Help me find 33s

[Mat R]

Ok, so I finally regeared(to 4.56) and know I am going to size up to 33s. I'm really unsure though about what tire I want. The main factors are the normal ones...Price, drop in mpg, and especially noise. I run 32 inch BFG ATs right now and they have done great, but I would like to try Mickey Thompson Baja Belted HPs, BFG Mud Terrains, or Super Swampers. the only thing is the Mickey Thompsons are so damn expensive. Then I am also worried about the noise that BFG MTs, or Super Swampers will produce.

It would be great if anyone had tips on which ones are best. Oh and keep in mind that I also use my truck as a daily driver so noise is definitly important.
Thanks
Mat

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1992 Ford Explorer XLT
Interested in trucks..?
Me too. Check out my web page.
MatnChad.com
www.matnchad.com

 

[Ray Lobato]

Mat,
Why not get both. A set of BFG KO's and another set for off road. this way you don't have to put up with the noise of the aggresive tires and bad gas milage during the daily drive, and that would make the off road tires last alot longer. The majority of your tread wear will come from the street, and not the trail. I know this sounds like alot of money, but in the long run, you would actually save money by buying the 2 different sets of tires, as opposed to having the aggresive tire wear out and buy them again, plus the increase in gas money, and the headaches from the noise everyday.
Just my $.02

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

 

[GJarrett]

Eeyewuuuuuu, Ray, glad you can afford to suggest that to Mat. Dead Link Removed

I just bought a set of BFG AT ko's in (close to) that size. I can tell you that BFG has forced their dealers to refrain from offering a discount on those tires (though I got around that when the dealer gave me a generous credit buying back my old tires on a separate invoice: the dealer shall remain un-named). Under most all normal circumstances you are going to pay through your last gold tooth to buy those KO's.

You have a great idea, but why not take it to the logical conclusion and suggest that should Mat go to two sets of tires, he should buy a MUCH-cheaper set of street shoes and spring the big bucks on some really awesome offroader skins when he goes out to play? Why pay for KO's for street when he'll be switching them for offroad?

I have to interject here though, Mat: I hear you when you say that you've already used BFG AT's and want to try something else, but by golly I got GREAT performance from the new KO's while wheelin' in Clayton, Oklahoma.

I don't know all the improvements BFG made on the side lugs and all that stuff, but I can guarantee you that I shut a lot of J**pers up after they had to witness the performance of my vehicle through several obstacles, and I give a lot of the credit to those tires. It's true the new KO's don't have the big voids that a true MT can clear in serious mud n'stuff, but these are very impressive tires.

I'm just offering that opinion if you're limited to one set of tires. Otherwise I'd get the most Monster set of offroader treads you can find and then cruise to work on cheapo streeters Monday - Friday when you have to show up there to earn the money to pay for the Gonzo Mudflappin' Trailbusters on that spare set of rims your (ex)wife just complained about.

Once again, that's just my peso, and you know by now what that may be worth...


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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 03-03-2000).]

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey "Jeep Eater" Gerald,
Ya, Your'e right. They cost up the cazoo. Getting a cheaper set of meats would be a logical thing to do. I really was just trying to get across that if he got 2 sets of tires, he would probably be better off and have the best of both worlds.

"Remember, No matter where you go. There you are."

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

 

[bcorff]

I have an idea too. Mat, you said you currently run 32" BFG AT's. If they are not yet worn out and you are only getting new tires because you want a bigger size, why not keep the BFG's for daily driving and put some Mickey's or Swampers on some cheap steel wheels and swap them on only for wheelin'. Then you can get some real meats Dead Link Removed. Also, you won't have to change the speedo because you don't need to know how fast you are going off road anyway. On a side note, I have the new BFG AT KO's and I love them. I was able to get them for $79.99 apiece mounted and balanced (don't tell anyone, it's a secret). Only problem with them is that everybody and their sister has them and consequently they aren't as awe inspiring as I'd like Dead Link Removed.

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Brian Corff
'95 XLT 4x4 V6 w/ 31x10.5's
"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever."

 

[Ray Lobato]

Yo Brian,
Maybe that's telling you something.
Everybody and their sister drives an Explorer too, but I wouldn't trade it for any other SUV. Dead Link Removed

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

 

[Mat R]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but I was looking for something more along the lines of how loud the tires were too. Having two different sets is out of the picture because of money and also because I always want my truck to look badass. The speedo thing doesn't matter either brian, because my regearing messed my speedo reading up big time, so running 33s and buying a new speedo gear will fix all of that.

The 32s are 50% on the front, and 75% on the rear, but like I said I want big tires ALL of the time...plus I have a friend with a lifted S-10 who I'm going to sell them to for $100.

I know the BFG ATs are great, but I would almost prefer Super Swampers or Mickeys if they aren't to loud, so I guess my question just comes down to that now...How loud are they..?
Thanks Again.
Mat

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1992 Ford Explorer XLT
Interested in trucks..?
Me too. Check out my web page.
MatnChad.com
www.matnchad.com

 

[FROADER]

Matt,

If you are worried about the noise, and you aren't going to have 2 sets of tires then you definitely want to stay away from the 2 types of tires you really want, super swampers are probably the loudest tire out there and the Mickeys are rather loud also. The most quiet tire you'll find is the BFG KO's. By the way you're talking though of you you really want swampers. Here is the solution, get the swampers and just turn up your favorite cd's until you can't hear the tires anymore.

My opinion, KO's are the way to go!

Colin Ignacio

1992 XLT 4x white

 

[RangerX]

My friend switched from Mickey Thompsons to Super Swamper SSRs. The Mickeys are way loud, the SSRs are not as bad. Plus they have siping on the two inner rows of lugs, for somewhat better on-road handling.

As far as having two sets of tires, I'm the opposite of rich, but I have two sets. 33" BFG muds for offroad, 37" Coyotes for daily freeway driving and to make my 4.56 gears seem like 3.73. But now I want a THIRD set! I want 35" BFG All-Terrains for those not so tough trails, and long distance runs like Moab! Maybe I have a tire problem......

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[Mat R]

Colin,
I figured so much that that was true, thanks for the idea about the music though! Dead Link Removed
Mat

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1992 Ford Explorer XLT
Interested in trucks..?
Me too. Check out my web page.
MatnChad.com
www.matnchad.com