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Tall skinny tires

12K views 34 replies 7 participants last post by  Randyzzz 
#1 ·
Thought I might share what I've found on tall tires that should clear the fenders without trimming, stock width axles and appx. 3" lift. I'm probably gonna settle on 33x9.50R15's, but decided to include a few others as well. If anyone knows of any others in these sizes, please post.

33x9.50R15

The first four listings are all made by Kelly with diameter of 32.76", section width of 9.46" and footprint width, (tread), of 8.3"

Kelly MSR http://www.kelly-springfield.com/product/light/smsrb.html Click the tire for a larger pic.

Wild Country RVT http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Triwest/lt/33x950r15c.htm This shows both the RVT and TXR size 33x12.50, but they also come in 33x9.50 too. The RVT is more of an all season tire rather than all terrain.

Wild Country TXR http://www.kc4tires.com/lesschwab/listings/39.html

Big O Big Foot XT also called Super Sport DT, Hoosier DT and Summit GT Trail Climber http://www2.bigo.com/bigo/A/A1/A1A/A1A13.html

BFG AT http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/catalog/all_terrain_ta_ko.html You can click and download a pdf file to get all the specs. Be advised that tread on this tire is 6.9" vs 7.7" of their 30x9.50.

BFG MT http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/catalog/radial_mud_terrain_ta.html Again, the pdf can be clicked for more info. Be advised that tread on this tire is 6.8" vs 7.4" of their 30x9.50.

33x10.50R15

BFG AT See above for link. This tire sells for less than the 33x9.50.

BFG Baja http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/catalog/baja_ta.html Again with the pdf for the specs. This tire sells for $300/tire, (must have diamonds in the tread, I guess).

Super Swamper http://www.intercotire.com/ssradial.htm

275-85R-15 This is similiar to the 33x10.50's.

Buckshot Mudder http://www.natltire.com/pages/mudders.html Scroll down past the Gumbo Mudders and Ground Hawgs to find the Buckshot Mudders. You can then click SPECS.

BIAS PLY TIRES

34x9.50-15

Super Swamper TSL http://www.intercotire.com/ssspecial.htm

33x10.50-15

TSL Thornbird http://www.intercotire.com/thornbird.htm

P78-15 This is similiar to 33x10.50-15.

Buckshot Mudder See listing above.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
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G
#2 ·
I work in a tire shop, I'll check on the Michelin's. That's the only other one that we can get. If you need a price, or the name of the shop, shoot me an email and I'll get it to you. I'd rather not post that information.

Jesse
Chicago, IL
72 Commando
 
#4 ·
What I was trying to show was tires that were 33" diameter and either 9.50 or 10.50 section width to keep from doing a spring over axle conversion to fit the big wide meats. Most all mfgrs. make the 30x9.50's, 31x10.50's, 32x11.50's and 33x12.50's. It's the odd-ball pizza cutter size that is hard to find so you don't need to cut fenders and raise the rig too much to fit. Just a train of thought I've been pursuing for some time.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
#6 ·
If you like the new tread pattern for the Goodyear MT and want 31x10.50R15, then Bridgestone offers a similiar looking design in this size. http://www.firestone-usa.com/products/BSD-MT.htm You can then click available sizes & tech data for more info.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
#8 ·
Most of the major brands have have websites with the specs. Just gotta search them out. My search engine of choice is http://www.snap.com At the bottom of the page you can hit another engine without re-entering the search criteria again. Second choice is http://www.ask.com I can usually find anything that's out there with these two. As for price John, I would expect they are comparable to BFG's, maybe a bit less. Call or stop by your local Bridgestone/Firestone dealer for a quote.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
#9 ·
I run a 33x9.50 on a '72 with springover and shackle reversal on 8" rims. I still had to do some trimming to make them fit (front and rear). A smaller rim might keep them inboard enough to not rub fenders, but then you have springs to give a little love to now and again. My tires are Big O and they do OK. I just about shoved a rock through one in Moab during Easter Jeep, but I had no business attacking some of those obstacles without lockers. I have since realized I need more ground clearance and more traction so I have cut away enough to fit 36 or 35 x 12.5's. After seeing the new Wranglers in action, I have changed my mind (almost) from Swampers to the Goodyear.
I don not recomend the Big O (Manufactured by Kelly Springfield) tire as I am experiencing uneven and unnatural wear that is obviously causing other problems and I might be able to get 25k out of this tread if I am very lucky.
Just creepin' around.
Scott Warren sawarren00@hotmail.com
'72 sw, T-18, Dana 300, Weber powered San Juan Crawler.
 
