Duratrac 315/70/17 question
02-17-2013, 08:39 AM
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Newbie here... Just got a 2013 JK Unlimited Sport Automatic with 3.73s... I’ve spent HOURS reading all the modified JK tech newbie stickies & countless posts, but there’s still some questions I have...
I’ve decided to buy some AEV Pintlers, mainly due to their hubcentric design. I know some will say hubcentric wheels aren’t necessary, but after the CONSTANT balancing issues I had with some XDs I think it’s worth the extra cost. I’d rather spend a few extra bucks now than make 4-5 trips to Discount Tire every time I have my tires rotated and spending an hour or two each trip.
I’ve decided to go with Duratracs based on reviews and the looks of the tire. If I don’t lift right now I want to get the 285/70/17s and leave the suspension stock for a couple of years and save some money (baby on the way!). I’m still contemplating the AEV 2.5 lift, but I’m being a warranty weenie right now.
But if I do decide to go with the lift I’d like to get some more info on the 315/70/17. According to the GY website, they measure 34.4”, they only weigh 6 lbs more than the 285/70/17s, and are only about 1.6” wider. I know there will be more rolling resistance due to the wider tire and larger circumference and I know I’ll need a new tire carrier.
My questions are:
1) Will these cause the same kinds of issues as a true 35” tire? Do I need to beef up my front axles, make other modifications, etc?
2) Is anyone happy running the GY Duratrac 315/70/17 tires with 3.73 gears? If so, how’s the power & MPGs?
3) I’d also like to know what these measure once mounted and once they have a load on them. Are they closer to 33s?
I’ve decided to buy some AEV Pintlers, mainly due to their hubcentric design. I know some will say hubcentric wheels aren’t necessary, but after the CONSTANT balancing issues I had with some XDs I think it’s worth the extra cost. I’d rather spend a few extra bucks now than make 4-5 trips to Discount Tire every time I have my tires rotated and spending an hour or two each trip.
I’ve decided to go with Duratracs based on reviews and the looks of the tire. If I don’t lift right now I want to get the 285/70/17s and leave the suspension stock for a couple of years and save some money (baby on the way!). I’m still contemplating the AEV 2.5 lift, but I’m being a warranty weenie right now.
But if I do decide to go with the lift I’d like to get some more info on the 315/70/17. According to the GY website, they measure 34.4”, they only weigh 6 lbs more than the 285/70/17s, and are only about 1.6” wider. I know there will be more rolling resistance due to the wider tire and larger circumference and I know I’ll need a new tire carrier.
My questions are:
1) Will these cause the same kinds of issues as a true 35” tire? Do I need to beef up my front axles, make other modifications, etc?
2) Is anyone happy running the GY Duratrac 315/70/17 tires with 3.73 gears? If so, how’s the power & MPGs?
3) I’d also like to know what these measure once mounted and once they have a load on them. Are they closer to 33s?
Last edited by flomingo; 02-17-2013 at 10:07 AM.
02-17-2013, 09:23 AM
#2
I have the 2.5 TF lift with 315/70/17 Duratracs.
I have a Rubicon (4.10's) and noticed no difference in power. I do have a SuperChips and re-calibrated the speedo and adjusted for the new size. You'll be fine if you have a manual with the 3.73's.
I don't really pay attention to the MPG's but I would say it's pretty close to stock with maybe a loss of 1 or 2 if that.
They measure a little over 34.25 mounted. I have stock bumpers.
Very happy with the on and off road handling. You will be happy with them.
I have a Rubicon (4.10's) and noticed no difference in power. I do have a SuperChips and re-calibrated the speedo and adjusted for the new size. You'll be fine if you have a manual with the 3.73's.
I don't really pay attention to the MPG's but I would say it's pretty close to stock with maybe a loss of 1 or 2 if that.
They measure a little over 34.25 mounted. I have stock bumpers.
Very happy with the on and off road handling. You will be happy with them.
02-19-2013, 09:18 PM
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I have the 2.5 TF lift with 315/70/17 Duratracs.
I have a Rubicon (4.10's) and noticed no difference in power. I do have a SuperChips and re-calibrated the speedo and adjusted for the new size. You'll be fine if you have a manual with the 3.73's.
I don't really pay attention to the MPG's but I would say it's pretty close to stock with maybe a loss of 1 or 2 if that.
