Recommendations: AT tire for 17" wheels

jakes10mm · **Joined:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:04 am **Posts:** 22

I have owned my 2003 KJ for a total of 5 days and looking to upgrade the tires from factory "Street" tread patterns. I have not lifted the KJ and probably won't for several years.... Until then, what does everyone recommend for AT tires in 235/65R17? I will not be rock krawlin' or mudding. The intention is a tire better suited for snow, dirt roads, and some slicker stuff out camping. I need to stay budget oriented.

What I've found so far is:

Cooper Discoverer ATR
BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A
Goodyear Wrangler SR-a
Yokohama Geolandar AT+II
Pirelli Scorpion A/T
Toyo Open Country A/T
Bridgestone Dueler H/T

Thanks

warblade666 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:31 am

BFG All Terrain T/A's are great for that use. I would skip the Rugged trail T/A's, they aren't that good.

IMO

Northbee · **Posted:** Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:30 am

warblade666 wrote:

BFG All Terrain T/A's are great for that use. I would skip the Rugged trail T/A's, they aren't that good.

IMO

The BFG All Terrain T/As are not available in 235/65/17 - the ONLY real AT tire that is available in 235/65/17 is the Pirelli Scorpion AT. All other tires in this list are more Highway/All Season like the BFG Rugged Trail T/A.

Especially when you are looking for tires that are good in snow you should go with ATs.

That's why I changed from 235/65/17 to 245/65/17. Most of the real ATs are available in that size!
( http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=11496 )

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

jakes10mm wrote:

I will not be rock krawlin' or mudding. The intention is a tire better suited for snow, dirt roads, and some slicker stuff out camping. I need to stay budget oriented.

I am in the same situation. I hope I will be doing very light off-roading, or driving through muddy sideways some day, but for now my concern is just what you mentioned. I want something that looks rugged, matched jeep's appareance as well as do well in winter, but won't bald so quickly.

jakes10mm · **Joined:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:04 am **Posts:** 22

What is the general opinion on the Cooper tires?

I was quoted $555 for four mounted/balanced Discoverer ATR's (235/65R17). My spare (GY HP) is basically "new", so I'd leave it as a backup for now.

He is checking pricing on the Firestone Destination A/T (245/65R17). The Firestones seem to be well liked according to the Tire Rack reviews, just slightly ahead of the Pirelli Scorpion A/T's in ratings. No information on the Coopers.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Also I would like to add Dunlop tires to the above list, Grandtrek AT20 has 235/65/17s and said to be one of the quietest.. I am not sure about the opinions.

jakes10mm · **Joined:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:04 am **Posts:** 22

Updated list. Looks like these tires will fit my unlifted KJ in either 235/65 or 245/65. I'm leaning towards the Firestone Destination AT's based on positive feedback I've been reading. The Cooper Discoverers seem good too, but I'm not finding as much feedback as some of the other tires. I've been quoted $555 for a set of 4 Coopers....installed and out the door. I've also had some feedback on the General...regarding value vs price. Any more feedback on the tires below?

Firestone Destination A/T
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor
Cooper Discoverer ATR
Dunlop Radial Rover AT
Pirelli Scorpion A/T
Yokohama Geolandar A/T + II
General Grabber AT2
Toyo Open Country AT

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Since I am in the same situation, and there are not many other 17"ers we will try to help each other on this one..
I am trying to compile list from my findings on tire rack.. all based on what I see on the site.. although we need to hear from those who experienced the tires..

Firestone Destination A/T $114 (no 235) = Looks like the best choice for off-roader, I am not sure about treadwear, KY Liberty uses them on 17"
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor $143 (no 235) = not much info around, reviews look solid, Northbee uses them on 17", bit expensive..
Cooper Discoverer ATR (no 235, not located on tirereack)
Dunlop Radial Rover AT $102 (no 235) , not the choice for snowy areas, also treadwear may be an issue.
Pirelli Scorpion A/T $136 = Seems like good dry traction, but may perform poor on noise level with 7.7, also treadwear might be mediocre
Yokohama Geolandar A/T + II $109 (no 235), might go with firewstone or goodyear instead..
General Grabber AT2 (no 235, not located on tirereack)
Toyo Open Country AT (no 235)
*Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor $138 = Seems like a great choice for non off-road'er. End wall grips look nice. May not be the choice with snowy areas, other than that looks perfect for daily hw driver.

I wish there was a cool tireplace around my area who can try worn 245s on my KJ.. so I could have peace of mind.

jakes10mm · **Joined:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:04 am **Posts:** 22

I agree. Based on my review here on Lost KJs and the tire rack feedback, I'd base my choices in this order:

Firestone Destination AT (245) - seems like one of the best choices for 17" options
Cooper Discoverer ATR (235) - limited info, but appears to be on par with the Firestone
Dunlop Radial Rover AT (245) - very good Tire Rack feedback, good price and 60K wear
Yokohama Geolandar AT+II (245) - looks good, but haven't found as much info
Pirelli Scorpion A/T (235 & 245) - agree with a more street oriented tire
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor (245) - good reviews but the most costly of the bunch

General Grabber AT2 was also recommended, but they do not offer it in a 17" (235 or 245).

I have my local tire shop pricing the Firestones for me. The Coopers are quoted at $555 for a set of 4 out the door. I'm also going to look at the Dunlops.

