General Grabbers destroyed!

[DoctorJ]

Well I have come to the conclusion after numerous high country trips that the General Grabbers just don't cut the mustard! After having my previous 4b and never having an issue, in a couple of months with the GG's I have had 2 flats on the tracks and they are shredded. My question is has anyone else encountered this and what tyres are they now running that they are happy with as I won't replace my flat with another GG.

By the way my LR Jack failed on the track luckily I was close enough to camp to call the boys over the CB, it's a disgrace that LR have released a jack so poor that in my case had I been further out could have been life threatening! They will be receiving a nice email:mad:

Can't wait to hear other people's responses, I'm leaning towards the Yokahama AT/S just on previous experience but am very open minded.

Cheers
Julian

[Rockylizard]

Gday...

Apologies for instantly taking this "off topic" ... but, DoctorJ, you say "By the way my LR Jack failed on the track". Was this the LR provided standard scissor jack?

If so, in what way did it fail please. I am wondering if what you experienced is the same as what I encountered.

I run Cooper H/T Plus - do very little off-road these days :( .. but I have had a good run with them.

Cheers - John

[trebor]

Doctor

To which model of GGs are you referring that "shredded"?

Nick

[Ean Austral]

Well I have come to the conclusion after numerous high country trips that the General Grabbers just don't cut the mustard! After having my previous 4b and never having an issue, in a couple of months with the GG's I have had 2 flats on the tracks and they are shredded. My question is has anyone else encountered this and what tyres are they now running that they are happy with as I won't replace my flat with another GG.

By the way my LR Jack failed on the track luckily I was close enough to camp to call the boys over the CB, it's a disgrace that LR have released a jack so poor that in my case had I been further out could have been life threatening! They will be receiving a nice email:mad:

Can't wait to hear other people's responses, I'm leaning towards the Yokahama AT/S just on previous experience but am very open minded.

Cheers
Julian

Gday Julian,

Cant shed much light on the tyre's but I did look at the yokies and a guy with a prado that works near me has them and they sound like a reasonable tyre, and are well priced in some places to.
As to the jack, you can include the pathetic excuse for a wheel brace as well. Bent mine undoing the wheel nuts and wouldn't bother getting a L/R replacement.
A friend of mine last year with a Prado had his jack fail about 100ks from the nearest place, and I was surprised at how flimsy his cars jack was.

I have always bought a better jack and wheel brace with every car ive had.

Will be interested to hear if you actually get a reply from L/R as the few times i've written I have never had a reply yet.

Cheers Ean

[Graeme]

I consider my Yoko AT/S to be as tough as nails but they're a 17" LT version with 3 ply sidewalls and LI 119, not the 18" version.

[DoctorJ]

Gday...

Apologies for instantly taking this "off topic" ... but, DoctorJ, you say "By the way my LR Jack failed on the track". Was this the LR provided standard scissor jack?

If so, in what way did it fail please. I am wondering if what you experienced is the same as what I encountered.

I run Cooper H/T Plus - do very little off-road these days :( .. but I have had a good run with them.

Cheers - John

G'day John, it was the scissor jack provided and as I was lifting the vehicle I noticed I was finding it difficult to turn the jack and then the steel rods actually twisted now I might think I'm strong but to have the ability to twist steel sometimes I amaze myself lol

Cheers
Julian

PS The funny thing was I had heard the jacks were crap and having a previous bad experience I dropped hints to my wife for a bottle jack for Xmas, well 2 guesses what I didn't get for Xmas!

[AnD3rew]

Hey Julian were they AT2'2 or AT's

[DoctorJ]

Hey Julian were they AT2'2 or AT's

They were the new ones so I think the AT's

Cheers
Julian

[AGRO]

My OEM Scissor jack collapsed when the vehicle shifted slightly side ways whilst replacing a rear wheel on gravelly but damp level ground. I had a block of hardwood (6"x 4") under the jack to distribute the load a bit more. Only few degrees off vertical and the jack collapsed bending the drive screw.

