Baja boss worth the hype?

[rndm]

Currently have 315/70/17 wildpeaks load C but am looking to move to something skinnier, mainly as I do not feel the wildpeaks in the flotation size perform that well in the snow we get here in Utah. 255/85/17 would work great, but the only option is Baja Boss in load E. Mainly wondering how the ride quality is with the load E baja boss vs load C wildpeak, as I definitely don't want something that will ride much firmer.

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[autotragic]

When I bought mine I stayed away from load range E. I think it's just too much for a Jeep. My Ram 2500 has load range E tires and rides like shit. There's no way I would even think about it for a Jeep.

 

[2nd 392]

Currently have 315/70/17 wildpeaks load C but am looking to move to something skinnier, mainly as I do not feel the wildpeaks in the flotation size perform that well in the snow we get here in Utah. 255/85/17 would work great, but the only option is Baja Boss in load E. Mainly wondering how the ride quality is with the load E baja boss vs load C wildpeak, as I definitely don't want something that will ride much firmer.

255/85/17 ~ the same size but in inches-
Toyo AT3 35/11.50/C available , others

 

[Camaroboi13]

I don’t notice a difference in ride quality. My last two sets of 37s have been load E. Doesn’t bother me one bit.

 

[WontonJLUR]

When I bought mine I stayed away from load range E. I think it's just too much for a Jeep. My Ram 2500 has load range E tires and rides like shit. There's no way I would even think about it for a Jeep.

That’s 99% down to the drastic difference in suspension design and intent. Load range E tires at an appropriate PSI for a Jeep are not nearly as big of an issue as people make them out to be.

P.S. knock your Ram’s front tires down to 63-65 front and 40-45 rear. It’ll ride way better. Look up load tables per PSI for your particular tire. The rear end of an HD truck weighs less than 2 tons, 80psi is generally good for close to, if not at 2 tons per tire on a single tire. No need for that much air when you’re unloaded.

 

[Deleted member 64316]

I switched from the factory BFG all-terrain (285/70 load range C) to MT Baja Boss all-terrains (315/70 load range E). Was running 32-34 PSI in the BFG's, now running 28-30 PSI in the MT BB. I ran the MT BB for several thousand miles without any changes to the suspension. There was definitely a noticable ride difference with them, which has bothered me more over time. I wouldn't describe it as "much firmer," but that's a subjective metric.

 

[zw470]

Load range E tires at an appropriate PSI for a Jeep are not nearly as big of an issue as people make them out to be.

This. I had E-rated STT Pros on the Jeep before I went up to 37s and they rode just fine after setting the pressure via chalk-test.

 

[azwjowner]

You'll have no problem at a proper PSI, 28-30 max. People are running this exact tire just fine:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/did-i-do-this-chalk-test-correctly.125002/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/pics-please-255-85-17.125166/page-2#post-2624662

 

[jav_eee]

When I bought mine I stayed away from load range E. I think it's just too much for a Jeep. My Ram 2500 has load range E tires and rides like shit. There's no way I would even think about it for a Jeep.

If you're running them at the PSI listed on the door jam sticker then thats why. No way I'd ever do that if i was unloaded. Even then, I'm airing up to the tire manufacturers specs for the load, not the OEM "all-inclusive cover your ass" recommendation.

 

[TheRaven]

Load range E tires at an appropriate PSI for a Jeep are not nearly as big of an issue as people make them out to be.

P.S. knock your Ram’s front tires down to 63-65 front and 40-45 rear. It’ll ride way better. Look up load tables per PSI for your particular tire. The rear end of an HD truck weighs less than 2 tons, 80psi is generally good for close to, if not at 2 tons per tire on a single tire. No need for that much air when you’re unloaded.

This may be down to the tire itself but it's hard for me to believe - I had load E Duratracs on my Tahoe and they were horrible. At 42psi (they were supposed to be at 44psi but my TPMS system did not like that number) they rode like rocks and if I lowered the pressure I got cupping and scuffing on the tread. Furthermore, Duratracs aren't known for tough sidewalls so I would expect heavier tires like the Wildpeak for instance to be even worse. I switched to the D-range Duratracs and saw improvement across the board - better ride, better throttle response, better fuel mileage. That was on a full-size vehicle that's over 1000lbs heavier than a JL.

The Wrangler has absolutely no need for E-range tires...that range is meant for 3/4-ton and 1-ton pickups. It's a ton of extra weight in the absolute worst place for extra weight - it kills fuel mileage, ride quality, and handling.

