How bad will 37' BFG MTs Rub?

[Longhorn]

So, the Goodyear MTR is back ordered indefinitely so far as I can tell. I don't want the Swamper SSR or IROK because I do too much highway driving and I need to get more than 20,000 miles out of them. That leaves the BFG MT, which is a great tire but I've heard there are rubbing issues because it is slightly wider than the MTR.

Does anybody have these?
How bad do they rub?

[Detonate]

Call Discount Tire. They will beat that price, and they will mount and balance them for you.

If the Discount Tire you call won't, then let me know and I'll give the number of a Discount Tire that will.

I think I was quoted around $1,300 for 5 tires, mounted, with a liftime rebalancing. It was about $15 cheaper per tire without the lifetime balancing.

Also Costco is a good place to get the BFG M/T's, but Discount Tire will still beat there price if it happens to be lower that paticular day.

[Detonate]

Ride is fixed, and I sprayed the sway bar this morning.

If you are able to go to Gilmer with us on the 28th, you can see the results first hand.

Otherwise, I'll take some pictures after a week.

[cinci]

FrgMstr,

Attached are two pictures that I took this morning. They show some rubbing on the passenger side and no rubbing on the drivers side. I hadn't noticed any rubbing prior to this last trip to Attica.

Now I have cranked up my front torsion bars 4 turns to help level out the truck. I also have the air suspension on the back but that shouldn't effect the front. After I have added the abumper and winch I will probably crank the torsion bars up another couple of turns.

[FrgMstr]

Cinci,

I get the same rubbing of the sway bar on both sides with stock 35s, but only when aired down, which makes perfect sense.

I am going to wait and see how bad Dets rub once he gets his ride fixed and his spray paint out.

[Detonate]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FrgMstr:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Detonate:
The MT/R's I'm using right now rub pretty bad too, so I'm not sure why people say they don't. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did putting on the heavy bumpers, brushguard, and rack bring your clearance down any? I have been meaning to ask and you just reminded me.... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I never really did a before and after comparision.

But before I put on the 37's, I measured the distance between Tire and Fender in the front and back, and it was 1.5" lower in the front.

I corrected that with 3 or 4 turns on my torsion bars.

[cinci]

FrgMstr,

I guess I still don't know how to post multiple pictures in one post. If some one would be so kind as to pass on this great knowledge I would be forever greatful.

[Detonate]

It's also possible that all the rubbing I noticed was due to my Control Arms, and Idler Arms being broken.

I need to spray over my rub marks and see if they resurface.

[FrgMstr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Detonate:
The MT/R's I'm using right now rub pretty bad too, so I'm not sure why people say they don't. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did putting on the heavy bumpers, brushguard, and rack bring your clearance down any? I have been meaning to ask and you just reminded me....

[Detonate]

If anything, I think this makes a good case for NOT upgrading the Tie Rods.

The Tie Rods are in perfect shape, but other components failed.

[cinci]

Det,

Actually, quite often I have the wheel cranked all the way one way or the other to try to get over or around obstacles. Some one said you could set your travel stops to restrict turning. Maybe mine are set differently .

[FrgMstr]

Jim, I have seen how you drive your H2, and there is no doubt in my mind that your 37s are NOT the cause of any of your issues you are having now. I think, "I drive my vehicle pretty damn hard," is an understatement from you. I have seen you drive through the **** faster than I would on an ATV. Undoubtedly you are finding the limits of your truck, and more power to you. It is a great experience wheeling with you guys. Make sure to always give me a heads up when you go.

Back to the tires. I have heard a few folks mention a little rubbing, but certainly you have had the loudest complaint I have heard yet. I just want to make sure I am happy with 37s on my truck when/if they get installed. It seems to me that your experience with the 37s is a little different than others' and I am just trying to figure out why that is and the only reason I can think of is clearance.

From this last weekend out and your before and after comments, I can see what difference 37s make in a real off road situation.

[FrgMstr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cincih2:
I have noticed the last time out that with the MT/Rs aired down to 18 I had some rubbing on the front sway bar but nothing that would out way the advantage that they provide. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The stock 35" BFG ATs rub the swaybar at 18psi....

[Detonate]

Watch this video, and pay special attension to my passanger front tire on the head on clip of me going up Twister. You can see it bend in multiple times.

[czar]

would a 2 inch lift fix the rubbing problems of 37's??

[Detonate]

I just eye balled what looked like the highest point of the tire, and measure from there to the fender.

I wasn't exactly on level ground when I did it either.

Nothing scientific about it.

What paticular experience with my 37's has you questioning?

They are looking at my front end now, and said it's the Control Arm and the Idler arm that have to be replaced. I also have a transfer case leaked, and various other damage to the belly of my beast.

It's really hard to say if the 37's can be blamed for any of this. I drive my vehicle pretty damn hard.

Only time will tell. If it happens again in another month, I guess we'll know.

[TonkaH2]

Don't know if anybody's still talking about this, but I'm in the same boat -I need one tire for on/offroad performance, and the BFG MT looks to fit the bill. I'm loaded down alot and tow occaisonally, and need to stop on pavement first, then think mud/snow performance next. I understand it's all trade-offs.

I had heard the BFG's had BETTER sidewalls, 3-ply instead of 2. True? Not true?

Also, how's the road noise?

[Detonate]

Do you try not to turn your wheels all the way?

I have much more noticable rubbing on both sides of my sway bar. I'll have to take some pictures when I get home.

[FrgMstr]

Thanks Cinci!!!

[FrgMstr]

They are lucky they had that Jeep on a jack, otherwise I might not have seen it in time.

Thanks for clarifying exactly what is rubbing on your rig. I can live with the sway bar issues that I already have when aired down with 35s.

That said, keep us informed on how your suspension work goes. (I know it had nothing to do with hitting that 3.5 foot mud embankment multiple times with a running start. )