Tire & Rim Thoughts?
 

I currently have a 2000 Cherokee, 3" lift, 31" Duratracs and 15" steel rims.

Long story short i'm tired of the road noise, horrendous mpg, highway instability on the hwy because of the large tires, etc. I really want something more road worthy that feels more stable and is good for a daily driver.

I'm considering the following which would leave me with 29" tires. With the 3" lift I just want to make sure my jeep doesn't drive odd and look silly with the smaller tires. I can't find any 3" jeeps with 29" tires for comparison. Some BFG all terrain 235s?


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...3ef88f67fb.jpg

Here is the current set up that I want to get rid of... looks bad *** but that's the only good thing. May keep this on the side for winters.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...582a4bef6e.jpg

other suggestions welcome.

235/85r16 ???


tall and relatively narrow; works good on pickups

no 235/75R15. 16s could be an option.

Tall and Narrow is a big concerning, but then again my OEM wheels were 15" on 225s I think. So may be 245 would be appropriate? ... if they sell them.

these are 31.5" tires, the size you said. OP is complaining of gas mileage and noise.

Think you should put the Jeep back on stock suspension and run some small 225s if you are worried about mileage and noise. Duratracs are quiet and 31s don't hurt mileage too much for many to complain about. But here is how 235s looked when I first put on my used 3.5" lift, it wasn't bad.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e435c87523.jpg

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think diameter alone is what kills mileage, but rather big and wide tires. A tall highway or all season tire would not be that noisy.


Diameter should actually increase gas mileage up to a point, until you are under-geared.


He's already lifted and wanted something that didn't look too small. Just my suggestion ... :)

Tire diameter does affect mpgs, but also does alot of factors. Width and aggressiveness carries alot. The diameter causes jeep to work harder if it has 3.55s. Although 31s arent too bad from stock. But like stated earlier by dude, OP should sell his jeep and get a stocker. He's worried about noise, instability and mpgs. I have a 3.5" bastard lift and drive swayless and feel handling is great still. Soon ill be moving to 235/85/16. Im looking to do pizza cutters for the sake of winter stability and pressing through snow not floating on it, but thats neither here or there

You sure its the tires causing this and not a sloppy steering linkage? When I replaced some tie rods, my steering felt wayyy better.

So you can still run 15inch rims for 29-33s? I need new rims BAD, and wanted to upgrade tire sizes as well, thought I had to do both at the same time.

Off topic a bit, sorry.

But agreed the ride is a lot different. My friend has a three inch lift, and it's louder and rougher.

or 44"s

Here's 3 inch on 235/75/15s which are 28.75" I believe

Attachment 270500



Attachment 270501

Not an option, Not putting more money into the jeep, i paid to lift it 3" and i'm happy with the height. I just want more hwy worthy tires. If I keep 30-30" tires i'm fine with that but I don't think I need them so big or wide. Wider they are they track on the road when going straight. You have to turn the wheel more to turn the truck and they hydroplane easier on water being wider. So I want something that is better in rain/hwy/normal driving.

235s don't look too bad.

Agreed, the tire diameter does affect mpg, also the knobby tires make the truck work harder so I want to make the truck work less and ride better. I know it's tough asking these questions here, most people are riding more aggressive offroad tires.

Yes, I had the bushings replaced recently and the sloppy steering has been extremely evident since I put the bigger tires on over the stock wheels. It's a light truck with wide tires so that doesn't help.

Thanks for the replies. Anyone have any recommendations on more road/hwy worthy tires that are all terrain?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 Fits your criteria based on research and comparisons I have previously done.
Also Firestone Destination AT

Funny i had the AT3s from when i originally bought the truck from the previous owner. They were OEM size I think. I really liked the way they rode.

Idk man... Ive ran a ton of different tires over the years and the Durratracs are one of the quietest/smoothest out there. I am going to go with the other guys on this. Go back to stock and use some decent dedicated street tires if you are worried about mpg. Gearing also makes a big difference as does having your motor running in tip top shape.

I have a stock XJ with regular old street tires and my big one doesn't ride anyworse... the stock XJ gets better milage but its not rocking 1000lbs of extra armor, axles etc.

