AT or MT radials

[Hank]

The new LTX 235's that the previous owner put on my EB look anemic and have to go. I've got a 91EB 4dr, 2wd (Stock) and have checked all the posts for max tire size and gear ratio issues. (Thanks Mando)

After checking tirerack.com I'm debating on between AT or MT tires. The Goodyear Wrangler AT's or the Bridgestone Desert Duelers on the AT side. Or the BFG Radial Mud Terrain T/A and the Dunlop Radial Mud Rover on the MT side.

I'm not worried about the ATX tires but am curious if anyone has feedback on the runnning these or other MT tires for 90% street use? What kind of, noise, handling, breaking issues should I be aware of with the more agressive (better looking) tread pattern?

I do about 90% street driving and 10% dirt road. As I'm in FL there are times mother nature raises the ocean a few feet which makes all roads mud roads and another reason for taller tires. I also do a fair amount of towing (boat) and the current LTX tires are aweful on the boat ramp.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks
hg

 

[rockylaurence]

MY FISRT SET OF "NONSTOCK" TIRES WERE BFG/MT'S. THEY WERE GREAT OFF ROAD TIRES BUT RUFF AND NOISY (MAYBE NOT COMPARED TO A "BOGGER"). MY SECOND SET WAS BFG/AT'S. THE BEST I'VE HAD, QUIET, LONG WEARING, GOOD TRACTION. I'M NOW RUNNING M/T MTX'S (I LIKED THE BFG/AT'S BETTER. I DO MOST OF MY DRIVING ON ROAD ALSO (UNFORTUNATELY).

 

[ex91]

i run mud kings there noises but get good grip I no that I'll go back to them

 

[Hank]

Thanks guys,

Ok, I'm sold on the MT's. The wife's car can wait on tires. She has at least 1/16 of tread left...

I'm going to try the Dunlop Radial Mud Rover OWL's as they have the most agressive looking tread. I'm sure that I need that much traction for the flat roads down here...

I might be shoe-horning the 31's in but who cares, that just means it is time for the JD lift... (Sounds almost like I planned it that way..)


Thanks again for all your feedback.

hg

 

[CHH777]

Investigate performance specs before you buy. I was interested in the Dunlop Mud Rovers too because I think they look tough as hell. But then I read a test evaluation of 10 major MT brands and the Dunlops performed worst (on road, rockcrawling & in mud).


Basically, the overall performance/cost winner was BFG M/Ts followed by Goodyear M/Ts with an honorable mention for Buckshots' performance in mud...

 

[DannyB]

Hi CHH777, Where did you read the test evaluation? I would like to take a peak at it.

 

[CHH777]

Petersen's Off Road magazine had an issue in '99 that was dedicated to off-road tire evals. They pitted the BFG A/T against their M/Ts. They also tested several major M/T tire brands on a course of rocks, gravel, sand and thick mud.

 

[fordguy]

Ok, now, what does AT/MT mean? Sorry, I am new to the truck world, so please, no making fun Dead Link Removed



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1992 Explorer XLT
1993 Mustang Cobra
Web Page: Dead Link Removed

 

[Gigantor]

AT=All Terrain
MT=Mud Terrain
LT=Light Truck
P=Passenger

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Nick
'93 XLT 4 Door 4x4

 

[Hank]

CHH777 thanks for the tip on the review. I'll check into it further but am probably going to stick with the Dunlops as they are cheaper than the BFG's down here. This way if I do not like them I wont feel as bad about pulling them off as I would due to the cost of the BFG's.

Best regards.
hg

 

[DannyB]

Hi Gigantor, how about M/S? What does THAT stand for?
And thanks CHH777 for the review info!!!

[This message has been edited by DannyB (edited 02-01-2000).]

 

[MichaelF]

If you are referring to the Michelins LTX M/S, the M/S stands for Mud & Snow, but with it's tread design it falls into the all-terrain category.

 

[DannyB]

Thanx MichaelF, Yes is is the Michelins LTX M/S that I was reffering to and considering. Now is just a matter of size. 30's or 31's????. . .

 

[Paul Gagnon]

The Michelin LTX M/S is an All Season tire, the Michelin LTX A/T is the All Terrain tire.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Hank]

DannyB,

For what it is worth, I am not very happy with my Michelin LTX M/S tires. The are definatly a good all season street tire but don't let them hit dirt. I tried to cross a 18' wide 2'deep and almost did not make it out. More insulting was my friend did it in stock Toyota P/U with AT's. As soon as the front wheels started uphill (2wd) the backs started spinning.

If I had the money today for the M/T's I would give you my M/S 's I'd go with at least the A/T (31") tire.

Best regards.
hg

 

[Brian K.]

I have gone through 2 sets of tires so far. One set of 32X11.5X15 BFG A/T's which lasted 45,000 miles, and one set of same sized Yokohama Geolander A/T's which are almost worn out at 25,000 miles. The Geolanders are quiter on the pavement and grip better in the dirt than the BFG's, but they don't last and are not worth buying, unless you don't mind buying new tires every year.

If you want to know what tires to buy for the dirt, just show up at one of the Explorer Runs like Truckhaven; 9 out of 10 of the serious off roaders were running 33X12.5X15 BFG M/T's.

BFG came out with a new size M/T which I am planning to try; 33X10.5X15, due to me only having a 4" SuperRunner lift, I can't get the 12.5's in there without rubbing on the inside back of the front fenders. Does anyone forsee any problems with the narrow width of these tires??

Also, does anyone have any ideas how to get around the new "factory set pricing" for the BFG's.