Sorry for another tire question/suggestion thread, but I am at wits end and in analysis paralysis with all the info I've read.

Here is what I have:
*2011 JKU Sahara
*RK 1.75" BB LT kit installed (pucks)
*Rubicon wheels and tires installed
*Spidertrax 1.5" spacers on a shelf

Here are my goals/guidelines:
*Mildly more aggressive appearance than stock, but still noticeably different
*Slight gain in underbelly clearance for more clearance while driving down rutted farm roads and woods trails for hunting and fishing
*Not do anything to my suspension and other related components, other than I what already have with the BB
*Maintain the best road/highway comfort I can as this is my DD
*I do not rack crawl
*Keep Rubicon wheels
*I do drive it to VT from CT to ski nearly every other weekend in the winter regardless of weather (150 highway miles each way)
*I do drive it to Cape Cod (beach) from CT to every other weekend in the summer when the weather is sunny, but rarely drive it on the beach (150 highway miles each way)
*I am not for or against using the spacers I have

Tires I Have narrowed it down to:
*255/80R17 (33.1"x10.04") Cooper ST or ST MAXX
*285/75R17 (33.8"x11.2") Toyo Open Country AT2
*34"x10.5"R17 BFG AT T/A KO2

So, given the above information, what are your thoughts on the 3 tires/sizes I have listed above? What would you choose? Why? Do you have any other thoughts on how to meet my objectives (per goals/guidelines)?

My initial reaction is to go with the 255s, then the 34s, then the 285s...

Mine:


Versus a 2015 Willys:


Versus a 2014 Rubicon:


Thanks in advance!

 

Given that you have the 3.8 and not the 3.6, and taking for granted that you have the 4.10s, I would go with the 255 also.

If you want the looks and maintain as much function as possible with that engine,, I believe that the 285/70 would give you that bigger and wider look you might be after. I know it is not in your narrowed down choice, but I believe it is worth mentioning.

I would highly recommend GY Duratracs in that size.

 

X2 on the Duratracs. I have a 2" BB and run 285/70R/17s with Bilstein 5100s

 

I live in Colorado and the winters here can be pretty brutal. I have been running 285/70/17 Duratracs with a 2.5" lift for a while and I have only good things to say about them. The traction in snow has been great, ice not so much. But I have taken them in all conditions and so far no issues or complaints.

 

Thanks! I've got 3.73s (automatic tranny) and Rancho RS7000MTs if that matters. I'll also look at the 285/70 size (Duratracs). There were on my slightly longer list, but I will give them more consideration, thanks!

 

We have 265/70R-17 BFG KO2s on my wife's Grand Cherokee, and they are a great tire. They did need balanced twice to get it right, but now they are smooth and quiet. They work great on the highway and good offroad.

We have Toyo MTs on my JK (different size than you are looking at). They are tough as nails, and are wearing well so far. They work good on road and great off road.

You can't go wrong with either of those tires, but for lots of highway miles I would go with the KO2s.

 

Thanks!

 

Not sure if they're offered in the 285/70 size or not, as I haven't looked, but consider the Toyo Open Country RT. It's not quite as aggressive as a true M/T, but more so than an A/T. I run them in 33x12.50-18 on my '14 Ram 1500 5.7L and so far I really like them. Have put about 7500 miles on them, all on-road, and they look brand new. They also carry a 45k mile treadwear warranty, which shuold give you some idea about the quality of the rubber compound. Two downsides to them, though. 1. They're sort of heavy for a 33" tire. 2. They're pretty expensive, but that's true of any Toyo tire. I believe the Nitto Exo Grappler is pretty similar and should be more cost effective. Nitto and Toyo are made in the same factory in GA, with Nitto's always being less expensive. Can't explain why, though, because I've got 45k miles on my 37x12.50-17 Trail Grapplers with many trail runs/rock crawling trips on them and still have at least 5k miles before they'll need replacing. Between the two....I swear by Nitto/Toyo tires. Haven't had anything better yet, especially not in a GY tire. My

 

Thanks all! When do I have to consider re-gearing? When hitting the 35" range? 34" range? I've got the 3.8 4spd auto with 3.73s. And again, based on the usage I stated in the original post.

 

I have 3.8 auto with 4.10's and I'm wanting to regear with just 33's (255/80/17 BFGoodrich MT's). The issue I have is OD on the highway. My JK will downshift at the slightest grade or a headwind. Also, my JK often wants to downshift to 2nd even when going 65-70 just to accelerate. At 70 I'm turning about 2050 RPM. As I understand it, the torque curve of the 3.8 makes turning about 2500 RPM about the best, which a regear would accomplish. If I did only city driving, it might be ok.