I have the 15x10.50 in 31" and they just track all over the highway and feel unstable at highspeeds, getting past 65mph the truck struggles. Even the auto guys I go to said they were pretty loud and were surprised. I did have bad shocks and those messed with my tire wear so they are louder than normal, still, it's the the nimbleness and planted feel on the road I miss.

Not a chance i'm going through the trouble of lowering my jeep, plus i like the higher ride height. I'd rather it just drive better, keep the bad mpg and keep it at 3" lift. So that's why I am in the "what tire to get debate". So I can enjoy the height, and have a more planted road feel. I don't do any offroading and just have lots of fun in the snow in winter. I recall the AT3s just doing fine in the snow, so maybe i'll go that route. hmm....

I have 31 duratracs and my biggest complaint is that they don't come in 35s.... they look brand new still after a year and a half and do great on my 650 mile round trips from college and home.

What I ment to get across is maybe you have something else wrong? the Durratracs are a great tire. for example, mine was getting pretty bad... bouncingall over the road etc. I ccould still keep on the road at 70 but it was not a fun time. I replaced all of my bushings/flex joints in my long arms and now I can cruise at 80 or so without any problem.

Before giving up on the Durratracs completely, try borrowing a set of something else from another local jeeper and seeing how they feel.

Unfortunately though, The few extra lbs wont save you that much gas... You are driving a lifted brick haha. It may seem like it as you get your speedometer gear closer in ratio to where it is supposed to be (if you've never changed it) but the Durratracs are also one of the lightest tires out their for their size.

The BFG ATKOs are a heavy favorite for a solid AT in the Jeep world. They are not as good in the snow as what you have but still work great. Long tread life and durables enough if you do take it off the pavement someday.

Thanks that was helpful. I thought the duratracs were pretty damn heavy though. I thought I had the bushings fixed about 20k ago, but i'll have to check. If i can get the dura's running smooth i'd be fine. Just can't stand the highway instability and excessive play in steering from the wide tires. The new Shocks and steering bushings helped, but not enough. Figured more flat (less knobby) tire would help even more.

Yeah it shouldn't cause steering issues like that. I'd take a look at your tie rod ends, and track bar. The MPG hit is real, but it shouldn't be very sloppy.

Did you do the ZJ tie rod upgrade? I did that and it seemed to crisp up the steering a bit, especially at speed.

my shop told me the front end is tight and all good, just the nobby wheels are causing the issue. I didn't do a ZJ tie rod upgrade. Not familiar with that fix.

I'll have to ask. thx

The wandering/tracking is not caused by the tires unless they are in very bad shape. Caster is a more likely culprit, also worn steering components.
After you turn a corner, does jeep straighten itself out? If not, not enough caster.

My rig tracks well and will run past 80 mph on flat pavement.
Had an XJ with 33" Swampers and it tracked surprisingly well. My point is, it's not just the tires.

i'll have to check later when I drive it. I spoke to 4wd.com and they really recommended the BFG AT 30x9.5x15. They are about $150 a tire. Looking at the tread pattern it still looks aggressive. They have a great deal on pro-comp wheels buy 3 get 1 free so I'm trying to figure out what tire from them I can get to fit the bill.

Now that spring-fall seasons are here I have to deal with rain and the Duratracs were pretty bad in the rain, so proper tread is a high priority.

:brickwall:

Seriously? Now we know there is something else wrong. I can (and have) hit a hidden puddle going 70mph down the highway in a downpour with no sway bars and the combination of my shocks and duratracs keeps my jeep tracking straight with no worries. I don't notice a much of a difference between rain, snow, or dry pavement handling with the duratracs. I'm running them at 33psi and love them.

The 30 x 9.5 is a flotation tire and will be a few pounds heavier than an equivalent P tire. Also will ride less smooth due to added plys and be more expensive.
I believe the BFG AT comes in Passenger type.

Attachment 315231

I'm running 35s on a 3 lift and mine rides great, I love my dura tracks one of the smoothest quiet tires I've ever had. As long As they are rotated regularly I don't see why they wouldn't stay that way, and I get 12-16 mpg on 4.10s.

