Meanest Looking Tires...but conservative, ya' know?

[mdwyer]

Okay, so I realize that I'm sort of asking for water that isn't wet, but I'm due for some new meat, and I'd love some input.

I've been running the previous owner's 255/55R18 Nitto Terra Grapplers on stock rims since I bought it. I'm VERY happy with them. They are well-behaved on the highways, but enough to plaster a smile on my face when I'm bouncing around the mining districts. But they're getting OLD, and my VX looks sad when it is parked next to MSHardeman, VXorado or Moncha's VX.

Even Kat's got an angrier-looking VX, and that's even full of pomeranians and covered with pink stickers! :bwgy:

So I'd really like something a little... angrier. The problem is that I'd also like to keep the VX somewhat practical. Also, nod to RiffRaff, safe. I'm amenable to adding some lift, but I'd like to avoid CV problems. I'm sort of looking at new rims, but that's fraught with its own problems.

So, just at a start, what are the meanest tires you can put on a stock 18" rim? I appears that the Mud Grapplers don't come in that size, and I haven't really looked into the Trail Grapplers.

Given a 2-3" lift and losing some plastic triangles, how far can you go, then?

[eblank]

I've got the same tires kat has/had but in 285/50/20 and I love em' so far. they fit without a lift with some trimming and a tiny bit of rubbing, but you could go narrower or just lift a little bit and eliminate that like I did. I actually get more comments about my wheels/tires than the vx.

[VXorado]

I'll show you my MT/Rs when we meet up. Trail Grapplers are suppose to be great but they are expensive.

[JHarris1385]

I honestly love the Treadwrights I have.

It is the old Wrangler MTR tread which holds pretty good reviews.

They did very well on the trail and handle great on pavement of all sorts.

https://www.treadwright.com/

Review
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/AT-MT-Tires/Goodyear-Wrangler-MTR.htm

[pbkid]

I'll show you my MT/Rs when we meet up. Trail Grapplers are suppose to be great but they are expensive.

the MT/R's are awesome, but have like a 10 month waiting list......

[VX KAT]

I've been running the previous owner's 255/55R18 Nitto Terra Grapplers on stock rims since I bought it. I'm VERY happy with them. They are well-behaved on the highways, but enough to plaster a smile on my face when I'm bouncing around the mining districts. But they're getting OLD, and my VX looks sad when it is parked next to MSHardeman, VXorado or Moncha's VX.

Even Kat's got an angrier-looking VX, and that's even full of pomeranians and covered with pink stickers! :bwgy:




YA, SURE YA BETCHA! ;)
THAT'S KAT POWER!
.....OH AND THAT'S, UM..... TEDDY THE KAT-DOG :rollo: (...and um, I wouldn't tick him off :eek:.....just ask Dub)

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/DSC_5047.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/DSC_5029.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/DSC_2687.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/DSC_2814.jpg

http://r2.sgsr.us/imgs/250/aad484.gif

[rsteinmetz70112]

Great Pictures

[VXorado]

Great Pictures

Sue has a picture for every situation. :laughing:

[VX KAT]

Sue has a picture for every situation. :laughing:

Yup! Cats, Cameras and Cars...my 3 favorite things!

[VX KAT]

Great Pictures

oh heck...two more....
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/DSC_5038.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g386/photokat4/DSC_5041.jpg

[Riff Raff]

So, just at a start, what are the meanest tires you can put on a stock 18" rim?


Since I look at multiple tire websites an a daily basis as a hobby, I'll chime in and offer some input as to what I perceive as the most radical looking tires by size classification with the premise of having your VX stand-out in the crowd.


For a Stock OEM non-lifted 2000/2001 model VX using OEM 18x7 rims, my radical tire picks are as follows:

285/60R18 (31.3" O.D.) = Nitto - Dune Grappler A/T

275/65R18 (32" O.D.) =

o Kelly (made by G/Y) - Safari TSR (M/T)
o Sigma - Mud Claw M/T
o Eldorado - MTZ Sport (M/T)

All of the above tires can be viewed at www.Tires-Easy.com by entering the appropriate size in your search. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and have fun in looking at the many models available!!!