#10 ·
Scott:
That's interesting to hear you needed to trim the fenders. I've got a 3" lift via new springs. I bought a used 33x9.50 BFG AT and put it on a 7" rim for a spare when I finally purchase the new tires. I had it mounted both front and rear and had the suspension compressed with a fork lift. No clearance problems. I too have a shackle reversal. When I bought this rig, the previous owner had re-arched springs and taller shackles for about a 2" lift. The wheels and tires were 31x10.50's on 15x7" wheels. Although it looked tight in the rear fenders, he claimed that they never rubbed, (who knows though). Of interest between our rigs dimensions, the rear axle width is the same, but the front went from a 50" tread on Kaiser rigs to a 51.5" on the AMC's. Don't know if that was part of the problem. With a springover, (5-6", right?), I'd think you could run 33x12.50's, no sweat. As for the uneven wear, the Big O dealer I talked to said that they had a customer with an uneven wearing set. The regional rep took a look at them and replaced them, no charge. You might want to check that out. I'm guessing you'd prefer the Goodyear Wrangler MT over the Bridgestone MT because of the 3 ply sidewall on the Goodyear? Bridgestone advertises 30 day free roadtest, return them if you don't like them, or something like that. Doubt if Goodyear does the same. Something to think about.


Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
G
#11 ·
Just a note on tire wear for the BFG AT as well. I run 33x12.5 on my pickup and at 25k had to replace them due to wear, it was even wear all around but for the price of those tires it didn't seem like alot of life. I don't rember the name of what I put on but I haven't had them on long enough to find out if I like them yet.

John

 
#13 ·
John:
I have heard that the BFG's got great life. That's very surprising. Did you religiously rotate them every 5,000 miles?

Alex:
That 33x10.50 BFG AT does seem like a good size, but I've always heard that they really clog fast in any kind of mud. I know that any brand AT will not be a true mudder, just looking for the most aggressive AT that would be the best of the bunch in light to maybe moderate mud.

If BFG would make the MT in 33x10.50 or even widen their 33x9.50 to that of their 30x9.50, I'd get a set and sipe them to improve highway driving and be done with it.

Anyway, still indecisive and won't really know what I'll settle on until after they're mounted and I drive away from the tire store.

If anyone has any suggestions on these, (ones in original post), or know of any others in the 33x9.50R15 or 33x10.50R15 size, please let me know. I need more variety to confuse the issue even more.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
G
#14 ·
Tim-
I dont know if Dunlop makes the 33x10.5 inch tires or not but I have a set on my Jeepster right now. They seem to have the most aggressive tread of the AT tires i've looked at and seem to have good tread life to them. The downside is that they are a 3 or 4 ply tire, instead of the 6 or 8 ply BFG tires.

 
#15 ·
I run a small little 235 big O Big foot AT on my Wrangler and it wears in great! Real good distance on those treds for shure, great tires. One good thing about Big o is the road hazard warrantee. I shoved a big ol stick a good 1" round right trough the sidewall, took it to them, and they mounted up a new tire and put it on my Jeep free of charge. I might try out these Pro comp tires, they seem like a good deal.

John
yes, my user name is a typo, go figure.
 
#16 ·
Tim,
One slight difference with my suspension that needs to be noted: A spring over axle set-up causes monsterous articulation that will shove a wheel in places you wouldn't think exists. The axle no longer hits bumpstops and the new opposite side droop really torques the short side into the fenderwells (front and rear). Even with your re-arched springs, the top of the axle will bumpstop out on the upstroke. Seven inch rims might have helped, but they rubbed my springs too much. Thanks for the other info on my tires as I will talk to Big O soon.
I hope you have ditched the longer shackles because they'll destroy your frame in no time.
The reason I am seriously considering the Goodyear tires is that I saw them in action in Moab during Easter Jeep Safari. The stiffer sidewall is not only more puncture resistant, but also has a tendency to not roll under as much as the Swamper or the BFG mt when aired down and twisted. Since I can't yet afford beadlocks and I'll be needing new tires soon, it only seemed logical.
Scott
'72 SW, T-18, Dana 300, reversed soa, 33x9.5 (about to grow UP^ to 35/36x12.5), San Juan Crawler.

