33" BFG TAKO - 9.5 or 10.5?

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:54 pm

Brule are you still running 9.5's? if so do you feel you have gained a big advantage on rubbing vs the 10.5's? I am about nine months away from needing tires and am planning my next move now and would like your input on this since everyone else seems to be running 10.5's. Thanks Billy

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:17 pm

I am on a fresh set of 9.50s since this summer. I really can not say for sure how much better they are than 10.50s , as I have not tried the 10.50s

Some things to consider:
The 10.50s are wider and will look good without really wider spacers installed. I run 1.25" on the front and 3" on the rear to widen the stance and improve the look. Without they are tucked way under and look funny under the big flares. Kind of the "Dumbo" look , if you know what I mean. Flareless it may be different. The 10.5s really make the truck look tough. Reed's truck looks like a beast.

9.50s have a 7" tread that matches the 7" wheel just right. This allows me to run higher tire pressures for better mileage without wearing the center out. This would not be possible with the 10.5s unless you run a wider 8" wheel.

Before installing the fullsize bumpstops I rubbed the corner of the lugs on the fender lip. 10.5s would rub the tread flat. I am sure I can turn a little tighter since the 9.50s are narrower and the steering stops don't need to be built up quite as much to prevent frame rub. With the Skidz cuts made there is no problems at the front and rear anymore. None of those things are issues once the full size bump stops are installed. So , I guess rubbing is equal and not an issue with either.

The 9.50s are light. They are lighter than the 31s I had on before them. This is better for mileage and power. Less rotational mass. Easier to get moving. I can lift my spare with one hand. I like that.

The lighter narrower tire may be easier on steering components. That mat also be a non-issue as Reed is not having problems with his.

The 9.50s cost a little less, but not enough to really help the decision. I see the 9.50s are on tirerack.com for $147 right now.

I will continue to run the 9.50s. I like them for what I do.

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:28 pm

Thanks for the info. I put the PA 192 on my truck and put 1.5 spacers on the rear with the idea of moving the spacers to the front when it is time for the tires and adding 2.5 to the rears. I will cut the fender wells tack back (Very slowly) the sheet metal with my mig and re paint. It should look close to stock that way. On the rear I will cut the stock flare to match the cut and use fiberglass to fix and repaint to look close to stock. Of course this is all due to skidz being non existent. 33x?x15 on stock rims is the goal I just need to figure out the width I want, Reed do you have any input since you have the 10.5's?

PS it is funny with the 2' PA and the 1.5 spacers out back I think the truck looks totally stock. This is how they should have come off the assembly line.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:30 pm

Buy them locally and just suck it up. Do a search on the tire with me as the author. Took me 6 months to get two replaced with BFG/Michelin help

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:41 pm

williamcstonejr wrote:This is how they should have come off the assembly line.

I totally agree.

Sounds like you have a great plan. I have the templates we used for the Skidz flares if that would help you. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

On the stock rims, I would lean toward the 9.50s, but I am prejudiced

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:01 am

Thank you for the heads up, I just read what you went through. You handled it far better than I would have. I will buy them locally, thanks again for the warning and sorry you had to go through it.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:43 pm

williamcstonejr wrote:Thank you for the heads up, I just read what you went through. You handled it far better than I would have. I will buy them locally, thanks again for the warning and sorry you had to go through it.

Glad that it helped someone. If, you live near a Sears Auto Center then I wouldn't worry about it. My independent dealers are rather odd. I live off of a major N-S interstate and I pity the poor vacationer who has problems close to our 2 exits.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:11 pm

williamcstonejr wrote:.............Reed do you have any input since you have the 10.5's? .

It's comparing apples to oranges with Brule and myself. I don't need spacers up front because of my BS on my wheels and only run 1.25" in the rear IIRC. If, you wheel at all, then you will want a tight turning radius. I did not see any difference between Brule's tire performance and mine in Utah. My steering stops had to be built up more but, I still rub when my sway bar is disconnected.

You can always go to 12.50s, as long as you never turn a corner or encounter hills

Just j/k.

You've got the info to make a decision between the 2 widths but, feel free to ask any more questions as they arise.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:25 pm

f9k9 wrote:...I live off of a major N-S interstate and I pity the poor vacationer who has problems close to our 2 exits.

..."is that banjo music I hear coming from that porch over there?"

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:56 pm

HenryJ wrote:..."is that banjo music I hear coming from that porch over there?"

Pretty much so, Brule!

I found one thread about that saga but, it wasn't the one I wanted. I had a loose cost comparison about the price difference between online tires and ones purchased locally. For the 2 tires it was a pittance of a figure like $20.

I should have kept better track of it. It took 6 months, many vacation hrs spent and who knows how to put a figure on frustration.

I was lucky that summit replaced my 2 new wheels that one of the dealerships said were bad.

I'll go to locals from now on except for those two. I'd rather destroy a couple rims by driving on them 50 miles than to ever darken their doorways again!

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:30 pm

I have had pretty good luck buying tires online, however I did buy one locally. If I had problems, I am sure that was the one

The last set I did buy locally, but that was because I found a really good deal on a large quantity. I am a special case as I have all the equipment to mount my own tires. That saves me $50 a set.

