jdebler
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Detroit area
I was in the market for some new tires a few weeks back, my Goodyear MT/Rs just weren't cutting it for my mostly city driving. I loved how they looked but they were just too luggy for me. I used to have Nitto tires on a Camaro and I really liked them then so I decided to try something different and I looked into what they had to offerin an AT tire. Their Terra Grappler tires seemed to be a good equivalent to what I needed, and the specs looked right. The problem was, when I started to look around on the boards that I frequent or lurk on (like this one) for some reviews, I couldn't get solid feel for what people thought of them. I think it is because they there weren't enough folks out there who were willing to bite the bullet and give them a try. Well, the reason that I am posting this is because I did bite the bullet on a set and wanted to maybe share what I thought about them with anyone else out there who is looking to get the same tire but aren't sure if they will like it.
First of all, my Jeep has a 3" lift and Rubicon tires. As you probably know, 245/xx/16 tires are standard for that wheel, but the Nitto Terra Grappler's smallest size is 265/75/16. I figured that would still be enough clearance so I ordered a set up. Once they were installed, I took them out for a spin (naturally) and I was pretty impressed. They rode VERY smooth and VERY quiet. I was immediately happy with them. Going from the chunky MT/Rs to this was like going from a dirt road to fresh pavement. They gripped well, they handled well and they looked pretty damn good. The tread pattern is deceptively aggressive for how smooth and quiet they are. Sweet, I knew I made the right choice!
Until...
I went to pull into my driveway and like most driveways, there is a slight grade to it. I pulled in like I have for the past 7 years and RRUUUBBBBB!! WTF? Well...I thought I had enough lift, but I was wrong. The tire has a pretty square shoulder, and when turning and braking or hitting even a slight incline that makes the front dip even just a bit, the tire scrapes right on the front lower fender/air dam piece (see pic). UGH... The tires were on backorder and I waited so long to get them and by the time I got them and tried them, I was thrilled. Now I couldn't use them without adding more lift but I am not in the position to do that. Besides, I didn't want to go any higher due to what I use the Jeep for. I was BUMMED and I still am a bit.
All I could do it pass them onto my buddy who has a 6" lift on his Cherokee and does some semi-aggressive wheeling as well as daily city driving. Needless to say, he loves the tires. They seem to be at home on the street as well as on the trail. Of course they aren't as good off-road as a mud tire but for an AT, we are both impressed. As for the tires I wound up having to go with, well...I had to go to my old standby of BFG A/Ts. I think most will agree that BFG A/Ts are basically the standard of all-terrain tires. I have to say, if I could have easily kept the Nitto's without them rubbing, they would be what is on my truck right now, no question about it. The BFG's are good, but I think they have been trumped by the Nitto Terra Grappler for an AT tire. I have had BFG's for years but I just liked the Nittos a bit better based on my short experience with them.
So my whole point in making this thread is to let everyone know who is comtemplating getting a set of Nitto Terra Grappers as an all-terrain tire to definitely give them a shot, especially if you do mostly street driving. Hopefully this post can give someone the info that I was looking for. Oh yeah, make sure you have more than a 3" lift on an XJ.
Here's some pics...
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto1.jpg
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto2.jpg
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto3.jpg
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto4.jpg
Wish I could have kept them!
-Jason
2000 XJ Classic
3" Lift and Misc. Mods
First of all, my Jeep has a 3" lift and Rubicon tires. As you probably know, 245/xx/16 tires are standard for that wheel, but the Nitto Terra Grappler's smallest size is 265/75/16. I figured that would still be enough clearance so I ordered a set up. Once they were installed, I took them out for a spin (naturally) and I was pretty impressed. They rode VERY smooth and VERY quiet. I was immediately happy with them. Going from the chunky MT/Rs to this was like going from a dirt road to fresh pavement. They gripped well, they handled well and they looked pretty damn good. The tread pattern is deceptively aggressive for how smooth and quiet they are. Sweet, I knew I made the right choice!
Until...
I went to pull into my driveway and like most driveways, there is a slight grade to it. I pulled in like I have for the past 7 years and RRUUUBBBBB!! WTF? Well...I thought I had enough lift, but I was wrong. The tire has a pretty square shoulder, and when turning and braking or hitting even a slight incline that makes the front dip even just a bit, the tire scrapes right on the front lower fender/air dam piece (see pic). UGH... The tires were on backorder and I waited so long to get them and by the time I got them and tried them, I was thrilled. Now I couldn't use them without adding more lift but I am not in the position to do that. Besides, I didn't want to go any higher due to what I use the Jeep for. I was BUMMED and I still am a bit.
All I could do it pass them onto my buddy who has a 6" lift on his Cherokee and does some semi-aggressive wheeling as well as daily city driving. Needless to say, he loves the tires. They seem to be at home on the street as well as on the trail. Of course they aren't as good off-road as a mud tire but for an AT, we are both impressed. As for the tires I wound up having to go with, well...I had to go to my old standby of BFG A/Ts. I think most will agree that BFG A/Ts are basically the standard of all-terrain tires. I have to say, if I could have easily kept the Nitto's without them rubbing, they would be what is on my truck right now, no question about it. The BFG's are good, but I think they have been trumped by the Nitto Terra Grappler for an AT tire. I have had BFG's for years but I just liked the Nittos a bit better based on my short experience with them.
So my whole point in making this thread is to let everyone know who is comtemplating getting a set of Nitto Terra Grappers as an all-terrain tire to definitely give them a shot, especially if you do mostly street driving. Hopefully this post can give someone the info that I was looking for. Oh yeah, make sure you have more than a 3" lift on an XJ.
Here's some pics...
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto1.jpg
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto2.jpg
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto3.jpg
http://www.phantomss.com/jeep/nitto4.jpg
Wish I could have kept them!
-Jason
2000 XJ Classic
3" Lift and Misc. Mods