If it ain't broke... tweak it!

BFGoodrich recently introduced its latest revision to their Mud-Terrain T/A that has been a very popular tire ever since it was introduced in 1980. Cosmetically speaking, the changes made to the tire are subtle, but the tire remains true to its own heritage.

BFGoodrich delivers to us a not-so-radical mud tire that seems adrift in a sea of extreme tires that are sweeping the market.

According to BFGoodrich's Jeff Cummings, several years and many different tread patterns, including extreme ones, went into the development of the new M/T. However, they kept coming back to the tried-and-true original design and used it as the basis for the new KM model. Will the updated design be a vast improvement? Time will tell.

BFGoodrich continues to make use of its traditional dog bone lug design, with the addition of aggressive shoulder lugs, stylishly called "DiggerLugz". The redesign also includes a rim protector (as seen on the AT KO), and a somewhat noticeable change to the lug geometry.

KM stands for "Key-feature Mud"

The 32x11.5R15 tires are installed on my Jeep TJ, which is equipped with 2.75" of lift and stock 15x8 Jeep "Canyon" wheels.

As you can see in the surrounding pictures, the tires very effectively contoured themselves to the terrain. As I drove, I could hear the tires scuffing and scraping against the jagged rocks. More than anything, I was expecting to cut a sidewall or lose a bead, but fortunately, neither occurred.

The new "rim protector" section of the tire extends out past the rim's edge to help prevent scraping from rocks.

Here you can see how the tires conformed to the rocks.

The treads were malleable enough to grab well and the sidewalls folded over nicely.

To the left, you can see the light scuffing that was caused.

In the picture to the right, you can see where the sidewall rolled over a rock.

So how did they do? --->>>