Need new tires and opinion on two specific ones

[tjdad62]

All,
I am going to be replacing my factory worn original Wrangler MT/Rs on my 2006 Rubicon. I am considering going back with the factory spec tires, but am also looking at BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KMs. I don't do that much offroading so I don't need super swampers or mudders. I have seen a few folks on the forum state that they BFGs ride better than the Wranglers. I know there will be a hundred opinions, but would like to hear from those who have had or currently have either brand, or who have switched from one to the other and what kind of success they have had.

[TheBoogieman]

KM2's............

[2006sport]

km2's...............

[Zen]

I run 33/12.50r15 MT/R Kevlar tires. The MT/Rs your Rubicon came with were discontinued. The new MT/Rs are a great tire. They ride very well on the highway and are quiet. The sidewalls are stiff and you need to air them way down for rock crawling, but once you get the pressure right they work well there also. They throw mud much better than the old design. They are an asymetric design so be sure to order BSW tires if you don't want the white letters. They are true to size, so a 33" tire is actually about 33.5" where as a BFG AT tire in 35" is actually 33.5"

All that praise asside, due to the lack of sidewall flex above 9 PSI, I would recommend BFG KM2 for a stock size tire that goes offroad.

[Bishop Creek]

Your factory stock MT/Rs are "D" load range tires, really made for light trucks, not Jeeps. A "C" load tire will give you a better ride, be it the new MTR/Kevlar or BFG KM2s. I would stick with either of these two tires for mountain trails in Colorado.

[Jerry Bransford]

The Rubicon came with the stiffer riding E load range MT/Rs instead of C load range because of the Rubicon's 16" wheel size, no other reason. Goodyear just doesn't happen to make as many C load range tire sizes in the less popular 16" wheel size. Maybe Goodyear makes the newer kevlar MT/R in a C load range for a 16" wheel size but I kinda doubt it... 16" just isn't a very popular wheel size.

[tjdad62]

Thanks guys for all the inputs...

[Zen]

I ran my factory D load range tires for 68K miles and never once complained about the ride quality on my JEEP. Unless you didn't like your factory tires, and by the sound of your origional post you didn't hate them, I wouldn't be concerned about the C or D load rating.

[tjdad62]

I also got some good info on the Kumho MT KL-71 tires. They sound like they are good ones to run also.

[Zen]

I do not like directional tires for my Jeep as it means that you either need a mis matched spare or the matching spare you have is only good on one side. That's just my openion though. I've never seen the Kumho tires on the trail.

[BlueFlame]

I too like the look of KL-71s.
I prefer directional tread, much better in heavy rain, which we get a lot of.
Can run a directional spare on either side, works just fine. Just not optimal for long term.

[T-birdJunkie]

Originally Posted by Bishop Creek

Your factory stock MT/Rs are "D" load range tires, really made for light trucks, not Jeeps. A "C" load tire will give you a better ride, be it the new MTR/Kevlar or BFG KM2s. I would stick with either of these two tires for mountain trails in Colorado.

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

The Rubicon came with the stiffer riding E load range MT/Rs instead of C load range because of the Rubicon's 16" wheel size, no other reason. Goodyear just doesn't happen to make as many C load range tire sizes in the less popular 16" wheel size. Maybe Goodyear makes the newer kevlar MT/R in a C load range for a 16" wheel size but I kinda doubt it... 16" just isn't a very popular wheel size.

Originally Posted by Zen

I ran my factory D load range tires for 68K miles and never once complained about the ride quality on my JEEP. Unless you didn't like your factory tires, and by the sound of your origional post you didn't hate them, I wouldn't be concerned about the C or D load rating.

The OE MT/R's are LR E, not D.

And the MT/R's are LR E in that size because of sidewall strength. There are lighter load options, too, like the Wrangler Duratrac being an LR C, and that would be a better riding tire.

So, basically, pretty much any off road tire in a 245/75-16 is going to be an LR E.

Just thought this should be cleared up.

[Jerry Bransford]

Yep you're right they're E load range but Jeep they didn't pick an E load range MT/R for sidewall strength, the only size MT/R that fits the Rubicon and its 16" wheel size only comes in an E load range.