That is a good question, Ar!

I also plan on taking delivery of my ordered Willys Sport with the same Firestone tires. I've looked into them quite a bit, and have read a LOT of reviews of them, and most seem to be quite happy with them (for a mud-terrain tire, anyway). But I can't say that I've read or heard any direct comparison with the KO2s.

 

They are loud on the highway, Fine around town, and awesome off-road. When new. I have no idea long term. Also, I have no carpet in the JK anymore, so they may not be as loud in a new JL

 

You can see how Firestone Destination rates next to other MTs on this chart:
ps://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORMT

Word of Caution: I have noticed that tires below an accumulated 1M miles (Miles Reported column) get unstable data. When a tire first launches it enjoys a honeymoon period in which customers tend to overrate them; as miles continue to accumulate, by around 1M miles they find their natural level.

 

I remember the Ford Explorers, with Firestone tires disaster, back around the year 2000. Over 200 people died and many others were injured because of their poor quality tire blowouts. I have no interest, and never will have in running Firestone tires. Some will say, but that was over 20 years ago. Fine, if you want their tires, then go for it, but not me.

 

Those tire failures were not solely the fault of Firestone. Ford’s recommended inflation level for those tires was below Firestone’s recommendation at the load created by an Explorer. This was done by Ford to give the Explorer a less stiff ride, but in doing so, it caused the tires to overheat when driven at speed, which led to the delamination and failure of the tires.

I ran 3 sets of the previous version of Firestone’s MT tire. The tire life for a MT tire was impeccable. One set in particular became very loud over time, but this was caused by uneven tread block wear, likely because I did not rotate them often enough. They weren’t great in the rain, which is typical for a MT, but better than some others I have driven. The newer version has sipes cut into the tread blocks that should improve wet road handling.

I prefer my current Falken WildPeak AT3’s, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another set of Firestones if I went back to a MT tire.


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The problem with the older Firestone tires was Ford, not Firestone. Ford recommended 28 psi for a fully loaded vehicle, even towing a trailer. The heat associated with running low tire pressure is the cause of nearly all the tire failures. Firestone products have been, and still are some of the finest available. Opinions vary, but facts do not. I use and sell hundreds of Firestone products every year and they have a stellar track record in my shop.

 

you are absolutely correct my 96 explorer called for 26psi

 

Yep, the settlement cost Ford in the Millions, and Firestone about 1.67 Billion. So Firestone took the blunt of the responsibility. Either way, it was very sad for all of the lives lost, plus others injured..

I am with you on the Falken WildPeak AT3’s, that is what I also run.

 

Ford blames the supplier, how strange. [sarc]

 

Yeah, for some reason TireRack doesn't rate Falkens.

 

I think you are going to have difficulty finding people who have long term experience with both those tires, since they are in completely different categories. The Firestone is louder new than the BFG KMs that came on my JKUR were. But it is better in the rain and snow than they were. Assume the KO2 will be significantly better in the rain and light snow, and significantly quieter.

 

I had Firestone’s from the factory on a Ford Ranger and a Jeep Liberty.

I NEVER HAD SO MANY FLATS IN MY LIFE!!!
I will NEVER use Firestone tires again in my life.

I switched both those vehicles to BFG All Terrains and never had a problem again. The only reason I am not running BFG KO2s at present is because my Rubicon came with KMs and I love them in the desert (presently have KM3s).

 

P.S. I ran them at proper pressure.

 

That is a MT (Firestone) compared to an AT (BFG). So really no comparison for what you asked. For all those listed, the KO2 will be better. And it's 3PMSF rated, so also better in the winter.

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In the flip side, I strolled up muddy inclines that people on ATs struggled a little on. That said we all made it to the top.

 

Mine are fine.Better than the tires(bfg km) that came on the Rubicon and Willys JKs.I will get an AT tire when these wear out.

 

Years ago I used to buy MTs, partly because I wheeled; partly because ATs looked lame like all-seasons.

But MTs came at a price: they were heavy, stiff, noisy, expensive to buy and didn’t last long.

Then KO2 came out: it was a game changer. They were comfortable, quiet, great in winter, reasonably capable off-road, and lasted twice as long as the average MT. Best of all, they didn’t make your rig look like a station wagon.

Today we take it for granted that ATs from BFG, Falken, General, Firestone, Cooper, can do everything so well. But this wasn’t the case 10 years ago.

 

PS - up to now Firestone has had a rather lame Destination AT. But it recently added a “hybrid” tire called Destination XT, which sits between its AT and MT, and looks like a more direct competitor to BFG KO2, General Grabber AT/X, Goodyear Duratrac, Cooper STMaxx and Falken Wildpeak AT3W.

Goodyear also added a new tire to its Wrangler line called Territory.

I haven’t seen many posts on them, but look like interesting alternatives for anyone undecided between an AT and an MT.

 

I have sold quite a few sets of the XT tires and everyone has been happy with them. They are surprisingly quiet on the hiway.

 

GoodYear makes the UltraTerrain sold by and only Discount Tire/Americas Tire.They kind of look like the Territory.

 

You’re going to love it. I have a 2021 willys I now have 56,000 miles and looking for new tires now I’m down to 9mm tread depth which I feel is amazing these tires held up and lasted I could easily get 65,000 miles but I want new. They are a little noisy on highway but it’s a Jeep. I didn’t buy a Jeep to be quiet. Turn the radio up if you don’t like road noise I honestly love the hum.

 

The OP hasn't been here in over two years.

 

True, but at least he finally got the answer. Nearly 60k is pretty good.

 

Yeah and I still have 9mm to go