We’re just getting around to getting some work done on the Pajero Projecto. It’s been cleaned up, the oil and filter have been changed, and we finally got new tires installed.
The Projecto came with some very old 31×10.50 BFGoodrich KO All-Terrain tires. They were dried out, cracked, and needed to be replaced in a bad way. I knew we wanted a mud terrain tire, and a 33×10.50 tire. I opted for the popular BFGoodrich KM2 Mud-Terrain tires. I’ve put plenty of miles on Jeeps with KM2s , including a recent 3,000 mile trip from Portland to Phoenix to Moab in a lifted Jeep on 37″ KM2s, so I can vouch for their performance on- and off-road.
We had considered a variety of other sizes, but the 33×10.50—a fairly tall ‘n skinny tire—seems to be the choice of many a Montero owner in North America, so that’s what we chose.
We were lucky in that our Pajero came with two sets of wheels. The wheels shod with the old all-terrains were a black and sliver 15×8 Pro Comp wheel with a -19 offset and fake beadlocks. I can’t say I was a fan. Thankfully, we loved the classic, minimal silver five-spoke wheels that also came with the rig. There isn’t any brand on them, but there is a faint Autobacs decal present. Autobacs is a chain of autoparts stores in Japan. (Trivia: Autobacs opened a Super Autobacs store in Stanton, CA in the early 2000s, which I had the opportunity to visit in 2005. Autobacs USA filed for bankruptcy in 2009 but continues to be popular in Japan.) Anyhow, these wheels are a 15×7 with a -10 offset, and that’s what we used for the new KM2s. These wheels look very similar to Berg NR595 wheels, where were made by Bridgestone, however, they’re not 100% the same. Unfortunately, I only have the factory wheel for a spare (which has a +10 offset). Oh well.
We’re looking forward to putting some miles on our BFGs both in the dirt and on the pavement, and we’ll have impressions later. Next up: a lift.
Is this a 2.8 or 2.5 pajero?
If 2.8 are these tyres as shown in pics fitted to standard pajero or is there a lift if some description also ?
Do they rub at all on road driving ?
Thanks
This is a 2.5 and they don’t rub at all.
Thanks for reply and info . Interested to see your pajero when you have the lift fitted ,considering doing mine soon and would like to know what ye use . Cheers
It is slightly lifted. The torsion bars are cranked up in front and I fit long wheelbase spring in the rear. I have about a 1.5″ lift over stock.
Hello again ,
Just a quick question , how is the noise level in the cabin with these on ? Cruising at 100-120km on highway is it very loud or is it bearable ? (i.e can you hear yourself think / radio would drown out the sound ) I regularly try get away for the weekend from the city and would be looking at a 2 hour drive to the countryside …
I was considering 33″ x 12.5″ x 15″ Kumho mud tyres , as they have reviews which say that they are relatively quiet on highway ,however my local tyre shop has said that the BFGoodrich KM2 Mud-Terrain tires is the better tyre and won’t encounter rubbing problems , but they did say it would be noisy ,hence my concern . Thanks for your help
It’s not bad at all. I’ve run both Kumho mud tires and BFG and I prefer the BFG. The KM3 is much quieter than the older KM2 for what it’s worth.
Cheers. How come you opted for the 10.5 over the 12.5 ?
Less rolling resistance = more fuel economy. Also better in snow.
Cool thanks for info
Ive just enjoyed reading your article. Currently got my own shorty project going on in the workshop. How is the pajero going now?