Nitto Mud Grappler aka Reptilian Awesomeness
Size in use- 35x12.50x17 shoved under a heavy 2012 JKUR. Used in a mountainous region of Virginia where every known weather condition other than a Tsunami is typically experienced weekly. No large rocks like the out west crawlers get to experience really, but lots of loose shale, smooth stone, and step ups present a similar problem for tires.
Mud- Owns it! Can slow roll up the mountain without ever clogging its tread with the nasty red clay. It will claw (pun intended) through all the nasty stuff and ask for more. The huge side lugs really help make this happen.
Rain- These tires have plenty of off road grip in wet grass and forest leaf litter, when wheeling in rain. I have never experienced any hydroplaning while on road with the mud grapplers, but I realize I’m in a lifted JK on mud terrains that the bank still owns….so my on road thrashing tends to stick to when surfaces are dry. They do tend to bite well when on the brakes hard on wet pavement, better than the stock 32” Rubicon tires in my opinion.
Sound- Huh?! I can’t hear you! Seriously though the stock radio will be in excess of volume setting 20 when travelling above 60 mph. There is no carpet in my Jeep though, but everywhere there was carpet there is Line-X sprayed in. This is not a highway tire.
Ride- Much better than expected in dry conditions than I would have originally thought. I routinely cross three steep curvy mountains in my travels, and I fling the Jeep when the roads are clear and the traffic is nil. At low speeds on pavement you feel the aggressive tread (<10mph).
Braking- If you’re driving for your skill, your vehicle capabilities, the weather, and the ominous “other driver” your fine just don’t ask them to compensate for your lack of judgment. Overall I have been truly impressed with these 35’s that stop better than stock smaller rubbers.
Would I buy again? Well this is my second set. I picked up (5) 35x12.5xr17s for $1,475 mounted and balanced. I think they are a great off-road tire for the money. I am a career Firefighter/EMT for a department 30 miles from where I live, which means no matter the weather I have to get to work on time. I trust these tires to help my Jeep get me there.
Pros- During hunting season last year I took my jeep up abandoned logging roads on Jack Mountain in Highland County. Not impressive really until you add in the ¾” of ice under 21” snow in 0 degree weather. After I got my deer I stopped on the way down to pull out two family members who tried to follow my tracks (one on a 4-wheeler the other in a side by side). I have a winch, but I have never had to use it and I credit to these tires.
Cons- THIS IS NOT A HIGHWAY TIRE. If you buy this tire to ride around town, it would be like buying a Rottweiler to stuff in your girlfriend’s purse. This tire does a great job doing what it’s made to do, however if my JK was my daily driver I would have a different set of tires.
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