[logikfive]

For new tires that's?

After having the 32x11.50R15 Cooper Discoverer STT Mud Terrains on the truck since October 2008, I can safely say I've ran them to their limit. :lol: Kinda scary this winter with them, though.

Back when I put them on in '08?

For my review, I'll say these tires were remarkable in everything I threw at them. I never got stuck in the mud (of course I don't try to do that? it's no fun digging yourself out of a mud hole) however I did get stuck in the snow once. I was driving around in a snow storm that produced around 2.5 - 3 feet of snow and, at the time, the tires were about a year old and had around 80% tread left. I couldn't see where I was going so I was kind of guessing and felt like I went off course a bit so, like a fool, I stopped and managed to hang it up. The snow was being plowed up to my headlights when I stopped and I was luckily able to clear some of it out around the D and started rocking back and forth to get it going. I never had to be towed though.

Snow driving was great as long as you didn't attempt to stop. Even the SMALLEST amount of snow accumulation on the ground would cause it to slide. I only have rear ABS (which I don't think does a damn thing) so generally I was able to control it pretty easily. I have Goodyear Wrangler RT/S's on my '01 and that would stop effortlessly in the same conditions without even tripping the 4-wheel ABS on the '01. This doesn't affect my rating anyway since these tires weren't designed to be a snow tire.

I was able to get 35,000 miles out of these tires, which for a sticky mud terrain tire is not half bad. Not to mention I really never treated them that well. :lol:

For example:

I give the Cooper Discoverer STT's a SOLID 8.5 out of 10 and would buy them again no questions asked. The only reason I didn't was I wanted something a little different this time so I decided to go with the Kumho Road Venture MT KL71's in 285/75R16 (I plan to mount them on my spare 16" stock rims.) Out the door price was $208/tire from Discount Tire Direct with free shipping. :thumbsup:

 

[greendurango]

nice tires! :thumbsup:

 

[dizzyD]

nice tires,
How's the road noise inside?

 

[logikfive]

With the Coopers? at first they were pretty quiet but had a bit of a hum. Now they're just obnoxious! I hear the Kumhos are pretty quiet, though. We'll see when I put them on!

Here's a comparison pic and yeah, I know it's backwards? I just set it beside the truck to see how much taller they were.

 

[skitzo.d]

Wow. nice tread on those tires!

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Unfortunately I'll never buy a Kumho tire again in my life. I purchased a set for my wife's Avenger R/T and just had to replace them? they only lasted 15k miles!! They never stayed balanced for more than 3 months and constantly gave the car a negative feel on the road. I replaced them with the factory style Bridgestones and, from the moment they were installed, the car drove like it was new again.
I like the look of those, just not the manufacturer.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[logikfive]

That stinks about your experience! I've never had a Kumho tire, so hopefully my experience is a bit better. I have heard they have a soft sidewall which feels true compared to the Kevlar (I believe) belted sidewalls on the Coopers (those suckers are stiff!) It's flatter than a board here in NY so finding rock walls and stuff to climb are pretty uncommon and I shouldn't have to worry too much about puncturing a sidewall. :lol:

 

[Big Al]

I've ran Kumho Ecsta STX's on my D 4 times (that's what's on it right now) and never encountered the handling/balance problems Steve mentioned. In fact, I've found they make my D handle like a sports car and are the only tire I've ever used that I can truly say "sticks to the road like glue!" I find I have a hell of a time getting them to break traction and, even when I had to make a "quick" lane change at 65mph to avoid one of those traffic barrels the ding-dong in front of me clipped so it rolled out in front of my D, they did NOT break loose. While the D fish-tailed badly from the sudden maneuver, the Kumhos didn't slide and I was easily able to bring it back under control. In fact, they stuck so well, it really felt like the D was going to flip right over on it's side (luckily it didn't, but I did have to change my shorts afterward! :cheesy

The only bad comment I have about them is, as Steve noted, they just don't last very long (I've only averaged about 45K/set.) Of course, since they use a LOT soften rubber compound to achieve the great handling, that's to be expected. You just can't have really great handling (which "requires" a softer compound that sticks to the road) AND really great wear (which "requires" a stiffer compound that doesn't scruff off easily) in the same tire.

 

[logikfive]

Got 'em installed finally. The truck is still filthy, maybe this weekend I'll get around to it, and yeah, I know I need exhaust tips. I got the exhaust redone this winter and didn't want to ruin good tips over the winter.

Hard to believe this truck looked like this in '08.

So far I've put maybe 50 miles on them and they seem to be pretty quiet. Now I just gotta find the mud!

 

[greendurango]

those are some really nice tires and they really make your ride look awesome! :thumbsup:

 

[Zen]

Nice pics logik! I've never used Kumho tires myself, I'm a Toyo guy, but I've driven friends vehicles fitted with Kumhos in the past and they always had a nice smooth ride to them, those MT's look great too!

 

[Heavy D]

Truck looks great with the new tires

 

[logikfive]

Thanks guys! These tires are nice and smooth compared to the Coopers and I'm happy with my choice!

Since my truck loves photos, here's a few more I took.

Not much for clearance? Can't even fit a finger between there? Haven't seen any rubbing yet though.

Anyone think I should swap back to a black grille? It originally came with a black one but it was damaged from the deer I hit so I put the chrome one on just because I had it. After I had the front end replaced/repainted I also picked up a new grille and had it painted with the other parts. I've liked the chrome for awhile but now I think I want to change back. Opinions?

Here's another old picture (with my old poorly-adjusted and dented 2-piece bumper, but you get the idea.)

 

[cdndodgeboy]

I vote for the black grill but your truck looks good with either grill.

 

[MAGIC84]

Trevor, nice of you to check in! Good to hear from you my friend.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Black grill looks nicer IMHO

 

[skitzo.d]

I like the chrome one, even though I'm not a chrome guy.

 

[Zen]

Any rubbing with the new shoes logik?

 

[logikfive]

None that I've noticed.

I'm sure it rubs on the frame on full lock, but that's to be expected. My 32's did it too. Nothing elsewhere though