Yet another tire and lift question

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A

architectx

10 Year
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
Threads
8
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16
Location
Chattanooga, TN
Okay, maybe I'm just not so skilled with the search tools as I am certain this has been asked plenty of times before. Here's the deal:

2002 near stock 100, daily driver and occasional, never more than "intermediate level" offroad use here in the south-east. I need to buy tires soon. I have stock rims. I figure I might go ahead and order the 1.5" lift from Slee's, then buy slightly larger tires. So, the question is two-fold:

What type and size tires do I want?

and, with the lift, I would like to do bumpers and a swingout one day down the road. I don't plan on adding drawers or a fridge. It could be a year before I do the bumpers though, so do I want the medium or heavy kit from Slee?

Thanks so much.
 
I can't help with your specific question since I'm running stock, but I can help with the search. If you type "tire" into the search bar in the upper right corner you'll get 6 pages of results with threads on tires. If you type "slee lift" in the search bar you'll get 10 pages of results with threads on that. I'd read some of those first and you'll probably get your answers.
 
architectx said:
Okay, maybe I'm just not so skilled with the search tools as I am certain this has been asked plenty of times before. Here's the deal:

2002 near stock 100, daily driver and occasional, never more than "intermediate level" offroad use here in the south-east. I need to buy tires soon. I have stock rims. I figure I might go ahead and order the 1.5" lift from Slee's, then buy slightly larger tires. So, the question is two-fold:

What type and size tires do I want?

and, with the lift, I would like to do bumpers and a swingout one day down the road. I don't plan on adding drawers or a fridge. It could be a year before I do the bumpers though, so do I want the medium or heavy kit from Slee?

Thanks so much.
Click to expand...
Ask these question to yourself first.
Do you want skinny or wide tires?
Do you care if the tires make a little noise.
I run 255/85/16 Coopers discover S/T , these are skinny tires. I like them a lot. Other muders like wider tires.
It is more of personal preference.
 
A year is a while away. You can get a medium kit and change out the springs later? A 255/85 skinny and 285/75 wide.
 
If you are mainly on road on only do minor off road occasionally then you could go with a 275-65-18 (32" tire). Maybe a Terra Grappler or Michelin AT2. Even the new BFG AT KO2. The tire is 1" taller than stock and will help fill out the wheel wells a bit but you will retain your nice on road ride. You will also not lose any MPGs as you will with a D or E rated LT tire but you will still be ready for some weekend dirt road action.

Finally, a 32" tire will fit perfectly and look good with or without the 1.5" lift.
 
i've got kinda the same purposed LC as you = a 2002 that only sees occasional non-hardcore outings. i chose not to lift yet and got 285s/33s Duratracs on stock everything. For the actual tire there are dozens of options and hundreds more opinions on which is best, choose for yourself after doing your homework on what's currently available in your area (or what you can order online). For stock 16" wheels, most would likely recommend a 285 or 255 - both ~33" tire (fat vs skinny). Some 295s will rub, do your homework. Look up specs of the tires you want and you'll see they are all different sizes between brands if this info is important to you.

since most 33s fit stock, the lift can be added later. medium is likely what would be recommended unless you're always loaded down with lots of weight.

lots of good info to be found here on MUD, if you search for it.
 
mtnracer said:
If you are mainly on road on only do minor off road occasionally then you could go with a 275-65-18 (32" tire). Maybe a Terra Grappler or Michelin AT2. Even the new BFG AT KO2. The tire is 1" taller than stock and will help fill out the wheel wells a bit but you will retain your nice on road ride. You will also not lose any MPGs as you will with a D or E rated LT tire but you will still be ready for some weekend dirt road action.

Finally, a 32" tire will fit perfectly and look good with or without the 1.5" lift.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing when I bought my 275/65/18 genreral grabber at2. The work well... But a month after I spent too much money on tires, I wished I would've gone bigger. Like 285/65/18 (32.6) or 275/70/18 (33)


...via IH8MUD app
 
TwiceWithHair said:
I thought the same thing when I bought my 275/65/18 genreral grabber at2. The work well... But a month after I spent too much money on tires, I wished I would've gone bigger. Like 285/65/18 (32.6) or 275/70/18 (33)
Click to expand...

I'd agree. 33's will fit stock with no rubbing, so might as well go for it. I've got 275/70/18 BFG A/Ts on mine.
 
image.webp


275/70/18 BFG AT/KO's 33". Can run these with or without 2" lift. Mine has a 2" lift.
 
I do like the 275/70/18 (33") better as well BUT they are only available in a Load Range E LT tire which can be literally double the weight of a stock tire. Ride quality and MPG will suffer quite a bit. That is why for a mainly "road going" rig I would do 275/65/18 with a P or XL rating.

Of course once you have the big heavy tires for a while you will get used to the choppier ride but not the loss of 2MPGs.

I am speaking from experience with several tire sizes (31"-34"), load ranges (P, XL, D, E) and rims (17, 18, 20).

Crap, maybe I'm just getting old but unless you live in an area where you can wheel more than once a year I would stick with 32" tires.
 
This is my rig, 04 100% stock with 285/75 - 16s (33s). No rubbing or problems, but I am going for the 2.5 inch lift and will probably upgrade to 315s.

1422056988764.webp
 
Kumho Road Venture SAT, load range is D.

They were on close out on tire rack, got them for only 130 per tire. They are actually very quiet on the road and grip well on everything I've thrown at them so far.
 
Get the medium kit/coils and then upgrade the coils when/after you get the bumper(s).

BTW - lots of good info. in the Tire and Wheel Tech section.
 
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