I went with a bit of an impulse buy today and want to know more about what I bought. I picked up a set of extremely low mile (<1000) TSL SX Swampers 38.5" on 16.5" x 14" Bart Monster rims, also in good condition. I paid $850 for them, by cruising through several mags. my estimate with tax, shipping etc. is $1300-$1350 for these new. I know this is a good deal, I absolutely couldn't pass it up but I wanted some opinions on the wear of the Swampers. I already have run a set of used up original Swampers that came on my truck so I know their abilities offroad, more concerned about wear, thanks.

 

Hey how do you like the 38" tires. i'm looking into lifting my 84 f150. and i'm either gonna put a 4" or 6" lift depending on which tires i want. i was looking at getting 35" or 38". i've never had a lifted vechicle before so if you could give me some info. thanks
lr

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Jan-01 AT 01:32&nbsp;PM (EST)[/font][p]Seriously, if you're not going to do a good bit of real offroading I'd find another tire to run. I am very tolerant of the characterisitics that make a truck, but the Swampers are extreme. They're loud, impossible to balance, handle like crap, and expensive. On the flipside, they'll absolutely embarrass a BF Goodrich MT in the mud, and they do look very good. Just giving you an honest opinion, make sure you're willing to deal with a nasty tire. On the other hand, I've run three trucks with 35" BFG's or Dunlop Mud Rovers and they're very nice. They ride, balance, and wear very well. But as I said, they're just not enough tire for serious mudding.

 

well i do plan to doing a good bit of offroading. i don't know how much mud i will encounter. my question is not on the super swampers but just the size in general. although i'd consider a set of them for my truck when i lift it.
lr

 

OOOHHHH, sorry about the miscommunications. I'd say on a fullsize that the 38"s are very manageble and better than 35's. They definitely helped with the approach/departure/breakover angles and with the right lift you still will have a nice low center of gravity.

 

thanks for the information. i still have awhile to decide. i still like the idea of having 38" tires but dont' know if the 6" lift required to have them would be worth it. i don't plan on no extreme trails....just beginner and some intermediate stuff at the most.
lr

 

38's will put a lot of stress on that ttb front end

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Jan-01 AT 11:02&nbsp;PM (EST)[/font][p]Heck yeah they will (over load the axle)....i wouldn't go over 35" tires with the TTB. Its hard enough to keep the tires perpendicular to the ground and alignment the dang thing and thats the last thing you need to do is put a set of big "A" tires on it! Haha, But if you are thinking about running 38"s....you might need a little more than 6 "s or be real good with a plasma cutter. Ford had smallish fenders starting on the 80's. I had a prob with 31's when my truck was a 2x4er. But i got a 3" body lift and then I converted it to 4x4 and it cleared a set of 33" BFG muds easily. SO all you would really need is about a 4" to clear the 35's and still make it look mean. As for the road habits of the tires....like stated above, if you on-road lots you are going to ware em down faster than a BFG. One of the things I rave about the BFG is that it is VERY QUIET on the road and the they ware very moderatly. and you get great traction off road. BUT the Swampers are over all a better tire off the pavement but invest in a good amp for your stereo! Those SOB's are LOUD!! Not to mention it gives your a good butt massage! I my self are looking for a set of swampers in the 38" range but I am up grading my front axle to a mono and adding 10" of lift. I want a monster so it really depends on your personal preference. Ill get off my soap box....


Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald

 

My Baja-Belteds hum, the Super Swampers sing the OPERA! Good for off-road, but if you plan to do much highway driving, expect 18-20k miles tops... They are a very soft tire, and the road tears em up!

-Ry
2001 Monster F350 CrewCab 4X4 7.3 PowerStroke, Bright Amber Metallic, 12" lift, 39" Mickey Thompsons on Weld Typhoons..

 

thanks for the info on the size and type of tire. i'll probly just plan on a lift for running 35". as for the type i'll worry about that when i get to that point.
lr

 

If you like the BFG MT's, you'll LOVE the Pro Compt MT's. I put a set of 33x12.5's on my '95 Eddie Bauer ext cab 4x4. Look tough, run great on and off road, and not all that loud (no more than the BFG MT's or the Dunlop Rovers). All I did was put an add-a-leaf set in the rear, 2" extended coils in front (J.C. Whitney!!) and shim my front bumper out about 1". I even put them on my factory 7.5" Outlaw style rim!! I have a little rub on the inside (could be fixed with an 8" rim), but it doesn't really bother me. That big thing has always been like turning a semi, so no tight turns. I have measured it out, and found that I can acutally fit 35's under the truck by adding a 3" body lift and 1 more inch in the suspension (mainly the front). The factory Eddie Bauer springs made the truck sit lower than a regular F-150, so you may be able to get the 35's by just adding the 2" coils, add-a-leaves and a body lift. It would be tight in the fender wells, so no big jumps. But would work great for mud where you don't need too much suspension flex.

Karl Jett
'95 Eddie Bauer ext cab 4x4, 33" Pro Comp MT's
351 with 350 hp at the ground with 3.73 gears!

 

>If you like the BFG MT's,
>you'll LOVE the Pro Compt
>MT's. I put a set
>of 33x12.5's on my '95
>Eddie Bauer ext cab 4x4.
>Look tough, run great on
>and off road, and not
>all that loud (no more
>than the BFG MT's or
>the Dunlop Rovers). All I
>did was put an add-a-leaf
>set in the rear, 2"
>extended coils in front (J.C.
>Whitney!!) and shim my front
>bumper out about 1". I
>even put them on my
>factory 7.5" Outlaw style rim!!
>I have a little rub
>on the inside (could be
>fixed with an 8" rim),
>but it doesn't really bother
>me. That big thing has
>always been like turning a
>semi, so no tight turns.
>I have measured it out,
>and found that I can
>acutally fit 35's under the
>truck by adding a 3"
>body lift and 1 more
>inch in the suspension (mainly
>the front). The factory Eddie
>Bauer springs made the truck
>sit lower than a regular
>F-150, so you may be
>able to get the 35's
>by just adding the 2"
>coils, add-a-leaves and a body
>lift. It would be tight
>in the fender wells, so
>no big jumps. But would
>work great for mud where
>you don't need too much
>suspension flex.
>
>Karl Jett
>'95 Eddie Bauer ext cab 4x4,
>33" Pro Comp MT's
>351 with 350 hp at the
>ground with 3.73 gears!

 

i just got 35 x10.5 tsl s in nov 00 i think they are awsome their a bit loud on the hiway but its worth it for the four wheelin. i haVE A 91 f250 302 5spd with a 4 lift its pretty whimpy right now because of gears. sone to come 4.11 gears and a solid front axel. good luck....

 

chilly460 what area are you in, i am in western canada near the border and have 6 38.5/16.5/16. 2 have good tread the rest are used up but could make good spares. the used up ones you could have for nothing. i gave up on swampers and went with michelin XL 39". the michelins are amazing and prove that you can make a round perfect big tire.