Fortunately I had only "cracked" the wheel nuts and had a couple of mates around with their gear.

I now have two bottle jacks in the car and intend getting an airbag jack.

[Yorkie]

search for posts from redback, trip last year to high country he killed 3 of those tyres. now runs bfg km2 on 17inch rims.
:)

[scarry]

What size rims are you running?

[scarry]

search for posts from redback, trip last year to high country he killed 3 of those tyres. now runs bfg km2 on 17inch rims.
:)

Are those the OEM rims he stole from that guy in Brisbane:D;)

A pic of them on the D4 would be good:)

I find the BFG A/T's good,no issues at all,certainly won't have to use the POS jack.

[roamer]

Have a look at Bridgestone D697,
they have an LT and are tough as, and resonable price


Cheers Ken

[Timj]

I wouldn't give you 2c for a second hand GG AT2 but had thought the new ones were better. The originals were too weak in the sidewall, similar to the standard tyre. Now have the Bridgestone Dueller 697 and so far very happy. Only a couple of thousand Ks on them so far but some dirt road driving in that. The LT construction should be much stronger.

Cheers,

TimJ.

[lrdef110]

Julian I fitted 19" GG AT's prior to an 18 day high country trip in Dec 2010. I had one puncture which I thought was pretty good given the low profile nature of the tyre and the terrain they were subjected to on a daily basis. But I travelled the Kimberley & Canning Stock Route this year and did another 3 on this trip (although only 1 shredded) and have also come to the conclusion that they don't cut the mustard for 4Wdriving. I now have 18" GOE rims and Bridgestone LT's and although I haven't really tested these tyres out yet in the bush I am very hopefull they will be substantailly better than the GG's. I would also recommend the first new addition/accessory to a D3/D4 above anything else is a bottle jack or something other than what comes standard.
Cheers.

[Tombie]

Have a look at Bridgestone D697,
they have an LT and are tough as, and resonable price


Cheers Ken

I must say I couldn't be happier with the D697s on mine.

Done 5,000km on all types of surface and as an all rounder they are proving tough, quiet and sure footed.

Definitely get 5 stars from me.

[discotwinturbo]

I have just returned from 2500 round trip to Isrealite Bay running my Cooper LTZ's. Travelled via Hyden, then along the Hyden Norseman Road. Good all weather dirt road, and tyres hung on well. Then followed the telegraph track to the Balledonia Road. Most of this track was similar to the Holland Track so nothing to write home about.
Turned onto the Ballendonia Road to Israelite Bay. Road was lumpy, corrugated and lots of larger stones on the road. Second half of this road saw complaints from my fellow travellers in a Playdo and Patrol. They dropped tyre pressures further to smooth the corrugations. The Discovery eats up corrugations.
We then turned onto Gora Road, and the track was littered with larger rocks and stones, plenty of bulldust and more corrugations....all quite slow driving. I stopped a few times for rest and snack breaks for the kids, so had to catch up on each occasion travelling faster then the others.
More rough track driving down to Bilbunya Dunes.
The Coopers did not surprise me.
I have been running them since 2000 and have put collectively more than 350,000 since that time.....and still not one puncture.
This trip continued my confidence with them, and all though these are no LT's they do have stiffer sidewalls, and the LT carrying capacity.
I certainly gave these tyres an absolute hammering for their first real outing.
Have swapped them back over for the factory rims and tyres yesterday (I prefer the car this way for non touring). No chipping, and look just as good as when I put them on new (now travelled 2915kms of which 1656 have been offroad).
Super happy I stuck with the Coopers again, even though they are a little large.
Brett.....

[Gaviatrix]

I've got Bridgestone D694LTs in 265/65x17 on LR OEM 17" wheels on my 2007 TDV6 HSE. I've still got the original 18s with Kuhmo road tyres but I don't bother switching much now as the D694s are only a little noisier and they ride well. They've now done about 15,000 kms on all sorts of surfaces and are wearing really well, no punctures. I'd recommend them highly (or presumably the D697s which are their replacement now). NOTE - buy in Australia not from overseas as the rubber compounds differ even for tyres with the same apparent tread pattern.

