What kind of tire rides the best???

Right now I am running Mud King XT's size 33X12.5X15's. I'm not sure if it is the tire or my suspension or both. But my ride sucks. I feel every bump and irregularity in the road. Every once in a while I bounce up off the seat. Thank god for lap belts.

So the question is, what tire rides well. I know that these have thick sidewall ply's and they are an aggresive mud tire. I have had them on for ten years and they show pretty much no wear at all. Also I have them aired down to like 20 pounds right now so it's not the pressure. I'm looking for an affordable all terrain or mud tire. Probably an all terrain since I don't do much wheelin' Yet

Any and all opinions are appreciated

thanks

High5

 

OK, I realize that my suspension is partly to blame for the ride. It currently sits on stock heavy duty springs. I think there are nine leaves in the front. The shocks are Napa specials and should be replaced. But these tires I swear I can air them down to like 5 pounds and the sidewalls won't even bulge :evil: so I know they are partly to blame. I have heard that Rancho makes a nice riding spring and their shocks are good as well. I won't be spending 3-4 hundred on the RS 9000's but maybe the 5's or RSX. Rancho springs are also spendy for just replacement springs.
I have heard nightmares about lifting a 75 with a 258, T18, Dana 20 combo. The driveshaft is just too short to lift without CV's, shims, and god knows what else. So really I just want a better ride without dumping 1500 into it to get it. Too many things on the honeydo list to spend that much on the Jeep.

So what tires have better ride characteristics??? I have heard good things about BFG's KO all terrains, but I haven't seen any on a Jeep.

Thanks for the help,

High5

 

Oh and I think they are radial??

Not 100% sure though :?

 

Yep they are radials

 

Whats your air pressure in the tires?

edit: Doh!!! I just fully read your post. Ignore stupid Kevo questions.

Kevo

 

IMHO the best all around tire would have to be the BFG AT. I used to call them wimp tires until I finally broke down and put them on my 96 XJ and all I can say is wow.. what a great tire. They are as quiet and ride as good as any tire on the street and they stick like glue to wet roads. Snow traction is way better than my old MT's. As far as really improving your ride though the tires are only a small part. I have to agree with the rest of the fella's, suspension. Besides it's a SWB Jeep, they ride like crap, that's what they do.....

BUBBA

 

If you want to test this theory without spending a lot of money, look for a set of used 15" passenger car tires from a big old car. Those will typically have 2-ply sidewalls and a nice ride.

The original tire on that Jeep was a H78-15 polyglass; 2 bias-ply polyester sidewall and fiberglass belts.

 

I've run Mud kings. Good tire, buy them locally. Friend that owns tire store says they're made by BFG. Tread pattern looks like early mt's. I'd look closely at the springs and shocks as others above have suggested. New springs and shocks will give you more flex and better dampening.

 

Damn,
I was hoping to hear that different tires would make a substantial difference. However I agree it is probably the springs. I swear this thing rides like it has no suspension under it. I will take a look at the shackles and probably order a new set of greasable ones here soon. Then save up for new springs and shocks. That'll be expensive

Well, thanks for the input


High5

 

I run 35" MTRs. My street pressure is 17.5 lbs. Anything higher then that and the Jeep bounces all over the road. At that pressure, the contact patch is spread all the way across the tire and tire wear is even and normal.

I did drive it once on the freeway at 7 lbs (forgot they were still aired down). It drove very well and was smooth as glass. I would not recommend that for daily driving though.

Cheap alternative to aftermarket springs. Go to your local 4x shop and see if they have a set of good used YJ springs laying around. Rebuild your suspension using them.

 

You have snow???

I'm running Bridgestone-Dueller AT/Revo's on my Exploder, I love 'em. Great tire. But like the guys said, probably not gonna change your ride much with tires, sorry.

The solutions are never simple on these things, despite the simplicity of the vehicle....

 

IMO tires do make a big difference in ride quality. Not in the bouncy/pitchy part, but in feel-every-pebble part. Like HudsonHawk says, you can air down a lot. The downside of low pressure is uneven wear and excess heat, but I think the heat comes from the added sidewall flex, and if you're running D or E rated tires...

Check the contact pattern. I'd try putting some talc on a smooth, flat concrete floor, drive over it, and look. As the pressure goes down, the center will come up (wearing the edges) - too high a pressure will pull up the edges.

 

That's a pretty neat tip, Tim. Gonna have to use that someday.

 

Wow I remember those when you drove for an hour and parked them they had flat spots for the 1st five miles that would shake your fillings loose.

 

Another tip about proper inflation, from **** Cepeck catalog from seventies. Placing hand on tread after driving a short distance if it's too hot to comfortably lay hand on tread inflation is too low. This always were a help for ride and treadwear for unloaded pickups but work pretty well on everything.

 

Drip pan? Wassat?