I want to upgrade the tires and wheels on my 2002 Rancher 4wd. I don't want anything too radical just a slight upgrade. I am looking for a good overall tire that will help me in the mud and yet not be so heavy that it taxes the engine or so harshly cleated that it tears up my wife's grass every time I turn around in the yard much more than the factory tires do. Can I get some opinions...

 

I run 26" ITP Blackwaters on Magnum rims. They are great handling, and look good too!! It does take a little more power to turn the big tires though. They might do a number on the yard though??

 

I have stock size titan 489 X/T and I am happy with them. They are 6 ply and so far have been indestructible. This comes from a guy who punctured 2 stock tires within 40 miles of getting my new ride. They are one of the lightest 6 ply and I have noticed no difference in acceleration or top speed, however don't expect huge improvements in traction, just indestructibility.

 

Mud bugs or Gators. Pretty close to same tire but bugs are a little lighter and gators are cheaper. Bugs have 1.2 inch lugs on all sizes and gators have 1.25 inch lugs on 26-28 inch tires. These tires are suppose to handle great on hardpack and pull in the muck, but thats only what i've read never road them before.

 

I just put Gators on my 2x4 Rancher (25x12x10) 7/8" depth: weight 26.4 lbs (stock tire 20 lbs - 25x11x10). These are AGGRESSIVE tires and you will notice minor lag...but GREAT in the MUD and GOOD on hard pack, but sand...miserable.....Maybe the Bearclaws would suit you better (weight is around the same as gators though, just less aggressive). If mud aint most of your game I would go with some sur/all tracs (more lawn friendly). One note since putting the Gators on my fan runs nearly every run now, granite its summer (80-90 deg.) hmmm, food for thought !!!!

good luck, so many tires but only 4 rims, choose well. Hindsight the Claws would have suited me better, I think atleast till the next MUDHOLE, or winter even, lol.......

Scott