siping tires? is it worth it?

[Midnightwagon]

ok i just got my new 36's yesterday and i was wondering is it worth getting them siped? and what are the advantages to this? what does it actually do?
tia
Jeremy

[Stuka]

what kind of 36's? If they are the TSL's you where talking about, its WELL wor th it.

Siping them makes a HUGE differance int he way they grip. Look at the rock crawlers for ideas on how to sipe em.

[Midnightwagon]

yup they are 36" 12.50 16.5 tsl bias ply's
anyone got any pics of examples or is there shops that will do this? if not i figgered id jus get out the dremel.

[ June 28, 2003, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Midnightwagon ]

[Stuka]

here you go:

http://www.4x4spot.com/custom_tire_grooving_and_siping.htm

Most people use "siping irons" bought at many different places.

Here is another: http://www.wt4wheeling.com/tech/groove.htm

[ June 28, 2003, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Stuka ]

[Midnightwagon]

thank you thats awesome!!!!! exactly what i needed.

[tuck]

I always thought siping and grooving were different.. ??

I thought siping was little slits in the center treads to help with ice and snow.. and grooving is big chunks taken with a groover to help the tire suck up rocks... and throw bigger chunks...

[Stuka]

yeah i spose they could be broke up into different catagories. siping generally is a racer cut of sorts, to give the lug another biting edge for use on the street. Wet pavement and such. Grooving gives another biting edge also, but for use offroad.

[JeepingMoose]

I have siped both car tires and mud tires and can attest to the benefit of each!
On my street tires the siping made NOTICEABLE improvement when driving on hard packed snow and in wet conditions. On my mud tires the siping kept the edges of the lugs from breaking off during highway running. Before siping, my muds would "chunk" pieces off of the edges of the large lugs (BFG MT's) after seeing a lot of street use. Siping almost totally cured the problem.
Locally, our tire shop charges $20 per tire to sipe IF you have ran them on the road (they have to pick out the rocks and such) and $10 per tire if they are new. Prices are good up to 36" tires.
If you see street use on your rig, siping is the way to go IMHO.

Mike

[jode]

Yeah...benefits can't be denied, but you won't get as many miles outta them....

[Sambo]

definatly sipe them...it will let the middle of the carcass flex better for better traction :-D
i cut sipes in my hawgs which are a hard tire and it helped a whole bunch :)

[Hump]

Originally posted by jode:
Yeah...benefits can't be denied, but you won't get as many miles outta them....It was my understanding that siping helped with cooling the tires. The sipes dissipate heat, which will help your tires last longer.

[jode]

If it were all positives, then they would come from the factory that way ;)

Less tire on the ground = more PSI on the rubber =faster wear

Some types of siping may lower the temp, but some kinds may increase it by allowing the tire to flex more (friction).

Everything's got tradeoffs :(

[Midnightwagon]

jode we're talking bout siping not grooving. i seriously doubt a 1/4" to 5/15 deep slit in the tire will help the whole tire flex, possibly the single tread block but not the whole tire.

[Sambo]

i also grooved mine as well...but i aint worried about milage of a tire!!! they only cost money :-D and you have to have them regardless,right? if not it wont move :-D