KO2 vs KO3 Tires

[Lexington]

This is a very comprehensive video on the differences between the BFG KO2 and the new KO3. What I found most interesting was the explanation of the KO2s wet road performance. A fair number of people on this forum have complained about the KO2s poor wet road performance. It seems BFG has made changes to the KO3 to fix this problem.

BF Goodrich KO2 VS NEW BFG KO3 All Terrain Tire, DID THEY FIX IT? Off-Road & Overland Full Review

 

[MarekP]

I heve a set of KO2 on my 4runner and also never had any wet traction issues but I can't say I was happy with them...

They wore out really quickly and the service basically does not exist and they do not care about warranty.

Im now on Mickey Thompson BAJA BOSS A/T and for me this is another level, sooo much better

 

[trainman605]

I purchased a 2004 Jeep Wrangler and it came with the KO2's and they rode very well for tires that needed to be replaced. I debated for a month on which tire to replace them with, the KO2, or the Goodyear Wranglers Duratrac's. I finally went with the Goodyear's for only one reason, I liked the name Wranglers on the tires, because they were going on my Wrangler. I will say they are very quiet and I'm happy with them. Note I do not off road my Jeep, just a TOY for Sunday driving. I thought the KO3's were a more aggressive tire over the KO2's, which usually means not as good on wet roads.

 

[Griff12]

Had KO2's on my old F150 and loved them. Was looking to pick up a new set for my newer truck, but opted to go with Wrangler Ultraterrains instead. I had a set of Duratracs on previously and loved them until they started wearing - then they were loud and uncomfortable. Apparently the Ultraterrains don't suffer from that problem :shrug: who know. Will probably pick up some KO3's on my 3rd Gen 4Runner when I'm due for a new set of shoes.

 

[4Runner Granny]

KO2 on 2022 4Runner TRD Sport

I’ve had a set of KO2s on my 4Runner since the day after I bought it in 2021. Glad to say they are still going strong after 61k miles. Tread is still great but I’ve noticed some slipping on wet roads in the last 10k miles. Just bought a set of KO3s and getting them put on next week. I’m hopeful the road noise is reduced and the wet road handling is improved like they advertise.

 

[TK-422]

I bought my first set of KO2 275-70-17 a year after buying my 2015 4Runner and lifting it. I never had a problem with traction on or off road with them and was happy that they were very quiet on pavement compared to previous tires on other rigs.

Near the end of 2020 they were getting worn and I was hit in an accident. I ended up with two brand new tires and two that were at the end of life. At that time the size was discontinued so I replaced all four with 285-70-17.

I am now retired so I put very low mileage on my 4Runner each year. The 285 tires are still like new. The KO3 look cool but I won't need new tires for quite a while.

When the time comes to replace them I will likely get KO3 since what I have seen they look to be a nice upgrade from the KO2.

 

[Ripper238]

I purchased a 2004 Jeep Wrangler and it came with the KO2's and they rode very well for tires that needed to be replaced. I debated for a month on which tire to replace them with, the KO2, or the Goodyear Wranglers Duratrac's. I finally went with the Goodyear's for only one reason, I liked the name Wranglers on the tires, because they were going on my Wrangler. I will say they are very quiet and I'm happy with them. Note I do not off road my Jeep, just a TOY for Sunday driving. I thought the KO3's were a more aggressive tire over the KO2's, which usually means not as good on wet roads.

I too went with Duratracs. But i went with them because they reviewed much better in rain and snow than any other. I have like 40k now and they still perform great, but they have gotten noisier.

 

[AZTrail]

KO3 with C Load Rating?

I have only found KO3 tires in size LT265/70R17 with a load rating of E and weighting 56 pounds. The same size KO2 tire with a load rating of C only weights 47 pounds.

I don't need an E rated tire. The lighter C rating is sufficient, has a smoother ride, weights much less, and thus gets better gas mileage.

Does anyone know when and if BFGoodrich is going to make a KO3 for our 4Runners with a C rating?

 

[BlackCloud]

This is what I want to know. I am concerned about E rated tire's noice and mileage.....

 

[5thToy]

I have only found KO3 tires in size LT265/70R17 with a load rating of E and weighting 56 pounds. The same size KO2 tire with a load rating of C only weights 47 pounds.

I don't need an E rated tire. The lighter C rating is sufficient, has a smoother ride, weights much less, and thus gets better gas mileage.

Does anyone know when and if BFGoodrich is going to make a KO3 for our 4Runners with a C rating?

Discount Tire website says August 2025 and in another thread one of our forumites spoke directly with BFG and was told there is no plan to release the 265/70/17 C in 2024.

 

[Lexington]

I’ve ran KO & KO2 on my Isuzu Trooper and 4Runner for the last 20 years and never had problems with them in the rain or on wet roads. I’ve read that the new KO3 have slightly wider treads to improve wet traction.

 

[DAW89446]

I'd like to hear some opinions on the Ko2 on this forum from folks who run them on a vehicle other than their 4runner.

I spooned on my first set of BFG All Terrain T/As back in 1997 on a '96 Chevrolet S10 4x4 pickup. I don't recall if they had a KO designation back then. The OEM tires that came on the truck (purchased new) were Goodyear Wrangler RTS; which after ten flats in a couple thousand miles I decided RTS meant Really Thin Spare. All but one flat were simply dirt road gravel stuck in the tread working their way through the tire. The other was caused by a small, square edged stone slicing the sidewall open. After that is when I purchased the BFGs, after research and discussion. I ran two sets of BFGs on the truck.

In 2002 I traded in my S10 on a new Toyota Tacoma TRD. I ran the OEM BFG Rugged Trail T/As (P rated) for over 30,000 miles. I sliced and diced them but never a flat. After that I spooned on BFG All Terrain T/As, running three sets. All load range E.

In 2019 I replaced my Tacoma with a used '18 SR5 4Runner with 23,000 miles. Two months after purchase, I sliced a sidewall (OEM tires), so had a new set of BFG KO2's load range E spooned on. They are still on the truck, it having 61,500 miles.

I've never experienced wet road traction issues with any of the tires or their respective vehicles. They do excellent in snow. They are worthless in mud, seldom a real issue hereabouts.