How To Tire Sipe Mud Terrains - Cooper STT Pros - 2019.48

[@max7143]

That’s a lot of work. I wouldn’t consider this without an electric tire groover/ siper.

[@FreedomCrawler]

I agree. Not sure if I’d it again but it definitely helped. At least that’s what I tell myself lol

[@gernblanstien4968]

Had very old 30" BFG MT's on my Samurai with tight 1/4" spaced sipes & it was amazing how good the ice / snow traction was. The rubber was so old they were rock hard, yet they had grip like I've never thought possible on icy roads. Doing it on a cummins rig might not work out as it might feather and rip the tires up when pushing it on dry roads.. But that's what my diesel did anyway to the stock tires, 8,000 miles and the rears were dust. Now I run 42" military tires and sipe them at a 30 degree(ish) angle. Working great here in Oregon....

[@dysphunktion]

Have LT325/65/18's and they have been absolutely glorious. Over 40k miles and still in great shape.

[@FreedomCrawler]

These are hands down my favorite tire

[@mb-fs1yo]

Get a true siping tool at a racing supply store, ie summit racing, JEGS, or speedway. They basically melt a cut into the tread so no nasty rubber dust. Also because the sipe is so narrow your tread blocks don’t lose all support. Racers have been siping and grooving tires for decades.If you put a lot of sipes don’t go very deep or the tread will want to chunk off especially if using them hard off-road.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed, this worked perfectly and I appreciated the bigger grooves and saw no negatives from it. Was very happy with it but I won’t do it again as this took about an hour a tire. Worth it though

[@TheJokerMachine1]

A little different here, but I've had great results siping mountain bike tires. They lose a lot of traction when worn, so out comes the razor knife. Generally just cut halfway down whatever block you want and decide front to rear or side to side. I can get traction as good as new doing this on Maxxis tires, which extends their useful life.

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s a great point. Thanks for sharing that, wouldn’t have thought about that

[@bruno8241]

I did this exact thing back in the mid 90's on a set of Daytona Stag A/T's. Boy it was a lot of work and NAAASSTY melted rubber everywhere! But they Handled better than new in the rain and Snow until the sipes disappeared again...

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed 100%. Wouldn’t do it again? Eh’

[@wolfmantroy6601]

Thanks for the video. I was just heading out to the shop to try this very idea and thought I'd look on KZbin first. You give me some peace of mind before I start cutting on my tires. Siped tires help a lot on icy winter roads here in Alaska. It is cold so the ice is dry. Warm temp.s driving on ice is a different beast and studs work best.

[@FreedomCrawler]

You’re welcome. It definitely helped. I’d do it differently next time as an hour per tire took some time but it was definitely worth it. You could see the sipes in the snow tracks after driving through it proving they were working

[@wolfmantroy6601]

@@FreedomCrawler Yep after trying a few methods I ended up using a grinder with a very thin wheel. It worked good and was much faster. I made a video of it and posted on my channel if ya want to check it out.

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s what I would do also. Good call

[@Devin_Stromgren]

The older STTs that the STT Max replaced was actually better in snow than the Maxes.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Are you referencing the max vs the pro? The max is definitely more of an all terrain vs the pro being a mud terrain. I love the pro and it’s mud terrain design as well. Louder but worth it in snow and on the rocks for sure

[@Devin_Stromgren]

​@@FreedomCrawler Ooops, I meant to say pro, not max, but that wasn't what I was talking about. I currently have STT Pros, but before them I had the older discontinued plain STTs. The Pros seem to have more traction in the mud, but the older discontinued plain STTs were the best tire in snow I've ever had.

[@FreedomCrawler]

@@Devin_Stromgren im tracking with you now lol. That makes sense, I don’t think I got to test the older ones in the snow, only the newer pro

[@mattcanfield6384]

I do all my tires , mt,at,ht but I use a ideal hot tire groover and put the grooving blade on backwards to create cuts at what depth you set it at however they are narrow cuts and it takes a few miles for them to open up and grip good I live where it snows 6/7 months a year and swear by siped tires makes a huge difference if done properly I've done it your way as well but it's nasty and toxic get a groover or siper

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s a much better way. It worked well enough but I don’t know if I’d do it that way again

[@conniestevenson226]

Oscilating multi tool is the ticket

[@tdotw77]

​@@conniestevenson226 Yeah, I agree it is probably the best tool(especially when already owning one) besides the actual tire groover\siper, I'd have to buy! A nice fresh sharp razor blade(snap-off's would be best)that's heated up w\ torch would be good too - but a lil smokey! I'm going to attempt it on my new tires before winter snow\ice gets here🥶⛷️❄️🧊😄🔥💨 👍🛠️🔩🔧📏🔗🚧🚜⚡⚠️💨🤷‍♂️🤔👌💪

[@bender_gxor4092]

Can’t wait to see how they perform for you. Very curious!

