Anyone here ever siped mud tires?

Unner

Unner

New member
I'll be picking up a set of 2015 Jeep Rubicon take-offs later this week most likely for my 3rd Gen. They're almost new, less than 300 miles, and are LT255/75/17's BFG KM (Not KM2) Mud-Terrain tires. I've got a crazy deal on them. 5 new tires for $450 and they come with the wheels still that I can probably throw on craigslist and get a couple hundred bucks for. Even if they don't sell(doubt it) I'm still looking at only $90 a tire. Great deal in my opinion.

I've been reading that siping mud terrain tires is pretty common to improve their life, wet traction, snow traction, and even reduce noise according to some. We don't see much snow here, but we do get rain. Not like Seattle, but I do drive in the rain frequently.

I've been debating if I want to get these tires siped or not. Everything I have read says not to sipe the outer lugs because they will chunk if you do so. Is there any advantage to hand siping vs the machine siping?

I've never had a mud tire, nor had a set of tires siped so any recommendations, suggestions, or comments are welcomed.

Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
I siped my 315/75R16 Goodyear MTRs that I had in my old 80 series cruiser. It made a world of difference in wet and snow. I didn't hardcore rock crawl with them after they were siped, but in general trail use they did not chunk at all.
 
Thanks for the response [MENTION=57147]chitown40[/MENTION]

Did you do your's by hand or have them done by machine?

Right now I'm leaning towards having it done. I haven't read about any negative side effects, only positive things. I think it would be worth it for the extra traction on wet roads.
 
Never seen BFG's done, but around here people really like to sipe the Toyo M/T's and Maxxis Bighorn, I can't see it hurting performance at all.
 
UnderFire said:
Never seen BFG's done, but around here people really like to sipe the Toyo M/T's and Maxxis Bighorn, I can't see it hurting performance at all.
Click to expand...

I had never even heard of aftermarket siping until i started looking around online. I knew they came factory on some tires, but didn't know they could be added.

chitown40 said:
I had them machine-siped at Discount Tire. No negatives.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll call some of them that are on my way back from picking up the tires. The nearest one to me is 80 miles the other direction, but I may pass one on my way back. If not I might be able to find a place here that can do it. Are they able to only sipe the center lugs without touching the outer lugs at all? I figured the machine wouldn't be able to do it that precisely.
 
Unner said:
I had never even heard of aftermarket siping until i started looking around online. I knew they came factory on some tires, but didn't know they could be added.



Thanks, I'll call some of them that are on my way back from picking up the tires. The nearest one to me is 80 miles the other direction, but I may pass one on my way back. If not I might be able to find a place here that can do it. Are they able to only sipe the center lugs without touching the outer lugs at all? I figured the machine wouldn't be able to do it that precisely.
Click to expand...

I think it's all or nothing, unless you do it by hand yourself.
 
I'm curious why the tires aren't siped from the factory? Seems like something that could easily be added to the molds that would only benefit the tires seemingly...
 
BlackWorksInc said:
I'm curious why the tires aren't siped from the factory? Seems like something that could easily be added to the molds that would only benefit the tires seemingly...
Click to expand...

Because the siping adds weak points, and they'll chunk much easier. Mud Terrains aren't optimized for use on a daily driver, traction while commuting isn't part of the equation :). Lug strength is, though.

OP, I siped the KM2s on my '85 when I first got them. Definitely improved the traction on wet and icy roads, but they're definitely more prone to chunking as well. I probably won't do it again. I have the same Rubicon takeoffs you're getting on my F150, I haven't siped those, and they're fine. I just remember I'm driving a truck with mud terrains on it and slow down when it's wet or icy. No problems.
 
Last edited:
KidVermicious said:
Because the siping adds weak points, and they'll chunk much easier. Mud Terrains aren't optimized for use on a daily driver, traction while commuting isn't part of the equation :). Lug strength is, though.

OP, I siped the KM2s on my '85 when I first got them. Definitely improved the traction on wet and icy roads, but they're definitely more prone to chunking as well. I probably won't do it again. I have the same Rubicon takeoffs you're getting on my F150, I haven't siped those, and they're fine. I just remember I'm driving a truck with mud terrains on it and slow down when it's wet or icy. No problems.
Click to expand...

These are all very valid points. I tend to drive pretty slow in the first place and definitely slow down in the rain when needed. I might just run the tires as they are and if I feel it is needed I will get them siped. I picked up the tires today and they are very beefy. They're gonna look great on my 3rd gen!

KidVermicious said:
The siping I had done at Discount Tire was just in the center of the tread.
Click to expand...

OK, that's good to know that it can be done like that. Thanks for the info man!
 
couldn't find a single shop that didn't give me a blank look when i asked about siping. :shrug:

no Discount Tire in my neck of the woods. it's a shame bc i've heard/read pretty much nothing but good things.
 
I got them put on my truck yesterday. So far they seem really good, but I haven't had them in the rain or anything yet. It's supposed to rain all week here so I'll keep this updated as I go.
 
Unner said:
I got them put on my truck yesterday. So far they seem really good, but I haven't had them in the rain or anything yet. It's supposed to rain all week here so I'll keep this updated as I go.
Click to expand...

Unner,

Any update on the improvement after siping? Did you get your tires siped at a shop?

I just bought a grooving/siping tool and I plan on doing both to my BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM's. I've been driving in the snow/ice for the last 20 years and I've noticed a BIG difference in these tires so far with lack of traction. I'm going to model the grooving pattern after the KM2's and adding sipes.
 
I actually never did the siping. 12k miles and I haven't had an issue. Just don't drive like an idiot in the rain and it'll be fine without the siping. With it would probably be better though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 427 (members: 3, guests: 424)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,079
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top