If you decide to lift your VX, then your options vastly improve within the 32"+ and above O.D. range. Other tire companies that come to mind with radical tread designs are Mickey Thompson; Dick Cepek; Pit Bull; Maxxis; TSL's, etc.. If lifting, determine your desired target tire size and then query www.Tires-Easy.com and www.OnlineTires.com and www.4WheelParts.com for various examples and ideas.

:bgwb:

[JAMAS]

I really really like my Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Wrangler+SilentArmor
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/goodyear/wrangler_silentarmor_owl_ci2_l.jpg

[Breezy]

Cooper Zeon LTZ 285/60/18
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387913_10151067477090253_811445252_22103675_857193 80_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310327_10150916683475253_811445252_21545923_108406 9450_n.jpg

[nfpgasmask]

Kat, those pics are awesome.

On subject, I feel ya, and I will be going with ProComp ATs or Xtreme ATs next time.

http://www.procompusa.com/subcategory.aspx?catID=13&subCat=157

Bart

[SouthJ1]

Kat, those pics are awesome.

On subject, I feel ya, and I will be going with ProComp ATs or Xtreme ATs next time.

http://www.procompusa.com/subcategory.aspx?catID=13&subCat=157

Bart

I just put 285/75/16 ProComp xtreme MTs on my vx without a lift and just trimming a little bit

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x75/SouthavenJosh/75a7f4c4.jpg

[nfpgasmask]

I have 265 BFGs right now, but if I could fit 285s that would be nice.

Bart

[SouthJ1]

Don't you have a lift kit?

[nfpgasmask]

I am lifted with OME912s and a little cranking up front, about 1.5"s of lift. I bet they would fit, I just wonder if it would push me up too tall to get in my garage with the roof rack. :)

Bart

[SouthJ1]

Yea, roofrack might be a close call lol

[PK]

Yup! Cats, Cameras and Cars...my 3 favorite things!


Poor old Dave - left out in the cold again!!!!

You girls that prefer your fluffy pets to your husbands ought to be ____________

;);):p:p


PK

[mdwyer]

Argh! So, I've obviously got my work cut out for me. I got the idea that maybe I should just go ahead and spend some cash on some metal, and everything's gone to hell. Rocky Road is missing from the internet, and Independent4x hides the OME model numbers on their website. When I tried to send Independent4x an email, it bounced because their mailbox is full.

I suppose I *could* call them... but that would take actually speaking to a human... :)

Thank you all, by the way, for the recommendations. I'm taking them all into account.

[Triathlete]

Www.Rocky-road.com works for me.

[RickOKC]

Might you be a Van Halen mega-fan? If so, consider the General Grabber AT2s. The first time I had the windows down and slowed down from 40MPH to 0 at the right rate on smooth blacktop, it sounded a LOT like the very beginning of "Runnin' With the Devil."

Obviously I have nothing sensible to add to the topic, but that experience DID make me literally laugh out loud - and I thought that since I hadn't posted in a while, I should at least say something so people wouldn't worry that I had been abducted by aliens or joined a cult or something.

Sincerely saving everyone the trouble: :slap: :slap: :slap:
--Rick

[Mile High VX]

I really like my Yoko Geolanders....



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0411.JPG


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0026.JPG

[Ldub]

Might you be a Van Halen mega-fan? If so, consider the General Grabber AT2s. The first time I had the windows down and slowed down from 40MPH to 0 at the right rate on smooth blacktop, it sounded a LOT like the very beginning of "Runnin' With the Devil."

Obviously I have nothing sensible to add to the topic, but that experience DID make me literally laugh out loud - and I thought that since I hadn't posted in a while, I should at least say something so people wouldn't worry that I had been abducted by aliens or joined a cult or something.

Sincerely saving everyone the trouble: :slap: :slap: :slap:
--Rick

LOL...:laughing:

You think YOU have nothing sensible to add???...:_thinking

Just wait right there, & keep reading...:yesgray:


I really like my Yoko Geolanders....

I really like Yoko Ono...:laughing:

[mdwyer]

Www.Rocky-road.com works for me.

Huh. Worked for me, too, this time. OME912s ORDERED! Woo!

