[Boodyrider]

Originally Posted by Stoked99

Just did a quick search and they have the Authority listed as the Goodyear M/T-R Kevlar. At least for the 31x10.5 they do...

You're reading it wrong. The kevlars are 235 each, not 130 like the Authoritys. But BOY does that tread pattern look identical.

[spdcat01TJ]

Originally Posted by Lumpymayo

I was told that it's possible to take some fine sandpaper and carefully sand off white lettering on tires. I've never tried it because personally I like the white lettering.

If you do that, you will have a very crappy looking whitewall. Most manufacturers use an extrusion process where the white rubber is extruded into the sidewall. It's not just a process of attaching the white letters.

[bow_hunter8]

here are a few pics with the authoritys,






i like these tires and they are great on dirt and any kind of snow

[ryno007]

I just got a set of these put on my 2000 TJ Sahara this weekend, 265/75R16 (C load rating) at $160/tire. I was also considering the BFG TA/KOs (+$33/tire) and the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors (+$23/tire). My typical use is DD ~25 miles/day suburban commute), with substantial snow travel in the winter and off-road/two-track travel in the summer time, as well as some mud travel in the spring. I rarely 4x4 recreate, but I use my Jeep frequently for fieldwork as a biologist. I have a 2" budget boost, and my previous tires were Definity Dakota ATs, 265/70R16, that I got around 30k worth of mileage on and were near-bald. I was offered a whopping $10/tire price reduction from PepBoys as a warranty measure (Dakota ATs have a 50k warranty), requiring that I put another set of Definity's on. I was not interested in a second set of Dakotas. I had a significant amount of money on a store card that had to be used at either Wal-Mart or Sam's Club, hence the limited options. The rims on my TJ are 16" 5-spoke alloy Jeep wheels, although I'm not sure where they came from, since everything I could find indicated that my Jeep should only have 15" rims (in which case I would have gone with the cheaper 31x10.50x15 TA/KOs at $-17/tire). They were on the TJ when I bought it.

Primary selection influences were the Goodyear brand, reviews here, agressive look/tread, siping, and $$ value. The TA/KOs came well recommended also, but the out-the-door cost for my size was signficantly higher for the equivalent size. Primary negative on the Authority included no warranty, although the Wal-Mart shop manager indicated that, in the event of "severe premature failure/problems," Goodyear would recognize similar coverage to the Duratracs. I'm not counting on that, although I did get the lifetime balance/rotation coverage, which I intend to subject them to regularly. I have never had success with any car I've own getting tire warranty coverage worth a darn (see Definity reference above); therefore the warranty issue did not bother me significantly.

Over the course of the weekend, I had the Authority's in deep snow (upper Big Cottonwood Canyon received 81" since last Monday, and clearing was still in process on Sunday when I had to work patrol), slush/ice (my neighborhood gets a substantial amount of snow on it's own, and people who don't know how to use their snowblower frequently blow snow from their driveway onto the streets), and suburban road travel. I could not get the Authority's to slide in the slush/ice in my neighborhood in 2WD, including several turns/stops that I had problems with my Dakotas (when they were new) in 4WD. I used 4WD in the deeper snow up the canyon, although I doubt I really needed it. On the road, I noticed a slight high-pitched hum that I had not noticed with my prior tires, although I was really listening for it. When I turned the radio on, I did not notice it at all. The ride is smooth (relatively speaking; no different than the Dakotas), and I am impressed with the look. I do not have a steer-stop adjustment washer(s), and they only rub when the steering wheel was pinned to the far right.

I will try to get a picture up soon, and I will have them on highway travel later this week for additional testing. So far, I'm quite happy with their performance and ride. I expect the dry two-track travel to be just fine, mud adequate for my purposes, and I'm hoping the rubber compound will be better/last longer than the Definity's (which I was quite happy with in the first year, much less so in the last two). I will also be heading down to Moab in the spring to see how they do on slickrock. All things considered, I think these are a good value. We'll see how good over the next couple of years.

[M2LJ]

ryno2007

You might have Moab wheels which were on the Rubicon models and are 16" versus the standard 15" on most non-Rubies. Do they look like this?



I am still very impressed with my Authorities, and very much so in inclement weather...

Cheers! M2

[ryno007]

I'm familiar with the Moab wheels, and I don't have them. My five spokes are more rounded vs. the more squared-off Moabs. They appear to be the Ecco's, but they are definitely 16" instead of the standard 15" Ecco. The spare still has the original Michelin 225/70R16 (amazingly enough; it's not a pretty sight), so I'm not sure where they came from (not that it matters much to me). The shocks had been changed out to Edlebrocks when I got it, so perhaps the wheels were changed also.

Glad to hear that your still happy with Authorities. They were a bit of a gamble, but I think it's one that I'll be happy with in the long run.

[marc1kim]

Been wanting to get the 31's for my stock TJ unimited...but have read conflicting reports that they will rub. I have the stock 30" Goodyear GSA which are junk.

[M2LJ]

Originally Posted by marc1kim

Been wanting to get the 31's for my stock TJ unimited...but have read conflicting reports that they will rub. I have the stock 30" Goodyear GSA which are junk.

I put 31x10.5 MTs on my stock LJ and there was slight rubbing at full lock turns, but once I added my 2.25" BB it stopped...

Bottom line, go for it, you will definitely appreciate the improvement over the "Get Stuck Anywheres!"

Cheers! M2

[98_XJ]

I saw these in person at Walmart and I was impressed. These are my second choice, if I can't get the Duratrac's.

[AuburnTiger92]

I got a set. Love em. I've taken them out a few times and I felt VERY confident. Sand and some gumbo mud! Did great in both! There is rubbibg at full steering deflection but it is minor. One day I will slap a washer on and be done with it!

I like the way they look too!

[98_XJ]

You guys still happy with the tires? How is highway road noise? Those pics above look great.

[AuburnTiger92]

I am. The road noise is minimal IMO. They track well and the ride is great. I truly could not be happier.

[nick_n_ii]

I have these on my XJ in a 31X10.5-15

I have about 10K miles on them.

Been in rock, sand, mud, snow, hard pack and road..

They still look new. My only complaint is they don't make them in a 33"..

[M2LJ]

Still love mine, the sidewalls aren't as stiff as the Firestone Destinations I replaced them with but I quickly adjusted to that.

About the only downside is that a lot of small rocks and stones get stuck in between the treads, and calling these an AT tire is ridiculous, it's a MT if anything...look at it compared to the MT it replaced...



They do look great, if I say so myself!





Cheers! M2

[Dean1962]

A couple of things. First off, this is a snow tire, so the rubber compound is MUCH softer than on MT and AT tires. If you ride on them in hot weather, they will wear over 20 % faster. I ordered a set for this winter, and I will have them installed at the end of October to avoid this.
In Canada, if you want this tire, go to WalMart and ask to special order them. They will take 7 to 10 days to arrive.
WalMarts do differ in the skill of their employees, Check around. Here, the staff at the one in Saint Bruno did not have a clue, while the workers at the in Brossard store are excellent. Do your research to find who can do a better job.