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

[tom4bren]

"These LTZs have some slight grooved tread within the treadblocks"

If I understand what you've described, it's called Siping (sp? - pronounced like pipe).

That gives you improved performance on dry pavement (I guess slick rock too). It won't help with anything else. They try not to use it too much though since it tends to make the tire wear faster.

Tom

BTW, your ride looks sweet with the new shoes.

[pbkid]

incorrect tom...

siping helps in snow, wet, dry, slickrock....is also dissapates the heat better so your tires actually last longer

go to a tire shop and ask them what they think about siping..

most people in colorado sipe their tires for snow driving because it completely changes the ride..(much better traction all around)

[handeeman]

I really like the look Kat. Post us on the highway noise. Those may be my 1st mod, thanks to you.

[VX KAT]

"These LTZs have some slight grooved tread within the treadblocks"

If I understand what you've described, it's called Siping (sp? - pronounced like pipe).

That gives you improved performance on dry pavement (I guess slick rock too). It won't help with anything else. They try not to use it too much though since it tends to make the tire wear faster.

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. I know the siping is for increased traction as it torques under pressure and opens up additional space to bite the surface. Not mud of course.

Road noise seemed absolutely minimal, even with windows open. I was a bit surprised. Had a very smooth highway ride. Have them at 40 psi, but am increasing them today and will see what differences I notice.

And when it gets really muddy around here, we use Dave's FJ with these bad boys.

[pbkid]

nice....tell dave ill give him a VX in trade of his FJ

let them wear in a little... my MTR's were silent, until they wore in

[tomdietrying]

Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!
Peace.
Tom

[tom4bren]

"incorrect tom..."

Rekin we'll have to agree to disagree.

[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.