BFG Baja T/A questions

[Doug]

I remember a long while back there was a fairly big thread on Baja T/A tires. I tried to search for it and looked through all 7 pages of results with no luck.

So I guess I'll just start a new thread since I can't find the old one.

First off, I'm not really concerned with the Kevlar issue that was talked about a lot the last time around.

My question mainly concerns the two different styles of Baja T/A. Pics of both are attached. I know many racers use both styles. I know racers can sign up for the BFG program and order the style that looks kind of like a Mud Terrain. But if you go on the BFG web site that tire does not exist. The only Baja T/A listed on their web site is the one in the first pic. The same holds true for tire stores, 4x4 stores, etc. You can buy one style of Baja T/A but not the other (you can't buy the one that looks similar to a Mud Terrain).

However... today I happened to check out the Australian BFG web site. That site only lists the Baja T/A Mud Terrain style, but not the one you can buy here.

So what is the deal? In the USA you can only buy the one style if you sign up for the BFG program, but in Australia anyone can buy them? And in Australia you can't buy the kind that the public can buy here?

And what is the deal with BFG calling them BOTH Baja T/As? Talk about confusing the buyer. Even though most of us know the difference between the two tires, it makes no sense to me why they have the same name.

Am I missing something here? We have bought both styles of Baja T/A, and while I'm sure they have different part numbers, they both have the same name.

I just don't get it. Why not name them two different things and sell them to anyone who wants them?

[John_Bitting]

I think the smoother tread one was called a "project" while being developed and will probably replace the older style BAJA ta shown in the second pic. They are working on an aggressive tread pattern tire though that some bigger teams are testing with very good results. Sorta a cross between a krawler/project/baja. I known the aggressive style Baja TA is hard to come by and you have to order them at the beginning of the season. They are not as readily available as they once were. Some one needs to call Frank and get some answers.

[elcaprerunner]

I believe the more aggressive style i the second pic is a Baja T/A and the one in the first pic is a Baja T/A KR, which I believe makes the race tires Baja T/A "Projects" (not sure if the KR is included in that one). Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[GeoffMilke]

The Baja TA (the one that looks like the Mudder) is available from BFG (it's not called BFG anymore............I think it's Michelin, I'll look at my order form tomorrow)

Anyway, when you sign up with BFG for their racer program, they send you a nice booklet that has all the tires and sizes listed. You fax them the form, using a credit card, and bout 1 or 2 days later the tires show up at your front door. NO JOKE!! It's very cool.

I use the regular Baja TA, and have only had 1 flat in a race (15 races or so), and it was my fault. A big stick put a hole in a brand new tire, and I had a "boot-plug" put in. Problem is the hole was near the sidewall, and instead of using it as a spare, I ran it in a race, and it blew in a rocky section. We didn't even know it was flat until we hit another rock, which destroyed a beadlock wheel.

Anyway, they are the best tires a truck can run, and BFG is awesome

[getnasty]

[QUOTE=GeoffMilke]The Baja TA (the one that looks like the Mudder) is available from BFG (it's not called BFG anymore............I think it's Michelin, I'll look at my order form tomorrow)

Did i miss something?? Did BFG sell out??

[transformed]

The name BFG was sold to Michellin a while ago. The orignal company of BF Goodrich dropped the tire business in 1988 and is now just named Goodrich and works on stuff for aerospace as far as I know. They have a building down in Chula Vista off the 5 freeway.

http://www.goodrich.com/Main

[BobBower]

Doug,
The difference in the two tread designs has to do with the sizes available. The 15" sizes are the more aggressive looking "Mudder" design tread pattern. The 16" & 17" sizes are the center rib stlye design.

Both are equally tough because inside, under the rubber, they are assembled with the same components, in the same amounts.

I have not checked with BFG since I bought a set last October, but I'm confident that both styles are still available for sale. I bought the 35X12.50R15's with the aggressive tread, and then came into some 16" wheels so I took the 15's off right away and put the 16's with the center rib design on. The 315x75R16's are the same diameter, but the wheel is bigger and looks like it. Two sets of tires in one month was a little spendy, but I did it anyhow.

BB

[amrein1743]

For the record, they make 35" x 12.5" x 15" in both patterns to add to the confusion...

[racer_dude]

i think that the first picture that you have is the street version, notice there is no ribs on the sidewall...

[MikeLeung]

i think that the first picture that you have is the street version, notice there is no ribs on the sidewall...


Your are correct...the rib version is the "Project" They are only available to race teams and have to be ordered at the beginning of the season. There are the ones with the Kevlar sidewalls.

Doug...your 2 pics are of the Baja T/A. The one on the left is a Baja with "Project" tread pattern.

[johnnyweb]

For the record, they make 35" x 12.5" x 15" in both patterns to add to the confusion...

as far as i know you can not get the center rib design in a 15". i need to replace the tires on my prerunner and have been bummed because ill need to buy 16" or 17" rims to go to the center rib design.

