urbancynic
New member
No kidding. For such an aggressive looking vehicle it sure has anemic looking tires. They could be worse but I would still hope for ever.
Torn between tires... Cooper AT3 or ATP? vs BFG?
- Thread starter Jernik
- Start date
I also went from the Cooper AT3's to the BFG KO2's. I believe that the KO2's ride better "on hiway", and perform better off road. OEM size, both in Load Range C.
Gclark949
New member
I have the KO2 now for 12,000 miles. Love everything except wet conditions they are dangerous. Not talking hydroplane, just regular wet road conditions and both the rear and front will slide easily. This is with 35 psi C load rating 265 stock size.
I keep seeing this on the forum and I'm really confused. I've taken corners quite fast (surface streets, highway, mountain roads) in my 4Runner in very wet conditions on my 275 E KO2s and have never experienced any sort of slip.
Maybe it's a difference in the roads here in California?
2flyfishin
New member
I loved my bfg'so I had on previous a vehicle until they wore about half way down. Then to me the traction was nonexistent and I became very disappointed with them. On my last jeep I had the Cooper atp'so and have nothing but good things to say about them. When it's time for a new set of tires, they will be at the top of my list.
1engineer
Moderator
I drove a KO2equipped vehicle a few months ago. Some of it was in the rain. No comparison to the Coopers on my 4Runner, especially pulling out around the city. Cooper is by far a better traction tire in the wet. In dry and off road the BFG is obviously best. For normal driving like 99% of us do 99% of the time? AT3's are much better. Much cheaper too but... they don't look as cool and we all know how important looks are to some of our members...
1engineer
Moderator
Nope. But I have driven several vehicles with different tires. The Nitto G2 and the KO2 are about the same in wet traction. The Cooper is much better. Not talking about high speed hydroplaning but pulling out from a stop, stopping, etc. As far as dry performance it's a draw and BFG wins off road.
Cymon
New member
I've put about 700 miles on my AT3's since last weekend (275 70r 17 LRC) and have been nothing but impressed so far. They have seen mostly highway travel with some dirt and gravel roads. The 1st 100 miles had a little increase in road noise and some slight vibration at about 65 mph. I thought there was a slight balancing issue, but after a little break in it went away. I'm running them at 42 psi for now and don't notice any "harshness", just the "stiffer" ride quality I was hoping for vs. the OEM tires. So far I have only noticed a .5 MPG difference between these and stock size OEM tires.
I went with the AT3 over KO2 for a few reasons.
1. Price
2. Reported wet handling as we see our fair share of wet roads in South Florida during the summer months.
3. Reported better mud clearing as when you do go off road down here it is usually wet. Unlike a lot of Jeep owners down here IH8MUD.
4. LT version of AT3 has 17/32 of tread depth vs. 14/32 for KO2.
5. 55k warranty.
6. I don't care that much about perceived look.
7. 275 flavor came in LRC so I didn't have to step up to LRE, which is overkill for my use.
8. Tire weight is 52 lbs as opposed to 56 lbs for KO2 (although that is because I went LRC vs LRE which is the only LR the KO2's offer in size 275).
9. I don't see a lot of snow.
Both are reportedly great tires, I feel that it really comes down to individual use for what will be "better". I don't think you can go wrong with either tire.
I went with the AT3 over KO2 for a few reasons.
1. Price
2. Reported wet handling as we see our fair share of wet roads in South Florida during the summer months.
3. Reported better mud clearing as when you do go off road down here it is usually wet. Unlike a lot of Jeep owners down here IH8MUD.
4. LT version of AT3 has 17/32 of tread depth vs. 14/32 for KO2.
5. 55k warranty.
6. I don't care that much about perceived look.
7. 275 flavor came in LRC so I didn't have to step up to LRE, which is overkill for my use.
8. Tire weight is 52 lbs as opposed to 56 lbs for KO2 (although that is because I went LRC vs LRE which is the only LR the KO2's offer in size 275).
9. I don't see a lot of snow.
Both are reportedly great tires, I feel that it really comes down to individual use for what will be "better". I don't think you can go wrong with either tire.
