Off road on the new Cooper Zeon LTZs

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06/10/2009, 06:36 PM
VX KAT

Off road on the new Cooper Zeon LTZs

Gave the new Cooper's a workout today on some trails around us here in Dewey, AZ. Had some serious flexing goin' on and had no rubbing. Even I thought these bigger tires would rub in the extreme flexing, but we couldn't find any evidence that they did, front or rear. I had them at 40 psi.

All in all, they performed great. Great traction and bite. And that extra 1.21" made a huge difference in the clearance. Cleared several big rocks with no problem.
Check out that airborne rear tire! WOW!!!!! :thumbup:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...DSCN0968_2.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0966.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0967.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0961.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0960.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0963.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0999.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN1000.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/501/DSCN0994.JPG
06/10/2009, 06:39 PM
SomeBeach

Very nice. Looks like you had a great day
06/10/2009, 07:09 PM
pbkid

nice, looks like fun!
06/10/2009, 08:29 PM
rowhard

Look'in good, even with the thumb print. :bgwg:
06/10/2009, 08:53 PM
Riff Raff

VX-KAT--- Hmmm, with that wheel up in the air; you just may have discovered a new way to change a flat tire without having to use a jack. Very inventive!!!
06/10/2009, 09:17 PM
kodiak

Very cool!!:yes: Good looking tire, what size are they?
06/10/2009, 09:35 PM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodiak

Very cool!!:yes: Good looking tire, what size are they?

They're 285/60-18s....Richard, if I recall, you aren't lifted either, right? Is this the same size you're running? Any rubbing?
I just noticed my one pic shows a darker rubber all along the shoulder of the rear tire, like it rubbed on the inner fender....gotta go check that out.......
06/10/2009, 09:43 PM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowhard

Look'in good, even with the thumb print. :bgwg:

Hardy har har John! I was JUST about to tell Dave this morning before we headed out that with all the excitement over my new rubber, the "stain" on the cladding was fadding a bit from my mind,....but then my Refinish/Restore arrived today.....and now you remind me of it too! :p so I'm going to tackle that project this week. It's going to be cool enough to do it so want to hit before summer kicks in up here.
06/10/2009, 10:04 PM
kodiak

Mine are 275s. I think you're fine, if it was rubbing you�d definitely hear it.:confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

They're 285/60-18s....Richard, if I recall, you aren't lifted either, right? Is this the same size you're running? Any rubbing?
I just noticed my one pic shows a darker rubber all along the shoulder of the rear tire, like it rubbed on the inner fender....gotta go check that out.......
06/10/2009, 10:43 PM
Ldub

Nice !

LOOK'N GOOD SUE !!!
06/10/2009, 11:17 PM
don moore

kooll. good set
06/11/2009, 05:41 AM
SomeBeach

Hey Kat, did you replace the rear springs on your VX to be able to run those tires? I assume you cranked out the torsion bars.
06/11/2009, 08:22 AM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeBeach

Hey Kat, did you replace the rear springs on your VX to be able to run those tires? I assume you cranked out the torsion bars.

Neither. Stock / original springs and didn't touch the torsion bars as I wanted /needed it to stay as low as possible so I can get in it...(leg problems). I even kind of worried about the 1.21" increase from the tires, but I can still manage it.
06/11/2009, 08:32 AM
CrnCnn

Looks good.

I love that color. I hope to see one in person next Moab.
06/11/2009, 02:29 PM
ScottinMA

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

Neither. Stock / original springs and didn't touch the torsion bars as I wanted /needed it to stay as low as possible so I can get in it...(leg problems). I even kind of worried about the 1.21" increase from the tires, but I can still manage it.

Did you perform the customary cladding cuts in the front to accommodate the new shoes?
06/11/2009, 03:58 PM
VX KAT

Cooper Zeon LTZ close up of recessed grip pattern

I did have to cut the front outer edge of cladding on front, but nothing on rear. Also, here's pics of the tread pattern that's recessed between the tread blocks. I've never seen that on a tire...don't know if it helps with traction but it couldn't hurt.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1035.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1036.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN1038.JPG
06/11/2009, 04:03 PM
ScottinMA

Thanks for the graphics. The inside tread pattern is for improved snow traction I am told. I was about to order the Nitto's until you bought these Coopers. Little beast swears by the Nittos and I'm running the Nitto although not the wider 285s now. Hope to get a couple more miles out of them and then take the plunge. Could save money with the Coopers and I like the tread pattern.

Appreciate the quick reply
06/11/2009, 04:18 PM
Triathlete

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

Also, here's pics of the tread pattern that's recessed between the tread blocks. I've never seen that on a tire...don't know if it helps with traction but it couldn't hurt.

If you are refering to the little "bars" down in between the lugs those are suppose to help shed mud and snow as the tire rotates.
06/15/2009, 06:22 PM
etlsport

:thumbup: thats a really nice looking tire.. one more to consider i guess.. im slowly narrowing it down!
06/15/2009, 06:38 PM
Riff Raff

The COOPER - Zeon "LTZ" is just an awesome tire. If you specifically like that kind of tread pattern, then also consider the SUMITOMO - HTR Sport A/T which comes in OWL in P285/60R18 (31.4" O.D./44 lbs) and is even lighter weight than the Cooper's.