Ya, I’m by the Rocky Mountains, so lots of snow in the winter, muddy part of the season, and then just lots of loose dirt/rocks on forestry roads when its dry. What I’ve found from the few trips I’ve been out is the lr3 has no issue on any of the dry stuff in my area. It’s when there’s mud that my current tires are completely failing. I go through a few muddy puddles and its like I’m on slicks. For this reason I think maybe a good mud tire is my best bet, as long as its not TERRIBLE on road.

Ya Goodyear wrangler MT is sounding like a good idea. Leaning towards a Mud terrain I think. Is there any others you’d recommend? Also, I’ve considered just getting a cheap spare that is a little smaller then the ones I’m running because I’ll likely never have to go too far on it if I do get a flat, and can still stuff it underneath that way. Let me know your thoughts on that.

 

I've really only had recent experience with the Goodyears and the Coopers I run now. Note, the Goodyears I had were the old tread pattern not the newer style with Kevlar. Duratracs get good reviews, too.

 

Just adding a couple things....

First the Cooper Zeon LTZs I ran where really nice. Not overly loud at all and phenomenal in all conditions. I am switching to 18" steels from my 19" alloys this summer. And when I need tires for them I will likely get the Zeons again. KO2s are second inline, but I have heard of tire failures with them recently. For size, bigger is of course not always better. Usually bigger is ideal for rock crawling and sand/snow but really thats about it. On gravel and especially mud bigger (wider) is not always best. I mean just look at the original Jeeps and Land Rovers of old, very skinny tires that cut down through the soupy part of the mud into the denser part with more traction. Bigger tires on off-road is more about look/fashion than proven practicality really.

For height - Even with stock tires size on my 19's I run 1.5 inches above stock all the time. You really should decide how you want to operate your vehicle height wise. If you want to keep it stock and adjust on the trail, that should be fine. Just keep in mind that running long term without properly adjusted suspension will destroy the bushings. Bushings that are likely already on the way out. So once you decide how you want to setup height, make sure ALL the bushings are settled properly. This if of course not just the bushings involved with alignment. I just put all new suspension on my truck and nothing is torqued to spec until the hub to fender height was dead on, then all cranked down tight. So if I decide to return to stock long-term I would have to loosen everything up or risk premature bushing failure.

 

I bought a set of Nitto Terra Grappler LT285/60/18 and installed it on the stock 18" LR wheels with 2" Rhino Rod lift. I would not recommend going with this size tire. Big and costly mistake as it rubbed against the upper control arm during any weight shift. I went to 265/65/18 and have no issues.

 

I am running 265-60-18’s for two sets now. BFG KO2’s. LR tech relocated a wiring harness on drivers front. They fit great with no rubbing issues.