BastiaanT

Hello! First post here
I'll add a disclaimer that I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to cars. So apologies if I'm asking something obvious.

Since a few weeks I'm the proud owner of a '97 XJ. I'm planning to use it to go camping. While I don't intend to do any serious offroading, I'll probably see some dirt roads, a bit of mud, and occasional snow. Currently there are regular summer tires on the car, so I thought it would be smart to replace them. And while I am doing that, I thought I'd opt for all-season tires since its just easier and they've worked well for me in the past (on a regular road car I'll add).

Right now the XJ has 15" rims with 225/75R15 tires on them. I've looked around, but I can't really find any all terrain / all season tires in this size. The closest thing I've found are these: https://us.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-at3-4s. They look great, but are not available in the same size as my current tires.

Now, as I understand it I can do two things: get a different size tire, or get a different size rim and different size tire. I'd love some advice here!

I've used an online calculator and that gave me back these tire sizes that would fit on my current rims:
205/80 R15 -1,3% 215/80 R15 0,9% 235/70 R15 -1,2% 275/60 R15 -1%
However none of these are available on the Cooper AT3 4S either. Is there any other AT 4S tire anyone can recommend, that would fit?

Alternatively, I could get 16" rims (I was thinking about these ones since they look nice and are relatively cheap: https://www.oponeo.nl/lichtmetaal-ve...13-00#37590186
Then with those 16" rims I could get the Cooper tires in 225/70 R16 (0,4%). That size is available.

I'd really appreciate some advice to get me going here.

Thanks!
Bastiaan

Morat

I'm very happy with my Grabber AT3 in 235/75r15. The AT2 got me 50k miles without me even bothering to rotate them, although they weren't really offroad ready by the end!

BastiaanT

Thanks for the reply Morat!

I see the Grabber AT3 is available in both 225 (what I currently have) and 235 (the size you mention). The latter has better performance in the rain but are a little noisier...

Do you think the bigger size will work on a stock XJ (no lift)? Was there a specific reason you got these bigger ones over what I think is the stock size of 225?

Thanks!

downs

235/75R15s will work fine on a stock XJ, and that size is easier to find since nearly every pickup truck from the 90s ran that size. I run Cooper Discoverer ATs on my XJ and have a set of Nexen Rodian MTs on stock steel wheels in my attic for trips. Both work great on stock or UpCountry height XJs. I get my Cooper Discoverer ATs via Wal Mart online for 74 dollars a piece with free 2nd day shipping. They are made in Texarkana.

BastiaanT

Thanks so much for the answers! I think I'm set

Morat

00t444e

Get 235/75/15 Goodyear Duratracs. I have had the Cooper ATs and didn't like them at all.

Morat

Let the Tyre Wars begin

The main message is that 235/75r15 is the ideal size for a stock XJ. You'll have a speedo that is actually very accurate rather than giving you a bit of a safety margin so take it easy through speed traps. Otherwise, the type of tyre is up to you.

Grabbers are excellent tyres, they're not the only excellent tyres - but they're also good value.

Randy Bobani

The best tire for on road Jeeps is the Continental Terrain Contact AT. It is the most quiet AT Tire of all time.

BruceB

I just removed a set of Coopers and replaced them with Yokohama Geolandar H/T G056 Size: 265x70R15 Fit fine and no rubbing...plus looks real nice. The ride between the Coopers and the Yokohama's was like night and day difference.
hope this helps

rzldzl

i had 235s on my stock jeep before lift

youre good to go

EatonXJ

I've had two sets of General Grabber AT3s. The 1st set was the older style and I liked them better than the newer ones. They seem less grippy and not as planted. I'll more than likely try something different next time.

BastiaanT

Thanks so much for all the replies here folks! I went with the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. Can't say much about how they perform yet, but I do love the look!

EatonXJ

Looks good. I haven't heard anyone really complain about them. What rack is that? The Rhino Rack or maybe the Front runner?

BastiaanT

Front Runner. Happy with it so far, it feels super solid. Only thing that might catch up with me is that I think I heard my paint crack when I tightened the bolts on the gutter rail.