1. Welcome to Jeeps.net!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Jeep discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Jeep owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Bad ride with 33x12 BFG A/T tires

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by michael alexander, Aug 16, 2016.

  1. Aug 16, 2016 at 1:19 PM
    #1
    michael alexander

    #1
    michael alexander [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2016
    Member:
    #89
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    michael
    Vehicle:
    1987 YJ
    6" suspension lift, 12 /33 BFG AT Radials
    I'm new here. Sorry if this is a repeat. I have 12/33 BFG All Terrain tires on my 1987 YJ. Drives very bad on the road. I know a narrower tire like a 10.5/33 would ride better. It it a much better ride? Any advice would be helpful
     
    michael alexander, Aug 16, 2016
    #1
  2. Aug 16, 2016 at 1:31 PM
    #2
    C2T

    #2
    C2T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #42
    Messages:
    763
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Richard
    Helena, Montana
    Vehicle:
    Jeep
    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    Please clarify: "Drives very bad on the road."
     
    C2T, Aug 16, 2016
    #2
  3. Aug 16, 2016 at 1:36 PM
    #3
    michael alexander

    #3
    michael alexander [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2016
    Member:
    #89
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    michael
    Vehicle:
    1987 YJ
    6" suspension lift, 12 /33 BFG AT Radials
    Wonders all over the road. Follows every ruts in the road. I drive 45 min to go off road. Its not a fun drive.
     
    michael alexander, Aug 16, 2016
    #3
  4. Aug 16, 2016 at 1:51 PM
    #4
    C2T

    #4
    C2T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #42
    Messages:
    763
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Richard
    Helena, Montana
    Vehicle:
    Jeep
    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    For what little it may be worth....here is my $0.02

    Wider tires always have a greater tendency to wonder and to follow ruts and crowns in the roadway. This will be much worse if you have worn steering or suspension components. The problem is if it is suspension or steering components then it will still be there after changing tires. And of course, alignment matters a great deal too. With a 6" lift, you cannot trust just any alignment shop.

    Are you running some version of a "high steer" kit to compensate for the changes in steering geometry? Ball joints, tie-rod ends...etc., can be an issue too...and wider tires not only cause this kind of wear faster than thinner ones, the effects will seem worse too. A heavier steering dampener may give some relief but as with "Death Wobble" is it not actually a cure for the issues.

    Best I have to offer at the moment...good luck. Wheel Safe!
     
    C2T, Aug 16, 2016
    #4
  5. Sep 13, 2016 at 5:13 PM
    #5
    C2T

    #5
    C2T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #42
    Messages:
    763
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Richard
    Helena, Montana
    Vehicle:
    Jeep
    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    How goes the search for an answer....did you get her driving straight again?
     
    C2T, Sep 13, 2016
    #5
  6. Oct 5, 2016 at 8:24 PM
    #6
    OFFGRID

    #6
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    I agree with Richard. I had the same problem on my CJ. Its not the tires, they only accentuate/aggravate the problem. I replaced all moving parts in the suspension. Number 1 culprit is the ball joints. So replace ball joints, tie rod ends, all shackle and spring bushings, and if there is still a little slop in the steering you may need a new steering gear box. Mine CJ now has 6.5in of lift I run 37s and I drive straight as an arrow and feel comfortable doing 70mph. If your wheeling your jeep I would stay away from shackle reversal kits even though they are said to improve Highway driving
     
    OFFGRID, Oct 5, 2016
    #6
    C2T likes this.
  7. Mar 29, 2017 at 6:34 PM
    #7
    o4petesake

    #7
    o4petesake Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2017
    Member:
    #1244
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    Stock '10 jk unlimited
    Fat mud tires
    I have 33x12.5x17 Mickey Thomson's mud tires on mine and I replaced all connecting rods and axle housing with gears and shocks. I get on the Eway and get it up to eighty five and it goes nice straight and smooth,but there is a section on the expressway that's being reworked and it steers my Jeep this way and that and I'm sure nothing is loose or worn so it must be wide tires just follow the contour of the road surface.
     
    o4petesake, Mar 29, 2017
    #7
  8. Mar 29, 2017 at 6:39 PM
    #8
    C2T

    #8
    C2T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #42
    Messages:
    763
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Richard
    Helena, Montana
    Vehicle:
    Jeep
    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    What tire pressure are you running?
     
    C2T, Mar 29, 2017
    #8
  9. Mar 29, 2017 at 8:01 PM
    #9
    OFFGRID

    #9
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    If you are new to big tires they do hunt some on bad terrain. Some tread designs more than others. Try different air pressures to see how it rides.
     
    OFFGRID, Mar 29, 2017
    #9
Register FREE to Reply!
To Top