mickey thompson atz

[ookami Member Find all posts View Profile Close ookami]

Re: mickey thompson atz

I was one of those that were going for the ATZ and switched to the MTZ. A couple of reasons were that the price difference was $10 per tyre so an extra $50 bucks to get the MTZ's over the ATZ's. Also the fact that the MTZ's do have the Powerply layer whereas the ATZ 4 ribs don't in the 265/70/R17.

That was enough to tip me over to the MTZ's.

Doesn't the power ply just have a different direction ply in the tyre that aids turning and turn in speed? I would have thought this wouldn't be 100% neccessary on a AT tread design. From the ATZ 4 ribs I have seen in the Specialty Light Truck sizes they do have a slightly more aggressive tread - perhaps this is the reason for them being offered with this technology? I'm confused anyone know any more on power ply and what it actually does? Has anyone notice any turning issues the Normal ATZ?

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: mickey thompson atz

ookami, I have the 4 rib ATZ and have not had any issues with the tyre feeling weak when turning when inflated at road pressure (36psi), mud/dirt (26psi) or sand pressures (16psi or lower).

In regards to the Powerply query my understanding is this is for the more competition style tyres and would probably apply to cases where the tyre is deflated a reasonable amount and therefore more prone to twisting. I imagine that in order to see the effects that the powerply would counter you would need your tyre deflected less than 8PSI and need beadlocks. At the same time the additional layer that the powerply provides gives additional strength in the side wall and is present in the MTZ. I have not had any issues with the face or side wall being peirced with my tyres. Flying Bush Pig has had a number of replacement ATZs but I believe one of these was his wife acceidently driving over a metal stake in the ground. A lot of tyres would not fare well with that sort of abuse.
Why are Mickey Thompson Competition Tyres so much better?

I was initally dissapointed with how quickly there appeared to wear. After speaking to a number of people it has been suggested that the tyres have not worn but that the lugs have compressed

[ookami Member Find all posts View Profile Close ookami]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Cheers for the reply - that is interesting to know, they appear to be a popular tyre nowdays so they must not be too bad or have turning issues. Just on the Mickeythompson wearing issues people seem to have, I originally had 33" MTZ on my previous Patrol, after fitting these tyres the vehicle was used fairly often quite often with varying surfaces and tyre pressures and the tyres initially began to wear quickly. I later "upgraded" to 35" MTZ and vehicle had very few kms (less than 500km)put on it over the next 3 months and then I began to use the vehicle a lot more (mainly onroad) and the wear was a lot less noticable and at a much slower rate. Perhaps MT need to let their tyres "cure" for longer before selling them onto consumers - Its food for though anyway.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Mine had a three to four month curing time at the local Bridgestones before fitting just after Easter last year. Ordered in eary Decmber 2008, arrived at tyre yard and stored above office, and finally fitted about two weeks after Easter 2009.

[any120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close any120]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Had mine (265x70) for 12 months now - driven 40,000km. Points to note so far

Pros
- Wear. Should easily get 80,000 out of the set.
- Grip. Fantastic on all surfaces except mud (clay).
- Durability. Driven a lot of low range over sharp rocks. Some chipping on tread blocks but was expecting more damage in the way of cuts to the sidewalls which hasn't occurred. I always air down off road and have a tendency to take corners a bit quicker than I should resulting in a bit of sidewall contact on the road surface.

Cons
- Noise. Might just be limited to my set but there is a definite pulsating noise. No balance issues. Passengers have commented on sound. More annoying than MTZs on mate's '09 Hilux.
- Fuel Consumption. Probably more to do with the higher profile than the tyre but using 1L/100km more on average.
- Grip in the mud. The tread clogs up very easily and doesn't start to clear until you get over 20kph. Very disappointed with the performance given the more agressive tread pattern of the 4 rib. This was the main reason I chose these tyres and to be honest I can't really pick any improvement over the grandcraps.

Good value for money? Overall, yes, good but not great. They've done everything I've required of them except for the mud which I don't do alot of.

Would I buy these again? Not sure. I'll be due for a new set in the next 12 months and I'll be keeping an eye on reviews on other tyres. I'm kinda leaning towards the Cooper STTs but leaving my options open at this stage. In the short time I've been into 4wding, muddies have made some good advances so I may go a set of those but I wouldn't be choosing the MTZs based on the milage (or lack of) my mate has achieved with his Hilux.

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Flying Bush Pig has had a number of replacement ATZs but I believe one of these was his wife acceidently driving over a metal stake in the ground.

No, stupid me drove over the star picket...and the other was a nail which went in the main tread and scrubbed out the sidewall from inside. Frustrating but I can't blame the ATZs at all for my problems. I'll be sticking with them for now - very happy with them.

[Forshaw_au Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Forshaw_au]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Just replaced my MT's ATZ 4 rib after almost 50 000kms. Had them checked by our local Bridgestone dealer who called in the Mickey Thompson rep as he was concerned about the wear on the tyres. MT rep took a look, asked a few questions on what pressures I was running them and promptly offered a 65% discount on a new set. Promptly accepted and now have new rubber for my next big trip in Sept.

Previous set had done me well in Vic high country, inc mud and clay; and for 3 Flinders trips, the innaminka, and two Oodandatta trips and numerour other wekends away. They had chipped somewhat but I put this down to some very long and stony tracks in the Flinders.

I like the tyres and appreciate how MT stands by their product.

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Just replaced my MT's ATZ 4 rib after almost 50 000kms. Had them checked by our local Bridgestone dealer who called in the Mickey Thompson rep as he was concerned about the wear on the tyres. MT rep took a look, asked a few questions on what pressures I was running them and promptly offered a 65% discount on a new set. Promptly accepted and now have new rubber for my next big trip in Sept.

Previous set had done me well in Vic high country, inc mud and clay; and for 3 Flinders trips, the innaminka, and two Oodandatta trips and numerour other wekends away. They had chipped somewhat but I put this down to some very long and stony tracks in the Flinders.

I like the tyres and appreciate how MT stands by their product.

Thats great to hear Forshaw.
What pressures do you run? I got mine Fitted on Saturday and am running 40 on the road at the moment. I had them down to 25 on the clay and mud on Sunday.

Cheers Neil

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: mickey thompson atz

Had them checked by our local Bridgestone dealer who called in the Mickey Thompson rep as he was concerned about the wear on the tyres.

It would be great if you can post some pics that illustrate the excessive tyre wear.

LFaR.