New Nitto Ridge Grappler review
10-04-2016, 04:27 PM
#1
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
Posts: 11,035
Likes: 0
Received 80 Likes
on
72 Posts
New Nitto Ridge Grappler review
I am doing a full review on the new Nitto Ridge Grappler tire. Since I decided to do a complete build from a like new stock 2015 Rubicon, I decided that running a brand new to the market tire only made sense.
I will get this out of the way first. I am a huge Nitto fan, and have always had a great experience with their tires. Most recently was a set of Trail Grapplers, which in my opinion one of the best all around mud tires on the market. How will the Ridge Grapplers compare? We will find out soon enough.
My initial thoughts when I pulled the tires off the delivery truck, WOW! I am testing this tire in a 37x12.50r17 size. This tire definitely looks more aggressive in person. Weight on this size was listed at 78 lbs, which is very reasonable for the size, and is a load range D, which will work well with the heavy rig I am building. Like other Nitto off road tires, this has two different sidewall options to choose from, and both look really good. I decided to run the more aggressive side with the big blocks. This tire is similar to the Trail Grappler in regards to the agressive sidewall and features large voids on the outer lugs, and a tighter pattern in the middle which should definitely offer a smooth and quiet ride, and be better in the snow and rain than a traditional mud terrain. It definitely fits into a new hybrid category that will bridge the gap for the needs of many JK owners.
Here are some pics of them after unloading them off the truck, and next to the tiny factory MTs.
I will get this out of the way first. I am a huge Nitto fan, and have always had a great experience with their tires. Most recently was a set of Trail Grapplers, which in my opinion one of the best all around mud tires on the market. How will the Ridge Grapplers compare? We will find out soon enough.
My initial thoughts when I pulled the tires off the delivery truck, WOW! I am testing this tire in a 37x12.50r17 size. This tire definitely looks more aggressive in person. Weight on this size was listed at 78 lbs, which is very reasonable for the size, and is a load range D, which will work well with the heavy rig I am building. Like other Nitto off road tires, this has two different sidewall options to choose from, and both look really good. I decided to run the more aggressive side with the big blocks. This tire is similar to the Trail Grappler in regards to the agressive sidewall and features large voids on the outer lugs, and a tighter pattern in the middle which should definitely offer a smooth and quiet ride, and be better in the snow and rain than a traditional mud terrain. It definitely fits into a new hybrid category that will bridge the gap for the needs of many JK owners.
Here are some pics of them after unloading them off the truck, and next to the tiny factory MTs.
Last edited by Ryan0260; 10-04-2016 at 07:03 PM.
10-04-2016, 05:39 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
Posts: 11,035
Likes: 0
Received 80 Likes
on
72 Posts
I decided to mount these tires to a set of 17x9 ATX Slab beadlocks with 3.5" backspace. These tires really look good on them. A nice feature on Nitto tires is the bead is cleaned up at the factory, so no trimming needed if you decide to mount these to beadlock wheels.
Last edited by Ryan0260; 10-04-2016 at 05:44 PM.
10-04-2016, 06:06 PM
#4
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
Posts: 11,035
Likes: 0
Received 80 Likes
on
72 Posts
I am currently doing a full build, and being extremely busy at work has me behind on getting this thing back on the road. I am currently installing Icon stage 2 coilovers, and a complete set of Crawler Conceptz armor. I should have this ready to drive in the next day or two. Here are a few pictures of it's current (not done) state. Can't wait to get these tires on the road to review!
Last edited by Ryan0260; 10-04-2016 at 06:10 PM.
10-07-2016, 06:00 AM
#5
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
Posts: 11,035
Likes: 0
Received 80 Likes
on
72 Posts
Ok, finally got the Jeep back together and on the road last night. Here are my first impressions of this tire. First off, I have not had these tires balanced yet, but you wouldn't know it by driving it. Even at 70 mph, they are super smooth with absolutely no shimmy or vibration. I am definitely going to have them balanced anyway, but would be surprised if any of them took more than an ounce or two.
These tires are super smooth and quiet. They aren't silent, but they are quieter than my previous Trail Grapplers, which are definitely quiet for how agressive they are. I'm sure just like the Trail Grapplers, they will get a little noisier as they get some miles on them, but nothing to worry about. Anyone here who is wanting a quiet tire will have no complaints from the Ridge Grappers, so they definitely perform as Nitto advertises.
The ride is very smooth and comfortable. There is absolutely no flat spotting like there is with the Trail Grapplers when starting out or coming to a stop. They definitely meet the claim as performing like an all terrain on the road. You would have no problem taking a long road trip with these tires. I am currently running 37 psi in them to keep my TPMS sensor from going off, but will change the settings later with my Flashcal and lower the pressure to 30-32 psi or so. Will definitely do a chalk test to get the pressure right.
Unfortunately, no rain in the next few days so won't be able to test how they do in wet conditions. I will have more time this weekend to put some miles on these tires and give more input on them, as well as get some pictures up.
So far, I'm very impressed with the Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
These tires are super smooth and quiet. They aren't silent, but they are quieter than my previous Trail Grapplers, which are definitely quiet for how agressive they are. I'm sure just like the Trail Grapplers, they will get a little noisier as they get some miles on them, but nothing to worry about. Anyone here who is wanting a quiet tire will have no complaints from the Ridge Grappers, so they definitely perform as Nitto advertises.
The ride is very smooth and comfortable. There is absolutely no flat spotting like there is with the Trail Grapplers when starting out or coming to a stop. They definitely meet the claim as performing like an all terrain on the road. You would have no problem taking a long road trip with these tires. I am currently running 37 psi in them to keep my TPMS sensor from going off, but will change the settings later with my Flashcal and lower the pressure to 30-32 psi or so. Will definitely do a chalk test to get the pressure right.
Unfortunately, no rain in the next few days so won't be able to test how they do in wet conditions. I will have more time this weekend to put some miles on these tires and give more input on them, as well as get some pictures up.
So far, I'm very impressed with the Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
Last edited by Ryan0260; 10-07-2016 at 06:03 AM.
10-17-2016, 06:05 PM
#6
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
Posts: 11,035
Likes: 0
Received 80 Likes
on
72 Posts
Just an update, I am still waiting for some rain here so I can test them in wet conditions, but they have been absolutely great so far. I still haven't bothered balancing them yet, and definitely will, but these things are super quiet and very smooth, even at 75 mph. I haven't had time to really get them offroad besides playing around on a friends property. More to come..
