Tyre recommendation

Good morning chaps / this is my first post here <br /><br />I just took delivery of this 650cc Jimny from Japan - im hoping for some advice <br /><br />The car will be used for mainly off-roading however it will be driven on the road 30-45mins to the off roading area AND I need it to be a compromise between comfort, safety and GRIP - I’ll also be wanting to take my kids in the car so safety is the first priority <br /><br />I’m a off-roading novice so open to a road tyre suggestion that is ok for O-R But safe and grippy on road, especially in wet or winter conditions which are around the corner here in the north east of England.<br /><br />Currently it’s lifted (I don’t know how high - 3inches ?) and it has BF Goodrich all terrain tyres 225/75/16 on which being from Japan and are old - the compound is crack and very very hard - in wet conditions the maximum on the dual carriageway I could drive safely was around 45mph - before jumping and sliding around <br /><br />Thanks again guys, looking forward to getting her off road this weekend

The tyres are also 'Mud Terrain' so that won't help on the tarmac in the wet.

Unless you really need mud terrain you might want to look at AT, perhaps BFG KO2 or Maxxis Worm Drives.

Where are you in the North East? I am 10 miles to the west of Newcastle.

Robin

What sort of off roading?

You say the vehicle is mostly for off roading, but then seem to say road performance and safety are you biggest criteria? This all rather sounds in conflict with each other.

And meaning no offence, but if road safety for transporting children are your primary concern. A heavily modified tiny off roader is probably not the best choice anyway.

If you can't drive above 45mph now, I'd politely suggest that it has little to do with the tyres and more likely to do with the mods.

Lots of choice on tyres, but it really comes down to what you'll be using the vehicle for really.

Agreed it’s a total contradiction. Green laning around slaley forest - - if I can’t find a decent compromise I’ll most likely just buy a trailer and tow the car jimny to location -

As for the choice of the car - I run an import company so it’s a bit of a promo experiment, so choice was limited with the budget to hand and it had to be a Kei 4x4

Any recommendations on down sizing the profile at all or keep the 225/75/16 set up ?

I’m just in North Shields robin, thanks for the reply by the way

I believe that the public 4x4 route in Slayley is closed, at least it was last time I went up there, unless you have a private site?

I did try it a few years ago, but after going through two muddy puddles up to the doors I had to reverse out of the next one. Still that was with no lift and on basically road tyres.

There are some good 'green lanes' round the area, most of the ones I have done you don't need 4WD for most of it, just if it has been wet and there is mud. I haven't done anything that needed mud tyres. In fact as I mostly go out on my own, I am very cautious as I need to get the car out on my own, a little differant if you have someone else to tow you out.

The lift on your Jimny looks quite tall, probably at least 3" and if you put smaller tyres on it would look a bit odd. I would still go for a good AT, BFG KO2 or Maxxis Wormdrive would be my suggestion.

If you still have stability issues with new, less aggressive tyres then it is likely to be the lift which is causing the problem. I am not best placed to advise as my Jimny is not lifted, but there are others on here who have similar lifts and will know what to look for.

Robin

wrote:

Green laning around slaley forest - -

So, technically green laning is On roading...

As they are all part of the Kings Highway. Do you have any laning or off roading experience?

If a lane is in suitable condition to be driven, you should normally be fine on a set of All Terrains. I also run the Maxxis Wormdrives and have been very pleased with them.

That said, pretty much any All Terrain or Mud Terrain tyre should suffice. And should you find yourself in deeper mud, an AT (esp a mild one) can get out of its depth pretty quick.

The BFG KM2's on your vehicle now should be a very good tyre. I can't see the condition of them from the photos, but the KM2 is a good versatile mud terrain.

Many Mud Terrains should also be fine on the road and are even OEM fitment on some vehicles in some markets. There is of course a range of capabilities, you get mild and aggressive All Terrains and Mud Terrains, with a bit of cross over in the middle.

If you plan to to do anything else off road such as trials events or pay & play days, you may well want a more aggressive mud terrain.

Having a few years old BFG MT tyres, I totally know what you mean, especially with old and wet pavement.
Of course we must pay attention to how a modified vehicle behaves in traffic, but old BFG's is the worst I done to my car.

wrote:

I believe that the public 4x4 route in Slayley is closed, at least it was last time I went up there, unless you have a private site?

Robin

Certainly looks to be a lot of TROs (Traffic Restriction Orders) in the area.

 

wrote:

Having a few years old BFG MT tyres, I totally know what you mean, especially with old and wet pavement.
Of course we must pay attention to how a modified vehicle behaves in traffic, but old BFG's is the worst I done to my car.

What BFGs specifically? There have been different compounds and treads over the years. BFG also have a reputation for doing big mileages, which wouldn't be possible if cars become undriveable.

Mine are BFG MT KO2 bought New in 2016 I think so very old.
They still have thread life in them but will be changed next spring as they are way too slippy now. Remember I live in a cold-ish country. where I live the average temp is about 12C during the season these tyres are used. Would never use them in the winter, would be a suicide.

Nordic Winter tyres only from now october until april