Cookie Cutter Wheels for Overlanding.

[wibornz]

Sounds like a great trip. If I was you, look for a set of Rubicon take off wheels and tires. They are easy to find and can be found on the cheap. You can easily do the Alpine Loop with a stock Jeep, well Ophir, black bear, and Imogene can be done also. Heck I saw a 2wd chevy Silverado at the top of Engineer Pass.

I found the passes in Colorado to be relatively easy going. Red Cone, may give you a problem, but that was not on your radar anyways. With 33 in tires, you could do Red Cone also.

Sounds like a great trip. Take plenty of pics and post them up so you can take us with you.

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[blnewt]

Have a blast! I think Ted has good advice about Rubicon take-off wheels/tires. The Michelins are very conservative All Season tire made for best MPG and on the road driving. The Rubicon BFG tires are a much better tire for the trails w/ that All Terrain tread block. Not sure how the Michelins would do when aired-down.

 

[MEHillwalker80]

I think I am going to do with 255/80R17 tires on Mopar winter (steel) wheels.

 

[blnewt]

I think I am going to do with 255/80R17 tires on Mopar winter (steel) wheels.

Do you have a particular tire in mind?

 

[Kreepin1]

I recommend the Cooper S/T Maxx, tough 3 ply sidewall, remarkably quiet as long as you rotate them regularly.

 

[01tj]

I think I am going to do with 255/80R17 tires on Mopar winter (steel) wheels.

I played around with different sizes on my TJ and 33x10.50 was my favorite. I had a 4cyl and it seemed like wider tires killed power on the highway as well as gas mileage. Most of the guys in my Jeep club had 35's or 37's and I had no issue keeping up with them.

 

[four low]

As mentioned earlier, sidewall thickness is key. I had a dog bite through the sidewall of my P metric stock tires, so Sidewall thickness Matters...tall skinny tires give great traction, and don't rob hp and mpg...

 

[dbbdbb]

I agree with the skinny tire rationale for overlanding. I ran 255/70R17 KM2's on my Xterra and they dug down to hardpan quick in the muddy sections. They were load range E and very stiff, though. Take a look at the BGF KO2 in 255/75. I think you might want more open pattern than your All-seasons that will shed mud better. They're available in load range C and will air down nicer / ride better on the road / wear longer. The K02 is a great option when a full-on Mud Terrain is overkill.

 

[blnewt]

I agree with the skinny tire rationale for overlanding. I ran 255/70R17 KM2's on my Xterra and they dug down to hardpan quick in the muddy sections. They were load range E and very stiff, though. Take a look at the BGF KO2 in 255/75. I think you might want more open pattern than your All-seasons that will shed mud better. They're available in load range C and will air down nicer / ride better on the road / wear longer. The K02 is a great option when a full-on Mud Terrain is overkill.

The Gladiator forum has a rather epic thread on true pizza cutters, the Kenda Klever RT in a 35x10.5x17, seem to get great reviews over there too,
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/kenda-klever-r-t-kr601-35x10-50r17.28656/

 

[dogbreath650]

There isn't much/any technical rock crawling on the Alpine Loop. You'll be fine with pretty much whatever tire you decide on.

 

[Arterius2]

I run 285/75R18 Duratracs.

It's really tall and skinny the way I like it.

 

[entropy]

You can always get takeoffs A/T from a JL sport for almost free if not free.

The ones on my profile pic are the stock 32s AT. I have the same setup you have, JKS discos, rubi suspension.

 

[Roverhi]

Any one used the 34/10.5/17 BFG KO2's Seems a good compromise tire for width and height. Also come in a 'D' rating so not as stiff a sidewall as an 'E' for more comfortable ride off road yet more sidewall strength than 'C' .

 

[wibornz]

There isn't much/any technical rock crawling on the Alpine Loop. You'll be fine with pretty much whatever tire you decide on.

I saw a 2wd Silverado on top of Engineer Pass. I am sure I could pull my camper on the Alpine loop.

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