Tire Question: General Graber on Front Duratrac on Rear?

indianpeaksjoe

Hey All! I am thinking of putting some new tires on my dirt road, double track, sandy old jeep road baja.

I was thinking of the General Graber for the front, it is 28lbs, which seems normal for a front tire: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...p;i1_Qty=2

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

And Goodyear Duratracs on the rear at 40lbs it seems fairly light, I've had them on my Jeeps and liked them. : https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...p;i1_Qty=2

Pics of my usual cruises:

Any thoughts from the Samba community? Thanks all!

-Joe
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Adventures in owning a 66 beetle

DesertSasquatchXploration · Samba Member Joined: April 16, 2021 Posts: 548

Ive looked at the grabbers a few times the tread depth is shallow almost like buying a new tire 1/3rds worn down that's why they are (cheaper).

indianpeaksjoe

Thanks Squatch!

-Joe
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Adventures in owning a 66 beetle

DesertSasquatchXploration · Samba Member Joined: April 16, 2021 Posts: 548

I still might put a set on my lifted Crown Vic tow rig the shallow tread depth might be good for towing more stable.

On the front of a VW they will last forever no weight to wear them out.

Mikedrevguy

Do the fronts need deep traction grooves.?
I will say that the while deep lugs look bad ass, functionally- something that gonna keep contact with pavement and prevent hydroplaning is more functional.
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79 VW Iltis
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DesertSasquatchXploration · Samba Member Joined: April 16, 2021 Posts: 548

When is was still into Mustangs early 2000s I was passed by a bug with stock skinny tires doing 75mph in pouring rain. We went 40miles before parting ways miles he/she never skipped a beat its all about skinny fronts.

If you want to cruise around the desert in dry condition's and NOT climb or descent crazy steep loose gravel mountains along with some dry highway runs do whatever you want wont matter. If you need to steer in a hurry and need tires that (BITE) pie cutters are the best. I used Goodyear wranglers 235 75 15s up front the first 3 years I had my baja. Took a full 5 secs to respond in sand and nearly killed myself descending a rocky gravel trail. Never agian.

TDCTDI

I run the Genital Grabbers up front, & the BFG KO2s in the rear.

The grabbers have a softer tread compound than the KO2s & stick better in the wet. This combination makes for great fun in the rain as the rear begins to rotate with little provocation, but is easily reigned back in with a quick countersteer & blip of the throttle.
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indianpeaksjoe

Thanks for the info!

-Joe
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Adventures in owning a 66 beetle

ORANGECRUSHer

For what it's worth, I've been super happy with my Std Wrangler rear and cheapest all season front combo on my baja. I don't push it too hard but the sand can get pretty deep around here. For my area, my favorite places to drive are the earthy, slightly rocky, and very rooty pine forests. I'm not sure how that compares to what you got out there, but I don't need anything crazy. I think the standard wranglers are just blocky enough to grab but not overly aggressive to dig in too fast in deep dry sand unless you're trying to be an idiot. Price is right too.

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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

indianpeaksjoe

Thanks! That is an awesome picture. I ended up ordering the Grabber for the front and Duratracs for the rear. I went with both based on weight, the Duratrac was 10lbs lighter in my size than the K02.

I should have them installed tomorrow, I'll report back.

Full disclosure, this was really just curiosity until I looked at the date codes on my current tires and they are 20 years old Shocked

. Which hastened my purchase a bit.

-Joe
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Adventures in owning a 66 beetle

ORANGECRUSHer

Yeah, you're making me nervous. This baja has been laid up for a few years waiting for a new motor and it's finally time. I can just bet my tires are aged out too. Maybe not that bad, but I know for sure one of my fronts won't stay inflated. It was always like that; maybe the centerline rims? But I'll at least be getting new fronts.
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

indianpeaksjoe

Had the tires installed today, on the highway they were actually nice and smooth compared to the old tires. On the double track they were great. Plus and really what is most important , I like the way they look.