Stock Wheels/New Tires

[RAG13]

Lately, I've been hearing that the stock KO2's that come on the Raptors may not be the best tires for pavement driving. I am considering changing them out but keeping the stock bead lock wheels on my 19 Raptor. My question is, what is the largest 35" tire that will fit on the stock rims? Also, if 95% of my driving is pavement, both wet and dry in the Northeast, what is considered a good tire thats aggressive looking like the KO2's and also as quiet?
Thanks in advance!

 

[MnFlyer]

I feel like the stock KO2s are just fine for pavement in snow and rain. They are plenty quiet too, at least in the cab.

I drive 75 miles one way for work, all on pavement and have zero complaints.


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[RAG13]

I feel like the stock KO2s are just fine for pavement in snow and rain. They are plenty quiet too, at least in the cab.

I drive 75 miles one way for work, all on pavement and have zero complaints.


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I always felt that way as well, but I've been reading other members complaints about them and I was starting to think that some of my handling issues are stemming from the tires. I've reduced pressure to 36 front and 34 rear so I'm going to try to stick it out and see what happens.

 

[df4801]

might as well just keep the stock tires.

you will need new ones in 25,000-30,000 miles anyway

 

[xcartelx]

You should grab a set of BF KR2's. You'll run through a set in about 7k miles, but they're as soft as R888's and create the most angelic hum.

 

[pbtjrlmrt]

I always felt that way as well, but I've been reading other members complaints about them and I was starting to think that some of my handling issues are stemming from the tires. I've reduced pressure to 36 front and 34 rear so I'm going to try to stick it out and see what happens.

You will find a lot of weird opinions on the forum. Ignore them and run the KO2s. Other tires will tend to be specialist tires..I.E better in mud or better on street but the KO2 is probably the best all around tire. There are a couple that could be considered equivalent but the KO2s are a great tire

 

[rtmozingo]

The original KO got skunked 5 ears ago in a comparison test by practically all of its competitors (see here). The KO2 shares the same tread as the KO, but a different (improved) compound, which nets 10-20% improvement on all fronts, according to BFG.

Of course tires are a subjective thing. You look up any tire and there will people who love it and people who hate it. Generally, for most tires, it is a 60/40 spread - KO2 no exception.

I've two friends who've run the majority of A/Ts on their rigs, and both of them rate the KO2s among the worst of the A/Ts. One really likes the Wildpeak AT3 (which by all accounts is a great tire), the other loves the Cooper ST Maxx, which will be my next tire.

The KO2 is rated as a 50/50 tire, which makes it a bit of a loner in that regard, but it seems the 60/40 and 70/30 tires are just as good offroad, while being better on road. So for a better street tire, look at the Cooper AT3, the Wildpeak AT3W, or maybe even the Firestone Destination AT (tho I expect durability on that one to not to be as good). The Duractrac is the undisputed king of snow and ice, so if you deal with those regularly, it is pretty much a no brainer. I'm also told Nokkian makes some tough, quality tires.

Slightly more aggressive than the KO2 is the hybrids (cross between A/T and M/T), of which there are three: the Cooper ST Maxx, the Toyo RT, and Nitto Ridge Grappler. Nitto and Toyo are sister companies, and are much loved by Raptor owners, but they are really heavy (7-12lbs heavier per tire). Because they are more aggressive, they are louder, but from what I've gathered they can actually be quieter than the K02s. I've found my BFGs always get loud after 10k - I'm expecting most of these other options to be quieter than my K02s are now.

The stock tires hold the advantage of lightest weight* and highest speed rating.

*It seems an E rated K02 is actually lighter somehow - not sure if that's a typo or not, but certainly interesting if true.

 

[SoCalCFP]

My first month of ownership of my Raptor, I put 2,400 miles on it. the K02's have been great. My last truck had Nitto's and performed great. I wouldn't want to increase weight on new tires, as of now, I would replace with KO2's.