 

[WontonJLUR]

This may be down to the tire itself but it's hard for me to believe - I had load E Duratracs on my Tahoe and they were horrible. At 42psi (they were supposed to be at 44psi but my TPMS system did not like that number) they rode like rocks and if I lowered the pressure I got cupping and scuffing on the tread. Furthermore, Duratracs aren't known for tough sidewalls so I would expect heavier tires like the Wildpeak for instance to be even worse. I switched to the D-range Duratracs and saw improvement across the board - better ride, better throttle response, better fuel mileage. That was on a full-size vehicle that's over 1000lbs heavier than a JL.

The Wrangler has absolutely no need for E-range tires...that range is meant for 3/4-ton and 1-ton pickups. It's a ton of extra weight in the absolute worst place for extra weight - it kills fuel mileage, ride quality, and handling.

Well first let’s agree that ride comfort is a criminally subjective topic.

In my experience, Duratracs are trash. They are the stock tire for my F250 and the Coopers I replaced them are substantially better.

second, I never suggested the need or even preference for load range E tires on a Wrangler versus a C or D. However, there are a handful of tires that are attractive to Jeep owners that are only offered in E, and if you’re set on that tire, the singular fact that it’s an E tire shouldn’t necessarily scare you away.

third, you say that the tires is the worst place for extra weight. Not always true. Your particular reasons are completely valid, but from a rock crawling standpoint, tires/axles are a great place for extra weight. It lowers your center of gravity and can make off camber situations just a bit better.

Have I run E on my Jeep? Yes. I did not personally find the ride appalling, but I’m younger and have aftermarket suspension on my Jeep. No 2 cases are the same.

Do I currently have E on my Jeep? No. 42”
Treps only come in a C and that’s the tire I wanted to run.

I’ll end with saying that I’m NOT suggesting anyone who does not want an E on their Jeep is wrong. I’m simply saying that people shouldn’t be dissuaded from running a tire simply because it’s an E. We have people on this forum who have completely stock Saharas and will never go offroad, and that’s fine. We also have people who almost never drive their Jeep on the road and only rock crawl. There is no blanket statement that can cover these 2 ends of the spectrum for any mod/tire choice etc.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

Currently have 315/70/17 wildpeaks load C but am looking to move to something skinnier, mainly as I do not feel the wildpeaks in the flotation size perform that well in the snow we get here in Utah. 255/85/17 would work great, but the only option is Baja Boss in load E. Mainly wondering how the ride quality is with the load E baja boss vs load C wildpeak, as I definitely don't want something that will ride much firmer.

Wildpeak AT4W comes in 35x11.5r17 load range C. Weighs about 68 or 70lb per tire for to the stronger duragen sidewall.

 

[TheRaven]

Well first let’s agree that ride comfort is a criminally subjective topic.

Agreed. And it's not an attribute I need in order to make my point. The objective and provable attributes are more than enough.

In my experience, Duratracs are trash. They are the stock tire for my F250 and the Coopers I replaced them are substantially better.

Duratracs are the best all-condition traction tire in the "off-road A/T" tire category that I know of. They ride harsh in any weight range and are stupid loud. But their traction and treadlife are among the very best in the category. So I don't agree.

third, you say that the tires is the worst place for extra weight. Not always true. Your particular reasons are completely valid, but from a rock crawling standpoint, tires/axles are a great place for extra weight. It lowers your center of gravity and can make off camber situations just a bit better.

Tires are the worst place for extra weight...while I see your point, the downsides to heavy tires outweigh the small benefit they offer in the center of gravity category. There are lots of places you can add weight down low - rotating components is NOT where you want to do that.

I’ll end with saying that I’m NOT suggesting anyone who does not want an E on their Jeep is wrong. I’m simply saying that people shouldn’t be dissuaded from running a tire simply because it’s an E. We have people on this forum who have completely stock Saharas and will never go offroad, and that’s fine. We also have people who almost never drive their Jeep on the road and only rock crawl. There is no blanket statement that can cover these 2 ends of the spectrum for any mod/tire choice etc.

My synopsis is that the disadvantages to E-range tires outweigh any possible advantages. So I still say it's a bad idea.

 

[roaniecowpony]

A JLU weighs over 5000lbs with fuel and lightly loaded. A load range E is not out of its element on these pig fat jeeps. A JLU is not a TJ or CJ.

 

[69charged]

I went from the stock C rated Wildpeak on my JTRD to a set of E rated 35" Duratracs, and while they are a bit rougher, its nothing crazy. Like others have said, I wouldn't shy away from a size you want just for that reason alone. I dropped the pressure on all 4 to 32psi, and its been good. May even go a little lower yet.

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