Big O Tires?

[mmpc]

Greetings from a brand new member! Dead Link Removed

I'm looking to make a few minor mods to my stock 98 Sport for moderate off-roading. After 33K miles on the original Firestone ATs (and getting stuck in slushy snow on a trail last weekend), my first order of business is new tires. I notice BFGs seem to be preferred here, but they're a bit more than I'd like to spend.

Thus, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with Big O Tires, specifically their Big Foot XTs? From what I've learned they're reasonably priced, were positively reviewed in Four Wheeler last year (6/99) and appear to have an decent off-road tread pattern; additionally the Big O warranty seems excellent. So I'm curious as to why more people aren't using them...

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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC

 

[David S.]

My father-in-law put the Big Foot XT on his F-150. We seemed to have no problems with them at all in the Utah mountains (snow/mud) for the deer hunt. The warranty is good but I think the tires are a little expensive. If you want the BFG ATs, try Costco or Sams Club. Buy them but don't have them put the tires on. Let someone else do that. I have bought tires at both of these places and saved a good bit of money. The stock 235/75/15 I recall were $80 a piece.

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Ogden, Utah
1992 XLT

 

[FMExplorer]

mmpc,
Welcome to the most informative site on the Explorer you can find! As far as your tires go, Sam's and Costco are good bets. I have checked out BFG's, Bridgestone and Dunlops. I just ordered the Dunlop Radial Rover MT's because the cost is better than the others and my tire dealer felt the Dunlop would give better overall performance than the Bridgestone. Price - 105 each for 31x10.50

Jon M

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT
K&N Drop-In
Modified Airbox
Kenwood Audio
(Am/Fm cassette head + 6-disc changer in the center console)
Rancho RS5000's

Next project: Headers, 1.5" lift (add-a-leaf and spacers), 31x10.50's

 

[mmpc]

Appreciate the quick replies! I did try Sam's & Costco for the BFGs but our Costco doesn't carry them and Sam's wanted $117 each (my size is 255/70/16) with only a prorated warranty.

The Big Foot XTs were less and include all of Big Os extras (lifetime replacement warranty, free balancing, rotation, etc.). It seems like a really great deal leading me to wonder what the catch is...

As for the suggestion about the Dunlops, I'll have to check into those.

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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC

 

[mrboyle]

The Big O tire is an excelent choice. You can't beat the warranty, they are a national chain, so it usually isn't that hard to find a dealer when traveling. And they preform excellent off-road. A friend put a set of them on his Cherokee and has had no problems, and nothing but good remarks about them. In fact his father likes them so much he is planning to put some on his Grand. The reason Big O can sell them for such a good price is due to their size and turn around. If you are still considering Big O I'll put it like this, they'll out preforme the Stones that came on your Explorer 3to1.

 

[GJarrett]

David, Chris will not be able to find the new BFG's at a better price at Costco or Sams. The new AT's designated KO's are released under a protected price structure by BFG. Its dealers are not allowed to put them on sale. You will find that they cost the same no matter where you buy them. As for the prorated warranty given by the store, you may not be aware that BFG has its own factory warranty on its BFG AT ko's: if you ever get stuck ANYWHERE with them, BFG will reimburse you for the price of the tow.

Sorry but I cannot help you concerning the Big O's; I have no experience with them. Welcome to the best site!


