Michiana Jeep Club

Posted: **February 18th, 2010, 2:44 pm**

Ok i am about ready to buy new tires. I am going with the bias ply Super Swamper LTB's I currently am running 33x12.50x15's I am debating on keeping this size or thinking maybe going with the 34x10.50's I shouldn't have a problem with fitment, since i trimmed the fenders. Would the taller skinnier tires be much difference than my currntly wider ones? I really just dont know what i want to do, any input is appreciated,........

Posted: **February 18th, 2010, 3:19 pm**

That's a great question, I too will like to see what is said about this. Off the cuff I would say ground clearance is your friend...Buy the 34's. But you are losing 2 inches of footprint width and only really gaining 1/2 inch of ground clearance mounted on the vehicle. I think the real answer will be determined by what you want to wheel in the most. If you can't have height AND width, the 33's make more sense. So now I have pointed out the obvious without answering your question, I'll leave it to the experts.

Have fun.

Posted: **February 18th, 2010, 3:36 pm**

You'd only be gaining about 3/4" in height with the 34's but they weigh 4 pounds lighter than the 13.50's. I'd go with the weight factor personally. Out of curiosity, why do you want to go with a bias ply?

Here are the LTB stats.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=7&g=1

Posted: **February 19th, 2010, 1:21 am**

green50gt wrote:You'd only be gaining about 3/4" in height with the 34's but they weigh 4 pounds lighter than the 13.50's. I'd go with the weight factor personally. Out of curiosity, why do you want to go with a bias ply?

Here are the LTB stats.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=7&g=1

I was wanting to go bias ply for a couple reasons, one is that I dont drive the jeep on the highway at all really so why not, figured the bias has the softer rubber which is better and more sturdy when airing down, ( which airing down would probably gain me a little on the footprint width huh?) and another small reason is that they are a little cheaper than radials. I am really starting to lean towards the 34's but still would like a little more input. thanks

Posted: **February 19th, 2010, 8:54 am**

The descision is ultimiately up to you, however bias ply tires do not flex better than radials based on their design. Something I found on wikipedia or something like that..

The basic carcass of all tires is made up of layers of rubber permeated fabric. These layers are referred to as plies, and the most common fabric used today is polyester. The method or the “direction” these plies are applied, with relations to each other and to the center line of the tread, differentiates between a “bias” and a “radial” tire. The plies on a bias tire run approximately 45 degrees to the center line of the tread, alternating in direction with each layer; thus, they crisscross or run in 90 degree angles to each other. This design or style of construction was common on all tires provided as original equipment, on U.S. built cars, until the early 1970’s. The plies on a radial tire run 90 degrees to the center line of the tire and basically overlap instead of crisscrossing. This new design, actually developed during the Second World War , allows the side walls of the tire to be more “flexible” which provides less rolling resistance, providing better gas mileage, and longer tread life. This “flex” also promotes better adherence to the road, thus better handling on both wet and dry surfaces.

If you are going to use them offroad most of the time, they are cheaper, then I think those are some pretty good reasons. I've had 3 sets of TSL SX's...boy those things were stiff, but wheeled fairly well though I hadn't got into wheeling rocks yet. A thing to note which you can get over, when bias ply tires sit and they are cold, they will develop flat spots so when you take off hold onto your teeth till they warm up!

If you are firm on bias I vote for the 34's

Posted: **February 23rd, 2010, 8:20 am**

i have had both the 33-13.50 and the 34-10.50 loved them both really soft compound like the bogger the only thing about the 34s i didnt like was when i was in sand they dig

Posted: **February 26th, 2010, 1:03 am**

timsbronco2 wrote:i have had both the 33-13.50 and the 34-10.50 loved them both really soft compound like the bogger the only thing about the 34s i didnt like was when i was in sand they dig

That is another thing i was afraid of with only being 10.5 wide, but i am not real big on sand anyway. Would they act the same way in the pea gravel stuff like at badlands? and does airing way down help with this? Thanks everyone for your inputs, still having a hard time deciding lol, leaning more towards the 34's

Posted: **February 26th, 2010, 9:27 am**

yes pea gravel they'll dig like a mother. They actually look quite good on a set of 8 wide steelies. yes airing them down will help but they WILL NOT squat like a radial will so not sure how much that will help... Think of it this way...even though they are 10 wides, they are exactly 1 inch narrower than a 12.50 TSL... So you are actually getting about an 11.50.

Posted: **March 7th, 2010, 11:33 pm**

thank you to everyone that put their two cents in on this, really appreciate it, but i just got done ordering tires tonight. decided to go with the 33's, but not the LTB's, I went with TSL the stats actually say they measure one inch taller than 34's and inch wider, and deeper tread depth too. a little more money but i think worth it, here is a link in case anyone wants to see my new debt lol...... http://www.ntwonline.com/TSL_-_SUPER_SW ... 6b34386124

Posted: **March 8th, 2010, 12:02 am**

Not an inch but bigger yes. According to Interco's website the 34 LTB had a 33.6 height, and the 33 TSL had a 33.7 height. You were also right on tread depth the 33 TSL is 2/32" taller. $88 bucks(x4) more for an extra 1 inch of width....sorry that sounds dirty.

Right on man, post up some pics, I had some 33" TSL's once...

Posted: **March 8th, 2010, 6:33 am**

awesome - more Swampers on the trail

Posted: **March 8th, 2010, 11:39 pm**

Duff wrote:awesome - more Swampers on the trail

yeah my first choice was the boggers, but my wallet said "he double hockey sticks" no. just couldn't do it this time. cant wait to get em though, will def post pics as soon as i mount them.

Posted: **March 8th, 2010, 11:57 pm**

green50gt wrote:Not an inch but bigger yes. According to Interco's website the 34 LTB had a 33.6 height, and the 33 TSL had a 33.7 height. You were also right on tread depth the 33 TSL is 2/32" taller. $88 bucks(x4) more for an extra 1 inch of width....sorry that sounds dirty. Right on man, post up some pics, I had some 33" TSL's once...

You are correct, i meant the ones that i got were about an inch taller than the "TSL RADIAL" which specs stated 32.7 tall and 9.4 wide. my bad lol, :smt073

was you happy with them on the bronco?

Posted: **March 9th, 2010, 9:44 am**

It actually never left that spot. But they looked awesome.

Posted: **March 9th, 2010, 12:20 pm**

haha, well as long as it looked good! Thats all that mattered right. Mine should be here tomorrow hopefully (per fed ex website) Plan on mounting them this weekend!!!! woohoo cant wait.

Posted: **March 13th, 2010, 10:12 pm**

TIRES FINALLY MOUNTED TODAY!!!!

Posted: **March 14th, 2010, 11:21 am**

so what tires did you get

Posted: **March 14th, 2010, 7:58 pm**

pics or its all lies!!!

Posted: **March 16th, 2010, 12:42 am**

Posted: **March 16th, 2010, 8:26 am**

Hey they look AWESOME dude!

I'll be you can't wait to get 'em dirty.

Michiana Jeep Club

Help with tire size for my XJ

Help with tire size for my XJ

Tires

Tires