[@FreedomCrawler]

Me too! I hope they work great lol

[@adubbz23]

@@FreedomCrawler how is the tire handling in the snow? Im in denver and have some toyo Mts on my truck and they are horrible in snow in on 33x12.5

[@conniestevenson226]

It works for sure .its guaranteed

[@andrewhowton1961]

Not sure if it has been pointed out yet but there is a proper tool for doing that and it doesn't make a mess nor much smoke. They do cost around $150 which might be an issue though it is less than a tire.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed, I just wanted to give this a whirl. It worked, would I do it again? Eh’

[@qualityseptictechnician3510]

I'm doing this to Yokohama geolander mts but only on the steer tires. I have a lifted Subaru outback so I have power all the time just want the stopping and steering benefit

[@FreedomCrawler]

That’s awesome. I feel like it definitely made a difference as I could see the sipes in the snow prints the tires made. So they at least worked

[@itsjustcapi]

Thanks! I bent a rim & my other set are bigger wheels w all terrains, going to try this ill post how it goes before buying new all seasons 😪

[@FreedomCrawler]

It’s been great so far. Last winter was well worth it

[@bigtater29]

I did the same thing with my rc crawler tires. I took expensive tires and made them better. Lol.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Lol that’s good shit

[@thisoldjeepcj5]

How did this mod work out for you? I looked at your channel but did not see a follow up video. If you have one please include the link. Thanks for the video.

[@FreedomCrawler]

It worked well overall. I mention it in some other videos but didn’t do a specific follow up, my apologies. I could see the siping in the snow when I’d look at the tread prints and it definitely helped on the roads. Was it a lot of work though? Absolutely. So I’m not sure if it was worth it so much that I would do it every year as they wore out by next winter however I definitely feel like it was worth doing

[@thisoldjeepcj5]

@@FreedomCrawler Years and years ago when I was living in the northern Rocky Mountains I had my tires siped at a local tire shop. It did seem to help but I cannot remember how long it lasts or even how long I had those tires. Do you think it accelerates the wear on the tires? Thanks for the videos.

[@soulsurfer8797]

Just pay the extra 150 and get KM3’s next time. Also, the tires will begin to break the blocks apart. Good luck.

[@FreedomCrawler]

I personally still prefer the coopers. KM3’s are great tires though. 7,000 miles later and the sipes are wearing here and there but no issues at all with the tires or breaking apart. Showed this in our most recent video. Would I sipe them again? Probably not but worth trying once

[@joshgonzalez2112]

For the taco? I wonder how many people run mud tires in snow/ice areas. What about some duratracs?

[@FreedomCrawler]

Duratracs were my second option but I like the coopers. I see a lot of mud terrains on Jeeps and 2500’s around the area so I figured siping can only help

[@CrownRoyal144]

Wonder if a Rotozip would work better?

[@FreedomCrawler]

I think that or a thin cut off blade would be my choice if I did it again

[@brianyannuzzi2680]

Been wanting to do this for some time

[@FreedomCrawler]

It’s somewhat time consuming but I think it’s really going to be worth it

[@igotajopamerica3040]

Cool. Just a heads up. Most tire places will do it for you was 4 years ago $8 a tire.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed but their sipes are pretty thin so I wanted to try and get a deeper cut

[@Angel-wf6jh]

Great video brotha! I am about to buy these tires but my head is spinning with mixed reviews. Iva had a set of trail grapplers and need a new set and my concern is best tires for rain. I saw on a few forums that these stt pros are pretty good for rain on highways. But now I’m seeing people saying the opposite on other forums. any input if I didn’t sipe them, just running them how they come?

[@FreedomCrawler]

I put these on every one of our vehicles that I can. This was the only time I tested siping them and by the next season the sipes were worn through as I didn’t go to deep with them. Never had an issue. Just my preference though as these are my favorite tires out of all the ones we’ve tested

[@joshuapowers4072]

I don't think they will work very well with the sipes that shallow. The rubber needs to be able to bend as the tire turns which makes a bunch of hard corners that grab the ice. You might want to go a little deeper next time.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Worked great last winter. I was really happy with it, especially in the snow you could see the individual sipes.

[@nitrofreakmanho]

I’ll be buying my second set of STT Pros for my FJ before winter. I’ve been tossing around the idea of siping them for better traction on hard pack snow/ice. I was wondering if you noticed an increase in traction for those conditions? They are a great tire for pretty much every other condition but can use a little more bite on hardpack. I’d love to hear what you have to say! Thanks for making this video.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Thanks for reaching out. I would say yes but would I spend an hour on each tire each season in the future? Probably not. I’m going to see how they do this season without resining them and see how much of a difference it is. I can definitely see the sipes in the snow tracks though so I know they are working.

[@nitrofreakmanho]

Freedom Crawler Thank you for the reply. I can see it giving more grip in the winter because of the extra grooves. I’m still considering trying this. Thanks for the video as well.

[@pra3t0rian]

“You can go as deep as you want” THAT’s WHAT SHE SAID.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Lol well played

[@Polemicist_]

No, that is definitely NOT what she said.

[@jayluikart487]

Probably better than the stock tires.

[@FreedomCrawler]

I hope so. Worth it to run these coopers

[@grantgray1759]

How do these do in the snow?

[@FreedomCrawler]

Love them

[@tungstensemsch6348]

Any difference in road noise?

