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17ram2500

Sharpest Tool
Dec 26, 2023
218
NC
First Name
Evan
Willys Model
  1. Pickup
Willys Year:
  1. 1962
Well,

I finally bit the bullet and got a full set of the BFG MT KO3's in the 7.5x16 for the truck.

What a huge difference. Have put maybe 100 miles on them, but wow!! So much better to drive, rides very nice (pressure at 27psi), and I have loads more traction. Zero road noise difference.

The last tires that were on there were Kelly Springfields, and had date codes of 1999. While they had full tread depth, they were harder than a boulder and were oblong and not round. Willy is much happier, and so is his owner.
 
Hi Evan
I tried to look up that tire, and they refer to it as a 12 ply tire. Is that true?

I have the LT235/85R16 Cooper tires and these are 10 Ply. I run 25 psi in the and the neighborhood speedbumps are hell.
 

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yeah, it's a load range E.

I'm running them at 27psi, very compliant. I'm a *HUGE* fan of the BFG AT or MT tires though, and find them to be some of the smoothest and softest riding, with tons of traction in all conditions. Much lower than 20psi and you start to get too much sidewall flex unless you're off road. I started at 27psi, and figured I could adjust. You're close by - in ATL - if you're up in Raleigh, come drive it.

The only downside is BFG is very proud of them. But.... I figure I'll have these tires 10 years, and then replace them due to age, not mileage. So the annual cost isn't bad. I think I was $1700 out the door for all 5.
 
17ram2500 said:
I finally bit the bullet and got a full set of the BFG MT KO3's in the 7.5x16 for the truck.
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Those tires are starting to be the go-to for a lot of Willys owners. While not the classic look of traditional NDTs they actually have (to me) an appealing appearance. That rounded profile is growing on me and IMHO really updates the look.
I was really skeptical of these tires; they just look loud. But after riding in and driving a few Willys with these, I was really surprised how quiet they are, BFG engineers did a great ob on the tread! Wish my Falken Rubitrek's were closer to replacement.

BTW Evan @17ram2500, great looking Truck! Bottom pic framed with the foliage could be a calendar contender... jus' sayin'.
 
Thanks, It's a good looking truck from 10'. Get close and you'll see that the tin worm has started, and I just don't know what to do about it.

It's in too good a shape for a frame off - but... I feel at some point that may be the only choice. It's a survivor with 40k original miles, and drives beautifully.
 
Yeah... BFG has really gotten the tires dialed in. Though I slightly preferred the look of the "old school" tires that were on it, for driving purposed the BFG's are just awesome. I've run their AT KO (1,2, and now 3) for a long time, and the traction and the wear, and the comfortableness just isn't matched by any other tire.

There are better "highway" tires (looking at you, Michelin), but not a better all purpose tire made IMO
 
17ram2500 said:
Yeah... BFG has really gotten the tires dialed in. Though I slightly preferred the look of the "old school" tires that were on it, for driving purposed the BFG's are just awesome. I've run their AT KO (1,2, and now 3) for a long time, and the traction and the wear, and the comfortableness just isn't matched by any other tire.

There are better "highway" tires (looking at you, Michelin), but not a better all purpose tire made IMO
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They are my favorite tires. Got them on 3 of my trucks and soon to be 4 when I get to that point. If you take care of them they last a long time and grab good off road. Only down side is that you have open your wallet pretty wide to get them. I recently bought 4 of them for the F-150. Sticker shock. Even with the 10% discount they gave me for fighting the communist's in my youth it was still almost 1400 for 4....:eek:
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Yeah the 5 tires for Willy were $1500, and the last time I bought them for the 2500 truck they were $2k. Just is what it is.
 
17ram2500 said:
Yeah the 5 tires for Willy were $1500, and the last time I bought them for the 2500 truck they were $2k. Just is what it is.
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Ouch. Yeah it's the same with everything these days it seems. Not that I would buy one but new truck prices are insane. I just watched a video that claimed on the new Ford's you can't even change the battery yourself now. When you disconnect it, it locks out the computer to start your truck. If that's true besides other things I don't know why anybody would get one. My friend who has a jeep with monster tires told me it was 2 grand for his tires too. I know I'm getting older or already am and admit I'm stuck in the past but jeez, I remember when you could buy a good work truck for $500. The cost of a tire now.
 
I"m a young one on this board, in my 40's, but yeah. even I have noticed inflation the last few years, and I make well above the median family income. I recall buying sets of tires for the work truck for $1100 bucks - that's almost doubled now.

But as I'll tell anyone. there are two things you don't cheap out on with a vehicle. Tires and brakes. Good tires and good brakes can save you from a collision, so whatever the cost is, it's cheaper than a wreck. And where I live with all the distracted and aggressive driving you'd better be on your toes driving something older, because even in great working shape, they don't turn, stop, or accelerate like the new stuff does.
 
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