[Doug]

I have a call into BFG, hopefully they will call back. In the meantime my research hasn't turned up much that clarifies anything.

For example. I found a PDF file on a BFG site that doesn't explain the differences, it simply says the Mud Terrain looking Baja T/A is 15" only, and the Project looking Baja T/A is 16 and 17" only.

If you go to the Summit Racing web site they show a picture of the Mud Terrain looking Baja T/A, available in 15 and 17" sizes.

If you go to the 4 Wheel Parts web site, they show the Project style Baja T/A, available in 15, 16, and 17" sizes.

Based on the above it seems even the retailers are confused about what they are selling. I think it would make it so much simpler if BFG would change the name of the center rib tire to Baja T/A Project.

Oh, and I know the Baja T/A KR is available in a 15" size because we've had two customers supply them for cars we've built (see attached pic).

[Mark_Weyhrich]

The Baja T/A comes in BOTH tread patterns. Other than the tread, it is the exact same tire. It comes in a variety of sizes and it sold both to racing teams and over the counter.

The Baja T/A KR comes in the smooth tread pattern ONLY and is only available to BFG race teams. It comes in 15x35 and 17x37, but I believe the new 39's are the same design as well.

All of these tires are very capable in the racing arena and we interchange them regularly, even during events, to suit particular course criteria.

[GeoffMilke]

[QUOTE=GeoffMilke]The Baja TA (the one that looks like the Mudder) is available from BFG (it's not called BFG anymore............I think it's Michelin, I'll look at my order form tomorrow)

Did i miss something?? Did BFG sell out??


Sorry, what I said was completely misleading. BFG sells the tires through Michelin American, but they are BFGs and BFG is the company doing the racer program.

I hope that's clear now. ( I hate when that happens)

[IvanDan]

as far as i know you can not get the center rib design in a 15". i need to replace the tires on my prerunner and have been bummed because ill need to buy 16" or 17" rims to go to the center rib design.

They do make the "project" style in 35x12.50xR15 but its a race tire not the DOT approved ones. They are the ones with the ribs on the sidewalls. You can only get those tires directly from BFG through a race program.

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

Bob Bower is the man to listen to on this subject.

The tire below is the original Baja T/A that is DOT approved and offered in several sizes for 15 inch wheels only, up to 35X12.50R15. Don't remember all the sizes available, but the do make it in 33 inch in two different widths and I think in 31 inch.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7842


This is also a Baja T/A that is DOT approved and often referred to as the "Smoothie" or Project Tread (It is not the Project Tire) and is only available in Metric sizes for 16 and 17 inch wheels. They are basically the Metric equivalent of a 35 inch tire on 16 or 17 inch wheels.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7839


This is the Baja T/A KR or "Project" tire, and can be identified by the ribs on the sidewalls. Like Mark said, it is only available through the BFG race program in 35X12.50R15, 37X12.50R17 and 39X13.50R17.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7852


So what is this? I have wondered why no one has brought these tires up, except John mentioning them above. These were on the Pflueger Prerunner and Trophy Truck at the 500. They appear to be the Krawler T/A KR. They have the basic tread design of the grooveable Krawler T/A KX 37X12.50R17 (Rock Crawling Tire) probably on a 37X12.50R17 Project carcass. My understand is that the Project tires were designed to have more biting edges but less grabbing cleats. The idea was to let the tire spin more easily and not be so grabby, to try and reduce drive train failure. The New Toyo’s and this tire seem to be going the other direction. It will be interesting to see if this results in more drive train failures. How many Tranys did Pflueger loose in the 500? I don’t have any idea what tires they ran or what happened to them, just wondering?


http://www.pfluegerracing.com/Pflueger%20Racing%20v2.data/Gallery/05_Baja_500/images/DSC03017.jpg

http://www.pfluegerracing.com/Pflueger%20Racing%20v2.data/Gallery/05_Baja_500/images/DSC03282.jpg

[John_Bitting]

Well I did not post it. :-)

I have heard they are very happy with testing of that tire, . I did see the TT on the 55 this morning with no body all dirty going somewhere.. Always bitchin to see a TT on the Freeway.

[mattb]

Man those look like tranny killers! I could see those being killer in the CORR series, but in the desert- We'll have to see what that much bite will do to the parts.

[Hemp]

Your are correct...the rib version is the "Project" They are only available to race teams and have to be ordered at the beginning of the season. There are the ones with the Kevlar sidewalls.

Doug...your 2 pics are of the Baja T/A. The one on the left is a Baja with "Project" tread pattern.

correct, he is right

I read somewhere that the more aggressive "mud terrain" tread was designed for cars putting out lower hp so they can get more traction while the project t/a where designed without as much traction to try and save drivetrain parts.

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

Always bitchin to see a TT on the Freeway.
Especially if it wasn’t on a trailer… Admit it, you have all fantasized about driving a killer Trophy Truck/Prerunner down the freeway and blowing by all the jammed up traffic in the center median at speed, roosting everyone. Come on, admit it!

