FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Tire Question

So now that I have just about all the big mods I want, I really need to look at tires.

I currently have those stock Dunlop AT20's with about 70% tread left (at most). I want to run these into the ground before getting new ones. I'm looking at the BFG All Terrains (no M/Ts since it's my daily driver) and probably going to stay with the stock size (which I forget what that is, but I have 17" rims).

Where is a good place to find these for a decent price? As well as a place that will install for a decent price? I probably won't be getting the tires until the summer (as long as my current ones last that long), but I want to get a decent idea about my next set.

Orrrr... if anyone knows where I can find the BFG Mud Terrain KM1's. I've always liked them more than the KM2's.

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Permalink Reply by Markie Sharkie on January 3, 2010 at 10:08pm

Ok sweet. Thanks for the info.

Yea I'm in Los Gatos right before 17 heads up towards Santa Cruz.

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Permalink Reply by Markie Sharkie on January 6, 2010 at 4:36pm

My buddy is offering me some BFG Mud Terrain KM2s with only about 4k miles on them. They look pretty good, but they are 285/75R17. Will my rims be able to fit those since the width is 75 instead of 70?

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on January 6, 2010 at 5:22pm

Mark, If memory serves (and it may not so don't take this as a final word) The 70 is a ratio of tire height to width. So if the tire is 10" wide the height is 7". So a 75 indicates to me that the tire is a little narrower in order for the diameter to be 33" i.e. 7.5+7.5+17=about 33. So it would fit and maybe weigh a little less because it's not quite as wide as a 285/70/17. Are you sure that size is right?

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Permalink Reply by BritMok on January 6, 2010 at 6:55pm

THe first number, 285, is the nominal tread width in mm. The second number is the height of the sidewall, as a percentage of the tread width (so, in this case, 0.75 x 285 = 214mm). The last number is the rim diameter in inches. So, for a 285/70R17, the total diameter is (17x2.54) + (2x0.75x285) = 831mm or 32.7 inches.
For a 285/70R17, the total height is 859mm or 33.8 inches. Both will have the same tread width.

I see a potential problem with the taller tire with wheel well, fender and body mount rub.
FYI... I have BFG 285/70R17 A/T's, with a 3 inch lift, and there's only about 0.25 inch clearance.
Now, different tire brands have different ways to quote "nominal" sizes. You can also improve tire fit by adding caster in alignment (at the expense to bump-steer). I recommend doing a test fit on the left front wheel first (usually a little less caster on the left to track straight on the average graded freeway).

Hope this helps :)
Mark.

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Permalink Reply by GRM on January 28, 2010 at 7:38pm

Sorry if I missed something, as I didn't read the entire post.

Currently I'm running the Mickey Thompson MTZ's. They are holding up ALOT better than I would have thought.

When I ran BFG muds (ive had 2 sets), they seem to work well, but the tread gets hard LONG before the tire wears out. An old BFG mud can be downright dangerous on the street.

But I still think my favorite tire is the BFG all terrain. Its smooth on the highway, has pretty good off road traction, and lasts forever.

Thats my $0.02.