The Adventures of Fiona - '08 JK Rubicon 2-Door

BaddestCross said:
NOTE TO SELF: 122k Miles

Well, after almost 4 years, I figured it was finally time to spoil Fiona with some new (yes, NEW, Kirk. Install your fucking lift already! 😎) tires. She's earned it. I've beaten the hell out of her and she always gets us home... Sometimes with a little help (thanks again, Vic and everyone for the radiator debacle), but she's gotten us home nonetheless. 😎

After running used Nitto Trail Grapplers in both 35s and 37s, I wanted to go a bit wider and didn't want to deal with the B51 sound of the Mud Grapplers. So, with a bit of encouragement from several members (except you, Greer 😜), I decided to go with the Cooper STT Pro 37x13.5s.

With help from Matt at Discount Tire Direct and the good folks at a local America's Tire, we made it happen in a day and for a price that couldn't be beat... thanks guys! 🍻

Initial impressions... The positive: They look awesome! 😂 I do like how the extra width makes Fiona look a lot more planted and it should help her feel more stable on the trail. They're quiet. Now, those of you that actually saw my last set know that they were really torn up, so anything would be an improvement. Between the road noise and wobble from being unbalanced, I could barely hear the radio at full blast. I obviously haven't taken them on the trail yet, so I can't speak to performance.

The cons: I aired down to 28psi where I'm used to keeping the Nittos on the road... On the highway, it almost feels like I'm driving on marshmallows. Not sure if it's because of a softer compound or softer sidewalls, but I'll probably air up to 32psi to see if that feels any better. I have to look at the speedometer more than before now... My old tires used to get a major wobble around 60mph and an odd vibration around 80mph. Those are gone now, so I've gotta figure out another landmark. 😂 Probably the thing that threw me off the most was how much weight the took too balance. Anywhere from 7-11 ounces on each tire... Not a fan.

I'm hopefully gonna be able to hit the rocks this weekend so I'll be able to better tell how they perform... Looking forward to a new adventure.

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So Baddass! Looking good Dawg!
 
BaddestCross said:
Thank you, sir! 🍻

Are you still planning on selling your 2 door and going to the dark side, or what?

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Yup! I will miss it. Momma wants a house and it's paid off so I can make some money on it. I can always get another. I am looking at an ZJ or WJ. You can get them dirt cheap. I like the engine options (V8), 4 door, longer wheel base. I am finding some really nice ones in the $2500 range. Hell. I am even leaning towards a 4.0.
 
catahoula said:
Yup! I will miss it. Momma wants a house and it's paid off so I can make some money on it. I can always get another. I am looking at an ZJ or WJ. You can get them dirt cheap. I like the engine options (V8), 4 door, longer wheel base. I am finding some really nice ones in the $2500 range. Hell. I am even leaning towards a 4.0.
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I'm considering trying to find one with a 360 for a daily. The 4.0 is a great little motor, though. Bummer to see a 2-door go. 😢

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
BaddestCross said:
New tire update: Aired them up to 32psi this morning before heading to work and the road manners are MUCH better. I should still do a chalk test, but it feels like 32 may be their happy place.

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I had the same tires for about a year, I know weight and everything plays into it but even at 28 psi mine were very stiff and started to wear in the middle as if they were over inflated. I dropped them down to 26 and they felt and wore way better. Sounds like you’re having the opposite issue 🤷🏻*♀️


Build thread: The Build of Talon and Lana
https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=56676
 
Glad to see you're doing your part to control the population 😂. Those 13.5s really give Fiona a great stance.,👍
 
dhughes16 said:
I had the same tires for about a year, I know weight and everything plays into it but even at 28 psi mine were very stiff and started to wear in the middle as if they were over inflated. I dropped them down to 26 and they felt and wore way better. Sounds like you’re having the opposite issue 🤷🏻*♀️


Build thread: The Build of Talon and Lana
https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=56676
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Yeah, I still need to do a chalk test to be sure, but they sure handle a lot better now. Maybe it's because of the wider tire on 9" wheels that make it feel different.

If it ends up that the chalk shows they need to be lower, I guess I'll just have to get used to they way they feel.

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
Andy5160 said:
Looking really sharp [emoji106][emoji106]


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Thanks! 🍻

jdofmemi said:
That first pic is a real keeper.

Fiona is looking good
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Thanks, and I like the backdrop too. 😊
Arrcherr said:
Glad to see you're doing your part to control the population 😂. Those 13.5s really give Fiona a great stance.,👍
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Hey, they closed down the internment camp years ago! Oh, you mean the butterflies. 😂

Even the tire treads had butterfly guts in them. 🤪

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
Looking good! I’m looking at those tires for my next set possibly, still have plenty of life left on mine though... I just want 37s
 
BaddestCross said:
Waiting for the guys to show up here at Manzanar. We've got a major butterfly plague in California this year. [emoji23]

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Looks great!!
When I was down in SoCal in march, I couldn’t believe how many butterflies I hit... not to mention how bad the guts streak on the windshield 🤣


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Looks great! I run mine in that 30-32 psi area. Granted I’m on a 4dr but that seems to be their happy place and yeah, they like led. Unlike the Nittos that pretty much come balanced. We’ve mounted a couple dozen sets at the shop and 7-11 oz is kind of the norm. Just wait until they wear down go about 50% tread. You’ll need to find a couple of hobbits to ride around with you. I gave up on balancing mine after a while. I just get them as close as I can and rotate often. But the rest of the Pros are so good it’s the only tire I will run. If Nitto made a 37x13.50 in the trail grappler that didn’t weigh 90lbs and didn’t cost $400 I’d give them a try.
 
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