge differance in the two tire sizes? I feel like from everything I have read the 9.5 size will handle a little better for a daily driver, or does it just come down to what looks good to me on the truck?

I also heard that BFG was going to discontue the 33x9.5 tire, but can not confirm this - if that's the case, then I'll go with the 33 x 10.5 in case I ever have to replace a tire I can still get it.

-Mark

 

[Sporin]

I don't see why you'd choose the skinnier tire when the 10.5 wll fit easily with your lift and on the stock rims. The MPG between the 9.5 and the 10.5 would be negligable. So why who so skinny?

I, as well as many others, are of the OPINION that the FJ60 and FJ62 do better with the 10.5 or 12.5" wide tires due to their weight, esspecially in off-camber, off road situations.

I have the 33x10.5 BFG AT's on my FJ62 iwth only a shackle lift and I LOVE them. Great all around tire for the occassional wheeler. They've been great in the snow, too.

Just my 2 cents, I'm not an expert.

 

[lovetoski]

There are lots of opinions on this topic (I have one too) but here are some common points:
Some guys like the tall/skinny look - pizza cutters.
Tall/skinny's work great in snow/ice. They also work on stock wheels, and usually w/out a suspension lift.
Wider looks better to some.
Wider does add some stability.
For a cruiser in good tune, wider will reduce milage a bit.
With your wheels and lift, you can go 10.50 or 12.50.

Les Schwab, Big O and Kelly tire all carry a 33X9.50, in case BFG does drop theirs.

I have 9.50's, on stock rims. If I'd had your rims when I had to replace my tires, I would have gone with 10.50's. I'm in the snow/ice a lot in winter, and the extra pressure you get with a narrow tire is great.

See if your tire shop will mount one of each so you can see how they look?

 

[boerboel313]

I just got done with my Heavy Duty OME lift on my 60 and i'm going to go with the 33X10.5. Good luck.

 

[brian]

bfg dropped their 33X9.50 mud t/a some time ago, but i've heard nothing on them dropping the 9.50 at, not that i hear everything though.

 

[Landpimp]

with your lift I would go with 33x10.5's, thats what I run on my 60 with OME suspension.

 

[dd113]

100% opinion:

I have had a set of 33x 9.5s since 96. They have been on every cruiser I have ever owned and on most of my friends trucks at one time or another. Great tire, last forever and look good on stock rims.

I just installed some 33 x 10.50s on a 60 with a Dakar lift and 8" blk rockrawlers. It looks great; it looks like it "should".

I think the tires look more or less the same when on the correct rim. The 9.5s look a little funny on 8" rims and the 10.5 look a little funny on the stock rims.

Pick you rim and pick your tire. I see almost no difference in performance between the 2 most of the time and either will sink into the wheel wells just fine.

 

[toy60]

Tyres are a very personal thing but here is my 2 cents worth.

31 x 10.5 Standard tyre not a bad choice
33 x 9.5 Good off road and touring tyre bit narrow on the sand and rocky shale
32 x 11.5 Fits on a standared 6 inch wheel and is good in sand and wont pop when running low pressure.
Not quite a good for touring but its my pick!!!!

 

[DocB]

Here's my 60 with about a 2 inch lift and 32X11.50s. I like them on and off road. Mine are wrangler mtrs, you can also get bfg at in this size.

 

[esh]

I like the little extra bit of stability of the 10.5 vs the 9.5, especially on a 5000+lb wagon like this. The 9.5s are, shall I say, tippy aired down. The 10.5s are "less" scary. I'm leaving the 9.5 bfg m/ts I have for the FJ4x's I've got. Note: the 9.5s I have are the mt's, so I can't give a completely accurate 9.5at vs 10.5at comparison.

(monkey wrench)
What I was really wanting was the 285x75r16 AT/KO. It's basically a (truer) 33x11 on a 16" rim. Better load capacity at 3305@65psi vs 2620@50psi (33x10.5) or 2510@50psi (33x9.5).

But I got a good deal on 33x10.5s so I have those. They have done great in the type of snow Oregon gets.
-Ken

EDIT- this thread needs more pics

 

[mmw68]

Nice pictures!!! Thanks to all who gave me advice..Iam headed off to get some 33 x 10.5 I'll be sure to add pictures of the finished lift and new tires.

 

[Exiled]

Ken, you need to get your butt in gear and submit some pictures to TT, that second picture would have easily made the cut for cover shot during my tenure...get in touch with Todd Kaderabek!!!!!!

 

[coffmantx]

Mark, I'd like to see your 62 when you are finished with the lift and tires, I will soon be thinking about the same thing. I'd like to see how you like the ride and look and also what you thought of Edwin's lift kit combination and work.

-Stan