Finally had to get new tires after the right rear delaminated on the way back from Yatalla last week - not a nice feeling at all. Been holding out trying to save the dollars but definitely left it too long - could have been very nasty.
So the new rubber is.... coopers again, but the ST this time not the STT and smaller
in fact a couple of sizes down. I've gone back to a 245/75/16 and after a couple of days driving I'm pleased with the change.
Fuel consumption has come back from a shocking 23-26/100 to a reasonable level of 17/100 and that's without any highway time.
Power is back to a reasonable level, towing is much easier now.
The speedo actually reads correctly - gps and gauge match for the first time in years
Rubbing is down to a minimum even at full lock on the front and full articulation in the rear
And the best bit - I can now reverse up an incline without the transmission judder or having to move to 4 lo. Given the number of dead transmissions in the past year, my own included I felt a lighter load might give it some more and hopefully a longer life.
The only down side I've found is the KJ feels more tippy - might be the lower weight of the rubber or the thinner profile but I notice the lightness and more bounce.
Might even make the next trip now I don;t need tire warmers for the slicks