[oldsalt]

Well I have come to the conclusion after numerous high country trips that the General Grabbers just don't cut the mustard! After having my previous 4b and never having an issue, in a couple of months with the GG's I have had 2 flats on the tracks and they are shredded. My question is has anyone else encountered this and what tyres are they now running that they are happy with as I won't replace my flat with another GG.

By the way my LR Jack failed on the track luckily I was close enough to camp to call the boys over the CB, it's a disgrace that LR have released a jack so poor that in my case had I been further out could have been life threatening! They will be receiving a nice email:mad:

Can't wait to hear other people's responses, I'm leaning towards the Yokahama AT/S just on previous experience but am very open minded.

Cheers
Julian

Maybe we'll have a "decent" jack available soon - if this news release is to be believed...Quaddro Technologies - WORLD'S SAFEST 4x4 Off-Road Vehicle Recovery Mechanism. (http://www.quaddrotech.com/news_press_releases.html)
cheers

[Tombie]

I've got Bridgestone D694LTs in 265/65x17 on LR OEM 17" wheels on my 2007 TDV6 HSE. I've still got the original 18s with Kuhmo road tyres but I don't bother switching much now as the D694s are only a little noisier and they ride well. They've now done about 15,000 kms on all sorts of surfaces and are wearing really well, no punctures. I'd recommend them highly (or presumably the D697s which are their replacement now). NOTE - buy in Australia not from overseas as the rubber compounds differ even for tyres with the same apparent tread pattern.

All you want is Japanese manufactured Bridgies....

[DoctorJ]

Thanks guys I might have to check them out, many of the tyre manufacturers are making AT/MT hybrids are there any in a suitable size available with the relative speed ratings.

Cheers
Julian

[CaverD3]

The GGs are good for a normal construction tyre. Sidewalls will always be vulnerable on a non LT construction tyre.

You could always go back to the OEM Wranglers. :whistling:

Then the GGs would look brilliant. :lol2:

[NavyDiver]

Well I have come to the conclusion after numerous high country trips that the General Grabbers just don't cut the mustard! After having my previous 4b and never having an issue, in a couple of months with the GG's I have had 2 flats on the tracks and they are shredded. My question is has anyone else encountered this and what tyres are they now running that they are happy with as I won't replace my flat with another GG.

By the way my LR Jack failed on the track luckily I was close enough to camp to call the boys over the CB, it's a disgrace that LR have released a jack so poor that in my case had I been further out could have been life threatening! They will be receiving a nice email:mad:

Can't wait to hear other people's responses, I'm leaning towards the Yokahama AT/S just on previous experience but am very open minded.

Cheers
Julian

Drove my AT GGs and killed one side wall over most of the high country. now I prefer a set of 17inch Micky T MTs now. I am supprised you killed so many. My GG fatality was a side wall split and I feel possily due to poor driving on my part. Whole heartedly agree about the jack. My is broken and good ridence. A highlift (my preferance) or a good bottle jack is much more capable and doesn't break when you most need a jack like my Landrover one did leaving me in the :thumbsdown:. I think ATs are ok but on lots of the very rocky bits the sidewalls are very exposed. Rocky bits with long ruts on steep climbs or decents are common in some of our great high country drives. I am yet to kill a muddie:D but do not want them for my daily drive just for my fun bits up high in heaven.

[jazzaD1]

one thing i've noticed in this thread is no mention of tyre pressures, maybe this is a contributing factor to the tyre damage...

[DoctorJ]

one thing i've noticed in this thread is no mention of tyre pressures, maybe this is a contributing factor to the tyre damage...

G'day JazzaD1,
I can assure you and everyone I'm the first to lower my tyre pressures. As soon as I'm off the blacktop the stauns are pulled out, the issue I have is on my Patrol driving the same tracks I never once had a flat or damaged my tyres whilst running Yoki's and then Mickey T's this tells me that it's definitely the tyres.