[mdwyer]

Huh. Worked for me, too, this time. OME912s ORDERED! Woo!

Well, here it is four months later... the springs finally arrived, but aren't installed, yet. But I also pulled the trigger on some new wheels and tires. I think they're gonna be awesome.

Except they don't fit. :madb:

Those bolts that hold on the hub cap are just a tiny bit too tall and the front wheels won't fit. I'm thinking that I can remove those allen-style bolts and swap them out for regular hex-cap bolts that will be a bit lower profile. Anyone have any reasons why I shouldn't? The cap appears to only cover the snap ring, so I don't understand why it needs six bolts holding it on in the first place [Edit: Uh. No, the bolts go THROUGH the hub flange, so they're kinda important...]. It suggests to me that I'm missing something...

VXorado: You're lucky I lost your phone number in the cell phone swap... you almost got a desperate panicked phone call from me. :)

[RabidPony]

I'm currently in lust with my Yokohama Geolander M/T+'s. Look bad *** and handle great on and off road. They are a smidge noisy but my gears are louder, so eh.

Of course I didn't notice the second page where you already ordered you goodies. :p

[mdwyer]

What have I been doing while you all have been having fun in Moab? I'm glad you asked!

I lifted my VX too high, and now I can't get it out of the garage.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/fwrproblems.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/22521)

Kidding! The lens and the angle make it look worse than it actually is. I'm gonna scrape some antennas, I don't think I'll lose the roof rack anytime soon.

Here's some wisdom for anyone wanting to follow me:

Specs Lie - Those wheels should have fit with plenty of room to spare. In truth those allen bolts are just a little bit too tall.
Ace Hardware Sucks - When you need 12 bolts, they'll only have five. It is only after you've been to three locations to collect all 12 that you'll realize that they're Grade 8.
There are places (http://www.aaametric.com/) that only sell metric - And they are awesome.
The factory wheels have a 100mm bore - and not a millimeter more. So while those hex bolts are flat enough, now they're just a tiny bit too large to put the factory wheels back on.
Did I say flat enough? - Sorry, I meant that you're still going to have to polish off the Grade markings to get those wheels to fit. Argh!
Do your cutting and bashing first - Driving home from the tire shop without being able to make a right hand turn is...stupid. I did the cutting, but not enough, apparently.
I owe TaylorRichie and rickshaw a beer - Probably multiple beers. Riff Raff, too. And I think jeeperkate is going on the IOU list soon, too.
[b]


I feel I may have gone overboard on this one... But I think it looks damn nice! We'll see what evils I have done once I have it all trimmed, aligned, bashed, oilchanged, PCV-swapped, etc...

[vt_maverick]

Check into a stub antenna - jdm_monkey used to sell them and I think yellowgizmo99 knows an eBay seller who sells the right model.

Nice cladding btw. :thumbup:

[VXorado]

Looks great!!! Sorry you had to install the springs on you're own. Since Moab I've been moving to the new house and haven't had any VX time. We'll meet up soon so I can check out the new lift and wheels. :)

[mdwyer]

Looks great!!! Sorry you had to install the springs on your own. Since Moab I've been moving to the new house and haven't had any VX time. We'll meet up soon so I can check out the new lift and wheels. :)

I lost your phone number, which is probably a good thing, because it means you missed out on having to talk me off a ledge a couple times. I'm happy to hear that the house went through!! If you need help, I count as a 'friend with a truck', I suppose.

Anyway, I'm eager and scared for you to take a look at what I've done. I did some... unorthodox things... and I'm almost afraid to hear that I did them horribly wrong. I'm still not sure what to do about some unpainted metal I've got hanging around, now...

Still, I'm glad I talked to you about the torsion bar crank. It turns out I inherited an impact driver, and with the right socket, that made the process eeeeeeeeeeeasy.

[mdwyer]

Check into a stub antenna - jdm_monkey used to sell them and I think yellowgizmo99 knows an eBay seller who sells the right model.

Nice cladding btw. :thumbup:

I'll look him up. I might also send something to the Shark Fin Antenna people... I think the cladding is more a side effect of overexposing the rest of the picture in the camera. It isn't in bad shape, but I've done nothing special to it.