I am looking to put some better tires on my Rubicon. I do not like the way the stock tires feel like they are going to roll off of the rim when cornering. My riding is mixed, mostly trail riding, some jumping, some mudding. I want a more aggressive tread, but don't want to compromise the handling or jumping by putting on too large of a tire. Here are my current considerations (all 26x9 or 26x10 front and 26x12 rear):

Titan 589 $390.08 delivered
Maxxis Mudbugs $356.30 " "
Highlifter Outlaws $439.00 " "

I am going to run them on my stock wheels (again a price and weight savings) and would like an opinion of people who actually have tried these tires. I would also like to hear from fellow Rubicon owners who have larger tires if they have any rubbing problems, especially in the front. I know Highlifter makes a kit fo this, but I would like to avoid the modification if it's not needed.
Thanks for all your help!

 

For 26s you will not need the fender kit. The stock tires are 26 now that I think about it. As for the Outlaws, they are a great mud tire, but they are NOT a trail or jumping tire. I have loved the bugs for an all around tire. I have no experience with the 589s but I hear they are a great all around tire also.

 

My stock tires are 25's. Bridgestone Dirthooks I think. Did I get the wrong tires from the factory or could you be mistaken?

 

The Rubicon stock tires are 25" dirthooks.

 

my mistake

 

The best all around tires I have seen are the Goodyear Mudrunners, Titan 589's, and Blackwater XT's. All three are good for trails, but can handle the mud fairly well also. I chose the Mudrunners because I liked the tread design. They perform VERY well, and ride smooth. I also figured that if anyone knew how to make a tire, Goodyear would.

 

shumdit
I put a set of 27" Goodyear Mudrunners (27-9-12 on front & 27-12-12 rear)on my Rubicon about two weeks ago and have been on two rides since then. On the first ride the ground was frozen solid and it seemed that I lost a bit of the plush ride the Rubicon had with the stock tires but on the second ride the ground was not as frozen and the ride seemed to be a quite a bit better. I'm not sure if it was better or I got more used to it. I will have to say the stearing is much easier with the Mudrunners even thou it wasn't bad with the stock tires. My ground clearance went from 10" to 11 7/8" at the floorboard. I mounted the Mudrunners on a set of ITP Magnum aluminum wheels. I gained 18 lbs. per tire and wheel on the rear and 8 lbs. per tire and wheel on the front over the stock tires and wheels and could tell only a slight loss of power. The was no problem with the front tire clearance but the back tires rubbed the mud flairs a tiny bit but soon wore in. As far as sliding around corners I believe the Mudrunners slide better then the Dirt Hooks.
I have had a lift kit on another machine and didn't think much of it, it made you to top heavy.
Hope this helps you.

RatherB4Wheelin'

2001 Rubicon
27" Mudrunners
ITP Magnum wheels
Warn 2500 Winch
Lowrance 1600 GPS
Moose Boot Guards
(Soon to be Works Shocks & 2 1/2" Wheel Spacers)

 

Thanks for your reply!

 

I have not used those tires, but the logic of putting on taller tires to reduce sidewall sway or roll over does not make sense to me. As I said, I have not tried different tires but if you increase the sidewall height, it seems like you will increase the tendency to roll over the bead or increase the sway of the machine.

 

Taller afermarket tires are normally stiffer and are 4 and 6 ply tires compared to the 2 ply stock tires. Shumdit, I ran mudrunners on a griz and was very satisfied with the ride and handling. I would'nt run outlaws unless I rode 80% mud.