BFG 35/12.5/16.5 available again!

[RedRoad]

Originally Posted by 60sIron

Now that's some rubber! What are you putting them on RedRoad?

Got a package deal from my brother when I bought the suburban but have to get it out of storage and the dry rotted BFG MTs wont make the trip.

1973 GMC Jimmy 350/465/205 D60 posi/14B detroit 4.56 gears.

Im trying my hardest on saving the HO52 in the suburban but if all else fails the 1 tons will make it under there with the new shoes.

[DarkFlounder]

I've been calling tire stores all over the SF Bay Area, and nobody can get the T/A KO 35x12.5x16.5 anymore. Hell, I can't find anything in 16.5 that isn't $800 Super Swamper mud tires.

Guess it's time to contemplate new rims.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by DarkFlounder

I've been calling tire stores all over the SF Bay Area, and nobody can get the T/A KO 35x12.5x16.5 anymore. Hell, I can't find anything in 16.5 that isn't $800 Super Swamper mud tires.

Guess it's time to contemplate new rims.

Have you tried America's Tire? Their website shows them, but says not in stock, special order. http://www.americastire.com/dtcs/sea...&rd=16.5&cs=35

[DarkFlounder]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Have you tried America's Tire? Their website shows them, but says not in stock, special order. http://www.americastire.com/dtcs/sea...&rd=16.5&cs=35

Just got off the phone with the local store. No go. Out of stock, not available from warehouse or vendors.

[swamp rat]

Just talked to my local Discount tire store, they checked on them and said BFG will not start making them again in 35 or 33's.

[Stocker]

That's too bad.... seems like that was the go-to tire for a lot of us but I guess things have changed. I still have a good set of 33s on my K20, and they will probably dry rot before they wear out. When that happens, I'll be looking for 16s, including wheels. IF they are still making 16s by then....

[DarkFlounder]

Originally Posted by Stocker

That's too bad.... seems like that was the go-to tire for a lot of us but I guess things have changed. I still have a good set of 33s on my K20, and they will probably dry rot before they wear out. When that happens, I'll be looking for 16s, including wheels. IF they are still making 16s by then....

Aw man, don't say that. Just ordered a set of 16x10 WheelVintique black satin steelies.

I think we're safe as far as 16's go. For now.

[argonaut]

I wish BFG would keep making the AT KO style. For older trucks all the new sidewall tread looks kind of goofy. I think the KO2 is a good tire, it just doesn't have that classic look. Next time I need tires I'm gong for Coopers.

[andrewmp6]

Argonaut you mean 20s with 33s on them,Yeah i don't like the style either myself.But if you move up to a 17 inch rim tire options become almost limitless.Or even a 16 inch rim if you can run those.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Next time I need tires I'm gong for Coopers.

Good luck with those. Years ago I had Cooper all-steel radials on my work truck. They looked good and wore like iron but had incredibly poor off-pavement traction. More recently, I was disappointed by short tread life and poor snow traction with Cooper ATRs on our Tacoma. Best thing I can say about Coopers is they are cheap, but if they must be replaced more often, that savings pretty much disappears. Just my opinion based on my experiences -- others might be very happy with them, but I have bought my last set of Coopers.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Argonaut you mean 20s with 33s on them,Yeah i don't like the style either myself.But if you move up to a 17 inch rim tire options become almost limitless.Or even a 16 inch rim if you can run those.

20's on a 4x4, yeah I always shake my head when I see those on the street...

What I mean is that on the new BFG AT KO2, or even the Toyo MTs I have on my pickup, they have thick tread that runs from the top over onto the sidewall. This is funcitonally great for off road traction, but it doesn't have that "classic look".

Versus an old style BFG AT KO or a Copper Discoverer ST "look" more like old AT/MT bias ply tires that came on our 4x4s back in the day.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Good luck with those. Years ago I had Cooper all-steel radials on my work truck. They looked good and wore like iron but had incredibly poor off-pavement traction. More recently, I was disappointed by short tread life and poor snow traction with Cooper ATRs on our Tacoma. Best thing I can say about Coopers is they are cheap, but if they must be replaced more often, that savings pretty much disappears. Just my opinion based on my experiences -- others might be very happy with them, but I have bought my last set of Coopers.

I'm really surprised to hear this feedback. I was looking into the Cooper Discoverer ST because they make a 255/85R16 and I always heard great things about them. Hmmmm, I may need to reconsider.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by argonaut

I'm really surprised to hear this feedback. I was looking into the Cooper Discoverer ST because they make a 255/85R16 and I always heard great things about them. Hmmmm, I may need to reconsider.