[MikeLeung]

Especially if it wasn’t on a trailer… Admit it, you have all fantasized about driving a killer Trophy Truck/Prerunner down the freeway and blowing by all the jammed up traffic in the center median at speed, roosting everyone. Come on, admit it!

Were you in my dreams last night??? Cause if you were...you need to get out....thats my personal time!!

[14802]

To mix things up more, I run a 35x15 bfg with "project" pattern (not the mudder) it has side ribs, these are also not the KR's . and is D.O.T. approved??? don't ask were they came from cause I need about 12 more>>>. I will try to post pics

[14802]

Right next to the first "O" in BF Goodrich is the DOT stamp on the last picture.

[Project1500]

The 37" baja's now come with ribs on the sidewalls and are dot approved...No more smooth sidewalls.

[Scott_F]

Can somebody please post the contact info for the BFG race program?

[Doug]

Can somebody please post the contact info for the BFG race program?

800-722-3234

[14802]

With bfg in mexico,do you have to "trade-in" your old tire's to get new???? Just wondering about crossing back into the U.S. with more tire's than on your declaration slip before re-entering.?

[Bryan_D]

That tread that is on the Pfluger pr is supposed to be the limited edition mud terrain tire that is comming in sizes up to 22s I believe. There was some article I read in either Off-Road of 4wd Sport Utility talking about them. But also a truck that was built for Oakley for show has those tires and was featured a couple months ago in Off-Road if I remember correctly. It was based off of the Krawler and supposedly is the new mud tred.

[TheWebWheeler]

http://thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/sign_dead.gif


But I'm Bringing it back, Because I just got a set of the Mudder style & was looking for info on the differences between Race & street because I have not found race Tires available any where.

OK I now have learned thanks to you guys, that Kevlar tires are only available VIA Race Program..

Yet I think, the DOT approved tires Project & Mudder style are same tire under the tread? Right?

So what are the actual differences between Race & DOT?

& why is this all so confusing..http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/1.gif

Just for the record I'm Running the 35X12.50X15
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/420261/fullsize/img_7649.jpg

[barbie1]

i,m running whith baja t/a mud stile and works ok but i have a question. the project tire is heaviest than the baja t/a ? because i race a class 7 open and i don't know if change to projects or still with the baja t/a, any help is welcome thanks

[TheWebWheeler]

the project tire is heaviest than the baja t/a ?

If so I would Imagine its due to the Kevlar. http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/4.gif

[pappawheely]

and the krawler :confused:

[offrdrob]

I run a 35x12.5R15. My experience has been to order the smooth tread pattern you had to order "projects" and that through the BFG racer program they could be used on race vehicles only. The mud terrian style tire is much cheaper and easier to get then the projects. The projects do weigh a lot, I weighed mine at 98 lbs. each with a 15x8 beadlock rim. I am running the toyo's right now, I do not have enough time on them to give some good feedback. The disadvantage right of the bat with the toyo's is that the weigh more then the projects. I have not weighed them yet but when I do I will post the weight. Right off I noticed that the tread wear is better then what I was getting from the projects. The lugs are closer together then the mud style baja. I am able to rear steer my truck with ease and when I need the low speed traction the tire bites good. I liked the projects durability, will have to see how these toyo's hold up.

[Stephen]

The Krawler tread desert tire was a result of using a shallow tread mold developed for comp. rock crawling and putting a full race project carcass in it. The shallow tread came about because they wanted to try a super sticky compound and were worried about tread squirm. Turns out that it's most useful with a harder rubber in it for a desert tire. This tire has been called the "Brawler" by the BFG guys. This info comes from conversations with Gary Enterline over the last couple years, it's very much 1st hand.

I don't know much about the rest of the project line.

[Saleen F-150]

Ya hes right!^ baja T/A's are sold retail and dont have the extra kevlar ply or the ribs on the sidewall.The "projects" are available to racers only and have an extra kevlar ply and ribs on the sidewall.

[scottm]

I still dont get it. I have 37-1250-17 center-rib "project" tires that have no identification on them at all except BF Goodrich. Is that the same as a baja t/a kr?

[WoodyW]

There's 3 project tread tires.
1. Ribbed sidewall, kevlar, project pattern, whites on the side---this is the KR race tire. the new ones say Baja T/A KR
2. Ribbed sidewall, no kevlar, project tread, no whites, DOT legal # on the side, baja T/A---as far as I know thse are only available to teams for prerunners/chase or whatever.
3. Smooth sidewall, no kevlar, project tread, Dot legal, street tire available anywhere for a hefty sum.
I just got an order with all three of these tires less than a month ago.

[Saleen F-150]

^RIGHT..Basically if they have ribbed sidewalls,then they're the "PROJECTS".If not theyre just regular Baja t/a's.OFFICIALLY theyre All Baja Ta's.The race projects say "for race use only" on the sidewall in fineprint! hope that helps.

[FarrisMotorsports]

Anyone remember this thread? Funny to look back on some of the threads from years back....