[@FreedomCrawler]

None at all

[@rogerrichardson4324]

Wears your tread down faster not a fan brother wants your benefit ? Please reply i need to know getting tires on mine tomorrow ??

[@FreedomCrawler]

The benefit is the grip on snow and ice. Much better traction. I’ll take the slight increase in wear over the increase in traction. These are great on the rocks and I love these tires so for me it’s a no brainer to be able to run them year around vs having two sets

[@adubbz23]

Roger Richardson I have had tires siped from discount tires a couple of sets and they wear fine this is with razor size cuts and on a AT tire not mud and they handled great i have toyo mts on truck and they suck in snow thinking about siping because I have been running two sets of rims and tires one for summer and winter

[@Mr5150Sarge]

Been a couple months now. How’d it work?

[@FreedomCrawler]

So far so good. In the snow I can see the sipe mark grooves in the ice and snow so I know it’s helping I’m with traction. Also see the snow in the door grooves. Was it worth the time to do them? Not sure but it’s definitely helped, how much though I honestly couldn’t say

[@FreedomCrawler]

One thing I do know is that since I put these tires on I drive in mud, dirt or snow everyday so they are getting good use

[@valerijjakunin]

Видео с тест-драйвом есть?

[@darrylm3627]

Les schwab Tire Center @$20 per tire they have a siping tire machine😄

[@FreedomCrawler]

Agreed but I wanted to try and add larger sipes

[@darrylm3627]

@@FreedomCrawler yeah this is good to know cuz i never had it done. Thanks👍🏿😄

[@valerijjakunin]

Понравился результат?

[@andrewm.4168]

I appreciate your attitude to do it yourself, but the cost is nominal to have it done at a tire shop, and you're not wasting 4 hours

[@drmoto8058]

will this siping help with deep ice/snow? on mud terrains

[@FreedomCrawler]

In deep ice/snow the lungs themselves have been great. I love these tires and they have been great in thick snow

[@pabloescobar7802]

Think I’ll let the engineers do what they do .. jeez man

[@FreedomCrawler]

I know right? A lot of work. However after seeing the siping I did in the snow tracks from the tires through the winter they definitely at least helped

[@ismaelreyes302]

Just here waiting on the next upload.....

[@FreedomCrawler]

Me too... lol

[@pushpajalesh4296]

I want tyre

[@FreedomCrawler]

Great tires!

[@silviuflorescu6838]

As long as you don't make a proper camparison between " with vs without sipes ", this was worthless 😉

[@FreedomCrawler]

Seemed to work well, would I do it again? Probably not

[@jimmybrockton961]

Also your "siping" is going to end up with very uneven wear.

[@FreedomCrawler]

After a year they have worn perfectly fine

[@duffman1241]

Siping helps tires wear better it helps keep the tire cooler so to the rubber flexing easier creating less heat less heat means longer life

[@RobertStebe-o7v]

Those tires are horrible In the snow

[@FreedomCrawler]

I love these tires. Never had an issue with them. Are there better tires like the Duratracs? Sure but by no means horrible. Especially when I had to truck through feet of snow to get out of my drive way.

[@krashnpa]

First? And love the STT Pro

[@FreedomCrawler]

Not sure who got it lol

[@krashnpa]

@@FreedomCrawler I noticed that your pal sawgunner is quick on the draw, so just starting some sht😁. Seriously, though, have you run Goodyear MTRs in the past? I like the Coops, but wondering how they compare.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Lol saw gunner is always on it but he does have competition. I ran them on the 4Runner actually. The one thing i like about the coopers is the tread seems to last longer on the rocks. The mtr I’ve noticed gets chewed up more easily.

[@krashnpa]

@@FreedomCrawler Roger that, thanks for the heads up.

[@billmalec]

More do, less manic talk. 🤦

[@realgsdontdie5095]

This is a great how to: Fuck up your tires. This does absolutely nothing but wear down your tires.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Well it adds grip in the snow and ice so it’s well worth it if you need it. No difference in wear noticed from any other set I’ve had. So my real world experience doesn’t match what you’ve said. Besides, tires wear, then you replace them

[@gunneroffroad9850]

First

[@FreedomCrawler]

You have new competition lol

[@gunneroffroad9850]

@@FreedomCrawler I'm in the hospital. Messed up my back. The network sucks in Albuquerque

[@FreedomCrawler]

Falling apart man. Get your shit together lol

[@jimmybrockton961]

Dude if you can't handle the winter with those tires how they are, you do not know how to drive. Those are beefy.

[@FreedomCrawler]

Beefy tires don’t make for great winter tires.

[@jimmybrockton961]

@@FreedomCrawler I don't think you know di.ck. about tires.

[@jimmybrockton961]

@@FreedomCrawler First off you don't know shit because you bought new coopers,

[@FreedomCrawler]

Cooper stt pros are some of the best tires you can buy for rock crawling. Having used them and many others I think they speak for themselves. To say otherwise just means you don’t have a lot of experience with an array of tires in that application

[@olovikka]

Beefy does not help braking on ice. Believe me I have driven 6 months in snow every year for past 25 years.