[connock]

What tyre presures also what speed are you guys going ?? I would imagine too high a presure and to fast, to shread a tire I would blame more on driver error that just blame the tyre. Try draging a tight balloon over rocks then a half inflated balloon slow over rocks you would have a hard time poping the latter. I have a set of gg,s on and have driven K,s on broken slate and shale with no probs. Shaw I agree the tyres you are saying are better probably are and cast iron ones probabley even better. Just drive according to ALL the conditions

[Nomad9]

Hi Agro,
If you consider the exhaust jack which is what I'm thinking you are talking about be mindful that the D3 TDV6 despite having twinned pipes they are common at the last muffler, you would have to plug one of the pipes off if you can, I'm not sure, I was going to do what you are looking at in the end I gave it a miss it all became to hard, fitting plugs and where you can actually place the exhaust jack. I think I've still got the exhaust jack, if I can fnd it are you interested? Nominal fee and I'm in Perth.

[phl]

With all this talk of dodgy OE jacks, what after market jack are recommended? Ideally it should fit into the same spot as the OE jack.

BTW, those who have wreaked the OE jacks, were they replaced under warranty, as they were clearly not fit for purpose?

[ozscott]

First I have heard of a GG being weak. I have THE At2 on my D2 and they are fantastic as they are after 60k on my mates d2a- both in LT's though. My brother has been selling them for years with great success on all vehicles. So yours were passenger rated?

Cheers

[AGRO]

Thanks Nomad9,

I should have said "air bag jack". I would find the exhaust jack a bit of a chore as well. I believe there are dual input bags around. (Air and Exhaust). Haven't had a serious look yet.

Maybe some one could suggest a brand.

Thanks

[Gaviatrix]

I happened to notice that Tigerz currently have a deal on airbag jacks when I was on their site a couple of days ago. I don't have one myself - but I always take my trusty bottle jack as a back-up off road

[Yorkie]

First I have heard of a GG being weak. I have THE At2 on my D2 and they are fantastic as they are after 60k on my mates d2a- both in LT's though. My brother has been selling them for years with great success on all vehicles. So yours were passenger rated?

Cheers

i do not think the GG bigger rim sizes are LT which is the issue, that and smaller sidewall profile.

[gghaggis]

The airbag jacks are quite useful (I have a cheap Chinese copy, which is still going strong 2 years later), as are the powered scissor jacks I mentioned some time ago. But remember to keep your LR jack with you. If your car drops to the bump stops, it's the ONLY jack I know that will still fit under the chassis rails.

The GG AT2 in PT construction has a history of being a weak tyre. But it's cheap. That's the trade-off. Seems to be the same for the GG AT

Cheers,

Gordon

[boofdtl]

Hi Doc J if you still have any of tyres could you drop one off or i can pick one up to have a look at and show the rep.

[ozscott]

Gotcha. This explains why my brother only sells LT in the AT2 - Discos, Deefer, prados and cruisers etc but all tall profile tyres.

Cheers

[PerthDisco]

I have been watching the 'which tyre' discussion for past few months as I intend to buy a new set in Feb/Mar.

Seems to me that the tribe has spoken in favour of the new Bridgestones D697. Good pricing also.

[D4PeterH]

ARB have a dual exhaust jack. About $300

I have only used it once on air in the back yard changing a tyre, is easily controlled, needs to be well positioned but very easy to use.

A few said they would be slow on air compared to exhaust but it went up in no time. I also carry a soft ball covered in foil, not sure how it will work as a plug.

[Gaviatrix]

I have been watching the 'which tyre' discussion for past few months as I intend to buy a new set in Feb/Mar.

Seems to me that the tribe has spoken in favour of the new Bridgestones D697. Good pricing also.