Northbee · **Posted:** Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:18 am

hyedipin wrote:

I wish there was a cool tireplace around my area who can try worn 245s on my KJ.. so I could have peace of mind.

Hey hyedipin,

If you could make the 210 miles up to Boston you could "try" mines. But more than 400 miles just to have peace of mind...

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Such a nice guy.

I was planning to take a trip for Columbus day.. only to find out that we are working that day.

Thanks for your offer, I will talk to some tire places this weekend.

jakes10mm · **Joined:** Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:04 am **Posts:** 22

The three price quotes for 4 tires mounted/balanced/etc and out-the-door are as follows:

Cooper Discoverer ATR $552
Firestone Destination A/T $530
Dunlop Radial Rover A/T $488

Some of the "more popular" tires (BFGs, Gen Grabbers, etc) are out of the running based on my silly 17" rims. Not enough money in the wallet for 16" rims at this time...hopefully it will be there in about 40K-50K miles on the first set of new AT tires for the KJ. I'm leaning towards the Coopers and Firestones. Of course, financially, I'd rather lean towards the Dunlops.

Opinions on these three tire options? I don't get off-road too often, but when I do its usually damp to wet (muddy)..also, according to the farmer's almanac...its suppose to be a white winter this year. According to the tea leaves and palm-reader..................

jeepgirl0385 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:50 pm

So a 245/65/17 would fit on an unlifted, completely stock 03? I am in the same situation...I desperately want All Terrain tires to replace those POS Goodyear HPs, but none come in the exact size (235/65/17).

I am glad I came across this thread! Those are the tires I liked, but none came in my size, but now, if they fit...I can get the tires I want on the rims I want!!

FastTRX · **Posted:** Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:24 pm

jeepgirl0385 wrote:

So a 245/65/17 would fit on an unlifted, completely stock 03? I am in the same situation...I desperately want All Terrain tires to replace those POS Goodyear HPs, but none come in the exact size (235/65/17).

I am glad I came across this thread! Those are the tires I liked, but none came in my size, but now, if they fit...I can get the tires I want on the rims I want!!

Well I want new ones too..but I'm not in the same boat as you unlimited people w/ 17" wheels!! I have 16"s!! :lol:

Just kidding all...I will be doing alot of highway driving too so it makes more sense for me to get a tire like an AT to fit both some light offroading and highway driving rather than the more rugged, cooler looking MTs. And since I'm on a limited budget being a student w/ a very part time job I need something affordable that will wear good too! I'll probably settle for the BFGs since they make a size for mine...and I'm unlifted currently too! Hopefully that will change soon though...

Oh and Jeepgirl...awesome to know there is atleast one girl among the KJ crowd on L.O.S.T!!

Northbee · **Posted:** Tue Oct 03, 2006 4:43 pm

jeepgirl0385 wrote:

So a 245/65/17 would fit on an unlifted, completely stock 03? I am in the same situation...I desperately want All Terrain tires to replace those POS Goodyear HPs, but none come in the exact size (235/65/17).

I am glad I came across this thread! Those are the tires I liked, but none came in my size, but now, if they fit...I can get the tires I want on the rims I want!!

I have an unlifted stock 03 Limited and changed to 245/65/17 about 3 weeks ago - I have NO rubbing. With full steering angle there is 1/3 of an inch left - I can put my finger between the tire and the plastic.

Hope that helps - but: tires can vary (different models) and so can KJs even the stock ones can have some variation!

03kjltd · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:55 pm **Posts:** 5

I am in the same boat myself with 17" wheels and 235/65/17 tires. Just looking in the wheelwell, I really don't think 245/65/17 tires will fit on mine.

Was just about to resign myself to switching out my wheels or getting non-A/T tires (the guys at Tire Rack suggested the Bridgestone Dueler Alenza for on-road use...thoughts?) when I noticed something.

The Pirelli web site shows that the Scorpion ATR is available in 235/65/17.
See: http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/tyres/c ... ctid=20686

I also noticed that Yokohama's web site shows the Yokohama Geolandar A-T/S available in 235/65/17.
See: http://www.yokohamatire.com/TireSizes.asp?TireID=600

Anyone have experience with either of these tires or know if they are really available in this size? Most of the local tire shops are so awful so it seems barely worth calling to ask.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

I started doubting that anything other than the stock size will fit on mine..

These are on stock 235/65/17s:

I defintely know that nothing larger in diameter will fit without a lift:

But the reason I am suspicous about 245s in my particular case is:

<-- is it already rubbing at full turn??

The A Team · **Joined:** Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:38 pm **Posts:** 16

Maybe I'm not a real off-roader, or been too far removed from my truck, or been under the hood of my GTP too long, but I really like these.

Goodyear Fortera TripleTred

03kjltd · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:55 pm **Posts:** 5

I have heard good things about the TripleTreds, but it's difficult to execute a 5-tire rotation pattern with directional tires. Plus, if you get a flat, there's nearly a 50 percent chance that the spare tire would be mounted the wrong way around on the spare wheel.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

They look interesting. With directional rubbers, best way is to have a spare with a rim that is mountable either way, front or back, (is there any?) otherwise it is not a great choice.

Recommendations: AT tire for 17" wheels

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