Firestone Destination AT2's. I have only about 2k miles on them, but they are good in dry and wet highway conditions. Running my 235/75/15's at 35psi.

One of my fishing buddies runs them on his Silverado, (265's maybe? not much bigger than my 235's). Aired down to 18 psi we have never been stuck in the sand along the beach. I figured his truck is about 1000lbs heavier than an XJ, so I should be good. He put his second set on last year at 40000 miles, still had decent amount of tread.

Lots of good choices available.

 

At $300 per tire they had better be good!

 

I'll second the recommendations for Grabber AT2s. This was from earlier today in my practically bone-stock '98 with AT2s.


How are your front toe settings?

 

We got 10" of snow on Friday in the hills of North Carolina and I made it to and from work, 26 miles round trip with my worn Michelin LTX M/S 2's, Using a penny as a wear indicator the top of Lincoln' head is just about even with the tire surface.

I think I have narrowed it down to two tires, 1) replacing with the existing Michelin LTX M/S 2's, I can get a set of 4 at Costco for about $450 out the door and 2) the General Grabber HTS at Discount tire for an out the door price of $413 (I get a 10% discount from work).

Both seen to be very good tires with the LTX M/S 2's, beating the Grabbers in mileage and some performance tests.

 

Hmmm. Good point. My toes are fine, but perhaps my shot ball joint (recently replaced) was the problem.... I have not driven in snow since it was replaced, so maybe...

As a result of that, I need two new tires, and have been wrestling with getting two new Grabbers vs. replacing all four. (I'm NOT going to have mixed tires on any vehicle!)

When you drive down a slushy road with previous tire tracks, do you have any trouble with the beast trying to follow the ruts?

 

Nope, in fact I was just out tooling around and didn't notice anything. The only time I've ever had problems with tramlining is when I used to run a tad bit of front toe-out on my GTI for turn-in purposes on the track. Jeep has been solid.

 

I have been running grabber at2's for about 30k miles. they are quiet on the highway for all terrains. They are good in the rain. They are very good off road. They are really no better or worse than anything else I have had when given an inch or two of slick snow and or ice. They really come to life in the deep snow (about 4 or 5 inches or better) I have had no troubles with them tracking ruts (except in the mud). They seem to be wearing ok except for the right front. I need to have my alignment checked as it is suffering some cupped wear. I estimate that I will get about 50k miles out of them or maybe a little more. If you do not take your jeep off road and do not often have to deal with more than a couple inches of snow you will likely do better to find something with smaller lugs and more siping that will bite the slick stuff better. Don't get me wrong I am very happy with mine so far, my comments stem from my own experience and the fact that my wifes car will slide around less in an inch or two of packed snow than my jeep (that is until i pull the handle). But my jeep will go right through bumper deep snow. Climb inclines you would have to use hands and feet to walk up. Ect ect ect. Grabber at2's are all terrains. So if you dont really need the off road and deep snow ability you may do better finding something else.
just my .02
hapdad

 

Thank you both for the feedback. Based on your comments, I plan to pull the trigger on two new AT Grabbers. Next time I get some snow, I'll find out if it was just my ball joint.


Cupping can be ball joint.

 

I have to disagree. I got the Wrangler Radials for my XJ. I have been nothing but pleased. Better things out there? Sure.

But my Jeep is KBB at $1000 if I am lucky, so I can't justify spending over half that figure in tires. The radials have performed great in the snow, rain, and pavement and did decent in mild mud (just trying to move from point a to b). I spent $85/tire plus installs and warranty. No regrets at all.

 

IIRC, the LTX are discontinued and being replaced by the new defender.
Don't waste your time with the grabber HTS. Those were stock tires on the delivery trucks when I worked at Carquest, they are not good. Not much traction , even on dry pavement.

Look at other tires they both offer as well. The Cooper AT3's are a good, lower priced tire.
Also, check out Yokohama Geolandar ATs. I have never run their highway treads, but some say they are decent.

 

Shop around, I bought my Hercules for $450 installed, The Trail diggers would have been right around $500 installed.

 

Most of my cars, the cupping has been due to worn shocks/bad alignment due to a worn out spring.

 

I'm glad you're happy with them.

Be sure to inspect them at least monthly for cracking along the bead area near the rim. They also crack between each tread block, along the sidewall/shoulder area.

Check the back side, too. Sometimes they crack there first. Then you get a nasty surprise.

 

Will be sure to, and thanks for the heads up. Like I said, better tires certainly exist that will outperform. But for someone on a budget, I've been pleased. Thanks again for the advice!

 

I've got 20,000 on my good year wranglers. Still great smooth riding tire. Very quiet and have been through two rough winters without incident. Check them at Walmart for 235 75 15 they are 75 to 85 a tire +22 each for lifetime rotate and balance and road hazard. Now the extent of my off roading is very few rough gravel roads. They ride well roll true and stay balanced. Not the case with my maxxis on my truck. My logic is there is a Walmart most places and its a stock tire for them and they are very affordable. My 2¢