Help me decide on tires before STU lifts my KJ

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Hi guys just looking for advise using a poll for the first time to decide on tires. STU is about to lift my CRD KJ and I finally need to replace the Nan Kangs and am tossing up between the Bridgestone D694's which come in 245/70 R16 or the Mickey Thompson ATZ which come in 245/75 R16.

Now my biggest worry is that up here in QLD we don't have the NCOP adopted yet so I can legally only go up the the 245/70R16's which will be exactly a 15mm increase in diameter making the ATZ's illegal (technically) because their increase will be 39mm. But alot of guys here seem to be running the ATZ so as I worry about being pulled over and more importantly having insurance knocked back is there something I am missing. Vote for what you think you would get taking into mind the laws and insurance problems (if there are any).

Thanks heaps

pipeliner · **Posted:** Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:21 pm

I voted Mickey', because I have them and they are a good tyre - but, as you say, technically illegal in Qld at present.

I believe that Qld is going to adopt NCOP from July, although I can't find confirmation of that on the web.

Glend · **Posted:** Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:13 pm

I have just put on the Bridgestone AT D694 LTs in 245/70R16 and they are simply outstanding (particularly in the wet).

These tyres have a diameter of 751mm so there is a noticeable lift from stock 235/70s (735mm OD) (in addition to whatever Stu gives you).

If you go this way make sure you get the Light Truck spec tyres, the 245/70s are available in both 'heavy duty' and 'light truck' but the LTs are the ones you want for any sort of desert work. The LTs are about $15 more per tyre. Price I paid was $250 each, balanced and mounted. Make sure you get an alignment done when you put these tyres on. Alignment has to be done for the lift, and if they tyres are mounted later it will have to be done again. Don't get the alignment done at some place like Peddars, take it to a 4x4 specialist shop that has experience with lifted IFS vehicles.

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Great one vote for each from people running them ohhh this makes it sooooooooo easyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Thanks anyway and yes I was thinking to have them fitted before STU lifts it and yes it will be done by his guy and he has already stated that it will be a computer 4 wheel alignment done at the time fitting the lift.

Glend did you notice any difference in your speedo or gear changes, cause I have read that with the ATZ's I will have to go to JEEP and get it changed for the revs per rotation.

My main concern was on my 4runner I went from 205 16's which are about 29 inch tires up to 265/75's which are a smidge off 32's and boy did that kill he power, economy and insurance.

pipeliner · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:46 am

When I ran BFG 235/70R16's my speedo read about 4-5% fast at 100-110: after fitting the 245/75R16's it reads spot on accurate (from the GPS).

Glend · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:39 am

I am having the 'pinion reset' done at my next service, which is booked for next week. I had to explain the process to my dealer service manager.

There are posts on the process of resetting the ABS and BCM (Body Control Module) - try thread 79961 on AJor. Oh what the heck - here is the link:

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/sho ... et+problem

Make sure you read the part about it having to be done in two places in order to take.

Re the tyres don't just take my word for it, I think cmohr or Fouros used to run Bridgestone D694s. There is also an article in 4WD Monthly comparing the AT tyres - here is the link:

http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/tips_tyres.php

This was just before the Bridgestone D694 was released in Australia, and they did not test the LT.

pipeliner · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:48 am

The main requirement for the pinion reset is to ensure that the computer knows when to tell the auto transmission to change gear - since I have a manual I didn't bother.

Though thinking about it, I suppose it is possible that it also affects the ESP, so maybe I should get it done.

Team J.a.G · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:49 am

I have now done in excess of 45K with, I guess, at least another 25k left on my ATZ's. I have found them to be a great all round tyre. Unless I'm convince by something else outstanding I will be replacing them with the same (maybe 265's if I have a new front bar by then :wink:

)when the time comes around again.

And Yes, I had the pinion reset by Jeep (@n/c)

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

OK JaG and Pipes you both run the ATZ's and yes so does Cmohr how do you guys get around the insurance thing as they were really my first preference for tyres the D694's were next because they make the legal size and I would think they will do the job nicely. Really looking for wet performance cause the Nankangs are a total let down but if you after a tyre that won't die then they are the pick just don't expect them to do ANYTHING ELSE cause they can't. I am really just a little scared about not being covered causeI know they don't look out of place on the vehicle so they won't attract attention.

With my 4runner I just ordered a tyre placard for a Prado cause it didn't actually state "Prado" on the placard it was just Toyota corp. and there stock was a 265/65 I think so the 265/75's I had put on were legal using the 15mm rule and the new placard (don't quote me on the numbers it was a while ago).

Does anyone know if the Wrangler placards state "Wrangler" on them cause I could also do the same thing I think their stock is 245/75 R16's. Unless they go a look it up no-one would question it

pipeliner · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:05 am

damo4runner wrote:

OK JaG and Pipes you both run the ATZ's and yes so does Cmohr how do you guys get around the insurance thing

If we told you we'd have to shoot you.

damo4runner wrote:

Does anyone know if the Wrangler placards state "Wrangler" on them cause I could also do the same thing I think their stock is 245/75 R16's. Unless they go a look it up no-one would question it

Nice idea!

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Oh yes very nice idea worked well considering the new sticker only cost $5 from the Toyota parts department peel old one off stick new one on.[/quote]

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:20 am

Hmmmm

that gives ME an idea :shock:

stevemcc · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:31 am

I run 265/75's and yes they are over the limit, ARB made me sign to say my problem not their's when I had the lift done but... not had a problem with insurance even after a claim, RBT's or other police stops. My lift is listed on my insurance, as is the rubber and I've not had an issue even with claim.

But, the best advice is keep the rubber inside the guards and stick with the stock rims its a 'stealth' thing as in don't advertise, most people can't even see the difference untill you park next to a stock KJ then its :shock:

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Just checked the placard on the KJ and it has Cherokee at the top so unless they changed there printing method for the Wranglers I would assume that there placard will have Wrangler, although you could quite easily just trim the top off the placard OR scan it into your computer and alter it in photoshop and have the image printed at a sticker shop on a metalic vinyl sticker to look legit. Not that I am into ways of bending the law of course, but one could quite easily do this............................. :twisted:

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:44 am

why do you think i went with moabs mmmmmm the nice little JEEP centercap ( what officer its an option ) :shock:

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Centre cap "huh" please explain as I don't have a clue as to the difference a center cap would make. Fill me in on whats inside that magic little center cap......................PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:43 am

the rims look stock

damo4runner · **Joined:** Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:07 am **Posts:** 100

Well my rims are stock and they have the JEEP logo on them but bad news is that the wrangler tyre placard doesn't wrangler on it but it does have the last 4 digits of the vehicles VIN number so photo shop it may have to be or just get they 245/70 and be happy with biggest legal tryes.

Glend · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:22 am

I just had a look at my Tyre Information sticker on my 07 KJ. It does not say anything about the vehicle name, etc, but it does have the last 8 digits of the VIN on the lower right corner.

So different years may have differing sticker layouts.

brooksy · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:37 pm

Dam, if you're going to but the D694's i 2nd Glends opionion and would only buy them in LT construction. I made the mistake of buy the normal light duty ones and they punctured easily and are only good for 30,000 - 40,000 km which is pretty poor in my opinion.
I'm running Maxxis Bighorns right now in a 245/75 16 and have had no probs with Mr Plod.
they're a great tyre if you do lots of wheeling but a tad noisy on the road.

Help me decide on tires before STU lifts my KJ

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