Heart Says Nitto Trail Grapplers s But Brain Says Toyo A/TIIIs

[BuyHold]

Have owned my 2door Rubicon for 2 months now and, like many Jeep owners, the bigger-tire-bug has started to bite. Am a big fan of the OEM Rubicon wheels and the tucked look that they offer and so want to keep the OEM rims.

As the headline says, the two tires I have whittled my preferences down to are Toyo Open County A/T IIIs and Nitto Trail Grapplers, both offered in 35x11.5r17. Here is what I see as the pros and cons of these two options.

Nitto Trail Grapplers
Pros
*Look awesome
*Mud Terrain "better" for muddy trails in my area
*Look Awesome
*Always wanted mud terrains for some reason
Cons
*Not snow rated and supposedly poorer on wet roads (roads in my area are perpetually wet)
*Heavy AF
*Nitto's premium price
*Louder (not important to me but a con nonetheless)

Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs
Pros
*Lighter for 35s
*Snow rated and supposedly performs well on wet roads
*Cheaper
*Longer tread life (I am told, feel free to tell me otherwise)
*Quieter (again, not important to me)

Cons
*Poorer mud performance (trails in my area are muddier)
*Look good, not great

If anyone has experience with these tires or, even better, can tell my why I should pick one over the other, I would love to hear what you think. What would you recommend and why?

Also, I plan to add a lift to my JL but not in the near future.

Sponsored

 

[blnewt]

Might consider the Ridge Grappler in a 285/75/17, better for not having a lift and a good middle ground from the two tires you listed.
https://www.nittotire.com/light-tru...wQuMWKqI0UuzAgKl3uT4JUqrPdhZopSsaAltvEALw_wcB

If you are set on just the two you listed I think it depends how much winter, wet & freezing weather you plan to run w/ your Rubicon, if it's on the low side the Nittos, if that's a priority then the Toyos.

I'd also look at the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT in a 295/70/17, not as tall, but a bit wider w/ a very aggressive sidewall, better tread wear, and should be a great AT set.
https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/light-truck-tires/baja-boss-a-t

 

[DOOKEY]

Your brain is stupid. Follow your heart the first time or your brain will correct its stupid ways when the heart didn't get what it wanted the first time.

I quit listening to my stupid brain years ago.

 

[BuyHold]

Might consider the Ridge Grappler in a 285/75/17, better for not having a lift and a good middle ground from the two tires you listed.
https://www.nittotire.com/light-tru...wQuMWKqI0UuzAgKl3uT4JUqrPdhZopSsaAltvEALw_wcB

I honestly hadn't considered these. Aside from being about an inch shorter than 35s, they appear to be pretty much the right balance of everything that I want.

Your brain is stupid.

You are speaking the truth.

 

[Stuckinthesand]

I run 35x12.5 Toyo AT II. Love the tires. Have 15k on them and with rotating them every 5k wear is even and I’d be shocked if I don’t get 50k out of these. We had a harsh winter in NJ this year. No issues at all with snow or rain. Great on the beach as well don’t even need to air down. I do more rock crawling than mudding and they’ve been great on the rocks.

 

[0II392II0]

Is it just a tire bug? If you want them for performance the Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs are not even a comparison, epically in Washington as it's muddy here a really good portion of the time.
blnewt had a good point into looking at other options a little more in-between and that's a good alternative option. What do you like on your TJ?
But the best advice I can advise you is hold of as long as possible. You already own those tires, regardless if money isn't an issue. I had this same urge but after some good tail runs, my questions have been answered. Getting stuck out on the trails will be more of an issue to me then driving carefully in bad conditions on pavement. Mine does have the full time AWD which makes my decision a little easier. The trails will give you your answer and if that doesn't sound like a good place to get your answer. Then your questions is kind of already answered and get something that fits both in mind.

 

[0II392II0]

Mickey Thompson | Baja Boss A/T (mickeythompsontires.com)
Mickey Thompson | Baja Boss M/T (mickeythompsontires.com) These are what I'm planning on getting.

 

[blnewt]

Mickey Thompson | Baja Boss A/T (mickeythompsontires.com)
Mickey Thompson | Baja Boss M/T (mickeythompsontires.com) These are what I'm planning on getting.

Both of those are a win IMO!

 

[Kreepin1]

I've got about 150 miles on the Trail Grapplers. My Jeep drives great with them (3.6 and 6-speed). I suggest you find a shop that will sipe them or better yet get a tire groover and do it yourself. A siped mud tire will do well on wet or even snowy roads and it helps grip rocks off-road.

 

[BuyHold]

Want to thank everyone for their input. Ended up going with 35x11.5R17 Trail Grapplers. Will say, I am very glad I went with the 11.5 wide option. Some people love the "wide" look but my personal taste is tucked. Exactly what these tires deliver on OEM Rubicon Rims.

Barely put any miles on these so can only say these Nitto are heavy and can feel it the difference from the OEM 33s. I am very happy with appearance... Time will tell if I made the right decision re: performance but pleased with the decision thus far.

 

[DOOKEY]

Want to thank everyone for their input. Ended up going with 35x11.5R17 Trail Grapplers. Will say, I am very glad I went with the 11.5 wide option. Some people love the "wide" look but my personal taste is tucked. Exactly what these tires deliver on OEM Rubicon Rims.

Barely put any miles on these so can only say these Nitto are heavy and can feel it the difference from the OEM 33s. I am very happy with appearance... Time will tell if I made the right decision re: performance but pleased with the decision thus far.

Thank you for reporting back with pics. It will help others in the future. Your Jeep looks great.

 

[blnewt]

Thank you for reporting back with pics. It will help others in the future. Your Jeep looks great.

Agree, and nice tire size too, should cut well in the mud and snow.

 

[omnitonic]

First of all, let me say that's a great looking Jeep. Those Trail Grapplers do look very good.

Also, I am in a goofy smartass mood, and I did a thing, which I will now share:

 

[EJWF11]

First of all, let me say that's a great looking Jeep. Those Trail Grapplers do look very good.

Also, I am in a goofy smartass mood, and I did a thing, which I will now share:

Lmao…
Reminds me of…

Yes, sometimes you can go OVERBOARD!!

 

[omnitonic]

Lmao…
Reminds me of…

Yes, sometimes you can go OVERBOARD!!

Thanks man! Seriously! I don't laugh enough, and I am laughing so hard I just started snorting!

Sponsored