BFG Muds - evaluation?

[MeatyCrab]

Hey dudes,

This is just wishful thinking now - preventing me from doing any real work. But I was wondering how people rate this tire (BFGoodrich Mud Terrain).

I ask this because I intend on getting a certain unobtainable suspension lift when it comes out, and thought a set of 33" Muds would top off the look. I know the A/T's would be a more suitable choice, but I was wondering how these perform as a daily driver.

The off road work I do has been major mud, so they will be good for that application, but I have decided to remain mostly on the sand (less things breaking). I know muds aren't the best bet for sand, but how do the BFG's rate?

Also, in regards to the daily-ness of them, how is road noise, handling and braking?

Hope someone can help,
BK



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Don't forget to put your pants on.

 

[kvo]

A friend of mine just put the MTs on his Cherokee and noticed a drop of 2-3 MPG on his stock rig right away. I drove it and couldn't stand the noise, the constant drone of the tires. It doesn't take corners or brake very well just because it was not made for it. Also for older Explorers, because of the TTB front suspension, the tires will have a tendency to cup more than others, so they will be a lot louder as they wear down, more effort on your part to rotate and maintain the tires.

All of this is assuming you drive on the road much more than for off-road, but if it is used for off-road purpose (Mud and rock), it's hard to beat.

 

[MeatyCrab]

kvo,

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know...I'm assuming it's pretty much the same deal with any comparable mud tire.

So the best bet is to get some legendary BFG A/T's then?

Those Mich LTX seem pretty good (a friend has some on his G-Wagen), but I wanted a more aggressive tire. I suppose there is an obvious trade off between on and off road performance...

I guess I'll just have to buy another Explorer then!!

BK

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Don't forget to put your pants on.

[This message has been edited by MeatyCrab (edited 09-28-1999).]

 

[kvo]

MeatyCrab -

Are the BFG A/T KO available in Australia? The A/T KO is the new version of the old A/T if you're gonna get the A/T, might as well get the new version instead of the old.

[This message has been edited by kvo (edited 09-28-1999).]

 

[MeatyCrab]

Yeah, the A/T ko are available here AFAIK, and I would have got them anyway. As for the BFG muds, the only REAL reason for me to get them, would be for the look. I don't get to the mud enough to warrant buying a set over a more usable road/sand tire like the A/T's.

I may just end up sticking bits of rubber to the sidewall of the A/T's just to give it that "hradcore" look!

erm...maybe not then...

Thanks,
BK

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Don't forget to put your pants on.

 

[CHH777]

Although BFG M/Ts are a bit obnoxious on the road there are few tires better in the mud. BFG A/Ts will turn to slicks in any mud and you WILL end up stuck. However they are great for sand and rock crawling esp. when aired down to ~12psi.

As for me, BFG A/Ts for the road and a set of inexpensive (i.e. Buckshots, Mud Kings) mud tires for the goo...

 

[yoyoracing]

I don't have any personal experience with any other tire than the AT's but I read an article (on www.off-road.com I think) a few months ago that compared the BFG MT's, AT's and Bridgestone Dueler MT's. The BFG MT was just as you would expect with high road noise (though not as much as swampers) reduced economy and handling (but excellent in all terrains). The BFG AT's were very good everywhere except mud where they turn into slicks after 2 feet (not good at self cleaning). The Bridgestone Dueler MT had a kind of middle of the road placement: it was very good off road, in the mud, rock crawling, and had good manners on the road with road noise between the BFG's. When I get my 33's I will be looking into these tires (they look awesome too).

yoyoracing

 

[MeatyCrab]

Yoyo,

A friend of mine has the Bridgestone muds on his cheep grand cherokee and I went for a ride the other day. It was my first experience riding in a car with mud tires, so I thought they were rather loud.

Also, it felt like the car was wallowing around on the road. It didn't handle as well as regular A/T's of course, but they look fantastic. I don't think I do enough hardcore stuff to warrant buying them.

Pity though, mud tires look so damn cool.

By the way, apart from the major noise increase, how do Thornbirds hold up? Handling, economy, street manners?

Thanks guys,
BK

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Don't forget to put your pants on.

 

[MeatyCrab]

One more thing...

This may sound a bit dumb...but what is the quietest mud tire out there right now?

Or perhaps another angle would be to ask what is the most aggressive all-terrain tire?

I'd be interested to know, as I'm not particulary averse to the sweet songs of an obnoxious mud tire on the road, but obviously quieter would be better. However, with that as the case, I suppose I wouldn't mind a particularly loud all-terrain tire, providing it has the off road grip to match (assuming it has on road handling characteristics better than those of mud tires).

Can you see where I'm coming from? I think I'm going mad.

Hope someone can help.

BK

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Don't forget to put your pants on.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

The quietest mud tires are the Goodyear MT.

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

 

[HIX]

WOW! Am I the only one who doesn't mind the BFG MT on the road? I got a steal on 4 MT's (175 for all 4) after my brother wrecked his 4x4 1 week after buying them! I towed a loaded 12'x6' trailer from Colorado back out to my home away from home here in Philly. It's been a month and a half of pothole filled city streets and various offroad driving and they still look brand new. I did take them to a tire shop and got them siped so they would grip better on wet pavement. Remember Hurricane Floyd? Piece of cake. They are noisy, but that fits right in w/ the cat back exaust and drilled out intake box.

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HIX

 

[MeatyCrab]

HIX,

I'm not too worried about the noise they will make, my biggest concern is their handling and ride quality. To a lesser extent I concerned about their effect on mileage, but hey, it's not why I bought the car.

And I thought getting them siped would make them prone to breaking or shredding or something...I thought that's why they didn't sipe mud tires...oh well, if it's worked for you, I suppose it's good news.

I would ideally like to get some, except I think the downside of their onroad performance outweighs their tuff looks and off road ability.

I'll just have to become stupidly rich so I can afford several vehicles with several tire combinations.

That should be easy.
BK

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Don't forget to put your pants on.

 

[slow-demon]

I run two different sets of tires. 35" BFG mud terrains and 36" Super Swamper TSL radials. Both are excellent off roaders but on the street the BFG's are better. Better until it rains. The Super Swampers believe it or not are better in the rain than BFG's. As far as noise the BFG's are quiet. Both of my tires have excellent ride characteristics.If all you care of is the look get some Super Swampers!!!!