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terravstsl.jpg (51899 bytes)    44vs45.jpg (33437 bytes)    cutterra.jpg (64615 bytes)    terrasideshot.jpg (128667 bytes)

The reason these pictures are here is to show the relationship between the two tires. The tire in the right hand picture above, is a 44.6 x 18.4 - 16.1 Goodyear Traction Sure Grip. The other is a 44 x 18.5 - 15 Interco Super Swamper TSL. 

The Goodyear terra tire has an advertised tread depth of 50/32, (1.5625") a section width of 18.4" and an approximate weight of 135 lbs.

The 44" Super Swamper has an advertised tread depth of 27/32, (0.8440") a section width of 17.5" and an approximate weight of 120 lbs. 

In the slop, the Goodyear's make boggers look like all terrains. LITERALLY. There is no comparison. 44" Boggers have 26/32" deep tread, and the Goodyear's have 50/32" deep tread. The Goodyear's are 135 lbs each, and my 44" TSL's weighed 120 lbs each. The Goodyear has several inches between the lugs so they bite in to the dirt better and have WAY better cleaning characteristics. I rarely have to hit the throttle where guys with boggers are revving' 6500 rpm to clean their tires. The Goodyear's hold side hills way better too. For Drag racing a cut bogger would probably be better, but that is the only thing that I think they Might do better off-road, other than on Slick Rock. The Goodyear's have a pretty stiff sidewall, and 16.1" rims have no safety beads. But I am running mine at 8psi in the front and 6psi in the back and have not been able to peal a bead off yet. I had them side loaded when climbing this rock...


76_14.jpg (60537 bytes)

...and never burped the bead. You can see in the picture where the tire was smashed up against that undercut ledge on the right side. The rim was within about 2 or 3 inches from the rock when It climbed over, I am comfortable with how they air down. With about 2 psi in them the contact patch is almost 3 feet long and nearly 2 feet wide. I'm experimenting with ways to make them grab better on the smooth rocks, and have cut two diagonal groves in each lug and might sipe them in the middle.

The Rims I am currently running were custom made by the Goodyear Agricultural dealer, and should cost about 100 each. Mine are 14" wide, but I think I would get some 12's and weld on some Rockstomper Beadlocks. Then you could run the 4 or 5 psi that these tires need to really flex well. The tires are pretty expensive, but can be purchased for about $500 each. Small price to pay for the performance, IMHO. 

Nothing against boggers, as they are an excellent tire for a street legal truck. But, for a truck that cannot see the highway, why limit it with street tires?

Brook

P.S. I'll never buy another set of DOT tires for an off-road truck again.

38vs45.jpg (82790 bytes)

38" Swamper VS 45" Goodyear Traction Sure Grip Terra Tire 

terras.jpg (38484 bytes)    terras2.jpg (33312 bytes)

Compared to a 31" terra tire, both are on 14" wide rims.

 

cut38_1.jpg (113363 bytes)    cut38_2.jpg (120505 bytes)    38_cut.jpg (67845 bytes)    cut38_5.jpg (81003 bytes)

These are pictures of some 38" TSL's that I went after with a tire grooving Iron that I bought from Randy's Race Mart. It took me approximately 8 hours for each tire. My hands were numb for days! All in the name of performance! These modifications made a world of difference. The 38's were about half worn out and did not work all that well compared to 40" Boggers. Now they work almost as well if not the same and it only cost me about $60 including shipping. 

 

We have a responsibility as 4wheelers to be careful where we drive, and always support Tread Lightly policies. We don't want to see someone tear up land and make new trails on their own. These are  legitimate trails. Most trails here are fair game as long as you don't cross any "Critical Habitat", salmon stream's, or private property. The pictures that you see on this page or anywhere else on this website are all on dedicated trails. There are a few pictures that appear to not be on a trail, but I assure you that they are. The reason that they look the way they do is because not very many people make it back  this far, so the trail tends to grow over after a few years. Also, people have made bypasses around the nasty spots.  We  prefer to stick to the main trail when ever possible.

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