Went through the forum, is a Duratrac the only 19 inch off road tire option we have? Anything else showing up for this summer?

 

Has anyone run Falken Wildpeaks on a stock 20" rim? I'm still looking at options for a more off-road oriented tire for my Badlands trip. They measure out about the same size spec-wise (actually, the Wildpeak is 1/10 of an inch larger diameter comparing 275/55R20's), but the Wildpeak are 6 pounds lighter than the KO2's (still 9 pounds heavier than the stock Goodyear Wranglers). The Wildpeaks are reported to be a bit smoother and quieter on-road, and I thought the slightly reduced weight would help with handling since some feel the KO2's make the Defender feel a bit sluggish. Ratings are pretty good for both tires. I've driven a pickup with KO2's and loved them, but I'm open to options.

Ultimately, I just don't feel very confident going off-road with the Wranglers if it's at all muddy or more challenging than a rough gravel road, so I keep trying to find a good compromise that will also serve me well in snow (both are severe snow service rated).

 

275 65 18 Goodyear wrangler ats on tuff ant rims

 

@NoGaBiker Amazing and helpful write up! Thanks for taking the time! Like you, I’d rather not run spacers and am not afraid to grind as far as needed. I’ve got a good hook up on a set of 5 OEM steelies with TPMS and hub covers for a really fair price. Would like to have them powder coated black, like yours, and mount BFG K02 255/70/18’s. According to many, I would still need at least a bit of a spacer 22-25mm front/rear to make this work. Would love to have this “extra set” of wheels/tires to easily switch out for trips and seasonally (like I used to do with my LR4) with my factory tires and 20’s.

 

Coupla updates:

1) I switched back to my street 20" wheels and OEM Goodyears yesterday. While they were off I measured both of the tires (Wrangler and Cooper) unloaded, side-by-side, using a level from the taller Cooper. The height (diameter) difference was a full 0.5", which explains why the front Coopers rub with 30mm spacers while the same-nominal-size front GYs didn't.

2) Over the almost 3 weeks I had them on the truck I had grown used to the "noise" generated by the 18" Cooper RTs, to where I didn't think about it. But with the GYs back on I can now hear (or not hear, I guess) a big difference. So I would conclude that the RTs are perfectly fine, even for a cross-country trip, given their much greater off-road capability, but there is enough difference that unless I was planning to offroad in places where the tires' extra capability was going to be utilized and needed, I would make that drive with the Wranglers instead. The black steelies and knobby tires look the business, but I'd rather have the on-road quietness of the GYs (claimed ATs but I think they're just LT street tires, to be honest) for most of my driving.

 

A buddy picked up a set of the GY OEM 'offroad' tires for his LR4 for cheap and finally got them off pavement. I warned him... They are crap!!! He blew 2 tires offroading on one trip. I blew 2 in less than 2k miles when I first got my truck. Change them if you want to do any serious offroading.

My General Grabber X3s are awesome, though they are a bit noisier. I had them pinched pretty good in Steel pass in Death Valley and they came out unscathed.

 

@NoGaBiker - Seriously thinking the same. I'll save them when I know I'm going off road. Other than that, I'm going back to original spec just to tool around the majority of the time.

 

I'm curious if they're being run at stock pressure or lowered pressure? I'm still on the fence but leaning towards replacement. I don't think the off-road will be too extreme, but I'll be in areas without cell coverage (will be covered for sending emergency help messages by satellite if needed), and I think I'd feel better with some actual off-road tires - rougher ride or not.

 

Where did you order your wheel from?

 

Hi Zilla,

Please can you share the photos, I'm thinking of using the same tires.

Thank you