Hi all, I'm in the market for new tires. I've searched around quite a bit on this site, but I couldn't find anything that specifically helped my needs. I've got a 2005 Rancher 4x4, and have narrowed my choices down to 26" Gators or 26" Mudlites from the information i've found here.

I use the quad primarly for:

1. Trail riding/woods - Going to the mud pits I go at least a few miles on the trails/woods.
2. Mud - I go through a LOT of mud and swamp land (i'm in south florida) and need a tire that will get me through the nastiest and thickest mud because I go miles back through mud trails.
3. Utility purposes/towing

I want a reliable tire that wont leave me hanging when i'm miles out in the woods.


Also I need to know sizes for front/rear that you all recommend. Should I order new rims with the tires? Where should I order from?


Thanks

 

mudrunners are going on a spare set of rims for me

very good reputation for durability, mudability, and trailability

 

bump

 

The Gators will mud better. The MudLites will mud good but be a better ride on the trail.

 

I think i've decided to go with the 26" Gators. I wont have to do any mods to fit these tires on my Rancher will I? 26x10x12 Fronts and 26x12x12 Rears is what I plan to run, with ITP C-Series model 6 rims.... any more opinions?

 

You will be able to spin them ok. You'll notice some power loss. As far as fitment, you'll be fine. A Rancher can "fit" up to a 27" BI/Tri combo. If you can, go with a pipe/jetting you will recover most all of the power you'll lose for the larger size tires. Before I did this, I had to stay in first or second most of the time when in really thick mud. The Type 6 is a really pretty rim! We have them on my dad's Rubi and they look great. Some hardcore mudders prefer the Type 5 due to the effects of the mud on the 6's clearcoat (just a thought).

 

Do you have a link to where I can get these mods? THANKS!!!

 

The best mud-riding people: www.highlifter.com (check out their forums). www.4atvtires.com has good prices on tires/rims.

 

The c-series are offset so you should be ok on clearance. The gators are considerably heavier than the mudlites and will be harder to turn in the mud. I'd opt for the 26" mudlites. I ran them for about a year on my rancher 350 4x4 and they worked great while still leaving me with plenty of power.

 

What are you going to do with the factory tires (and wheels, if replaced)