Opinion - KO2's vs. Nitto RidgeGrapplers for my configuration and needs?

[joshg]

I have to make a decision on tires and am seeking advice as I'm a first time Wrangler buyer.

2019 Moab*
- Mopar 2.5" lift
- stock Moab wheels (which I happen to love)
- I'm ditching the KM2's the Moab comes with and dealer will swap on KO2's for me at no charge. Will go to 35's since I think it will look better with the lift.

But I'm being asked if instead I should put on Nitto RidgeGrapplers. Dealer upgrade shop says he's selling about 70/30% Nitto's over KO2s lately.

I care MOST about on-road comfort, ride quality, and NOISE of the tires. If the Nitto's will give a slight boost in offroad/trail performance, but at the penalty of more noise or worse ride on road or highway, then it's not worth it for me.

What are opinions from experienced Jeepers given my prioties and preferences... will the Nittos be any noisier or less comfortable or stable on-road than KO2's?

Thanks all, I really appreciate the many helpful people here who have given advice and thoughts to me over the past few months!

* favor please - I don't need to hear a bunch of "you should have bought a Rubicon" or "Moab is stupid" replies... have read them ALL here, I promise... hundreds of posts about Moab opinions here and elsewhere. After a lot of research, driving, and talking to others, the Moab is right FOR ME, for now in my life. I get it that it's not right for others and their priorities. Will definitely do some wheeling, but not major technical rock climbing. I get it - if I want to do more serious wheeling in a few years then I'm going to want lockers and sway-bar disconnects... so I'll sell this and buy a Rubicon then.)

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[mwilk012]

KO2’s might as well be H/T’s for how quiet they are. I don’t know much about the grapplers other than that they look nice.

Your dealer is going to put on 35’s for free?

 

[Dagwood]

I replaced my 33" ko2s with 35" ko2s because I knew exactly what I was getting, a great all around tire. The Nitto does look nice but I have no experience with them and can't speak of performance or longevity.

 

[Maverick909]

to be honest the mud terrains are not much louder than the ko2. and the on road performance is just fine to daily drive. personally i think the mud tire is all around a better tire. just my 2cents

 

[Mr.Smith]

I can speak for on road. I have had the 35" K02s and the 37" Ridge Grapplers and road noise and Handling seems to be the same. Both on factory Rubicon wheels

 

[joshg]

KO2’s might as well be H/T’s for how quiet they are. I don’t know much about the grapplers other than that they look nice.

Thanks... good to hear.

Your dealer is going to put on 35’s for free?

That's a good question, now that I think about it. They agreed to swap to KO2's, but I didn't specify size, so presumably they were thinking 33's? If I ask them to go to 35's, maybe they'll expect me to pay the price difference, which would be reasonable.

 

[joshg]

to be honest the mud terrains are not much louder than the ko2. and the on road performance is just fine to daily drive. personally i think the mud tire is all around a better tire. just my 2cents

That's really interesting - I've heard just the opposite. Several people have said they couldn't stand the road noise from the KM2's and that it was WAY better with KO2's. One said that the KM2's start out reasonably quiet for M/Ts, but after 4-5k miles, they "scream" very loudly on road/highway.

 

[UKCATS]

I prefer Ridge Grapplers. But, that is for my use. For you, I think KO2’s are a better fit. I’ve run both, the KO2 is lighter, a little quieter, and ride just a little better.

 

[FitBliss]

I had grapplers on my silverado and was not a fan, I went and switched them not long after for Ko2's, this was a 2017 silverado LTZ, before my jeep, and they just made allot of noise! The ko2's are just butter smoothe! I plan on going with the Milestar Patagonias in the future, have you looked into those? Kinda heard great stuff and they are supposedly pretty quite on the road and still are mud tires.

 

[Fonzilla85]

I’ve been running the K02’s on my previous truck and now on my JL, I have no complaints, nor have I ever had an issue. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Nitto so, it’s up to your particular taste.

 

[RogMtz70]

I've got NITTO Ridge Grapplers on my Jeep and my truck. I have no complaints about them whatsoever. No noise and no comfort issues. And they look really good. Get lots of compliments

 

[Sleepdds]

I got the NITTO Ridge Grapplers about 2000 miles so and love them. I was very happy with how little noise they make on the highway. Little pricey. My local Jeep dealer ran a deal buy 3 get 4th for a $1. I was surprised it included the NITTO Ridge Grapplers .

 

[gsxr310]

I’ve had most of my experience w KO2. Had a set of Ridge Grapps and I am instantly a fan!!! Very quiet and definitely kicks up a lot less rocks than the KO2’s

 

[joshg]

I've got NITTO Ridge Grapplers on my Jeep and my truck. I have no complaints about them whatsoever. No noise and no comfort issues. And they look really good. Get lots of compliments

Wow, those do looks good. Nice rig! Thanks for the info...

 

[Dvol]

The ridge grapplers i ran on my 18 Taco were pretty darn good. Zero issues in the rain, a tad more hum than Ko2's tho, very smooth ride vs crappy stock Duncraps. RG's did balance very well too, only 1-2 weights per tire. I wished we had a winter here to test that part of them. Weather in the south rolls that way.

I do have experience with KO2's in winter weather and they perform well. KO2's are a great all around tire. Id say the Nitto is comparable to it, But they do perform better in muddy conditions. Plus the Ridge Grappler looks damn good on any Jeep

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