The online price through Tirerack is pretty tempting as it would be about $40 a tire less than what I see around here. Even if you only save $120 after shipping and pay $50 to mount them that is still $70 cheaper. Not enough to pay for the troubles you went through, but very tempting all the same.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:00 pm

It really depends on where you live. I was shopping for tires a few months back and was on TireRack. I have dealt with them for, at least, 25 yrs, and have been happy with them. This goes back to their ads in the "Car and Driver" rag. Order by phone and bam, they were there at your door step.

Even as late as the mid 90s I was up close to their original store in South Bend, IN while helping to put on a law enforcement K9 seminar in Elkhart, IN. Had some problems with wheels on my 1st gen Laser/Talon/Eclipse. They bent over backwards but, my Fittipaldis were discontinued and they hooked me up with a wheel shop to straighten them.

I digress here. While I was shopping at Tirerack, I checked out approved local installers. While not the same two independents that I dealt with, the customer's reviews were giving me flashbacks of my AT/KO nightmare.

An online friend was coming to KY for the annual ZR2 bash and he has contacts in the tire industry. I got a great deal on four that he tossed on his car trailer but, I was still nervous as heck. No local dealers for that brand of tires. If, they had been defective I would have felt like the movie "Grond Hog Day"

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:11 pm

As requested I am posting a couple of pics. I think the truck looks totally stock as it sits. It was shorter than my wifes RX 300 now it sits about an inch taller. (Chest out) ha ha
Going to be starting on some bodywork real soon (Thanks Brule)

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:29 pm

I could have sworn the last time I did this my firefox had a (link) code in the BBXtra. Now that does not seem to be an option so I will figure it out later.

Edit-----Later

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/ ... /Front.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/ ... r/Rear.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/ ... ver2nd.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/ ... erside.jpg

Finally figured it out, i guess i was lazy before because I used firefox to do all the work. Sorry Brule

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:34 am

Looking better, Jarhead

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:37 pm

Semper Cialis! No wait thats not it, mmmmmmmmmm this old age thing seems to be effecting more than my memory!

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:16 pm

williamcstonejr wrote:..........this old age thing seems to be effecting more than my memory!

And I love how fast the years roll around.

NOT!

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:46 pm

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:17 pm

Aw but, this little Dude greets me with "Semper Fi, Jarhead!" when I get home and has almost learned to hum the complete USMC anthem.

Just hard to keep him in home made toys. Screw that bulldog!

This is about average for him with wood toys in 30 minutes! Obviously the wire tires did not prevent him from climbing down off of his perch

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:31 pm

Nothing a side of biscuits and gravy with some mashed potatoes cant handle

williamcstonejr · Post by **williamcstonejr** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:48 pm

Oh don't forget the honey for the left over biscuits for desert!

Horsehammerr · Post by **Horsehammerr** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:07 am

OK !! I'm in the process of changing tires and in my research I'm stuck between Bfg TA KO and General AT2. I've read a million reviews on both and need a little advice. Cost is not the deciding factor, but tire life is.And size is also a tough decission. I'm on 15x8 3.75 BS wheels, front wheel wells are Skids cut and may do the rears also. TBs are cranked to level, about 1 1/2", rear is stock , HD Bilsteins all around, poly bushings in front bar. I am going to fullsize stops all around. Most of my miles are road miles but do some mild wheeling on job sites and weekends. What size and which tire is the best recomended ?

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:24 am

Good questions. You are in a unique situation without having installed a BL. The 3.75" BS is also a concern to me. I'm guessing you could run 31s. As for brands, I only have experience with the BFGs and highly recommend them. They're great off road but, lack a little when you're in mud. There's a new Goodyear AT that is being made only for walmart. It's not in the online catalog yet but, I have seen them in the store. Very aggressive tread and at a good price.

fallvitals · Post by **fallvitals** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:30 am

I actually saw those last night at walmart while getting oil and a filter. Not a bad looking tire.

Oh how I wish Skidz still made flares so I could have 33s.

Horsehammerr · Post by **Horsehammerr** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:28 am

I've seen the new Goodyear at wally world, but they only list 16" at this LOCAL store. Does it come in 15's ?

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:33 am

yep,

skycamscott wrote:Was over at Wal-Mart in Arlington, TX (across from Cowboy's Stadium)

"Official" Wal-Mart list showed:
As of 5-14-09
31x10.5R15C $130
225/75R16E $145
235/85R16E $150*
245/75R16E $150
265/75R16C $160*
265/75R16E $165
245/75R17E $170
265/70R17C $175*
265/70R17E $185
*indicates may need to be special ordered but none were in stock.

Horsehammerr · Post by **Horsehammerr** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:06 pm

Similar to Wrangler Duratrac in specs and price on Tire Rack web. The AT Authority is not there , but the Duratrac looks kind of like it.

blks10 · Post by **blks10** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:04 pm

fallvitals wrote:I actually saw those last night at walmart while getting oil and a filter. Not a bad looking tire.

Oh how I wish Skidz still made flares so I could have 33s.

Just make the cuts dude. Thats what I did, looks clean!

S-10CREWCAB.NET

33" BFG TAKO - 9.5 or 10.5?

33" BFG TAKO - 9.5 or 10.5?

Thanks Reed

Re: Thanks Reed

Re: Thanks Reed

Re: Thanks Reed