Cooper S/T vs. Nitto T/G vs. BFG K/O
 

Sometime in the next few months, it'll be tire time for me. I'll be going the 285 all terrain route on my stock 16x7" rims. I'd love to do m/t's but can't justify it since I only wheel about 5 times a year or so. I'm searching for a very aggressive looking all terrain so have narrowed down my choices to the above three tires and am looking for input, positive and/or negative about the above tires. Also, let me know if you have any fitment issues with these tires in the 285 size on stock rims. Pics are below. Thanks!

Nitto Terra Grappler
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ragrappler.jpg

Cooper Discoverer S/T
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...discoverer.jpg

BFG All Terrain K/O
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d148/adman100/bfg.jpg

i like the looks of the bfg's my self

I know Nittos are much better suited tire than the BFGs when it comes to daily driver duties and in the wet and snow the TGs have much better control and hydroplane resistance and I know from experience. And the TGs cost me $200 less out the door.
I've got over 20k and more than 20 trail runs on mine and they are holding up nicely. I do have a little wear on the edges but that's partly due to my slightly aggressive driving style.
Alot of people buy BFGs based on looks alone and don't do any real research beyond that. BFGs do have the looks but on-road performance is so-so.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set of Nittos.

I had the BFGs on my GMC and was not impressed with them. They werent bad. Then I went to the Nitto Terra Grappler and they were a big improvement on and off road. The BFGs were only a load range D. The Nittos are E. I know that doesnt make much difference when it comes to a light SUV, but the handling was much better with the Nittos. And the Nittos were by far better in slippery mud where the BFGs would just clog up and spin.

Just my $0.02

They like the mud.....

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...-1-07011ba.jpg

EDIT: the picture in my avitar is me coming out of that hole.

E is a bit much for a 4000lb truck and I got mine in a D range which is stiff enough for me. My friend put the E range on his '02 Runner and it was a fair amount stiffer than the D load range and E willl be heavier and more expensive.

When you look up tires on Discount Tires site the E range is the TG that comes up first but look for the D range one and you'll also see the price diff too.

When it comes to hydroplane reisstance you can tell the TGs are better due to their continual water evacuation channels which the BFGs don't have.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...70Internet.jpg

This is when they were brand new......

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...Picture109.jpg

I have had the TGs for about 2 years now. GREAT tire and unbeatable for the price. Much prefer them for daily driving over the BFG ATs and I think they look just as good. Very good handling in the rain and snow.

This isn't one of your choices, but I'd also recommend Revo's if you're going to spend more time on the road than off. I think they're very capable off-road, still. They did very well in snow and mud from my experience.

But between those choices, I'd go with the Nitto's. I have not heard good things about those other two tires.

Ditch the S/T and run the STT's I have had a set on my 95 4runner and my 88 pickup. Best tire ever!

Kill the Bfg's I had 3 pair and yes I rotated them at 5000 mile intervals. Always ended up with a out of round or not being able to be balanced. I have they nitto's oh the are heaven. The Cooper STT's are bad ass too!
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...n/P4201869.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...n/P4201867.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...n/P1310544.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...n/P1011148.jpg
Aaron

Also try the Toyo Open Country AT's instead of the Nittos. Harder compound, similiar or cheaper price, nearly identical tread pattern, and deeper siping. Will be getting those inplace of my BFG's on my Taco. I hate the BFG's now after running the Nittos on the Jeep.

i got a set of tires from the local dealer here there called merit all country lxt i like them the look nice too paid $450 installed
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...Video015-1.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...orVideo033.jpg

I have always been a BFG man, but I have the Cooper St's now and really like them so far.
To compare the 2: BFG's rubber is a MUCH stiffer compound, I can see this being good for tread life, but it tends to chunk if hard offroading.
The coopers have been mooshed over some sharp AZ rocks without a mark left.
The tread is much softer and more grippy giving a smoother ride. The tread depth on the cooper st's is deaper than I've EVER seen.
Similar tread noise to BFG AT's, maybe a bit more. WAY less tread noise than my BFG muds.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...g/DSCN0806.jpg

these are the st-c, which is supposed to be cut and chip resistant. i had the p rated ST first and the were wearing super fast and chipping, cooper replaced them free with the st-c's. so far i've slashed one sidewall, but i wasn't aired down so it was probably my fault. they are better in the mud than the bfg a/t's but not as good in packed snow, but better in deep snow. i haven't hydroplaned yet (knock on wood). and i have about 12,000 miles on them and about 14/32 tread left. so they are wearing damn near as good as the bfg's, if not better. wow i didn't realize that.
what i saw of the ST though, i would not buy them, but the st-c i would again, but i'm going to an MT

if you get in nasty mud though they will load up.

I have the ST-c's on my '99. Great tire. They look awesome and wear evenly (19,000.No hydroplaning yet, great in the mud. I have noticed that they aren't the best in sand--don't know what type of area you live in. My two cents

Are they harder? Harder does mean less dry traction.

Thanks for all the responses! I've considered most of the M/T's out there from time to time, but just don't think they'd match my needs (although they look killer). Plus, the wife-o-meter definitely swings to dissapprove when I show her M/T's!

After all the comments and research I've done, I'll be going with a C or D rated tire at most. I don't need 10 ply E rated tires for such a light SUV. Thanks for the comments...keep them coming!

if the st-c came in C or D that what i would have got but they only come in E rate 10ply

The Nittos only come in D and E load ratings. Look for a load rating with an LT meaning light truck.

Anyone know where I can get some Cooper STT's? online or in Utah?

mavistire.com has some pretty good prices

http://www.mavistire.com/productcart...Discoverer+STT