BFG or Pirelli Tires??? Pls. HELP ME!!!

[SheriD]

Hi Guyz,

I own a Jeep Wrangler 2002 Sport with stock wheels. I plan to get some 31/10.5/15 tires for them.

The confusing part is to decide what tires to go for. Looking for some serious advice to make my choice.

Normally I am looking for tires to give me LOW NOISE ride on the ROAD and a Good Speed since my work includes driving long distance and around town a lot. I do very less of off-roading so that would be the rare case or requirement.

Choices I have are..
BFG - All terrain (Which is very good tires, especially for off roading but I heard they aint that good for the street and make more noise)

Pirelli Scorpion the S/T version and NOT THE A/T. (This one is more for street version with very less noise, and can also be used on Off Road and stuff) ...

Can someone help me deciding between the two or probably suggest me anything better ...

Thanks!!!

[Fouad Berjaoui]

If you were into regular offroading I would have advised you on the BFG, but since you are into "occasional" offroading, I would advise you into the Pirelli AT , (NOT ST). the ST is too mushy for offroad.

Yes the BFG is loud, I wouldn;'t say toooo loud, but loud on the road. but nothing beats it offroad. I am talking commercial tyres, not specialized tyres like Interco and Simex. and by the way, the BFG is VERY good onroad, the stability is amazing and the stopping power when you brake is almost instant. but that's one of the perks of having a professional offroad tyre. it's less slippery than onroad tyres. but people are annoyed by the noise they make so they consider them "not good" which is wrong. i.e. if you're talking safety, BFG is the best even onroad, but you have to put up with the slight noise. I know there is an opinion that would contradict my opinion, that onroad tyres have a tendency to flatten out under weight pressure (cornering or braking) hence give more stability than offroad tyres that do not have a tendency to flatten out, but that's another debate that I dont want to get into on this thread.

As for Pirelli AT and ST, I would recommend AT rather than ST. I have the STR on my Wife's Pathfinder and during the last trip to the desert, I would say I was not much impressed. they are VERY quiet onroad, otherwise my wife would have told me to remove them. However according to Pirelli Middle East the ST is 20% offroad and 80% onroad.

The AT is another story, they are more heavy duty, they are 50-50 onroad and off. ATs are used by Dubai Police and Dubai Police Rescue, not all but a large portion of them. they are slightly more noisy then the ST but the noise is negligible, not to the extend of the BFG.

For what you have explained as requirement, the Pirelli AT is a good compromise between onroad and off.

Fouad

[SheriD]

Thanks for your reply. It was really appreciated. I have anyways bought BFG tires and they look and ride quite good so far. I like them. I even checked out the pirelli ones but didn't look so appealing ..

Btw . I had to remove the BUSH (The black rubbers) which I had for the spare tire to replace with the BFG 31inch. I hope that wouldn't make any problems with the door and stuff... The brake lights really on top hides a lot with the tire .

Tomorrow I should be installing the steering stabilizer ... and thats about it ...

The ramy guys were suggesting me to install some bush kinda stuff for the suspensions for like 500 bucks which would save the tires from hitting the plastic fenders while offroading .. You think its necessary or will it do without it .. the tire size is 31/10.5/15 ...

Thanks ..

[Fouad Berjaoui]

The Suspension Bushings have got nothing to do with the rubbing on the fenders, I think they meant to tell you about the "bump stop" if you upgrade your bump stop, yes it will prevent the tyre from hitting the fender. your bump stops were designed to keep a 29 inch ture from reaching the fender, now that you have 31 inch tyres, it will reach the fender before the bump stop can go into action.

The Suspension bushing is another matter, usually made of rubber, a good upgrade would be for poly-eurethane bushing which give a more firmer ride, whereas rybber ones give a more softer ride and handling, however the rubber ones wear out much more faster than the PE ones.

If you were upgrading from OEM Jeep tyres to 33 inch, yes I would recommend changing the bushing, but from 29 to 31, it's better if you have PE but not a big deal if you dont.

Bump Stop is another issue to look into, I cant say sitting behind a computer screen, I'd have to see your car. You can place your car in a cmpromising position of wheel travel and see for yourself if you need a bigger bump stop or not.

Summary : the bump stop will prevent your tyre from hitting the fender, the suspension bushing (when they wear out) you will feel the car shaking on the road (lateral tyre movement)

Fouad

[2Fast2Furious]

BFG is a prefect choice indeed. Removing the rubber spare bump stop is not a good idea. You need a 31" spare tire re-location kit. (around 250 dhs) this includes stop-light spacer.

Cheaper option you cut your tailgate rubber (bump stops) 1.2 inches. You still need to make a spacer to lift the stop-light a little bit.

Off-road you will have slight rubbing with rear fender-flares due to the new tire size. An economy lift kit including new shocks and springs ( I asume you have a TJ) would cost around 2000dhs The car will look better and perform better.

Good luck

[SheriD]

Where can I get the Tire Relocator for 250 Dhs for 31inch. Yes I do have the TJ 02 Sport version. I checked with Ramy and he says it would cost 650 DHS for Large Spare Tire Extension ..

About the Economy suspension and lift kit? Will I get the same from Futtaim for 2000 Bucks ... What is it called . and where can I get this installed .. Like will the car perform better and stuff with that . In what ways . On RoaD .. or you talking abt off roading . Coz I don't do much of OFF roading anywayz ..

Thanks ..

[2Fast2Furious]

I never reffer to on-road as I only do Off-road

Yes Alfuttaim is ripping u off on same eco kit. Ramy is not cheap at all.

Try Sharjah Golden something

[SheriD]

I have checked with ICON garage for Spacer since I cannot install my rubber bushes with the new spare tire. They say the spacer would screw up the door in future .. so juzt let it be the way it is. There is like no need of putting the rubber bushes.

What do u guyz think? Should I still insist on getting the spacers???

Anyone know where I can get it also .. would be helpful because ICON is out of stock also at the moment ..