Looking to replace some very old Swamper TSL/SX tires on my K5 with a radial in one of the above models. They are 16.5 wheels, so not a lot of options and I’m not also going to replace wheels. I’m good with either of the above.

Anyone have any experience running either?

Thanks
Charlie

Go with the Swampers, if it's just the two options. Thornbirds are a jack of all trades, sucks at all of them tire. Useless in the mud, near dangerous on the street when it's wet, and will wear like styrofoam if your alignment is even a little out of spec.

How about the traditional Swamper TSL in a Radial? The TSL SX’s flat spot like a b*tch and take several miles to even out. I’ve read Interco’s article on radial vs bias ply and it’s kind of a toss-up in that regard. I think in general, radials get a slight nod at being better. I’ve had TSL and TSL-SX, but none of their radials,

Charlie

I’ve never heard a good report on the thorn birds in 15 years of caring about mud tires. I would go with the tsl radial or the SSR’s, not sure what they have for sizing these days.

I had 33x15.5 SX’s on my K5 in high school, those dudes would crawl out of a rut like it wasn’t there

Thornturds are straight garbage. You didnt say what size but I've run almost all of then. Iroks, TSL, SX, Trxus, BFG crawlers, maxis stickies, Yokohama stickies. Nothing compares to the SX when its comes to strength or irok for everyday use and abuse offroad. If you want 37s or smaller and road it often go with the Trxus, if it's a 60/40 offroad go with the iroks. Radials will have a harder compound and not perform as well in rocks.

I’ve ran the Trxus, TSL radial, SSR, and Bogger. Hand down the TSL Radial was the best all around tire, anything I put that tire into its did great. The boggers, well they are great in mud, that’s about it. SSR was a let down for me. And the Trxus was no better than a set of Buckshots. Now most of my time with these tires was spent in mud or on the street, little trail action and big rocks.

Oh, and Thornbirds have always received terrible reviews

If off road vehicle, why would you go with anything other than bias ply M&S?

I’ve had both on Jeep’s. Irok hands down better. Thornbirds were terrible in any situation. Mud suck, road manners even worse. Irok I could get to balance out and drive down the road no issues. To me the Thornbird wouldn’t even be in consideration.

X2 on the bias ply for off road only. Hold up to the sun much better also.

My tire experience has been 33's, 35's and one brief ride on '38's before the truck decided to turn itself upside down. I'm looking for a 35/36 in a 14/15 width to go on 12" wide wheels. SX's on it now are 35/15.5. My muddin' days are long over, so this is pretty much just a pavement pounder to run around topless (its a '74) in The Mound. I'd rather give up the durability of the bias ply for the road manners of the radial. I am surprised to hear the TSL Radial recommendations, given it's still a TSL. Have to think about that one vs the Irok.

Thanks
Charlie

OG TSL vs Irok will be an aesthetic preference. I've run 34" ltbs up to 49" iroks, interco has my heart offroad for a do all. Maxxis stickies are my go to rock tire.