So I finally have enough money in the bank to pick up some new tires and I'm looking for some experiences. I am currently running 37" GoodYear MTR's and MT Classic II 17" wheels. I haven't had any rubbing issues or problems with this setup, but I don't care for the MTR's.

I have the 33x13.50x15 Toyo Open Country MT's on my TJ and love them and would like to move to Toyo's on my JK, but have some questions for anyone in the know.

- I hear a lot of people talking about the weight of the Toyo's. The specs I have list them at 92#'s vs. 74#'s for the MTR's. Besides brake wear and accelerated driveline wear, what additional negative impact can I expect from the extra weight?

- The upper bolts on the rear sway bar are currently only an inch away from the tires at rest with the MTR's. I've never noticed a rubbing issue, but the current MTR's spec out at 12.5" wide and the Toyo specs at 14.6" (even though the size is listed as 13.50). The MT Classic II's are listed at 4.5" of backspace. Anyone running this setup without spacers? Experience? I'd prefer not to go the spacer route simply because widening my track another 7" (2" per side with the Toyo's and 1.5" per side with the spacers) would leave me needing to increase my fender width .etc and be a lot more hassle than what I was hoping for, in addition to the cost of spacers.

- Are there other tire options I should consider? As I mentioned, I really like pretty much every aspect of the Toyo's performance, just not thrilled about the weight. I've also considered the Nitto TG or the Cooper STT, which spec slightly wider than the GoodYear, but less than the Toyo. Anyone have experience with the other tires listed below in comparison to the Toyo?

- I was in Durango, CO over the weekend and saw some STT's on a JK and really liked the look and the price is great so they are also on my list. Anyone running 37's of those? Experience?

Below is what data I have found on each tire for comparison and some local prices. Any experience you have with any of these and any additional info you can fill in would be greatly appreciated.

[table="width: 750, class: grid, align: left"]
[tr]
[td]Tire[/td]
[td]Height[/td]
[td]Width (Section/Tread)[/td]
[td]Weight[/td]
[td]Tread Depth[/td]
[td]Local Price[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Toyo MT[/td]
[td]37[/td]
[td]14.6/??[/td]
[td]92[/td]
[td]21/32[/td]
[td]$1860[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Nitto TG[/td]
[td]36.85[/td]
[td]13.43/??[/td]
[td]83[/td]
[td]21/32[/td]
[td]$1638[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Nitto MG[/td]
[td]37.05[/td]
[td]14.57/??[/td]
[td]??[/td]
[td]21/32[/td]
[td]??[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]BFG KM2[/td]
[td]36.8[/td]
[td]12.5/9.7[/td]
[td]70[/td]
[td]20/32[/td]
[td]$1738[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]GoodYear MTR[/td]
[td]36.8[/td]
[td]12.5/9.7[/td]
[td]74[/td]
[td]19/32[/td]
[td]??[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Cooper STT[/td]
[td]36.9[/td]
[td]13.1/10[/td]
[td]83[/td]
[td]23/32[/td]
[td]$1456[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Thanks!!

 

I have Toyo's - 37x13.50's and im very pleased with them. While I've only have them on for about 2 months now, again - I love em. Wheeled with them already and they did outstanding. Yea, weight is up there but their sidewalls are bulletproof. I run a 4.25" backspaced wheel and have no rubbing issues either.

If you are gonna bump up to that big of a tire, you can't be worried about lack of power, etc - its something thats going to happen. However, there are steps to help it such as gears, flashpaq, CAI....

I tell everyone the same thing.... get roped up and buy the tires without 85748976289476 aspects to it or you're never gonna buy any or be satisfied, haha....

BTW - ProComp has there Xtreme AT line of tires that are also very stout. They are pretty much a MT, wear like iron, wear even, and balane very well too.

 

Good advice FRJMC. I started running so many numbers my head was starting to spin, so I turned my attention away from tires for a couple of weeks and bought a gun instead

Bad thing is... I still need tires.

I am looking into one more thing however. My bro-in-law works at a big university in their facilities/maintenance and said he could get me a deal on the Coopers. Right now they are my second choice behind the Toyo's so if he can get me a screaming deal on them I'll go that way, otherwise it's the Toyo's. I also called Cooper to find out the weight of their 37's and was a bit surprised to find out they weigh 83lbs. For some reason I thought they would be a lot lighter, like the KM2's.

Anyway as soon as I get the axle welded on my utility trailer (hopefully by tomorrow) I will pull the trigger and have some new rubber to wheel on this weekend!

 

Cooper makes a very good tire as well. Wayoflife will attest as he has made some good posts on them being a good tire. I haven't ran them, but have read numerous reviews in which more positive comments outweighed the negative, the few that there were...

Again, there are many threads on here about people scientifically analyzing the effect on tires with 3, 4, 8, 15lbs difference. Bottom line is, it's a big F'in tire....if you are so worried about the weight, don't get a 37, haha....get a 33. Again, not trying to sound like an A$$, cause that's the least thing im trying to do, just the fact that I was in a similar dilemma and read numerous threads on it, and to be happy or get the answers you want - just buy them and see how it "pans out". I doubt with whatever choice made, 83lbs vs 93lbs, wide lugs, deeper sipes, 3-ply, 10 ply - you'll still love your new BIGGER tires.

 

Tying in with what Fox RacingJMC said, however, not exactly a which tire to buy response. BUT I remember reading an article about the fact that people who really do a lot of in depth research on a purchase are MUCH more likely to be unhappy with the purchase than people who make quicker impulsive purchases. The less research time you spend researching, the happier you are with what you ultimately decide on. I think you are to the point of paralysis by analysis. I don't think you can do wrong either way and to run 37s, you are beefing things up anyways, might as well put that stuff to use and use a big heavy tire.

 

Well, looks like my bro-in-law's screaming deal would save me ~$50 over the lowest price I got and no warranty/rotation .etc so I'm going with the Toyo's. Thanks for the input guys, I'm sure I'll love them as much as the 33's I'm running on my TJ. I'll post some pics when it's done.

 

When are you getting them?

 

Saturday if they have them in stock (they did a week ago) or Mon/Tues next week if not. I have a utility trailer I'm welding a lift under and that should be finished by tomorrow (if my neighbor comes through with this welder tonight). That will allow me to bring home two of the old tires to put on the trailer. I've also got a tent that will go over the trailer that needs some slight mods & fitting. Plan is to have everything done & ready to take on a scout campout with my son in two weeks.

 

Sounds really cool, and "father of the year" award goes to you bud! haha.... Would like to see pics of that trailer you're talking about. Also, pics of the tires when you get em mounted of course. All the luck to you, and hope you like the new tires. If I don't hear from ya, hope you and your son enjoy your camping trip!

 

Thanks! I'm no where near father of the year, but I think I have a jump on a few in this world!

I'll put up some pics of the trailer too. My neighbor came through with the welder tonight so I got started on the lift, but being my first welding project I jacked something up right off the bat.

I was welding two 2"x3" tubes together and instead of tacking it all the way around and then filling in like I should have, I ran down one side first which warped it a bit so the other side had a gap. As soon as I did it I realized what I had done & threw it in my bench vise to try and squeeze it back before it cooled, but no go. I'll probably pick up a couple more tubes tomorrow as they were pretty cheap and do it right.

When all is said and done the trailer will sleep 4 and haul a ton of crap. If it works out like I'm hoping I'll also have canvas tent made for it next year vs the rigged nylon one I'm using now.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement. Sometimes we all need a push to get the party started... that or a double dog dare