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Found the best tire/lift combo (for me)

2K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  Masman4 
#1 ·
After going through dozens of thread, I think that I have the prefect setup for what I want on my 2015 HR. What I want is a good snow tire, 1" more ground clearance, and my stock rims. I think that thinner tires have an edge in snow. So, I concluded that the BFG KM2 LT255/80R/17 is the winner - unless the more experienced list members come up with a better idea. I attached a screenshot with my comparison chart.

The KM2s provide 1"+ height over the stock BFG MTs. They are the same width as stock and fit the rims. To be certain that I won't have any rubs under any conditions, I'll add the Mopar Stage 2" lift or the AEV 2.5" DualSport. I really don't know which lift kit is better for my setup, but either will work. Could I do better with a different approach?
 

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#7 ·
Thanks, everyone! I think that I have to change my opinion, as every comment makes sense.


The KO2s may be the ones. I saw that you opted for different rims, but would the stock rims work? What other mods would be required with the stock rims, or with a set of 17x8.5s with more appropriate backspacing (how much)? The KO2s aren't much wider that the stock tires.
 
#3 ·
In deep snow a wider tire has the advantage as it's floatation you want. I know some guys out in Nova Scotia that have been wheeling in snow that is 5 feet deep and they run 12.5" wide tires so that they don't go any further then 2ft into the snow where as a pizza cutter would cut all the way to the bottom and would be done, but that's extreme snow wheeling. For hard packed shallow snow or ice you are correct that a narrower tire is better.

Also with stock width and the fact the tire will sit inside the fender well then all you would need is a leveling kit as you'll still get more room for articulation. You're only going up exactly 1" in tire height and the leveling kit such as say Teraflex is 2" front and 1" rear. Going any taller would probably make things look out of proportion and put undo stress on other components that wouldn't really be necessary otherwise.
 
#13 ·
In deep snow a wider tire has the advantage as it's floatation you want. I know some guys out in Nova Scotia that have been wheeling in snow that is 5 feet deep and they run 12.5" wide tires so that they don't go any further then 2ft into the snow where as a pizza cutter would cut all the way to the bottom and would be done, but that's extreme snow wheeling. For hard packed shallow snow or ice you are correct that a narrower tire is better. Also with stock width and the fact the tire will sit inside the fender well then all you would need is a leveling kit as you'll still get more room for articulation. You're only going up exactly 1" in tire height and the leveling kit such as say Teraflex is 2" front and 1" rear. Going any taller would probably make things look out of proportion and put undo stress on other components that wouldn't really be necessary otherwise.
I live in Nova Scotia and what an unreal winter we had this year. Most snow I've seen in a long time and I run a 265-75-16 KO2 on my 03 rubicon and they preformed amazing in the snow, highly recommended.
 
#4 ·
For deep snow you do want floatation but for shallow snow there is nothing like a pizza cutter ; ditto for mud.

I'm on my third set of KM2s but they would not be my first or even second choice for snow. The high void ratio split blocks do not provide enough edges for grip in slippery conditions and they don't clean out as well as others. I agree with Digger that the KO2, ST MAXX and DT are better choices of the ones on your list. The ST Maxx is the best value but the other two are also great tires.

The AEV lift has great road manners and is over $600 less but the MOPAR 2" is also a good lift with great reviews. It's been a popular choice since it appeared because it carries the MOPAR warranty. They are both solid choices.
 
#5 ·
Also don't forget, you are not going to get 1" more ground clearance with that tire. It's a 33 vs. your stock 32's. That only works out to about 1/2 an inch of ground clearance. You need at least a 34" tire to get that clearance. Then you're getting into the territory of reinforcing the axle/etc. to handle the increase mass & leverage of the larger tire on it.
 
#6 ·
I had BFG radial all terrain KOs in 315/70/17, I did not like them in the snow, the jeep floated and slid around. I also ran 285/70/17 Toyo Open Country ATs, I liked those a lot better in the snow. My next tires will be 285/75/17s either Toyo Open Country AT2s or Nitto Terra Grappler G2s. I thought about 255/80/17s STT Maxx but the pictures I have seen on here they look pretty small.
 
#11 ·
Thanks. Yeah, that was the first thread that I read before starting this one. According to the reference, a 33" will contact the fenders if the swaybar is disconnected. In your case, I see that a load on the tire seems to reduce actual diameter about 1". I take it that you don't have any rub, but maybe your aftermarket rims are the reason. The reference also says that backspacing should be 4.5" or less for wide tires, but I don't think that 1/2" will require non-stock rims. Maybe I oughtta start a thread just to see whether folks running the 34x10.50/17 KO2s had to make any mods. I appreciate your advice!
 
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