Observations on moving form MT to AT tires

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

sonk76

sonk76

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Threads
86
Messages
997
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Just switched from 35" MT tires (285/75R18 Goodyear MT/R) to 34"+ AT tires (295/70R18 Nitto Terra Grapplers).

While I was very happy with the MT/Rs, when it came time to replace them I had a hard time buying another set, when I realize that 95%+ of my driving is on pavement. Perhaps one day I will go that direction again.

For now, I must say that I had forgotten how smooth and comfortable of a ride my truck can actually be! I'm very happy with the change for now, though the truck has certainly lost a bunch of is "tough" attitude. It looks much more tame, though I figure that in practice for the kind of "overlanding" we do here in North America it may fit my needs better.

I haven't had a chance to go wheeling with these yet, so can't comment yet on that. Prior to my MT tires, I have run couple of different sets of AT tires, so I was used to going increasingly more aggressive in my tires. This is the first time I've gone from more aggressive to less aggressive tires. So far I'm happy (as long as I don't stare too much at other trucks with tough MT tires...)

IMG_5590-%2520enfused%2520v2.jpg


IMG_5600-%2520enfused%2520v2.jpg


IMG_5586.jpg
 
I wheeled with Griffin at GSMTR. I was running KM-2's @ 14PSI and Griffin was on Nittos (275's?) @ 18PSI and we hit the hardest trails a 100 could tackle. The Nitto's kept up with me except for one spot where we pulled line. This was caused by me trying to bump over a rock and dug out the entire area. The Nitto's had NO problem in the slick mud, nor the rocks at GSMTR. I was truly impressed by them and most likely going to be my next set of tires.
IMG_4029.webp
 
On my fjc, i used to wheel with with terra grapplers. They were great! I really had no complaints except for in the looks department. I think the biggest key to this, in my mind, was to keep the tires looking clean. I can't explain why, but they always looked better when the sidewalls had some shine to them, unlike when i had km2's... then it didn't matter how clean or dirty they looked for some reason.
 
2000UZJ said:
I wheeled with Griffin at GSMTR. I was running KM-2's @ 14PSI and Griffin was on Nittos (275's?) @ 18PSI and we hit the hardest trails a 100 could tackle. The Nitto's kept up with me except for one spot where we pulled line. This was caused by me trying to bump over a rock and dug out the entire area. The Nitto's had NO problem in the slick mud, nor the rocks at GSMTR. I was truly impressed by them and most likely going to be my next set of tires.
Click to expand...

Great to hear! I've heard great things about them.

So far I continue to be very excited about the positive effect on day-to-day drivin on the road. I had truly forgotten how smooth the truck can be.
 
3D FJ said:
On my fjc, i used to wheel with with terra grapplers. They were great! I really had no complaints except for in the looks department. I think the biggest key to this, in my mind, was to keep the tires looking clean. I can't explain why, but they always looked better when the sidewalls had some shine to them, unlike when i had km2's... then it didn't matter how clean or dirty they looked for some reason.
Click to expand...

I'll just have to keep them shined up then... city slicker style :D
 
I've always admired your truck and I think this latest build has the perfect balance between aggressiveness, sophistication, and luxury. I hope my wife will let me do this one day. Until then, I will just live vicariously through you.
 
04UZJ100 said:
Did you consider BFG's?
Click to expand...

I ran those for a while but was disappointed with the number of sidewall failures I had.

Btw, now that I have more time driving these, I feel like this is one of the best "upgrades" I've done to the truck in a long time. Unlike most of my mods that help the truck perform better <5% of time, this helps the truck be better 95%+ of the time in my use. Really a big fan of the newly rediscovered comfort.
 
Last edited:
I like how it looks as well. I don't think you will be unhappy with the choice.
 
Taking this same approach... going from BFG KM2's down to AT KO.

I also need a little more comfort on the pavement and some decent traction when I am on the trail the other 5% of the time.
 
right there with your sonk... had mickey thompson mtz's and loved the look but boy since going to the same size as u with the 295/70/18's in the nitto tg...i am not looking back.. amazing the diff. in noise and ride as well as the gas mileage increase...

AT's all the way.
 
mtnracer said:
Sonk,

What kind of lift are you running and how big is the lift?

Any rubbing?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm running ahc sensor lift only. With about 1" and 2" higher than stock front and rear respectively.

Yes, I get some rubbing at full compression in the front. Back and top of from wheel well liner. Still toying around with ways to solve. Only and issue on higher speed bigger bumps. Slow speed rock crawling and regular road driving has been fine.
 
I ran those exact tires on both my Dodge HD 2500 TD and also my FJC fully built....I was able to do EVERYTHING I attempted. They even were more self cleaning in mud and snow than the BFG ATs I ran previously...just when I got into clay mud or deep stuff they would have me sliding all over. Never got stuck (knock on wood) but it was a bit sporting. That was one time a year at most...

They were very good tires.... I am running Trail Grapplers but thinking of going back to Terra Grapplers myself....unless something better comes along as I have had these for 2 years and still have half the tread remaining. :)

They were quiet...great handling...great in our sudden thunderstorms for wet weather...only complaint I had was in slippery clay mud. Went to the mud terrains and love them too but they are likely overkill. Guess I will find out when I change and go hunting and see if I can almost idle through a 1 foot deep mud track like I do now...or need some wheel spin to get through. :hillbilly: :steer:

394320530.jpg

403243062.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom