Low-noise, road-first, all-terrain wheel upgrade for Big Bend - looking for recommendations

[EquusBronsis]

Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus. Quiet on the road from day one and still quiet after 15K. If fact all around better tire than the OEM Bridgestones. Excellent road manners and wear.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/...ll-terrain-plus-on-a-15000-mile-torture-test/

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[kodiakisland]

Thanks - is that the MICHELIN LTX A/T 2 or the Defender LTX?

The defender is the more road friendly. You will see them on a lot of 4wd trucks that are not used off road.

 

[carrellslake]

The 285/70R17 size is the logical upgrade. There are some great tires in that size too. The Falken AT3W in P285/70R17 would be my choice. No need for an LT tire with your desired use... Great tire, quiet, durable and look great. And can handle all of the off-road you throw at it.

I’ve got the AT3Ws, albeit in a 35” size. Their road noise isn’t bad on the highway. I can only imagine that a smaller C load range variant would be even better.

 

[ThatWilsonGuy]

Haven't seen anyone mention Dynapro AT2's. Ran multiple sets on my Sport Trac, they are a very good tire.

 

[Pressurized]

Thanks all, super helpful.
So I have here, from more road to more rugged:

-Michelin LTX (A/T2)
-Falken Rubitrek
-Black Bears
-Nitro Ridge Grappler (look more rugged than the Recon Grappler, any opinion on the latter?)
-General Grabber ATX
-Falken AT3W (Wildtrack, I assume)


That's a good short list, thanks!

Ridge Grapplers are not good in the rain. I would eliminate anything that doesn’t have the 3PMSF rating.

 

[kodiakisland]

I put Cooper AT3 4s on my sons 1/2 ton Chevy as it rarely leaves the pavement and he was happy with them. Seemed to be pretty quiet and a good choice for 99% pavement 4wd.

 

[Area51BS]

Real happy with my Badlands 33 BFG’s. Take offs are easy to find for sale.

 

[dvonjan]

33s from the Badlands require a lift, though, right?

 

[JerryC]

I run Falken Rubitrek 285/70R17 on mine and love them.

It's the more on road version of the hugely popular AT3W. I know I'll spend 95% of my time on asphalt but the Rubitrek seems good enough for the 5% I'm hitting fire roads or mild trails.

Are they 3 peak rated like the AT3W?

 

[Fortydegnorth]

33s from the Badlands require a lift, though, right?

No. I put badlands take-offs on my wife’s big bend. Zero issues. Look great and they’re a nice, quiet tire.

 

[spuddy59]

Are they 3 peak rated like the AT3W?

Yup, they are.

 

[JerryC]

I'll add Toyo Open Country AT3'S. Had them on my 4Runner. Very tiny amount of road noise at highway speed, but you will never hear that in a Bronco over the wind noise. Very smooth riding.

3 peak rated for snow and ice. Excellent in snow and rain and probably as good any not-winter rated tire on ice.

 

[mpeugeot]

The dueller does better off-road than you would expect from looks alone, and they are quiet on the street. The grabber atx's are also quite good on the streets. What I ended up doing was having a set of dedicated off-road rims and tires, and a few other sets for street use (as I have 80k miles on my 2021 Bronco already).

Right now, I have 2 sets of stock OBX rims/tires, stock BD steel rims/tires, and my RTR Tech 6 rims with Patagonia M/T tires in 295/70R17.

Why so many stock rims/tires? Because at an average of $100 per rim and tire, they can't be beat.

 

[BlueBronco]

Terra Grappler G2's

 

[HoosierDaddy]

33s from the Badlands require a lift, though, right?

Absolutely NOT.
They are only a 1/2" taller than your factory tires, but somewhat wider as you asked.
Something like 32.6 vs 32.1" .
I'd absolutely look for take offs first.

How do you like the Badlands non-Squatch wheels?
It should be really easy to find the whole set up.

Firestones
BFG AT's
Michelins


I've enjoyed about 3 sets of Firestones so don't rule them out.

Two sets of BFG ATs,
and have had numerous Michelins on my Dad's trucks.

All three are fantastic all-a-rounders.
The BFG's being somewhat aggressive looking, but really well mannered on the road. They have a slight buzz, but it sounds more like a sticky tire "sticking to the road" than tread block noise. I'm ok with that because the Toyos I received are by far the worst tire I have ever owned. They are literally dangerous in cold or wet weather, and God forbid it snows.
8 billion other people have had Toyos and LOVED them, but I can't get them to return my correspondence... so take that as you wish.

The current BFGs are what came on the new Badlands in the stable.

I'd LOVE to try out the Mickey Thompson Baja AT's, supposedly great winter characteristics.... but that's what I keep reading about the Toyo’s as well.

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