Cooper Zeon LTZ in 285/60-18 on stock VX

[Triathlete]

incorrect tom...

is also dissapates the heat better so your tires actually last longer

Unless you tend to spin them on rock ledges...then it tends to take nice chunks out of them!

[tom4bren]

"Yeah, I guess it could be called siping, but it's on the recessed part of tread, not on the tread blocks that directly touch the ground. It has plenty of siping on the shoulders but I can't recall ever seeing a tire with it on the recessed part of a tire."

OK, I see what you're talking about now. Yer right, that's not siping. I can't really understand any benefits for it other than the fact that it makes the tire LOOK more agressive.

[pbkid]

Unless you tend to spin them on rock ledges...then it tends to take nice chunks out of them!

well ya...i mean, any soft tire used for rock crawling isnt gonna last very long

"incorrect tom..."

Rekin we'll have to agree to disagree.

fair enough mate... i just know that everyone in colorado LOVES to sipe tires for use on snow and wet roads

[etlsport]

siping gives more "front edge" to a tire, basically just more places to grip.. its mostly for snow/mud

the lines that run around the tire are for hydroplaning resistance.. the grooves that go through the sides are for whisking water and snow away from the center grooves

[ScottinMA]

Just placed a downpayment on the 285 60 18s. Was thinking I'd go again with the Nitto Terra Grapplers but the Coopers look like a nice change. I'm not using the stock wheels and hope that my KMC XD Monster 18x9 (same wheel on Rickshaw's ride) won't create a problem rubbing anything. Will do the customary front cladding trim. Town Fair matched the best price I could get on the internet but they sorta wanted me to sign a disclaimer in the event they won't fit. It will take a few days to get them shipped here. I'm sure hoping this works!

[ScottinMA]

My Coops arrived yesterday and, with much enthusiasm, I dropped off my car at Town Fair Tire and awaited that satisfaction I had been so anticipating. 30 mins later I received a call from the manager. Scott, I am sorry to inform you that those Coopers are too large for the wheel wells and much rubbing and thumping would be present. I just don't get it. I thought VXKat had an OEM VX where mine has a 9" rim (instead of the OEM 7") which I assumed would have been a good thing. The guy assured me it was not my rims. But now Im back to square one. I don't want to lift it.

[circmand]

stock rims. You can see by the photos plus I have seen it as well and they are OEM rims

[VX KAT]

My Coops arrived yesterday and, with much enthusiasm, I dropped off my car at Town Fair Tire and awaited that satisfaction I had been so anticipating. 30 mins later I received a call from the manager. Scott, I am sorry to inform you that those Coopers are too large for the wheel wells and much rubbing and thumping would be present. I just don't get it. I thought VXKat had an OEM VX where mine has a 9" rim (instead of the OEM 7") which I assumed would have been a good thing. The guy assured me it was not my rims. But now Im back to square one. I don't want to lift it.

Oh man, that's too bad. I do indeed have the OEM 18" which are the 7" wide, and absolutely no lift or TB turns, only had to cut the front outer corner of the cladding about 1.5" and nothing rubs.

[pbkid]

scottin-
if your the same size as VXkat then theres no way that your tires will hit when your going straight, they may slightly rub when turning, but that just takes a little cladding trim (seriously like 2inchx2inch triangle thingy)...
and if its rubbing on the frame, then 1. dont turn it all the way sharp.... 2. change the bump so your VX physically cant turn that sharp

[Riff Raff]

My Coops arrived yesterday and, with much enthusiasm, I dropped off my car at Town Fair Tire and awaited that satisfaction I had been so anticipating. 30 mins later I received a call from the manager. Scott, I am sorry to inform you that those Coopers are too large for the wheel wells and much rubbing and thumping would be present. I just don't get it. I thought VXKat had an OEM VX where mine has a 9" rim (instead of the OEM 7") which I assumed would have been a good thing. The guy assured me it was not my rims. But now Im back to square one. I don't want to lift it.

Scott-- I'm saddened too that the new Cooper LTZ's wouldn't fit. Your tire guy is incorrect in assuring you that it is not your rims; because, IT IS purely your aftermarket rims causing the excessive rubbing. The "combination" of wider 9" rim, different offset from OEM, and different back-spacing from OEM has resulted in the already taller 31.4" O.D. and wider 285 series Cooper LTZ tire being spread-out too wide and creating a much wider turning arc when turned.

The "ONLY" reason VX-KAT had no problems is because she used her stock OEM 18x7 rims which kept the LTZ's neatly tucked within the front wheel wells without any major rubbing issues (just a little trim). The use of VX stock OEM rims (1999-16" or 2000/2001-18") is truly "the secret" to minimizing front tire rubbing issues.

I see by your Photo Gallery that your current Nitto T.G.'s are 255/55R18 (29" O.D.). I assume you would like to go a bit wider with a 285 series tire. However; since you have a wide 9" rim, you will need to go with a lower profile (aspect ratio) tire in either a 50 or 55 series low profile to prevent rubbing issues.

I suggest you seriously consider the MAXXIS - MA-S1 MARAUDER tire in either 285/50R18 (29.2" O.D.) or 285/55R18 (30" O.D.). This is a very wicked looking directional tire with a good meaty tread comparable to an A/T type tire and capable of handling snow. Visit www.MaxxisTires.com. Since your OEM tires were 29.5" O.D., your speedometer will be very close to accurate within 1 to 2 MPH (+/-). Other tire websites you should check-out are www.1010Tires.com (my personal favorite), and www.OnLineTires.com.

[ScottinMA]

Scott-- I'm saddened too that the new Cooper LTZ's wouldn't fit. Your tire guy is incorrect in assuring you that it is not your rims; because, IT IS purely your aftermarket rims causing the excessive rubbing. The "combination" of wider 9" rim, different offset from OEM, and different back-spacing from OEM has resulted in the already taller 31.4" O.D. and wider 285 series Cooper LTZ tire being spread-out too wide and creating a much wider turning arc when turned.

The "ONLY" reason VX-KAT had no problems is because she used her stock OEM 18x7 rims which kept the LTZ's neatly tucked within the front wheel wells without any major rubbing issues (just a little trim). The use of VX stock OEM rims (1999-16" or 2000/2001-18") is truly "the secret" to minimizing front tire rubbing issues.

I see by your Photo Gallery that your current Nitto T.G.'s are 255/55R18 (29" O.D.). I assume you would like to go a bit wider with a 285 series tire. However; since you have a wide 9" rim, you will need to go with a lower profile (aspect ratio) tire in either a 50 or 55 series low profile to prevent rubbing issues.

I suggest you seriously consider the MAXXIS - MA-S1 MARAUDER tire in either 285/50R18 (29.2" O.D.) or 285/55R18 (30" O.D.). This is a very wicked looking directional tire with a good meaty tread comparable to an A/T type tire and capable of handling snow. Visit www.MaxxisTires.com. Since your OEM tires were 29.5" O.D., your speedometer will be very close to accurate within 1 to 2 MPH (+/-). Other tire websites you should check-out are www.1010Tires.com (my personal favorite), and www.OnLineTires.com.

Riff Raff

I agree and that's exactly what I was doing yesterday evening. Found the Maxxis and so far that's my point leader. The Scorpion Zero's also come in 55s but they won't handle the New England Winters as well as I would like. Does anyone have any experience with Maxxis in snow?