 
#17 ·
Thanks Scott. I did ditch the longer shackles shortly after getting the vehicle. I have new springs from Bettes or Benz Spring, (I can't remember which), that give a 3" lift from stock. Also running Black Diamond XT shocks.

To John:
Thanks for the Big O report. I'm still considering the XT's. That warranty sure seems appealing.

To KWight:
Thanks for the Dunlop info. Unfortunately they don't make a tire in those sizes.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
G
#20 ·
I'm happy with my 35 x 12.5 Good Year MT's so far but I'll be able to tell more with the next trip to the mountains. The road ride is good and not too loud.

Paul T. Daytona
Tellico tested - Ocala Forest tested
20' underwater tested - Fire tested
 
#21 ·
Thought I'd bring this back to the top. It's getting close to tire purchase time and since I saw Brian Sweeney's rig with the flares, I've decided to have my front/rear Dana 44's made to wide track CJ width of 56" and go with the CJ front and YJ rear flares, (don't know yet which width though). My original post stuck to 15" wheels/tires. I've kinda come to the conclusion that being in the Pacific Northwest, I'd probably regret going with an AT tire. The BFG MT is supposed to be quieter than other MT's, has the 3 ply sidewalls and fairly good treadlife if rotated every 5,000 miles. Since the 6.8" tread width on their 33x9.50R15 MT's seems a bit too skinny for the heavier Jeepsters/Commandos and they don't presently offer a 33x10.50R15 like their AT, I noticed they have one sized 255/85R16 that has a diameter of 33.3", section width of 10.5" and tread width of 7.9". I've pretty much decided on these tires on 16"x7" wheels. Plans are to also have the tires siped for better highway/snowy/icy/slickrock handling.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
#22 ·
Tim,
A springover causes some weird stuff to happen as opposed to a spring lift. The soa setup creates a huge amount of articulation that will shove a tire into places never imagined. Under maximum twist the rear tire gets so sideways that the wide part of the tire is pushed out of the fenderwell even with a 9.5" width. More traction is needed for my style and the 12.5" will probably find some new trimming areas, especially going to a 35-36" diameter. This will dictate the body lift height as well.
As far as tire choice, I might be able to get a great deal on the Goodyear and trying them out first won't be a problem. The 3ply sidewall is definitely an attractive feature as well. I hadn't looked into the Bridgestones yet.
Scott Warren
sawarren00@hotmail.com
'72 San Juan Crawler
 
#23 ·
Scott:
Let us know how it turns out.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
G
#24 ·
I just had the bridgestone 31x10.50 put on my rig . I got them at NTB ( national tire and battery ) They were $104.00 each . Oh , this are the duellers a good all terrain pattern very smooth on the road but good traction in loose dirt and light mud and snow .They look good too!

 
G
#25 ·
Scott, I had been following this thread and I finally had my mind made up and was on the way to get Swamper TSLs 34 /9.50 . Now you talk about goodyear's being better. Back to the drawing board (smile)
Lenny
67


Lenny in Colorado Springs
67 Jeepster 225 3 speed(building me a T18 now!!)
 
#26 ·
Thought I'd bring this back to life again. I did settle on the BFG MT's size 255/85R16 on 7x16 wheels with 3.625" offset. Most 7x16's have a 4.25" offset and won't clear disk brakes, (found this out the hard way). These tires measure 33.3" diameter, 10.50" section width and 7.9" tread width. I did get the tires siped and I'm amazed at how quiet they are. You really have to be paying attention to hear anything. They have gotten me from WA to CO and back and am very pleased so far. I have read somewhere that the BFG MT will be available in 33x10.50R15 next spring.

Tim
'66 Jeepster Commando w/Buick 252/4.1L V-6
'70 Wagoneer w/Buick 350 V-8
 
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