Wheels & Tires Semi-Tech General discussion of wheels and tires for the Ford Ranger.

Dick Cepek V. Baja Claw Radial

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  #1  
Old 10-24-2005
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Dick Cepek V. Baja Claw Radial

So I'm stuck at a Cross-road. I cant decide whether to buy the 33x12.5x15 Dick Cepek FCII, or the 33x12.5x15 Baja Claw Radial. I was wondering if anyone had owned these before, and what they thought of them. I drive about 70% Road, 30% Off-road. This has been Mud as of lately, which makes me consider the Baja Claws. Plus, they look alot cooler.

I'm looking for anything. I've searched google but havent surfaced with much. I know the Dick Cepek FCII is a All Terrain, and the Baja Claw is mostly a Mudder. So I assume durablity is also an issue. It seems mudders seem to last significantly less than a All Terrain.

Thanks in advance.

Baja Claw


Dick Cepek FCII


(Will be running on a 15x10 rim)
 
  #2  
Old 10-24-2005
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FCII's will be MUCH better on the street. Claws will be better in most offroad situations. The FCII's are a very aggressive "AT" style design -- but they still don't have the voids to handle mud and such like as well.

I don't know if the 'Claw is, strictly speaking, a "mudder". It really has uses in a variety of terrain. BlazedB2 on here has them on his old Bronco II and they seemed to do really well in mud though.

Only problem with the 'Claw is lack of siping. Not good for slick road handling.
 
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Old 10-24-2005
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Personally, I think the Baja Claws are awesome. That being said, I wouldn't want them on in the snow or anything from what I've heard.
 
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Old 10-24-2005
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I've discoverd Google Groups, and it sounds like the wear can really suck on them, as does the rotation (front/rear only).
 
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Old 10-24-2005
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^^ What is "They?" I'm assuming the Baja claws because of the rotation thing, but I just wanna clarify.
 
  #6  
Old 10-24-2005
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Originally Posted by Gearhead61
^^ What is "They?" I'm assuming the Baja claws because of the rotation thing, but I just wanna clarify.
Yes sir! The Bajas. They are tempting, but now that I found this Google Groups, I'm finding alot about them. Still though, I'd like new input on the tires.
 
  #7  
Old 10-24-2005
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i love the baja claws!! but they wear too fast to cost that much
 
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Old 10-24-2005
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Ive been actually pondering whether to get baja claws sometime in the future of not. Ive always heard that they are much to stiff for the rocks, but poison spyder customs all run them (backwards tread of course). that says quite a bit to me as they arent exactly new to the game.

you can get them siped as well. this will give you better snow tractokn and longer tire life. disadvantage s possible chunking...
 
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Old 10-24-2005
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oh 100% looks go with baja claws there just bad ***
 
  #10  
Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by SUPERGILDO
Ive been actually pondering whether to get baja claws sometime in the future of not. Ive always heard that they are much to stiff for the rocks, but poison spyder customs all run them (backwards tread of course). that says quite a bit to me as they arent exactly new to the game.

you can get them siped as well. this will give you better snow tractokn and longer tire life. disadvantage s possible chunking...
Gil, do they run the bias or the radial versions? The radials, from what I understand, are the harder rubber compound and the bias ply ones are softer.
 
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Old 10-25-2005
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Why don't you just go with some BFG M/Ts or A/Ts. I know, I know, you want to be different but, personally, I wold go with something that works than try to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.
 
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Old 10-25-2005
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i would get the baja claw radials my friend has them on her jeep there alot better than the bias claws they are loud and wear funny.my uncle only got like 11,000 on the bias baja claw.so i would get the radial claws.
 
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Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by ryanrebel125
i would get the baja claw radials my friend has them on her jeep there alot better than the bias claws they are loud and wear funny.my uncle only got like 11,000 on the bias baja claw.so i would get the radial claws.
Yes, for a street machine that's the solution and I would never recommend the bias claws for a "daily driver" type vehicle. But when I asked Gil the question it was in relation to very built competition-type vehicles and you can't compare what they do typically.

As far was what someone said about BFG's: contrary to popular belief they are NOT the only tire that works out there. The reason other tires sell is because they are as good or better for some things. BFG's are really good, but certainly not head-and-shoulders above other tires.
 
  #14  
Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by rolla_guy72
Why don't you just go with some BFG M/Ts or A/Ts. I know, I know, you want to be different but, personally, I wold go with something that works than try to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.

they work, but everyone and their uncle has them. Baja claws also work and I would most likely choose the baja claws overthe BFG M/Ts and DEFINATELY over the BFG A/Ts. Im kinda tired of the BFG is god rant. cause sorry to say, it isn't...
 
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Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by n3elz
Gil, do they run the bias or the radial versions? The radials, from what I understand, are the harder rubber compound and the bias ply ones are softer.


I would assume they are bias since they are usually trailer queen buggys. Are you sure they are a different compound though? bias plys heat up much quicker which could be the reason for the much faster wear...
 
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Old 10-25-2005
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they work, but everyone and their uncle has them. Baja claws also work and I would most likely choose the baja claws overthe BFG M/Ts and DEFINATELY over the BFG A/Ts. Im kinda tired of the BFG is god rant. cause sorry to say, it isn't...
thats what im screamin.
 
  #17  
Old 10-25-2005
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I didn't say that they are the only ones that work or they are "god" I just said they are a time-proven product and that they are good tires... But It's all about the choice. What you think looks good on YOUR truck looks good on YOUR truck...
 
  #18  
Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by rolla_guy72
I didn't say that they are the only ones that work or they are "god" I just said they are a time-proven product and that they are good tires... But It's all about the choice. What you think looks good on YOUR truck looks good on YOUR truck...

yeah but they are FAR FAR FAR from being the best , but they way people advertise them, they are the only way to go.

you get what im sayin...
 
  #19  
Old 10-25-2005
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I've had the BFG AT's on my past truck, and on this one. But everyone has them, I want something diffirent. The BFGs served me Extremely well, never had a problem with them. Hell, I thought I was a badass when I got them, lol.

Can anyone comment on the wear rate on the Baja Radials? Much quicker than a BFG AT? Since those are the only tires I've driven into the ground, and then under. :)
 
  #20  
Old 10-25-2005
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its gonna wear much faster, you'll probably get about half the life of yuor BFG A/Ts from the baja claws...
 
  #21  
Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by SUPERGILDO
I would assume they are bias since they are usually trailer queen buggys. Are you sure they are a different compound though? bias plys heat up much quicker which could be the reason for the much faster wear...
Could be -- I don't know. I know from reading about various tires in the offroad mags they talk about a company's compounds being different between the bias and radial versions of tires (like the BFG Krawlers for instance) and I just thought that might apply to many others as well.

A softer compound isn't necessarily less tolerant of heat than a harder one -- it'll generally just wear faster.
 
  #22  
Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by n3elz
A softer compound isn't necessarily less tolerant of heat than a harder one -- it'll generally just wear faster.

Well I know that obviously but what im saying is that bias ply tires heat up much quicker than their radial brothers, and when rubber gets hot it will wear down much easier...
 
  #23  
Old 10-25-2005
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Which could explain the TRULY crappy service life people get out of the bias Claws on the street.
 
  #24  
Old 10-25-2005
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Originally Posted by n3elz
Which could explain the TRULY crappy service life people get out of the bias Claws on the street.

or any bias tire...
 
  #25  
Old 10-25-2005
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So could I assume that the Cepeks would last longer than the Bajas?
 



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