[Silver_Hilton]

I bought my first Jeep several months ago - a 2009 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, and still have the stock tires that came on it - the BFGoodrich LT255/75R17 off-road Mud Terrain tires.

MAN do those tires throw rocks and gravel!!

Although I've driven my Jeep less than 3000 miles so far (of which less than 300 miles have been on maintained dirt and gravel roads) much of the paint is already chipped off the lower door hinges on my rear doors, and my rear tire fender flares are significantly dinged up from rocks and gravel flying off the front tires. I drive a short distance on dirt and gravel every day, of which there's always some sticking in the tire tread that comes flying off as soon as I get on the paved roads.

I put Mopar mudflaps on the front and rear when I first bought the Jeep. The reason for the mudflaps is that I'll soon be towing my fiberglass drift boat and trailer most days during the summer, and I had hoped that the mudflaps would keep most of the stones from flying back into my boat - but the mudflaps do not seem to be helping much if at all so far, and I cringe at what damage will be inflicted on the boat when I do start towing it in another couple weeks.

I always had 4x4 trucks in the past before getting this Jeep (my last truck had Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires on it, like the stock tires on the JK Saharas) and I never had problems with flying stones like I'm having with these BFGoodrich tires.

Do you other guys have this problem with your tires? Is there any solution for it?

Thanks,
John

[victory red]

i had this issue in the winter. on a black jeep, this is not good. but after i added the mopar F & R mud flaps, it ceased. i see you already have them tho.

[hawkzrno1]

Have a 2007 JK and had the Mopar flaps installed after seeing
some small pits on the rear flares.
Don't know why the previous owner didn't do it.
Driving on the gravel with those tires is probably asking for trouble.
Craig.

[Todd H.]

Running a side-step(stock Sahara ones.. no good off-road, but provide a good step & good paint protection) or a wide rock rail(I like the Rockhard ones) help provide protection to the sides of your Jeep. I run these(Sahara, but budgeting for Rockhard...should've got them in the first place) on my Rubi in addition to Mopar mudflaps, and the bottoms of those steps show that they have stopped a lot of rocks and sand.

[Bucknell07]

I'd definitely recommend the front and rear mud flaps. Very inexpensive purchase and a real quick DIY install.

[Silver_Hilton]

Well, since I already have mudflaps on, I guess the next thing to consider is replacing the rock rails with the Sahara-type steps. Since I don't plan on using my Jeep for any heavy duty rock crawling I don't really need the rock rails.

Thanks for the suggestions.

John

[Slenny]

I have these and they work for keeping stone fly up. I have stock X tires so they don't throw up many stones anyway. I also like the sidesteps to help keep other *******s doors from dinging my doors.

[Jerrygee]

Rock chips? Heaven forbid you ding a wheel (or wheels) going through a rock garden or get scratched up by some brush along the trail. We are talking about a Jeep, aren't we?

[No_Return]

I'd wager that you can pick up a set of Sahara Steps for Dirt Cheep on Craigslist or any Jeep Board around the country. 10X that if you put up a set of Rubicon Rails to trade for them. But I recommend that unless you plan to keep the Jeep for 10+ years do not sell off the OEM rock rails. Box them up and put them away. Either you will #1 want them in time or two want them to sell the jeep in factory trim 5 years from now. Another option is to get a set of Poly Performance sliders welded on them for about $350... $250 for the kit + $100 for installation.

Rule #1 Its your Jeep, do what you want with it. Just don't seek affirmation on the internet.

How many TJ's are out there that have never really gone off road? The TJ guys seek these out as coveted treasures when building out a new rig.

Rubicons like this are the treasures of Tomorrow don't hate on a fellow Jeeper because he doesn't want to audition for the cover of JP magazine.

I have no intention of bashing up a Jeep that I owe $25,000 on. This is why I can't let go of my Old YJ yet. Son turns 16 in 5 years... I may just keep it for him.

[pyrotyro]

Why not change out tires to something less agressive? if your not gunna use em for what they are meant for! less road noise, better wet/snowy road handling, less rocks!

[ChicagoGuy]

Originally Posted by pyrotyro

Why not change out tires to something less agressive? if your not gunna use em for what they are meant for! less road noise, better wet/snowy road handling, less rocks!

x2. If this is a gravel road Jeep, get a less aggressive AT tread. For your use, sounds like all the MTs do is fling more crap, run louder on the road, and wear quicker.

[Silver_Hilton]

Originally Posted by VetteDriver

x2. If this is a gravel road Jeep, get a less aggressive AT tread. For your use, sounds like all the MTs do is fling more crap, run louder on the road, and wear quicker.

That's something I've been looking at, but I haven't decided on exactly which tire would be best suited for this, and I don't want to have to also get new rims too.

John

[BirdsFanVa]

Originally Posted by Silver_Hilton

That's something I've been looking at, but I haven't decided on exactly which tire would be best suited for this, and I don't want to have to also get new rims too.

John

x Eleventy Billion!


It's your Jeep do what you wish with it. If you want a nice looking rig without chipped paint, you should have it. I wheel the hell out mine and pray I am able to fix it when something needs upgrading! Should you??? Only if that's what you want to do with your Jeep.

Now I run BFG MT's on my 07 and BFG AT's on my wifes 08. The AT's, to me, seem to catch even more graval as the lug pattern is tight. So go with a less aggressive tire, and sell those rubi tires on your local board to recoup some of your cost.

Have fun in your Jeep man!!!

[pyrotyro]

Originally Posted by BirdsFanVa

x Eleventy Billion!



Now I run BFG MT's on my 07 and BFG AT's on my wifes 08. The AT's, to me, seem to catch even more graval as the lug pattern is tight. So go with a less aggressive tire, and sell those rubi tires on your local board to recoup some of your cost.

Have fun in your Jeep man!!!

I know the BFG A/Ts throw even more rocks then the M/Ts.... but if your not wheeling it, why not look into a sahara wheel/tire setup? im sure you could get somebody to trade you or find some on craigslist for cheap!

[andrew383]

i run the 255's on my silverado,and after taking off a set of 285's bfg at's for these the rock throwing is worse now.
if your wanting a stock size tire look for a 265/70/17,if you want the next size up (33") look at 285/70/17