Hi fellow JK owners!

I have an '08 4-dr Sahara Unlimited, with the optional 18" wheels.

I have been looking around here the past few days, as I am looking to change out the stock 32" tires to 33" tires. I have a couple questions, and as a new Wrangler owner, I would appreciate some feedback.

I understand that there are some 15x8 wheels that can run on the JK. I really like the look of the Pro Comp 8179s, so I will most likely go with those (I may go with 16x8 depending on tires). Based on everything I have read, I understand that I should be able to run these wheels with 33x12.5 tires without having to lift or use spacers (A lift would be next in line). Would I have to regear from the stock 3.73 gears that came with my Sahara?

As I live in Illinois, I know I would need to probably go with new fender flares (like the Bushwackers). Of course, I could forego the new fenders and go with 33x10.5 tires, but I would like to go wider.

As for the tires, I just don't know which will be the better option. This is my DD, but I would really like to do some off-road driving. I am a beginner, so I am not looking to go all-out, yet. There are definitely some good places to go dune riding here in the Great Lakes area, in addition to trails.

I don't really think it would be good for me to go with M/Ts, as I would like tires that are quiet and good for the highway, as well as snow/ice/rain. What tires would you suggest to allow for that weather, and some moderate sand, some mud, and maybe light rock/trail?

BFG T/A KOs: Seems to be pretty popular, but more for street only it seems, right?
Dick Cepek Radial F-C II: Good for street and rock, but what about snow/wet?
Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ Plus Radial: M/S Rated, how is it off-road?
Pro Comp A/T: Severe Weather rating (is that M/S?) Good on the street, average rock and sand? Maybe Xtreme A/Ts instead?
Pro Comp XTerrain: Rock and trail, average street, wet and snow?
Super Swamper Trxus STS A/T Radial: Love these treads, but seems to be average street/snow/wet weather tread?
Toyo Open Country A/T: M/S rated, but how is it on trails? Thought about the M/T version of these, but they appear to be average on snow.
Nitto Terra Grappler (would need 16x8 wheel): Seems to be a good wet/dry tire for the road, but what about sand or trail?

Based on what I found, I am leaning towards the Pro Comp A/Ts (or maybe Xtreme A/Ts), Toyo, or Mickey's in the 15x8, or the Nitto in a 16x8. DC's would follow, with BFG's and Trxus last.

It would be great to hear some suggestions and find out how these tires have performed for other JK owners. Thanks!

 

I would keep your original tires and wheels for winter driving and buy a set of BFG MT KM2s or Goodyear MT/Rs in 16" or 17" size. But that is me...

 

Tire and wheel selection is your choice...personal preference. I am not too familiar with which would be better for snow. I run the Toyo Open Country M/T and they are great for everything else. They come siped, so wet traction is very good.

As for regearing, I run 35x12.50's with 3.73 gears/auto tranny. For me, regearing is in my future, but I have no issues with how it runs now (I just don't hardly ever use overdrive). Having said that, I don't think you would need to regear going to just 33's. I guess 4.10's would be a little better, but I wouldn't think it would be enough of a difference to pay for it. From there, 4.88's are next step up, and that would be a little too much for 33's. So I would say you'd be fine like you are. Maybe others will chime in though.

 

Interesting thread.... need to pay attention to this... It always seems that when it comes to Sand, tires are always bad in something, but good on sand

 

i have 33x12.5" tires, bfgoodrich A/T's. VERY happy with them. they perform excellent in the street and well offroad. they obviously arent the best in the mud.. but i dont like the mud. they are quiet, perform well in the rain... and are excellent on the sand.. lately I have not been airing down in the sand and havent had any problems with them. M/T's are generally better than A/T's off road but they compromise on road performance. I had BFG M/T KM1's and prefer my A/T's over them in a second.

That is ony my opinion. and these tires have never been an issue for me offroad. High centering is my offroad issue. (no lift)

 

I can personally vouch for the BFG A/T KO as a great all-around tire. Had them on my DD TJ, wheeled them in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah and they performed great, and are awesome in the snowy/icey road conditions we get here in NE Ohio. They don't have a good reputation in mud, but most A/Ts will do poorly there. Tread wear is also phenominal. That said, most of the tires on your list have a good reputation, so it could just come down to looks and pricing.

 

so with the BFG A/T, if you go into a Mud Bog or something, what your saying is your alot more likely to get stuck?

 

I am probably in the minority but I had the BFG AT's on my YJ and did not really care for them. They wear great but in my opinion that is because the rubber compound is to hard, they didn't grip well at all on wet pavement, they would break loose on acceleration and I had the no power 4 cylinder. In the mud they they don't have enough void space between the tread blocks to clean out, they clog easily and loose all traction. Thay were ok in the snow and ice.

For the JK I went with the 285/75R16 Cooper Discoverer ST and have been much happier, they handle much better in the rain and mud, they were good on icy roads, we didn't get any snow last spring after they went on so I can't comment on how they do in the white stuff.

 

I personally like someone else mentioned would use your stock 18's for winter's and either use your stock AT's (sipped & studded) or trade them in for a true M&S tire with sipping. Then get a nice set of summer rims with Mud Terrains.

You should also, look at the Cooper STT which is a nice M/T as they have a similar tread to the Toyo M/T but weigh about 10lbs less/tire than the Toyo M/T's. Also, I find the Cooper STT's are quieter.

Any wide AT or MT will SUCK ARSE in cooler snow climates unless you get them sipped and studded. The rubber compound will get harder with cooler temperatures thus reducing traction on snow and ice and longer stops.

All I can say is I have run Toyo M/T's and BFG A/T's on my trucks and it usually only takes one snowfall before I switched them out for a true M&S (softer rubber compound) snow tires with studs. I don't enjoy risking myself and vehicle to go sliding around and have longer stopping distance on ice and snow.

I think spending another $800-1000 on winter tires is worth it....as just one slip and loss of traction could cost more than that with vehicle damage. Also, I feel alittle safer knowing I have good traction & decent stopping on snow and ice with winter studded tires when I am transporting my family on the highways during the winter months.

 

@08RUBIJK and TripleJeep_99 -- I agree that it is a good idea to keep the stock 18's for potential winter use, but if I go with the wider 12.5" tires like I want then I will need wider fender flares. I don't want to get pulled over in Illinois for having tires out past the flares. The stock 18's would then look bad under wider flares. You also mentioned the Coopers, like Jeepin' Dad, I will have to have a look.

@wrnglrguy -- Thanks for the feedback on the regearing question. Good to know that 3.73 has still been good even with 35's. Yeah, if I were to do M/Ts I would love to do the Toyos....but they are pricey.

@racer83l and pearl-drum-man -- Good to hear about the BFG A/T's. I had seen that they weren't the best for anything but street, but good to know that they have been good for you off-road.

@Jeepin Dad -- Thanks for the feedback on the BFG A/T's. It does seem like there are mixed opinions on these guys, as racer83l and pearl-drum-man have different experience with these in wet/snow conditions. I will have to look at those Coopers closer.

I am definitely ruling out the DC's and Trxus now. The BFG's look good, but there are a number of mixed views on them. It may come down to looks now with the other 4. But, if there are any other comments, please feel free to post.

Also, I think I may throw a different set of wheels into the mix. I found the Pro Comp 7089's, and love the all-black look. Plus, with 4.5" bs and 0 offset, these will pull the tires in a little bit under the fender more. I could even go with 33x11.5 tires instead to also bring it under the fender more. And, if I am not mistaken, I should be fine running the 4.5"bs without a need for a lift, for now that is.

Thanks!