Tires?

[Phall92139]

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have replaced the stock P265X75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail Radials with something else?  The tread pattern looks aggressive enough for mild to moderate offloading but I don't like the fact they are a passenger car tire vice light truck.  How did they perform/holdup for you?  Any sidewall problems?

If you've replaced these, what did you go with, why, and what kind of wheeling do you do? 

I was thinking about something like this in a 33X10.50-16LT...



Nah, just kidding!

Seriously though, what kind of shoes are y'all running?

[SCsilverX]

BFG All-Terrains 285/75/16 is what I'm running (along with many others on here, i think) on my 1st gen.

You can fit 285/75/16 (33") stock on a 2nd gen, but it might require the "Melt Mod" which can be found on thenewx.org

[Bobby B.]

I'm running the BFG ATs.  Great on street/highway as well as in ice/snow, but the sidewalls are weak and the lugs can chunk easily in the rocks.

I like the Truxxus mudders too.  Good mannered and reasonably quiet on the highway for what they are.

[rennz4wheel]

I run the Firestone Destination M/T; aggressive offroad, wonderful in snow and 3 ply sidewalls too!.  The give is some noise after they begin to wear.  For my mostly off-roading, they work great! 
Had the Goodyear MT/Rs (first generation), worn out by 20,000 miles. 

[Blackx]

BFG mud terrain KM's (not KM2's).  255/85/r16 (33.1").  I run some pretty difficult trails but the truck is my DD so it sees about 95% pavement use.  I like the tall/skinny tires.  My only complaint is that they are loud on the road.  The KM2's are supposed to be quieter.

[Phall92139]

BFG All-Terrains 285/75/16 is what I'm running (along with many others on here, i think) on my 1st gen.

You can fit 285/75/16 (33") stock on a 2nd gen, but it might require the "Melt Mod" which can be found on thenewx.org

Do have that link?  I searched the Suspension, Brakes, Tires and Wheels section for "melt mod" and came back with 220 hits.  That's a lot of reading looking for something I'm not sure of. 

[Blackx]

In the front wheel wells just take a heat gun to the plastic in the well at the rear of the tire.  You'll see some plastic prtrudes a little.  Be careful not to actually melt the plastic.  Once the plastic is heated up take something like a baseball bat and just push the plastic in working the area with some pressure.  Hold it for a minute or two until it cools and it should stay.

[Oz]

arguably the best tire out there for Southern California Off roading are the BFG KM2s. I run them in a 315/75/16. Designed for mud - they are great on the rocks. In deep sand (like Pismo, Glamis, etc.) they tend to dig a little more than the KMs I had previously. I have heard they are crappy on icy road (eastern boys say this) but I havent experience that. Went on 3 snow runs this past winter and they did GREAT. This is my personal opinion (and also the opinions of anyone I know who has purchased them).

Tires?

[Paul]

BFG mud terrain KM's (not KM2's).  255/85/r16 (33.1").  I run some pretty difficult trails but the truck is my DD so it sees about 95% pavement use.  I like the tall/skinny tires.  My only complaint is that they are loud on the road.  The KM2's are supposed to be quieter.

Me too. I've got about 25K miles on the KM's and about 1000 of that off road 

I'm happy with them but I'm thinking of new wheels ... and the KM2's.

[Phall92139]

Melt Mod...Thanks, Jeff.

[Phall92139]

Not a lot of data points yet but interesting to see this is, so far, a BF Goodrich crowd.  The Rugged Trails are my OEM tires.

On my Jeep I run 35X12.50R15 Goodyear Wrangler MTR with Kevlar.  So far proving to be a stellar performer for desert sand, rock and West Coast mud.  Don't know if I'd need something this agressive on the Xterra but dang, they would look sweet!

[GhostX]

Not a lot of data points yet but interesting to see this is, so far, a BF Goodrich crowd.  The Rugged Trails are my OEM tires.

On my Jeep I run 35X12.50R15 Goodyear Wrangler MTR with Kevlar.  So far proving to be a stellar performer for desert sand, rock and West Coast mud.  Don't know if I'd need something this agressive on the Xterra but dang, they would look sweet!

The Rugged Trails came stock on my 03' Tundra, and only lasted about 15,000 miles, and I was not impressed with them off road.

I also run the BFG A/T KO's in 285/75/16, and didn't hear about the "melt mod" until after I installed them.  The 2" PRG lift helped, and I only "buzz" the front fenders when backing out of the drive way hard cranked either left or right.

The KM2's would be my choice when the time comes for new shoes...

BFG A/T's  here too.  285/75/16's, with a little rubbing on the front fender wells.

I would love the KM2's, but cost is a factor for me, and my X is a DD.

Be careful of the Treadwrights, I have heard they look great and are priced aggressively, but have some possible balancing issues.  

I like the photo of the tires you picked Phil, those look pretty aggressive! 

[superslidestyle]

I went from a 275/70-R15 to a 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's and have been very happy with them.  Slight drone on the freeway but I can't tell with the sound system bumpin' tunes!  Paid $170 for five (5) from Discounttires.com and had them shipped to my home.  Because they are out of state, you do not pat for shipping or state taxes.  Price is straight up.  I also just bough four (4) Yokohama Parada Spec-X for my wifes Nissan Murano.  Waiting for them to arrive.