Tires for the 40

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NCNole

NCNole

10 Year
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Threads
58
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647
Location
Florida Keys
So, I've been doing a lot of searching on here around tires for the stock 40 rims and have found 2 very different opinions on putting the 33x10.5x15 BFG ATs on the stock 40 rims due to the width of the rims (5.5in). The tires call for at least a 7in rim. Some say yes, awesome, some say no way, not safe. Many can't even get tire shops to mount them. That being said, has anyone on here had experience with these? I of course would love the unobtainable 9.5s, but such is life. Any thoughts on these tires or suggestions for alternates? I have 34 SSs right now and well, we all know what those ride like on the road. I'd like to actually be able to drive the cruiser up to see my family. Thanks as always guys!
 
While 10.5" wide tires on 5.5" rims is do-able, what you get is a less than ideal wear pattern on the tire, or you have to run the tire at lower pressure than ideal.

Are you asking which tire to get or if you should get new rims to go with 10.5" tires?
 
Well, that's the burning question...I love the stock look and prefer to keep it, however, I love the look of those tires as well. :)

My preference is keep stock rims and find some great tires that are good on the road.
 
BFG ATs are great tires. I had them for a long time on Moonshine and drove them everywhere. They have fairly weak sidewalls, so you've got to watch for jagged rocks and roots on the trail, but other than that, they'll give you 40-60k miles of good performance, based on what I've read.

As for using stock rims, you can do that, but you've got to have a narrower tire IMO.

That said, others in the club are happy with a 10.5" wide tire and stock 40 rims. IIRC, both Rafael and David have stock rims and 10.5" wide tires.
 
David's BFGAT's are 9.5". Not sure about Rafael.

I also seem to recall reading here that the tread profile of the AT (very square) will become more rounded on a narrow rim and that will affect tread wear/contact patch. The KM2 (very curved) doesn't suffer this problem. I'm unsure of the source of that info, but it was probably in the Tires forum.
 
Yeah-trying to get away from the mud tires....that's kind of what I have now with the SSs.

I've read a ton in the tires forum-a lot of ppl just buy bigger rims. Bring back the 9.5s!!! They'd make a lot of cruiser owners happy.
 
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Get a second set and have widened. That would allow for more choices in tires. Tons of used wheels in the classifieds.



...via IH8MUD app
 
I've.personally mounted that exact combo..... They work fine but you do have to run lower psi as Johnny already said. There are places to find the 9.5s I found quite a few for David miller back in the day but he want ready to buy at that time. Personally id keep your current set for wheeling and get a different rim/tire combo for everyday use.
 
I am running km2 on fj62 wheels. They are 33 10.5r15 but i dont use it for daily driver.


...via IH8MUD app
 
There are plenty of people who run the 33x10.5 KM2's on stock steelies with no problems whatsoever. John V is correct in saying that the BFG AT's have a squarer edge and when you mount them on a narrow 5.5" rim they wear funny and look bad IMO. I would stick with the KM2's in 33x10.5. You'd be very surprised at how quiet they are...especially compared to the SS LTB's you have now. Another option is the Toyo MT in 33x10.5. I have a set of those tires on my Heep in the 35x12.5x17 flavor. They are the quietest MT I have ever owned and they are also the longest wearing. The Toyo's have super strong sidewalls with tough side lugs and will take whatever you dish out. The only downside is that they are heavier than the KM2 in the same size but most likely still lighter than the SS you are running now. Bottom line, look hard at the KM2 and the Toyo MT. Both great tires and I seriously doubt if you'll have any issues.
 
km2, will be a HUGE improvement over the swampers you have now. they ride nice and are pretty quite.
 
Lots of people run the 31x10.50 on the stock wheel and the 33x10.50 and its fine. I ran the 31's on my fj60 for 5 years, heavy wheeling etc and never had wear issues.
I think being realistic about the sidewall concern is important. If your a huge wheeler and these tires will see alot of time on trails and rocks then that's super important. If your goal is looking good and being on the road most of the time then those on a stock wheel is beyond acceptable and you will notice very few if any of the "concerns" that get brought up on the forum. I think things tend to be over thought a little sometimes when it comes to the trucks that see more roads than trails. We all wish we spent more time driving our trucks on dirt and rocks but in reality its more streets!
I think all the opinions all have very valid points though as you consider the choice.
FWIW. I bought white wagon wheels 8" wide and put my 33x10.5's on them but my truck didn't have stock wheels orig. I like the look of them alot even though not stock
Hope that helps.
 
If you end up getting a new set of wheels, you might think about going up to 16 or 17 inch wheels. I worry that the 33 x 10.5 15s will go the way of the 9.5s eventually :-/
 
I have 31 x 10.5 on stock rims. Haven't had any issues but I don't wheel real hard.

There are some shops that won't mount, but discount tire by Costco in Raleigh did it and honestly treated the truck with white glove treatment (I think they just liked it).
 
Thanks for all the advice guys....looking at pricing now. I really don't wheel at all except for the occasional drive through my friend's land in Raleigh-which is fairly easy-so am not worried about having tires for wheeling.

Ben-probably gonna sell the swampers if I get new ones.
 
Check out the new BFg at's

They have new tread design coming out.

My vote is still for km2's to keep the proper look. ;)


...via IH8MUD app
 
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