Tell me the best setup for the woods and the swamp in the southeast as far as tires without changing rims or adding a lift kit.

 

I would have to say your best bet would probably be 27 inch Gators or 27 inch Dirt Devil XT's.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

How about the width of the tires? Do I need a narrower tire for the front than the back? Thought that the wider tire would give more floatation.

 

Wider tires do help with flotation, but with a 12 inch wide tire, it may rub on the shocks. This can be cured with different rims. But it sounds like you don't want to go that route. Also i have found that the 12 inch wide tires hinder you on some tight trails. If you find out for sure that the tires you decide on WILL rub on the shocks, then i would go with 27x10-12's on all 4 wheels.

About the only reason you would want to go with a narrower front tire is for easier steering or in snow. (i've been told they will cut through it and grab solid ground better than wider tires).

 

My vote for the best combination (that will do great in mud and still perform on the trail) is the 27" Bi/Tri Claw combo. Silverbear or Cowboy (wherever he went) can attest.

For a better riding trail tire that is great in mud, the Goodyear Mudrunners are excellent, though costly.

 

My vote would be for the Gators or DD XT's 10w in front 12w in rear. Does anyone run 28" in either of these tires with out the lift? And what do the 28" DD's and Gators actually measure up to?

 

Thanks for all the opinions on the tires. Will have to look again when I wear the stock ones out, whenever that will be.
Anybody got any hints on what to watchout for to prevent expensive repairs after the normal oil / filter changes,and watching the front cv boots? How often does the belt on the trans need to be looked at? And how does everyone feel about the synthetic oils?
Already turned the cat over and replaced the broke speedometer and the broke plastic rivets on the fender flares, mechanic said that NAPA has the same rivets along with the tool for a few bucks.