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GearJunkie88
New member
Does anyone have experience with the Cooper ST (not ST Max). They come in 265/70/17 E and C and 275/70/17 C. I'm considering these tires but can't find much info about them.
Throwback
New member
I've run the following tires on a KDSS rig, which translates much more tire vibration and such than a non-KDSS rig. All 265/70/17.
Cooper AT3 and ATP (P)
Nitto G2 (P)
Michelin AT2 (P)
BFG KO2 (C)
The Nittos balanced well but translated road bump noise to the cabin like hollow drums.
The Coopers have the loudest highway roar.
The Michelins are quiet and smooth, but squishy.
The BFGs are as quiet and smooth as the Michelins, but have a slightly more firm ride.
I've not noticed any wet traction issues out of any of them, but I also drive like I'm in a top-heavy 4x4 SUV, not a Porsche 911.
The BFGs are my favorite as they ride at least as well as the Michelins but offer better off road traction than any of the others.
Cooper AT3 and ATP (P)
Nitto G2 (P)
Michelin AT2 (P)
BFG KO2 (C)
The Nittos balanced well but translated road bump noise to the cabin like hollow drums.
The Coopers have the loudest highway roar.
The Michelins are quiet and smooth, but squishy.
The BFGs are as quiet and smooth as the Michelins, but have a slightly more firm ride.
I've not noticed any wet traction issues out of any of them, but I also drive like I'm in a top-heavy 4x4 SUV, not a Porsche 911.
The BFGs are my favorite as they ride at least as well as the Michelins but offer better off road traction than any of the others.
007Tacoma
New member
What did you go with?
GearJunkie88
New member
I ended up going with BFG KO2 in 265/70/17-C. In addition to a 2" front lift (ToyTec Ultimate coilovers + Bilstein 5100s) and 1.5" rear lift (Wheeler's T13 + OME 10mm trim packer on driver's side + Bilstein 5100s). I really like the 265s and happy I went this direction. I took a 0.4 MPG hit on a 2.5 hour road trip. My guess is that the 275s would have been more (but I only have 1 data point so the statistical analysis really isn't up to my usual standards).
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Jernik
New member
Thought I'd give an update on the Cooper ATP's I showed earlier in the thread.
Currently had them almost 3.5 years and 24000 miles. On our last road trip, I noticed noise has increased noticeably. I've been a bit erratic with the tire rotations, wondering if that's partly to blame? Or is it just a trait of this tire that they will get louder as the miles go up?
As for performance, we still have a lot of tread life left (I don't have a gauge, but visually they look pretty good - plenty of depth left in the treads). I haven't noticed any difference in ride quality, nor have I noticed a drop off in traction (wet or dry). Although we had a snow event this year, none stuck to the roads, so I cannot report on that.
Overall, still happy with them. After our most recent 14 hour each way road trip, I will admit I started to wish they were quieter - especially on the trip home.
Currently had them almost 3.5 years and 24000 miles. On our last road trip, I noticed noise has increased noticeably. I've been a bit erratic with the tire rotations, wondering if that's partly to blame? Or is it just a trait of this tire that they will get louder as the miles go up?
As for performance, we still have a lot of tread life left (I don't have a gauge, but visually they look pretty good - plenty of depth left in the treads). I haven't noticed any difference in ride quality, nor have I noticed a drop off in traction (wet or dry). Although we had a snow event this year, none stuck to the roads, so I cannot report on that.
Overall, still happy with them. After our most recent 14 hour each way road trip, I will admit I started to wish they were quieter - especially on the trip home.
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oljedi11950
New member
Haven't noticed them being loud , certain hum but that's it ! Head phones work well or I just turn up Jimi !!! Great tire for all around , they do pick up little rocks pretty easy . Over all would buy again .
Where did you end up purchasing them from? Sounds like a great deal.
Jernik
New member
My thoughts on the ride home did not include buying new tires. What I thought about was maybe I should install some sound-deadening material on the doors and floors. Would keep out some road noise, and help out the stereo too! :thumb:
Despite the uptick in road noise, I would still purchase the ATP's again.
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