They measure a little over 34.25 mounted. I have stock bumpers.
Very happy with the on and off road handling. You will be happy with them.
I have a Rubicon (4.10's) and noticed no difference in power. I do have a SuperChips and re-calibrated the speedo and adjusted for the new size. You'll be fine if you have a manual with the 3.73's.
I don't really pay attention to the MPG's but I would say it's pretty close to stock with maybe a loss of 1 or 2 if that.
They measure a little over 34.25 mounted. I have stock bumpers.
Very happy with the on and off road handling. You will be happy with them.
It's not a super heavy tire so I'm wondering if I'd really need them. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
I'm starting to lean toward spidertrax spacers & stock wheels to save some coin, especially if I'll need to beef up the front axle and/or regear down the road.
02-19-2013, 09:30 PM
#4
I have a 12' Sport S with 3.73, 2.5" RK Max Travel suspension, and the GY 315/70R17. I love the tire, although I don't really have anything to compare it to as I've never ran anything else. If I don't bump to 37's when these things wear out, I'll buy the exact same tire. I've had the Jeep for a year this week, and I just turned 14k miles. I've done a 5-tire rotation at every oil change. No uneven wear or weird noises so far.
As for power, the 3.73 with auto transmission is fine with this tire. I think 4.10 would be better, but 3.73 are perfectly fine with plenty of power. I pulled a 2300 lbs trailer from VA to CA during a PCS move and had no problems keeping the cruise set at 70+ up hill or wherever. I think 4.10 or 4.56 would probably make it a little easier to accelerate, but 3.73's are fine.
I haven't reinforced the C's or axle tube yet, but it's on my list of things to do. I wheel about once a month, or twice a month if I'm lucky. I just make sure not to bash the Jeep too hard when offroading. Keep it in 4 low and just crawl without stomping on the gas pedal. I'll probably end up buying skids to protect my underneath before getting around to the C's and axle tubes.
As for power, the 3.73 with auto transmission is fine with this tire. I think 4.10 would be better, but 3.73 are perfectly fine with plenty of power. I pulled a 2300 lbs trailer from VA to CA during a PCS move and had no problems keeping the cruise set at 70+ up hill or wherever. I think 4.10 or 4.56 would probably make it a little easier to accelerate, but 3.73's are fine.
I haven't reinforced the C's or axle tube yet, but it's on my list of things to do. I wheel about once a month, or twice a month if I'm lucky. I just make sure not to bash the Jeep too hard when offroading. Keep it in 4 low and just crawl without stomping on the gas pedal. I'll probably end up buying skids to protect my underneath before getting around to the C's and axle tubes.
02-19-2013, 09:54 PM
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I have a 12' Sport S with 3.73, 2.5" RK Max Travel suspension, and the GY 315/70R17. I love the tire, although I don't really have anything to compare it to as I've never ran anything else. If I don't bump to 37's when these things wear out, I'll buy the exact same tire. I've had the Jeep for a year this week, and I just turned 14k miles. I've done a 5-tire rotation at every oil change. No uneven wear or weird noises so far.
As for power, the 3.73 with auto transmission is fine with this tire. I think 4.10 would be better, but 3.73 are perfectly fine with plenty of power. I pulled a 2300 lbs trailer from VA to CA during a PCS move and had no problems keeping the cruise set at 70+ up hill or wherever. I think 4.10 or 4.56 would probably make it a little easier to accelerate, but 3.73's are fine.
I haven't reinforced the C's or axle tube yet, but it's on my list of things to do. I wheel about once a month, or twice a month if I'm lucky. I just make sure not to bash the Jeep too hard when offroading. Keep it in 4 low and just crawl without stomping on the gas pedal. I'll probably end up buying skids to protect my underneath before getting around to the C's and axle tubes.
As for power, the 3.73 with auto transmission is fine with this tire. I think 4.10 would be better, but 3.73 are perfectly fine with plenty of power. I pulled a 2300 lbs trailer from VA to CA during a PCS move and had no problems keeping the cruise set at 70+ up hill or wherever. I think 4.10 or 4.56 would probably make it a little easier to accelerate, but 3.73's are fine.