Gerald
"Nerves of Steel; Brain of Chipmunk"
~~~~~~~~~
'99 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4.0L SOHC aka "The Jeepeater"
Mods listed in my Explorer Registry post 7/8/99
Dead Link Removed "What the heck is he doing out here in that thing?"



[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 04-13-2000).]

 

[RangerX]

Chris,
I run BFG's, and one big difference between them and all other brands,excepting Swampers, is the tougher sidewalls, 3 belts instead of 2. This is only important if you offroad, where the tires take alot of abuse.

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[Gigantor]

AS far as Costco, I was told by the regional service manager that as long as BFG does not allow the AT TA KO's to be on a discount, Costco will not stock or special order them. However they do stock MT at 35x12.5x15 so if you need them...

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Nick
'93 XLT 4 Door 4x4
Bosch Plat+4's with SplitFire Dual Core wires and a
K&N Air Filter with a Modified Air Box

 

[mmpc]

Great information everyone, thanks. I was not aware of the BFG towing reimbursement policy, sounds good and gives me something else to consider; especially since my Sport had to be winched out just last weekend...

Otherwise, it seems like Big Os might be the way to go for the moderate off-roading I'm planning to do. BTW, I think almost ANY all terrain tire could outperform the stock Firestones!

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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Chris,
Don't worry about how much your tires are going to cost. That's just the beginning. You already have 3 strikes against you.
1. You have an Explorer.
2. You found this website.
3. You live in a state that has some really great places to go 4wheeling.
It's only a matter of time before the bug bites and you will be modifying up a storm.
Dead Link Removed
Dead Link Removed Welcome to the site Dead Link Removed
There's just a wealth of information here, so dig in.

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[mmpc]

Hi Ray. Yeah, I think the bug's already struck. I do have one fortunate (or unfortunate Dead Link Removed) thing stopping me from going really wild - my Explorer is a lease vehicle (my 3rd Sport since '93).

'Course I could always buy it at the end of the lease term... Dead Link Removed



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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC

 

[mattadams]

Chris - this is a bit off-topic btu I notice you live in Littleton. I swear this must be the most per capita explorer owners for cities around the country Dead Link Removed. Have you ever noticed the lifted Explorers around town? As for Big O, no personal experience but I've seen a lot of good positive notes on them before. BFG also makes a decent tire, loud as hell though for the mud terrains, had good experience with the all-terrains, no experience with the new ATKO's. Drop me an email sometime, mattadams@pcisys.com. Coming up in a month or so (and i made this offer to Jen, another new member from Littleton) I'm taking a bunch of stock SUV's/trucks up to the mountains for some easy/moderate/fun four-wheeling adventure. Let me know if your interested. Good luck with the tires.

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Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy"
http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/explorer/explorer.html

 

[mmpc]

Hi Matt, I agree it's great to see so many people from Littleton online. I haven't seen you around town, but did pull up the pictures of your rig - VERY NICE! Dead Link Removed

FYI, Jen is actually my sister - I told her about this forum but wasn't aware she'd signed on already; I'm glad she has. Coming from driving small Hondas, I think she's having a blast in her 2000 Sport. We've gone off-roading a few times (a few FS roads off of Rampart Range) and I think the bug bit her too. As for your offer, I can't answer for her, but I'd love to join you for some off-roading.

Back to the tires, my sister and I are going in together and will probably get the Big Os from the shop at Bowles & Kipling. They've offered us a great price, I like the warranty and (most importantly Dead Link Removed) the tires seem great as well.

Keep in touch and if you'd like to e-mail me, it's: mountainmedia@juno.com.

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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC

[This message has been edited by mmpc (edited 04-16-2000).]

 

[mmpc]

Greetings all. Went and got the Big O, Big Foot XTs at a great price and they LOOK great. Now I just need to find some time to see if they WORK great; I've got a 200 mile satisfaction guarantee to find out! Dead Link Removed

Thanks again to everyone who responded over the past few days, it helped make the decision a bit easier.

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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC

 

[mattadams]

ok Chris well, check your e-mail. Anyways that particular Big O tires seems to be allright, I used to pass by it every day on my way to work Dead Link Removed. Good luck with the tires, one thing I found when dealing with Tire shops such as Big O and Discount Tire is much like everywhere else, there price is the ASKING price and they will often give on the prices a bit if it will make the sale. I recall with my F-150 I went to Discount Tire and was quoted something like $135 a piece, $10 total for plugs, plus $10/tire for the "guarantee", I walked out paying $125 for each tire, and got hte plugs/guarantees for free. Couldn't hurt to haggle right? The worst they can say is no.

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Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy"
http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/explorer/explorer.html

 

[sully]

Big O tires are great. When I was shopping for new 31's, I really wanted BFG's. However, the Big O's came in cheaper, with a full road hazzard warranty. I asked the salesman if this included off-roading, and what would happen if I tore the sidewall out, in the middle of the desert (been there, done that)and he assured me that the warranty would cover it. I've been completely happy with them since. Decent bite, well mannered on-road, and decent wear. I'll be going back to them the next time I need tires. Only complaint.. I had them mounted with the white letters inboard, just because the "Big O" name seems a little goofy.. Dead Link Removed
-Sully

 

[mmpc]

Oh, we all need to be a bit goofy every now and then, so I went with the white "Big O" letters mounted outboard. Dead Link Removed

So far I like the tires a lot. Amazingly responsive and quiet on the highway considering the aggressive tread pattern. I also finally had a chance to try them out a bit off-road, in a bit of mud to boot and was quite impressed. The true test is yet to come...

I also found the lifetime road hazard warranty an attractive feature and the manager assured me off-roading IS included. Hopefully I won't have to find out.

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Chris
98 Sport 4X4 SOHC
Big O Big Foot XTs
K&N Drop-In