Well, keep in mind that what I wrote is just one guy's experience & opinion about a couple of Cooper's tire lines. FWIW, I believe both of them have been discontinued. I know some Coopers have a great reputation for off-road traction but I'm not sure exactly which ones. I'd assume the short tread life of my ATRs might be due to softer rubber compound. No idea if that applies to the Coopers you are looking at.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a lot of 255/85-16s around. I wouldn't give up on the Coopers, but I would suggest a little extra research before making a decision.

[v30crewcab]

I've called wheel vintiques and tried to convince them they needed to make the 8 lug wheel in 17", but they were kinda rude said we make them in 16, thats it. quite the bummer. they could sell alot more if they were 17's.

[andrewmp6]

Cragar makes the soft 8 and d window rims in 8 lug in 17x8 and 17x9.

[special-K]

What's the point of 17s when there are the age old always worked great on just about every 3/4t-1t truck forever 16"s available? All pushing for 17s will do is see to the demise of the 16.

I've never run their A/Ts, but the Cooper STs are being a great tire for me. They really dig in the mud for what they are. They are rated as M & S and I think that's an honest rating. BFG A/Ts are drag slicks in the mud compared to those. I'm running the 255/85s and love them. I have dragged my 5 x 10 trailer loaded with fire wood through the mud out of the woods... no problem. And the truck weighed a good 8k#. They seem to be wearing nicely. I think Cooper is on the upward swing these days. Never used to run them, so can't say about the past. But I find myself wondering why they are cheaper than most. Seems like the best of both words for now.

So they are copping out on us with the 16.5s, huh? All this because tire companies have to be making all this new trendy flavor of the week BS. Make a short run, sell it out right away. Gee, wish I could make something I knew before making I'd be selling out. I'm n the process of lifting my '72 to put a set of slots and BFG 35s I've had. The tires seems fine, but I've figured I may have to but a new set if these turn out to be aged-out. I guess now it will be worse case scenario and I'll have to dump the slots (ARGH!!!) and go with 16" steelies

[DarkFlounder]

Got the rear on BigUgly fitted with the BFG T/A KO2 315x75x15s on WheelVintiques 16x10 yesterday. Wanted to replace all four tires, but having to buy new rims to replace the 16.5s on there destroyed that budget.

It's a really tight fit on the rear hubs (DANA70 out of a 1ton/blame the PO), so I'm not sure I can fit a center cap on there. So, I'll probably just clean and paint the hubs black until I get a proper DANA60 for the rear.

That being said, I LOVE the look. Can't wait to get the front done in a few weeks. Those tires on those rims look mean, and I love it.

Now, to only finish the replacement bed sitting in my garage.

[v30crewcab]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Cragar makes the soft 8 and d window rims in 8 lug in 17x8 and 17x9.

to me those are ugly, and I can't run the stock centercap like I want. guess I'll have to run 16's when I finish wearing out my current tires.

[andrewmp6]

The only factory 17s i know that will fit are the hummer h2 rims.Ford didn't go 17s tell the super duty and they are the wrong bolt pattern.Not sure on what dodge runs now.

[RedRoad]

Originally Posted by DarkFlounder

Got the rear on BigUgly fitted with the BFG T/A KO2 315x75x15s on WheelVintiques 16x10 yesterday. Wanted to replace all four tires, but having to buy new rims to replace the 16.5s on there destroyed that budget.

It's a really tight fit on the rear hubs (DANA70 out of a 1ton/blame the PO), so I'm not sure I can fit a center cap on there. So, I'll probably just clean and paint the hubs black until I get a proper DANA60 for the rear.

That being said, I LOVE the look. Can't wait to get the front done in a few weeks. Those tires on those rims look mean, and I love it.

Now, to only finish the replacement bed sitting in my garage.

looks great! what size lift you running?

[DarkFlounder]

Originally Posted by RedRoad

looks great! what size lift you running?

4 inch.

[Dieselwrencher]

I don't think the BFG 33 12.50 and 35 12.50 16.5's will go away until they scrap the molds. It does suck they only make them once or twice a year. Basically, once they have half an order filled, they'll make a run. I found this out when I was researching them to put on my 72. My tire vendor deals with the 16.5's a lot and sells a lot so he gets on the orders each time they make them.

[swamp rat]

I hope your correct on that, i called BFG and they said no more, i checked woth my local tire store and they said they heard no more as well, crossing fingers.

[DarkFlounder]

I heard that BFG was phasing out all TA KO, and they weren't going to mold the TA KO2 for 16.5.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by DarkFlounder

I heard that BFG was phasing out all TA KO, and they weren't going to mold the TA KO2 for 16.5.

That'd be my luck now that I wenback to 16.5s and spent stupid money restoring the wheels to do so. I'll have to jump up to military tires worst case I guess.