Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

I have been searching for a good alternative to the Dunlop's on my Kakadu. After exhausting most avenues here is what I have come up with (I want to keep the 18's)

Cooper LTZ's only do a 285/18" which must go on a 8" rim (no good has 7.5")
Bridgestone D694's no 18" option
Pirelli ATR's seem great but in 18" only a 255/18 (car has 265/18's)
BFG do a 18" KO but they seem reasonably old style
Cooper AT's 265/60/18's fit fine but seem to get average reviews nowadays ?

So it leaves me with the Mickey thompson ATZ's 5-rib in a marginally bigger (don't mind that) 275/65/18 which works out about 39mm larger diameter. They seem to get great reviews can anyone comment on road noise with them ??

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

I have a set of these on my 90 series, albeit a much smaller size of 225 75 R16. Road noise is good, they are a quiet tyre, at least compared to the Yokohama Geolandar's we had before. In fact when we first got the ATZ's fitted we were driving along and the wife asked what the noise was. I said it's the engine, you're just not used to hearing it because the new tyres are so much quieter.

However, that's about the only good thing I can say about these tyres. They have very, very soft sidewalls. They bag out much more that you would expect for a given pressure - at 30psi they look like other tyres at 20psi - and I have never been confident running at low pressures when off road. I have destroyed two from sidewall cuts in quite innocuous conditions. The tread on them also chips extensively on gravel roads with sharp-ish rocks. I will not buy these tyres again.

That is just one mans opinion, others might have a more positive experience.

I notice that BFG's are also on your list - I have always shied away from these because you hear such mixed reports about them. However, a few months ago I bit the bullet and replaced two of the ATZ's on the 90 series with BFG's and they seem great. I was surprised at how quiet they are and they don't seem to have any problems with grip in the wet. I was so happy with them that I spec'd my new 150 series with them from new and I am equally happy with them on the 150.

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

I have a set of these on my 90 series, albeit a much smaller size of 225 75 R16. Road noise is good, they are a quiet tyre, at least compared to the Yokohama Geolandar's we had before. In fact when we first got the ATZ's fitted we were driving along and the wife asked what the noise was. I said it's the engine, you're just not used to hearing it because the new tyres are so much quieter.

However, that's about the only good thing I can say about these tyres. They have very, very soft sidewalls. They bag out much more that you would expect for a given pressure - at 30psi they look like other tyres at 20psi - and I have never been confident running at low pressures when off road. I have destroyed two from sidewall cuts in quite innocuous conditions. The tread on them also chips extensively on gravel roads with sharp-ish rocks. I will not buy these tyres again.

That is just one mans opinion, others might have a more positive experience.

I notice that BFG's are also on your list - I have always shied away from these because you hear such mixed reports about them. However, a few months ago I bit the bullet and replaced two of the ATZ's on the 90 series with BFG's and they seem great. I was surprised at how quiet they are and they don't seem to have any problems with grip in the wet. I was so happy with them that I spec'd my new 150 series with them from new and I am equally happy with them on the 150.

Thanks for the good advice I won't rule out the BFG's....

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Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

The BFG ATs might look old school but many people have given them a good rap. They are a long wearing tyre and are good value for money.

As for trying out other tyre sizes, I would reconsider going too big because you may hit suspension components, the rear tyre cover won't fit and the spare tyre may rub on the rear door. Most 150 owners who have gone for bigger tyres have gone for 265/70R17 and 275/65R17. The closest to that in 18" is 265/65R18.

Have you read this topic? BF Goodrich tyres Kakadu

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

Maybe also consider the Cooper ST, or ATR? if they are options

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

The BFG ATs might look old school but many people have given them a good rap. They are a long wearing tyre and are good value for money.

As for trying out other tyre sizes, I would reconsider going too big because you may hit suspension components, the rear tyre cover won't fit and the spare tyre may rub on the rear door. Most 150 owners who have gone for bigger tyres have gone for 265/70R17 and 275/65R17. The closest to that in 18" is 265/65R18.

Have you read this topic? BF Goodrich tyres Kakadu

I was thinking they are tried and proven unfortunately I just went and looked at a pair and the diameter will be too big....arrrghhh


The one tyre I can get in a AT is the yokahama Geolander in the exact size ??? ...

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

Maybe also consider the Cooper ST, or ATR? if they are options

Coopers make a AT in the right size but I am getting such conflicting advice about the coopers....

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

Dad has the Geolander AT-(S??) On his prado, and absolutely loves them.
I think they look similar to the D694 in my opinion. Very quiet for on road use, and they perform quite well in the sand, not an overly aggresive tread either.
Haven't tried on any other surfaces really yet.
He has done about 50,000 and I think they still look brand new pretty much.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Mickey Thompson ATZ 5-rib ??

Maybe also consider the Cooper ST, or ATR? if they are options

Coopers make a AT in the right size but I am getting such conflicting advice about the coopers....

You usually only hear the bad stories. Any one who loves BFGS will tell you Coopers are terrible and vise versa. A little like Holden and Ford.

I havn't read all of the above posts but one thing to ask your self is where are you planning on going. 18" rims limit you in remote areas as the supply of tyres is limited and you may not be able to easily get a replacement tyre to suit. If you are after new rubber then consider downsizing the rims to 17" which will widen your tyre option. This is probably somehting you should consider if you will be doing any serious offroad/remote travel unless you are happy to wait for possibly two weeks for a replacment tyre if they do not have an 18" tyre to suit your sizing. 17" will also give more rubber to allow better absobtion of the road surface through side wall flex when the tyres are deflated for off road use. Just some things to consider.