Topic: ~35" MT Tire choices

[jagular7]

I'm looking to switch to a different tire from the LTBs that I currently have as I'm driving the TJ on the road more than I initially anticipated. I'm wanting to keep the tall skinny layout. I'd like to stay in the 35" height size and 11" width arena, radial would be a plus as well as a warranty. I don't mind getting another set of wheels in a 16" or 17" diameter, which I plan to do as there are more choices for that diameter rim.

15" rim choices have the basic 35x12.5" size.

Q78's would be fine, but there is not much in today's MT tire market. I've only found the TSL Swampers and Buckshot Radials.
The LT size eq. is 315/75-16s. They are a little wide, but still not as wide as a 12.5" tire. Little better choices: MTR, BFG MT, Pro Comp MT, among few others, and warranty is available.
Then I found the Michelin XZL 9.00-16 which appears to be on the tall side of 36" but is relatively 9+" wide. Except its not readily available.

Anyone know of other tire choices?

[jcsanders79]

I don't have any suggestions but just glad to see that you are trying to stick with the skinny tires.  Most of the Jeeps that I wheel with have the in line six and run 12.5's.  What I have noticed is that when aired down (12 psi) my footprint (10.5's) is more effective when navigating trails with ruts.

[Jesse-James]

I really like my Good Year MT/r's, I don't know if they have 35x10.5 but When I go to 33's I will stick with them. Great all around tire.

[jagular7]

If I had slightly larger axle tubes, steeper r&p (currently 4.88s), little more lift with flat fender and raised wells, I'd like a set of these expensive Michelins.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150024639936.

[j-freak153]

38x12.5 is a good size....for a big skinny tire....i guess it all depends on how much you will be driving it on the street right?

[Jeffy]

It's hard to find a narrow tire in 35" on a 15" wheel.  I believe most of the narrow tires are popular in other countries and are sold here.  Most other countries don't use tires over 33" that often.  I'd love to see a 35x10.5R15.  It's more common to see a 35x13.5 or wider then a narrower one.

[might4banger]

You want skinny? Check these:

http://www.intercotire.com/site32.php

I am in the process of lifting... have a RE 4" std on order. I am still tire kickin'. Considering 33x10.5 BFG Muds, Skinny Swampers.

I think one of the keys to keeping our 4 bangers "happy" is to keep light wheels and tires in the mix + proper gearing of course.

[SMC4WD]

It's hard to find a narrow tire in 35" on a 15" wheel.  I believe most of the narrow tires are popular in other countries and are sold here.  Most other countries don't use tires over 33" that often.  I'd love to see a 35x10.5R15.  It's more common to see a 35x13.5 or wider then a narrower one.

Jeffy??  Aren't you running a really skinny spare?  What size is that?

[Jeffy]

Jeffy??  Aren't you running a really skinny spare?  What size is that?

My spare is a 34x9.5R15 TSL.

[jagular7]

Reason I am looking for another set of tires is because I can't get these LTBs to balance. After cycling the tires around for the 3rd time, I'm getting some tenacious death wobble at various speeds (accel, coast, deaccel) and road conditions. Sometimes it's not there are all, then wam bam slow down to 15-25mph to get a handle on the wiggling. Once it stops, continue on and nothing.

Checked all suspension links, tie rods, alignment, everything. Had tires balanced and rebalanced and checked for bent rims. Added some extra centripetal lead weight in the tires to try to help. (This was a suggestion from a fellow wheeler running 37" MTRs with no weights on aluminum Hummer rims and nothing for him up to 80 mph!!!)  Only thing I can thing of, is the tires rotated one direction, then I swapped them to run in another direction. LTBs are biad ply.

This is so aggrevating.  :?

[might4banger]

My spare is a 34x9.5R15 TSL.

Jeffy - you ever wheeled with those pizza cutters? I have been considering those as an option...

[Jeffy]

My spare is a 34x9.5R15 TSL.

Jeffy - you ever wheeled with those pizza cutters? I have been considering those as an option...

It's a spare.  My other tires are 35x12.5R15 MTR's. jagular7 runs 34x10.5R15 LTB's.  BTW, LTB's are cheaper quality tires then the other TSL's.  I believe they're made in Mexico.

[jagular7]

I'm weighing out options here. I've got a spreadsheet showing MTRs, BFG MT KMs, STA Superlug, and CoOp Grip Spur. The STA (Specialty Tire of America) and the Grip Spur are the 9.00-16 bias truck tire for the military environment.

http://www.stausaonline.com/light-truck/superlug.html
http://www.universaltire.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=24896&category_id=343
Grip Spur
http://www.ourcoop.com/tfcicpsaex/default.aspx


These are running in the $160 range each. If they cost that much, then the 35x12.5-15 may have to do.

Or I could look at 4 of these for $200 to hopefully fix the problem.
http://centramatic.com/New_Catalog/300series.php Anyone with experience with these?

I'm going to borrow someone's 33's MTR over the weekend just for the front to see if there is a problem with them on there. If there is a change, then tire change; if there is no change, retorqueing everything up front from caliper bolt to axle nut to ds yoke!!!

[Jeffy]

Have you thought about Equal?  When you go over 33", especially with bias ply you'll have a hard time balancing them.  Throw into the mix cheaply made tires like the LTB's and it almost becomes impossible with clip on weights.  Some peopel have used BB, Air Soft pellets and even Golf balls.

[jagular7]

Have you thought about Equal?  When you go over 33", especially with bias ply you'll have a hard time balancing them.  Throw into the mix cheaply made tires like the LTB's and it almost becomes impossible with clip on weights.  Some peopel have used BB, Air Soft pellets and even Golf balls.

Already done. 15 oz. of lead pellets. That's more than what's on the wheel!! Tomorrow night, I'll be borrowing some 32" MTRs to test the front. I'll also recheck the bolts on all the suspension. Same amount a friend has in 37" MTRs with no other weights.

Since the stub shaft holds the uni-bearing tight in tolerance and it's bolt to the knuckle, think I could have a cracked shaft that gives under some kind of load? I'm guessing wildly here.