 

[RAG13]

The original KO got skunked 8 or so years ago in a comparison test by practically all of its competitors (I'm looking for the article, always takes me an hour or so to find it). The KO2 shares the same tread as the KO, but a different (improved) compound, which nets 10-20% improvement on all fronts, according to BFG.

Of course tires are a subjective thing. You look up any tire and there will people who love it and people who hate it. Generally, for most tires, it is a 60/40 spread - KO2 no exception.

I've two friends who've run the majority of A/Ts on their rigs, and both of them rate the KO2s among the worst of the A/Ts. One really likes the Wildpeak AT3 (which by all accounts is a great tire), the other loves the Cooper ST Maxx, which will be my next tire.

The KO2 is rated as a 50/50 tire, which makes it a bit of a loner in that regard, but it seems the 60/40 and 70/30 tires are just as good offroad, while being better on road. So for a better street tire, look at the Cooper AT3, the Wildpeak AT3W, or maybe even the Firestone Destination AT (tho I expect durability on that one to not to be as good). The Duractrac is the undisputed king of snow and ice, so if you deal with those regularly, it is pretty much a no brainer. I'm also told Nokkian makes some tough, quality tires.

Slightly more aggressive than the KO2 is the hybrids (cross between A/T and M/T), of which there are three: the Cooper ST Maxx, the Toyo RT, and Nitto Ridge Grappler. Nitto and Toyo are sister companies, and are much loved by Raptor owners, but they are really heavy (7-12lbs heavier per tire). Because they are more aggressive, they are louder, but from what I've gathered they can actually be quieter than the K02s. I've found my BFGs always get loud after 10k - I'm expecting most of these other options to be quieter than my K02s are now.

The stock tires hold the advantage of lightest weight* and highest speed rating.

*It seems an E rated K02 is actually lighter somehow - not sure if that's a typo or not, but certainly interesting if true.

Thank you for that very detailed explanation. I really appreciate the time you took to write it. I don't really want to increase the weight of each tire, but really what's another 20-30lbs overall in the grand scheme of things. If I can actually notice a better ride quality it's worth it. I'm definitely going to research your suggestions.
Thanks again!

 

[GR8Ride]

The original KO got skunked 8 or so years ago in a comparison test by practically all of its competitors (I'm looking for the article, always takes me an hour or so to find it). The KO2 shares the same tread as the KO, but a different (improved) compound, which nets 10-20% improvement on all fronts, according to BFG.

Of course tires are a subjective thing. You look up any tire and there will people who love it and people who hate it. Generally, for most tires, it is a 60/40 spread - KO2 no exception.

I've two friends who've run the majority of A/Ts on their rigs, and both of them rate the KO2s among the worst of the A/Ts. One really likes the Wildpeak AT3 (which by all accounts is a great tire), the other loves the Cooper ST Maxx, which will be my next tire.

The KO2 is rated as a 50/50 tire, which makes it a bit of a loner in that regard, but it seems the 60/40 and 70/30 tires are just as good offroad, while being better on road. So for a better street tire, look at the Cooper AT3, the Wildpeak AT3W, or maybe even the Firestone Destination AT (tho I expect durability on that one to not to be as good). The Duractrac is the undisputed king of snow and ice, so if you deal with those regularly, it is pretty much a no brainer. I'm also told Nokkian makes some tough, quality tires.

Slightly more aggressive than the KO2 is the hybrids (cross between A/T and M/T), of which there are three: the Cooper ST Maxx, the Toyo RT, and Nitto Ridge Grappler. Nitto and Toyo are sister companies, and are much loved by Raptor owners, but they are really heavy (7-12lbs heavier per tire). Because they are more aggressive, they are louder, but from what I've gathered they can actually be quieter than the K02s. I've found my BFGs always get loud after 10k - I'm expecting most of these other options to be quieter than my K02s are now.

The stock tires hold the advantage of lightest weight* and highest speed rating.

*It seems an E rated K02 is actually lighter somehow - not sure if that's a typo or not, but certainly interesting if true.

Great information thanks from others as we debate this highly subjective topic!


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