I couldn't agree with this more. I ran my jeep for about a year at 3 inches of lift and 31x10.5x15 duratracs. Handled great on and off road and were amazing in rain and snow. I also got 20.5 mpg consistently (ax-15 and mostly highway). I also run them in load range E on my diesel and they work great there too. I'm with most everyone else here, you have other problems. As mentioned, if they came in 35s for a 15 inch rim I'd still be running them.

The Durratracs might be heavier than strictly street tires but compared to most MTs/ATs, they are pretty light.

I would still hit up some guys in your local area and still try swapping the tires. If that fixes it for ya, then the tires could have been worn terribly and are your problem. If it doesn't, then you k is you have to look else where :)

And come on you other guys... get some 16" rims and you can get the Durratrac/tons of other tires in a 35... 15s are dying off.

It's not such a big deal, just go back to stock wheels, 15x7 or 15x8 and stay with 31's and AT or less aggressive tread design. There are five or six good, reasonable AT tires that will ride pretty quiet. Three in lift and 31's on stock rims is a great look and it will get you almost under the fenders with stock back spacing.

Thanks - not going to stock size but 29 would be fine with me. Probably will sell the duratracs locally and pick up something else. Just having a hard time deciding.

What do you think I could get for my wheels and tires. Duratracs have about 15k on them IIRC and wheels were $100/ea, but are starting to rust. They are 31x10.50x15

4wd.com keeps pushing the BFG AT, but they just look aggressive to me.

Appreciate all the input guys.

Not suggesting stock size tires, suggesting stock wheels and keeping the 31x10x15 size. You can pick up stock rims all over cheap and the BFG is a good tire but some others are as good. I would shop a local tire shop to get a few options. General and mastercraft have some good tires with reasonable tread design. You might pay slightly more but you get them the same day, don't pay shipping and they put them on for you. If the tires are in good shape, you could probably get 250-300 for the set. Time for craigslist.

Look up tram lining. Then lower your tire pressure a couple pounds and take it for a ride. The following of the ruts in the highway and that unstable feeling is mainly caused by the tires and coupled with poor steering/suspension geometry. I chased this for a long while. I had some Uniroyal Laredo AS/AT type tires in 31s, which my wife called cadillac tires lol (got 4 used for $100 and got 50k out of them!), I had the same symptoms and just knew it was my suspension/steering. Found the info on tramming or tram lining and turns out brand new JKs do this off the lot when tire pressure is too high. Lowered the pressure and it was significantly better. Now I run TW Guard Dogs, much more aggressive, and I can ride down the trucker lane at 70 and is stable as can be. Air these up too high and the wandering returns although not as bad.

Thanks for the info... never knew there was a word for my issue. Tramlining. I run my tires at 33psi which is the recommended pressure. would think that lowering them would make tramlining worse.

33 PSI by what standard? As tire size goes up the required pressure goes down. I know it doesn't seem logical. Lowering the pressure allows the tire to change shape and mold, so to speak, to the differences in the road surface. When it is too hard it gets pushed and pulled around just like you were in deep ruts. It cant hurt, drop down to 25-28psi and take it for a ride. You will likely be amazed at the difference not only in handling but ride comfort as well. There is a lot of information about tire pressure out there, I would also recommend doing a good bit of research on that. There is some solid math to determine the proper tire pressure for your vehicle weight.

That is the recommended pressure for 225/70/15.
For your 31" tires, 28psi should be plenty and will make a big difference in ride quality.
Tsaani97xj has it spot on.

did not know that... always thought that regardless the tire size you use the recommended PSI that the car recommends.

I'm just here to vote for Cooper Discoverer AT3s. Quiet and I found them pretty good in mud, and great in snow

went with BFG 30x9.5. Hoping i didn't make a mistake.

btw my old duratracs with about 15k miles on them. holy hell craigslist went nuts. I had them at $475 with my rims and my phone lit up. I should have asked more money!!!

I think the BFG T/As look a lot more aggressive than AT3s. I personally like the General AT2s more than the two previously mentioned.

I was actually annoyed that 4wd where i bought the rims didn't offer cooper. I probably would have gone taht direction. too late now and have to deal with it, either way they are less aggressive than Duratracs.

I'm sure i'll have regrets that I didn't get Cooper. :(