Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 5 Rib

[Disco4SE]

Hi all,
I went to different tyre dealer today for another opinion on 18" tyres.
He couldn't stop raving about the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 5 Rib tyre. He has had them on his Landcruiser for a while now and states that they are the best AT tyre he has ever had.
He quoted me $531.00 each...........ouch, but assures me that they will last 80,000Klm's and beyond.
The size is 275/65/18 and has a rolling diameter of 815mm. One hell of a big tyre. Not sure whether they will scrub or not.
I am interested to hear other opinions.
Cheers, Craig

[chuck]

Someone I know has these fitted to his D3.

I believe you will need a suspension rod lift to fit without rubbing.

I did see him ruin a $500 tyre when aired down and staked a sidewall when almost new.

I have seen them in the snow -they are very good.

They are a 32' tyre so comply with Code of Practice however whether they comply with legislation is a topic of much discussion.

I was at a tyre dealer the other day that quoted me that the COP was applicable.

There are also warrantee isues to think about.

Regards

Chuck

[Disco4SE]

Someone I know has these fitted to his D3.

I believe you will need a suspension rod lift to fit without rubbing.

I did see him ruin a $500 tyre when aired down and staked a sidewall when almost new.

I have seen them in the snow -they are very good.

They are a 32' tyre so comply with Code of Practice however whether they comply with legislation is a topic of much discussion.

I was at a tyre dealer the other day that quoted me that the COP was applicable.

There are also warrantee isues to think about.

Regards

Chuck
Thanks Chuck. This is the sort of feedback I am looking for. Funny you should mention about the sidewalls, when I asked this particular tyre dealer about Cooper ATR's, he bagged them because of their sidewalls.
I think its a case of gathering as much information as possible, then going with your gut.
Cheers, Craig

[Duck's Guts]

With respect to Cooper ATR's & Mickey T's ATZ 5 rib, I have had both in 245/70x17" size.

My experience has been:

ATZ's more aggressive tread pattern than the ATR's.
ATZ's had better fast & slow gravel, rock & clay/mud performance.
ATR's better in sand and on highway.
ATZ's slightly harsher ride that the ATR's.
I staked two ATR's: one through the tread (repaired) & one through the sidewall (rooted).
At lower pressures, the ATR's sidewalls bagged, the ATZ's seemed to still stand more upright (but contact patch probably lengthened?).
Both performed equally well whilst towing a 2.5T caravan.
The ATR's had a longer tread life, didn't chip, and no cracking at the base of the tread lugs.
The ATZ's tread blocks chipped enormously right from new (result of both on & off road use), and worryingly, significant cracks developed at the base of the tread lugs (both front & rear tyres from off road use)
In summary, I loved the more aggresive tread, puncture resistance & offroad perormance of the ATZ's, but highly disappointed by their chipping & cracking. The latter in particular had me fearing blowout potential. As such I will not buy again. The ATR's disappointed with what I perceived as a lack of puncture resistance, and a more road orientated tread design. Again I will not be purchasing again.

So far, the Cooper ST's fit my needs better than the ATR's or ATZ's. But I am looking to try the Maxxis Bighorns & BFG KM2's.

[sniegy]

Hi Craig,
I too have been looking at this tyre but in the LT - 4 rib version.
I am waiting on some 17's (265/75/17 from memory) to appear from above & enquired about 18's, thought they may be a little too big.
Good luck.

[lrdef110]

I've been running the 5 rib ATZ 265/70/17 for about 20,000k's. I got them to do the Simpson, Flinders Ranges and Strezlecki. They went really well aired down in the Simpson, but the blocks chipped terribly on the loop through the Flinders and Strezlecki. Seem to be wearing well but they are noisier than the tread suggests they would be (this could be because they are badly chipped). These tyres didn't perform really well in the tyre comparison done by 4WD Action Magazine a few months ago. Not sure I would get them again beacuse of the chipping but they look good. They do rub the guards on compression in this size.
Barry

[kingo]

Hi Craig
I purchased my D3 with a set on ATZ's on it. I'm guessing they had about 40000kms on them and were so badly chipped they were unroadworthy, tread depth was ok, but chipping was over the top. After doing a lot of research, I replaced them with Cooper STC's 265/70/17 light truck 10 ply. I've had ST's on 2 previous 4wd. On my new 2004 Patrol, I fitted them as soon as I left the dealer, the car did many trips, Cape York, Strezlecki Tck, Blue Mountains, High Country and many more. Sold the car with 75000k's and the original set of still roadworthy ST's. Have put a set on my D2 that replaced the Patrol and they are still going now. So when deciding on tyres for the D3 i had trouble looking at anything else after the personal experience and various articles rating them well above the competition. Will be interested to see how the STC's wear, as they are a softer compound, but their performance in the wet is great. In my opinion, I was amazed to see how poorly the ATZ's wore and the chipping was amazing. In 18' ST light truck are available, I like the idea of 10 ply light truck construction, the tread depth is deeper and you are sitting on a pretty strong tyre. Good luck with your choice, but I'd stick with the Coopers. :)

[Disco4SE]

Hi Craig
I purchased my D3 with a set on ATZ's on it. I'm guessing they had about 40000kms on them and were so badly chipped they were unroadworthy, tread depth was ok, but chipping was over the top. After doing a lot of research, I replaced them with Cooper STC's 265/70/17 light truck 10 ply. I've had ST's on 2 previous 4wd. On my new 2004 Patrol, I fitted them as soon as I left the dealer, the car did many trips, Cape York, Strezlecki Tck, Blue Mountains, High Country and many more. Sold the car with 75000k's and the original set of still roadworthy ST's. Have put a set on my D2 that replaced the Patrol and they are still going now. So when deciding on tyres for the D3 i had trouble looking at anything else after the personal experience and various articles rating them well above the competition. Will be interested to see how the STC's wear, as they are a softer compound, but their performance in the wet is great. In my opinion, I was amazed to see how poorly the ATZ's wore and the chipping was amazing. In 18' ST light truck are available, I like the idea of 10 ply light truck construction, the tread depth is deeper and you are sitting on a pretty strong tyre. Good luck with your choice, but I'd stick with the Coopers. :)
Thanks Kingo, still doing plenty of research but funny enough, keep coming back to the Coopers.
Regards, Craig

[Dirty3]

The latest Overlander magazine has a report on the Cooper Zeon LTZ running on D4 with 20inch wheels. They gave a favourable report. They don't look too bad either.