If they're an improvement on my 694s then you won't go wrong. After shopping around extensively 2 years ago I got mine from the Bridgestone specialist guy in North Perth (just near the Thomas St/Polly's Pipe freeway on ramp). Now a cautionary tale. I pointed out the positioning of the compressor when I took the car in and warned the workshop operative not to jack there. Guess what .... BANG went the bracket as I sat in the waiting room. To his great credit, the owner immediately phoned Barbagallos, got them to order the part, and had them bill him direct when they fitted it the next day. I still could hear him chewing out the workshop hand as I drove away ...

[DoctorJ]

Hi Doc J if you still have any of tyres could you drop one off or i can pick one up to have a look at and show the rep.

No worries Boof I was planning on dropping by once I work out what tyres to get as i also want to get a wheel alignment.

Cheers
Julian

[DoctorJ]

I thought I would mention before more people comment that the Vic high country is renowned for destroying tyres so everyone in other states who have been happy with the GG's will more than likely continue to be happy with them, my issue is I have had 2 other brands before that have survived the tortures that the high country presents and it is unfortunate that the GG's didn't. No particular issue with them they just weren't up to the task. I also wanted to mention for those that have become defensive of their tyres, my driving style and precautions I take whilst driving gave me no issues with other brands so therefore were NOT the issue to cause these failures! I don't drive any differently now I own a LR!

Cheers
Julian

[Sadie]

I've recently returned from a 4000 trip to the NSW 'corner country' (Bourke, Tibooburra, Cameron Corner, Inamincka, Broken Hill, etc). About half of this trip was on dirt/sand/rocks, towing a camper trailer.

I am running GG At's on 19 inch rims and did not lower my tyre pressures at all. Ran them at about 38psi the whole time, and was on or slightly above, speed limits the whole trip. (i.e. I didn't 'baby' the tyres)

We did not have a single puncture and the tyres still look as good as new.

No complaints here. :)

[phl]

But remember to keep your LR jack with you. If your car drops to the bump stops, it's the ONLY jack I know that will still fit under the chassis rails.

Gordon,

What's the clearance under the chassis rail whilst on the bump stops? I'm considering a two stage telescopic bottle jack, and would be useful to know how low it needs to be.

[Nomad9]

Hi Julian,
My experience with Coopers more so the HT Plus I would rather drive on a bald and plugged BF Goodrich AT than a brand new Cooper HT Plus. As soon as I got back from my last extended trip getting three punctures and shredding one other I will never drive on them again. And no I don't believe I had the pressures wrong, I tried several different combinations of pressure and speed without success, they were just rubbish. And as for warranty, it was all my fault apparently, I don't need that stress in my life I'll just buy a good tyre and pay a bit more in the first place.

[Sleepy]

...

[scarry]

I don't need that stress in my life I'll just buy a good tyre and pay a bit more in the first place.

since i have payed a bit more,and after three sets of quality tyres,have never had to use the vehicle's jack:D

And i don't just pussyfoot around on the blacktop.

I never skimp on tyres,you get what you pay for.

[AGRO]

Hi Scarry,

What size 17" BFG A/T's do you use.

Thanks

[scarry]

Hi Scarry,

What size 17" BFG A/T's do you use.

Thanks

245/70/17

Did not want to go oversize,mainly due to legalities in Qld.
But i believe they have recently changed the rules here,can now go to 50mm oversize.
Also did not want to modify vehicle,and do not have LLAMS yet.

[DoctorJ]

since i have payed a bit more,and after three sets of quality tyres,have never had to use the vehicle's jack:D

And i don't just pussyfoot around on the blacktop.

I never skimp on tyres,you get what you pay for.

G'day Scarry, I too have always been of that philosophy and after reading all the posts as to how great the GG's are I thought I would be right and I think in most conditions they would be, but as soon as the conditions deteriorate unfortunately so do the tyres.

Cheers
Julian

PS having a chat to Boof on Monday about my options

[Runnadude]

have now punctured four cooper AT3s in six months! I'm over them. I think it's time to get a set of 17 in wheels with mud tyres for the off road stuff

[scarry]

G'day Scarry, I too have always been of that philosophy and after reading all the posts as to how great the GG's are I thought I would be right and I think in most conditions they would be, but as soon as the conditions deteriorate unfortunately so do the tyres.

