M/T does make the Cepeks. I've heard stories about Cepeks not lasting long, mostly from people that don't have them. Rotating on 5000 mile intervals and keeping the pressure set at 50 psi the wear has been perfectly flat and even. I've been using this tire design since it was made by Armstrong (that's a lot of years ago) and never had a set below 30% tread with under 50,000 miles.

Generally (contrary to popular belief) better shocks give a better ride. Both the RSX and Platinum have speed sensitive valving, which means it starts out soft and gets harder the faster it is moving in the bore - no jokes about this! Basically you pay more for more advanced products. I find the Platinums to give a firm, but comfortable ride on and off road. I've never been a fan of the Rancho 5000, valving never seemed to be in the sweet spot always more of a compromise, and I've had them on 5 different trucks.

 

it could come down to a money thing for me, so the 5000's are much cheaper than the platinums or rs9000's. would you recommend the 5000's or the skyjacker nitros if you were to pick between the 2? according to manufacturers, the 5000's and nitros are both supposed to adjust to conditions, as you said the 5000's do poorly. how good of a job do they do exactly? my main goal w/ the rear of the truck is to firm up the ride back there so the bed doesn't hop around over bumps and stuff, and also to have the proper shocks for properly supporting 20's and wide 33's back there. thanks for all your info. i'm still blown away at the cepeks. so do you think the mickey thompson atz's will have the same results? it is a new tire as of last year i think. seems to have a similar tread pattern as the cepeks.

 

I'd try the Nitros, Skyjacker has done some good stuff lately. I believe the ATZ is a similar compound, so wear characteristics are probably going to be pretty similar. ATs wear a lot better than MTs, so they should at least beat the 40,000 you're looking for.

 

'around 40k' is what they claim if you ask, and a lot of a/t tires lately are giving warranties for 40k, but i've had bad luck w/ tires over the years. i got some toyo a/t's that have a 50k warranty on a 2wd 1993 f150, they've got about 31k on them and are down nearly to the 2/32 tread mark. they're probably at 3/32 or 4/32, so close that i'm going to make them do their thing when it gets to the 2/32 mark, like their warranty claims it has to be down to. they've been rotated, balanced, and aired properly, and i had an allignment job done when they were new. anyway, i'm leary of tires now. i was even considering the toyo a/t for my 2004 though, for some reason. everyone says they're great. the toyo m/t i guess would get around 40k supposedly.

 

I have another question. a tire thats 325/60/18 on a 9" wheel, would i have any rubbing with the leveling kit. if i recall corrcectly, a 33x12.50 will fit fine, and the math i'm comming up with is 12.8 inches wide and 33.35 inches tall. They are the Micky Thompson Baja radial ATZ's. sorry to be asking questions that have probably been answered, but i've searched and can't find my answers.

 

It will depend on the backspacing of the 18x9 wheel.

 

on their website, they offer a -18 offset to a +30. i think i remember a guy telling me there were three offset choices for that wheel

what backspacing would you reccommend?

Thanks.

 

a 9" wheel with a 4.5" backspace looks good IMO. I think you would be fine with that set up on a leveling kit. If you are looking for some knowledgable help, give this guy a call..... he knows a lot about wheels and fitment. And he also sells MotoMetals as well as other brands.

www.driverzinc.com

 

It just depends on the stance you want. I'd go with the onces with 6.1 inches (I believe that's right) of backspacing.