I haven't reinforced the C's or axle tube yet, but it's on my list of things to do. I wheel about once a month, or twice a month if I'm lucky. I just make sure not to bash the Jeep too hard when offroading. Keep it in 4 low and just crawl without stomping on the gas pedal. I'll probably end up buying skids to protect my underneath before getting around to the C's and axle tubes.
Now I just gotta decide if I want to tackle the install of the 2.5 lift myself!
02-20-2013, 12:43 AM
#6
JK Super Freak
I am running 315 70 17 duratracs on a 12 sport unlimited Auto. I haven't noticed and power difference. The guy at my 4 wheel shop said I would only need to beef up the axle if I'm going to be doing some fast paced desert running stuff. Also he said as long as I'm not going 40mph and hit a huge boulder I should be good. He's been running 35s on stock axles for a year and wheels some moderate to hard trails and says he hasn't broken anything.
02-20-2013, 04:53 AM
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I installed my 315 70 17 duratracs two months ago. They only measure 33 3/4" installed on my jeep. I don't have aftermarket bumpers on either. There is a definite difference having the 3.73 but not horrible for me. I also installed the teraflex sleeve and gusset kit and I have the aev procal. The cost of the sleeve and gusset kit was nothing compared to a shot d30.....
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02-20-2013, 05:17 AM
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I'm also running the TF 2.5" lift and duratracs in 315/70/17 on an 09 Sahara with what I believe to be 3.73s.
Love it. I ran without the lift for a couple weeks only on the street and had rubbing once or twice when I hit some big potholes. The tires ride nice, not too noisy, no complaints!
The lift wasn't hard to install. Pick a free Saturday, get a buddy and the right tools, get started early and go for it.
I haven't built up the axles in any way yet. It's probably worth doing if for no other reason than peace of mind.
I think I'm pretty mileage conscious when I drive and I try to coast as much as possible. After installing the AEV procal and validating it with an iphone app the jeep says its getting 17-18mpg and over 300 miles to a tank. Hopefully that's accurate.
Hope this is helpful!
Love it. I ran without the lift for a couple weeks only on the street and had rubbing once or twice when I hit some big potholes. The tires ride nice, not too noisy, no complaints!
The lift wasn't hard to install. Pick a free Saturday, get a buddy and the right tools, get started early and go for it.
I haven't built up the axles in any way yet. It's probably worth doing if for no other reason than peace of mind.
I think I'm pretty mileage conscious when I drive and I try to coast as much as possible. After installing the AEV procal and validating it with an iphone app the jeep says its getting 17-18mpg and over 300 miles to a tank. Hopefully that's accurate.
Hope this is helpful!
02-20-2013, 05:22 AM
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I'm also running the TF 2.5" lift and duratracs in 315/70/17 on an 09 Sahara with what I believe to be 3.73s.
Love it. I ran without the lift for a couple weeks only on the street and had rubbing once or twice when I hit some big potholes. The tires ride nice, not too noisy, no complaints!
The lift wasn't hard to install. Pick a free Saturday, get a buddy and the right tools, get started early and go for it.
I haven't built up the axles in any way yet. It's probably worth doing if for no other reason than peace of mind.
I think I'm pretty mileage conscious when I drive and I try to coast as much as possible. After installing the AEV procal and validating it with an iphone app the jeep says its getting 17-18mpg and over 300 miles to a tank. Hopefully that's accurate.
Hope this is helpful!
Love it. I ran without the lift for a couple weeks only on the street and had rubbing once or twice when I hit some big potholes. The tires ride nice, not too noisy, no complaints!
The lift wasn't hard to install. Pick a free Saturday, get a buddy and the right tools, get started early and go for it.
I haven't built up the axles in any way yet. It's probably worth doing if for no other reason than peace of mind.
I think I'm pretty mileage conscious when I drive and I try to coast as much as possible. After installing the AEV procal and validating it with an iphone app the jeep says its getting 17-18mpg and over 300 miles to a tank. Hopefully that's accurate.
Hope this is helpful!
02-20-2013, 03:22 PM
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Thanks for the info everyone! My mind is much more at ease about buying these tires. I found out a buddy of mine at work can help me install this lift. He's got all the stuff we need in his garage.
I'll consider regearing and reinforcing the front axle further down the road...
I'll consider regearing and reinforcing the front axle further down the road...
Last edited by flomingo; 02-20-2013 at 06:41 PM.