Cheers
Julian

PS having a chat to Boof on Monday about my options


Dunno what size rims you have,presume 19's?

If so,best is to go to 18's,available from gghaggis on here,good selection of LT tyres available for that size:)

17' rims will not fit the D4 with the 3.0l engine

[gghaggis]

Gordon,

What's the clearance under the chassis rail whilst on the bump stops? I'm considering a two stage telescopic bottle jack, and would be useful to know how low it needs to be.

It's been a while since I had a car with standard-size tyres to measure, but I recall you could only just fit the LR jack under it, which would make it around 130mm.

Cheers,

Gordon

[DoctorJ]

Dunno what size rims you have,presume 19's?

If so,best is to go to 18's,available from gghaggis on here,good selection of LT tyres available for that size:)

17' rims will not fit the D4 with the 3.0l engine

It's a D3 Scarry so I've got the 18's it's just a matter of working through all of the options available and hopefully choosing right. Definitely going bigger to get the bigger sidewall, I feel that is one of the biggest downfalls

Cheers
Julian

[scarry]

It's a D3 Scarry so I've got the 18's it's just a matter of working through all of the options available and hopefully choosing right. Definitely going bigger to get the bigger sidewall, I feel that is one of the biggest downfalls

Cheers
Julian

The BEST option by a country mile is 17's:)

Just my 2cents worth.........

Good luck with your choice

[Graeme]

Definitely going bigger to get the bigger sidewall, I feel that is one of the biggest downfalls
I think LT rather than P rated (incl XL) tyres with their (generally) stronger sidewalls provide the biggest improvement in sidewall longevity, especially in 17" and 18" sizes for 30" dia tyres. If I had 18" rims and no 17" I'd be giving the LT 265/60-18 D697s a try.

[chuck]

I wonder how long it will be before someone gets a set of the 285 x 60 X 18 Bridgestone 697's.

Same size as the Cooper but LT rated and more aggressive tread pattern.

Cheers

[DiscoWeb]

For what it is worth I run Continental CrossContact A/Ts in the OEM 18 In size.

I have done around 50,000 km on the set including numerous trips to the high country and various trips off road and never once had a problem with them.

Could be worth a look and from memory were about the same as other options.

George

[discotwinturbo]

I wonder how long it will be before someone gets a set of the 285 x 60 X 18 Bridgestone 697's.

Same size as the Cooper but LT rated and more aggressive tread pattern.

Cheers

Interesting that they don't have the weight carrying rating of the Coopers. If I ever get let down by the Coopers I will look at these....so far though the Coopers have continued to be reliable for my style and anal tyre pressures.

Brett...

[Dirty3]

It's been awhile since I've been on the forum, so here we go.

I have had my GGAT2's now for the past 3 years on my D3. It was the only decent option for me at the time as there was bugger all all terrain options. Since then I have replaced 4, due to wear. Got about 65,000kms from the first lot, then I staked one through the sidewall in a river crossing. Up till then, never an issue and I still don't rate it an issue. High country you will eventually stake a tyre. I staked 2 BFG Mud Terrains back a few years ago, and I thought they were in-destructable. I had a Cooper ST sidewall punctured, just 12,000km from new on a suburban street!

I have also taken my GG's across Flinders Ranges with its rough roads, no punctures.
I don't know but the debate on what tyre is best drags on these forums and other forums too, at least on the D3/4 forums we can't talk so much about whether a Cooper is better than a BFG!! We don't have the choices!!

In future I will more than likely get some 17 wheels just to get the taller sidewall. It is probably more to the point that you don't have the clearance and flex a taller side wall affords. Just my two bob's worth.

Neil.

[AnD3rew]

Was very happy with my GG AT2's whichi have just replaced still legal at 50000k's. just tried out the new GG AT's in Sundown National Park which is mostly very nasty sharp rocks and they performed Very well as well as very nice on the blacktop.