31 or 33 thornbirds?

[ScottG]

I don't think the Thornbirds are as bad as you guys claim they are. I have a set on my Jeep that I bought used. I admit they weren't my first choice, but I got a good deal on them. My experience has been that they are good in sand; and once the side lugs bite they are okay in mud. I have a friend who has them on the rear of his sandrail dune buggy. They have excellent floatation. But, mine are 35X14.50's so maybe any tire that wide would have good floatation. On wet pavement they slide like crazy, but I hardly every drive it in the rain anyway. Most of the sliding in wet weather is probably do to my rear locker.

I wouldn't think of putting them on the Xterra because I think even their smaller sizes would be too wide, and as Philosopher said, the side lugs would rip up the fenderwells. I agree that there are better choices. However, I think they will kick any other all-terain tire's ass off road and they are probably better than alot of the milder mud terains. In other words they are not just for "posers" in my opinion. That TRXUS AT looks more like a poser tire to me. Has anyone else had any experience with Thornbirds, or are you just jumping on the band wagon?

[warmonger]

Scott,

I have known three people who have run the Thornbirds and none of them still do. The problem is, the lugs don't clear mud and aren't wide enough to grip rocks from what I understand. Now mind you, this is from what I have heard from several Jeep owners who have run them. Most are now running Swampers in some form (SSR, TSL, etc.). Usually I gauge my decision on tire choice based on what those I know well have had good experiences with. I think many here do the same thing. If the tire works well for you, then go with it. As in all things, it is a matter of personal choice and experience.

[ScottG]

Originally posted by warmonger
Scott,
If the tire works well for you, then go with it. As in all things, it is a matter of personal choice and experience.

Actually, I plan on replacing them with 37X12.50 TSL's (14.50's are too f'ing wide!). Before changing tires, I'm working on some transmission and axle changes.

I'm not trying to argue that the Thornbirds are great tires. I just don't understand how they got this reputation as a worthless poser tire. You guys are making me too embarresed to drive the Jeep with Thornbirds on it.

[Cheechman7]

ye ye ye man, look i think they look good, if my best friend didnt have m/t radial claws id get them....ill see i have a month or 2...thanks though

[warmonger]

Originally posted by ScottG


Actually, I plan on replacing them with 37X12.50 TSL's (14.50's are too f'ing wide!). Before changing tires, I'm working on some transmission and axle changes.

I have a friend who is getting ready to join the contingent for Top Truck Challenge and he has raced in the TN Off Road Challenge and he is running 17/40s on his Jeep. But it is beefed to the glutimous maximus. Chevy V8, Dana 60s, dual lockers, etc. Hopefully you are running equipment like that or don't go rock crawling. Otherwise tires that size will break lots of @#$%. Know what I mean? I would like to see your Jeep. It sounds like it rocks. You can send the photo to me via private e-mail at [email protected] if you have one.

[ScottG]

Originally posted by warmonger


Hopefully you are running equipment like that or don't go rock crawling. Otherwise tires that size will break lots of @#$%. Know what I mean? I would like to see your Jeep. It sounds like it rocks. You can send the photo to me via private e-mail at [email protected] if you have one.

Well, I'm getting there slowly but surely. Me and my brother-in-law bought another Jeep frame and we are starting from the ground up. When we get the drive train completed we are going to take the body off my current Jeep and put it on the new frame. The parts we have so far are: Dana 44 International Scout axles with 4.27 gears; Ford T-18 four speed transmission with something like a 6.37:1 first gear; Chevy 4.3 Liter fuel injected V6. I still have the stock Dana 20 transfer case and haven't decided if I'm going to use it or not. They are strong enough, but have terrible gearing. If I can find a Dana 20 transfer case out of a Bronco, I can use the gears out of it to give the Jeep Dana 20 lower gearing. I think the Dana 44's will be strong enough considering a Jeeps light weight, and the fact that we are not using a 400 horsepower V8. I still have to buy the wiring harness and computer for the engine, as well as the bellhousing adapters etc.

I'm currently running the stock drivetrain except for a Detroit locker and one peice axles in the rear. It is tuff dumping money into this project and the Xterra at the same time :smoker2:

I don't currently have any pictures, but I have a digital camera that I need to start using. I'll try to get some pictures this weekend.

[ScottG]

Originally posted by Cheechman7
ye ye ye man, look i think they look good, if my best friend didnt have m/t radial claws id get them....ill see i have a month or 2...thanks though

I stand corrected, maybe they are poser tires :o

[beaker]

What, you don't like the twin exhausts? Don't you realize the horsepower gain you can get? Of course it is probably negated by the extra batteries to power the hydraulic system.

:smoka:

Beaker

[Goliath the X]

Originally posted by Cheechman7
ye ye ye man, look i think they look good, if my best friend didnt have m/t radial claws id get them....ill see i have a month or 2...thanks though

You and your friend can't have the same tires???

Get any swamper besides the turds or truxus A/T, they all look good and preform good.

[rrdstarr]

Most people tottaly love their SSR's, I will replace my TSL's with SSR's when the time comes. I love my TSL bias plies.....but they knock my filings loose on the highway!

[gothamist]

Originally posted by rrdstarr
Most people tottaly love their SSR's, I will replace my TSL's with SSR's when the time comes. I love my TSL bias plies.....but they knock my filings loose on the highway!

LOL, I may go the other way (SSRs to bias plys.) I love my SSRs offroad but I hate the treadwear I'm getting out of them, and I have AT's for long highway trips...

On a side note, is anyone else w/ SSRs getting sidewall bubbles? Pikachu has had one for almost a year now and I developed one after a wheeling trip in September. The tire shop said it should be fine (and Pik's had no problems with his) but I am a bit worried about it. I would put my spare on but the four SSR's on the truck are too worn to match.

[an1malch1n]

No bubbles on mine. Had em for close to a year now.

[Schludwiller]

No bubbles.