Debating between tires

[omargg9]

Hey Guys I recently got my JL and wanted to start the build by changing the wheels and tires, I already bought some wheels that I liked (17x9) but I can't decided what tires should I buy, my JL is my DD and would be 10-20% of the time offload, I am debating between the 315-70r17 BFG KO2's the same size but KM3's or the Nitto Ridge grapplers (35x12.5). what are the pro's and cons of these tires if you have used them, I don't want to loose a lot of MPG's.

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[Xingpao]

My JL is a daily driver and I have ridge grapplers and love them. Can't speak for KO2, but Nittos have done well for me on trail and highway. Lost about 2 mpg on 35s, no lift (yet).

 

[badgundog]

Hey Guys I recently got my JL and wanted to start the build by changing the wheels and tires, I already bought some wheels that I liked (17x9) but I can't decided what tires should I buy, my JL is my DD and would be 10-20% of the time offload, I am debating between the 315-70r17 BFG KO2's the same size but KM3's or the Nitto Ridge grapplers (35x12.5). what are the pro's and cons of these tires if you have used them, I don't want to loose a lot of MPG's.

I purchased a set of BFG KM3 35X12.5X17 and had them installed yesterday. I have a JLUR with no lift and running the 7.5" stock rim. I have not been able to take them off road yet, but I asked my son to take it off roading last night and tell me if he could feel any rubbing. I trust he abused the heck out of it. He said he might have noticed one time at high speed that there was a rub. I inspected the wheel wells and did not find a rub spot. I went to a local tractor dealer this morning and used their ramp to stuff these into the wheel wells and try to find any contact. The closest I could find was in the rear compressed tire. I had about a finger thickness between the wheel and wheel well at about 10:00. Otherwise it all looked good. I ordered 1.5" wheel spacers to increase the effective offset, but after running this around today I do not believe I will need them. The KM3 had just a little bit of road noise (and I mean very little) and I could not tell a difference in the handling. I think I will be very pleased with this tire. I will try to get you some pictures on the ramp in a few.

 

[badgundog]

Hey Guys I recently got my JL and wanted to start the build by changing the wheels and tires, I already bought some wheels that I liked (17x9) but I can't decided what tires should I buy, my JL is my DD and would be 10-20% of the time offload, I am debating between the 315-70r17 BFG KO2's the same size but KM3's or the Nitto Ridge grapplers (35x12.5). what are the pro's and cons of these tires if you have used them, I don't want to loose a lot of MPG's.

Hey Guys I recently got my JL and wanted to start the build by changing the wheels and tires, I already bought some wheels that I liked (17x9) but I can't decided what tires should I buy, my JL is my DD and would be 10-20% of the time offload, I am debating between the 315-70r17 BFG KO2's the same size but KM3's or the Nitto Ridge grapplers (35x12.5). what are the pro's and cons of these tires if you have used them, I don't want to loose a lot of MPG's.

 

[aCeMedic13]

I've only had my ridge grapplers for a week but so far its about a 1 MPG loss. I haven't gone off road with them yet. But the ride feel's a lot more stable than my stock KO2's. I also felt the KO2's felt more "squishy." (At the recommended PSI) Happy 4th.

 

[WXman]

Hey Guys I recently got my JL and wanted to start the build by changing the wheels and tires, I already bought some wheels that I liked (17x9) but I can't decided what tires should I buy, my JL is my DD and would be 10-20% of the time offload, I am debating between the 315-70r17 BFG KO2's the same size but KM3's or the Nitto Ridge grapplers (35x12.5). what are the pro's and cons of these tires if you have used them, I don't want to loose a lot of MPG's.

What model did you buy?

I can't speak for the Rubicon, but on a Sport or Sahara you WILL lose significant MPGs. There's no way around it. I'm still tracking mine via Fuelly but it currently appears that I have lost at least 3 MPGs in mixed city/highway driving with 285/75-17s and you're talking about going slightly larger than that, so if yours is a Sport or Sahara you should prepare yourself for up to 4 MPGs loss. At current pricing, assuming average miles driven, that's about $60/month extra for gas.

As far as which tire to get, I'm currently testing the KO2 for a video review, and yesterday I had them doing some mud testing. They were surprisingly good! Far better than the KO was. Considerably better than most AT tires I've tested. They are also very good on slick river rock, and they are almost dead silent on the highway. I see no reason whatsoever to run the KM3 unless you spend a large amount of time in swampy mud.

 

[DickZip]

3157017 cooper stt mopar wheels

 

[aug0211]

Great thread. I've currently got Nitto Ridge Grapplers in the shop - 35x12.5r17s, load E. Going to go up to 37s, though.

Anyone have thoughts on a 12.50 vs 13.50, and whether it's worth jumping from the Ridge Grapplers load E to Open Country load D, if I do decide to go the 13.50 route? Ride comfort, road noise, etc. are factors for me.

Option 1 - 37x12.50r17 Ridge Grappler, load D
Option 2 - 37x13.50r17 Ridge Grappler, load E
Option 3 - 37x13.50r17 Open Country, load D

 

[omargg9]

nice rig!! and the tires look amazing, thank you for sharing!

 

[omargg9]

I've only had my ridge grapplers for a week but so far its about a 1 MPG loss. I haven't gone off road with them yet. But the ride feel's a lot more stable than my stock KO2's. I also felt the KO2's felt more "squishy." (At the recommended PSI) Happy 4th.

I really like the way they look, and I have heard a lot of nice things about them, thanks for sharing the pics

 

[WillysRubicon]

Sorry to revive an older thread, but any chance you have a few pictures of how far out the km3 stick out of the fenders. I want 35s on my JLUR, but really like the width of factory tires. If I go to 35s I dont want them to stick out at all if I can help it.

 

[coukos34]

Looks like you have a sport, so I’m assuming you have a lift? Either way, given your gearing I’d definitely do the 315 KO2, and get the C rated version. There’s a reason Jeep uses the KO2 on a stock Rubicon, and it’s due the all around performance they provide (off-road, and onroad). The 315 will also be more like a 34.5, and lighter, so won’t be such a drag on performance. If you’re DD’ing this thug, I wouldn’t go too aggressive.

Anyways, that’s my 2 cents. I went the 315 KO2 route, and mine isn’t even my DD. At the end of the day these things spend +90% on the road, so I wouldn’t want to make it unpleasant to do so...

 

[Cypher]

I really like the way they look, and I have heard a lot of nice things about them, thanks for sharing the pics

what wheels are on your picture?

 

[ChattVol]

What model did you buy?

I can't speak for the Rubicon, but on a Sport or Sahara you WILL lose significant MPGs. There's no way around it. I'm still tracking mine via Fuelly but it currently appears that I have lost at least 3 MPGs in mixed city/highway driving with 285/75-17s and you're talking about going slightly larger than that, so if yours is a Sport or Sahara you should prepare yourself for up to 4 MPGs loss. At current pricing, assuming average miles driven, that's about $60/month extra for gas.

As far as which tire to get, I'm currently testing the KO2 for a video review, and yesterday I had them doing some mud testing. They were surprisingly good! Far better than the KO was. Considerably better than most AT tires I've tested. They are also very good on slick river rock, and they are almost dead silent on the highway. I see no reason whatsoever to run the KM3 unless you spend a large amount of time in swampy mud.

Do you have a link to your testing? Have you seen this review:

 

[ChrispyJL]

35s on a sport s will lower your MPG significantly, but don't forget also, that they won't fit without lifting it, which will lower your MPG even more.

I just went to 285/70/17 on my sport S, fills the wells nicely, no rubbing, no lift required and my MPG was barely affected if it was affected at all.

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