Review: Axial 2.2 Falken Wildpeak M/T Tires

The stock BFG Krawler tires on my Wraith have seen some serious use. They’ve pulled my truck through snow, sand and water as well as over all kinds of rocks and branches. They’ve done a great job, or so I thought. Since they were my first set of tires, I just assumed that the way they worked was normal; scratching and clawing ALOT before finally making my way over any obstacle.

Then Axial released the Falken Wildpeak M/T Tires. I picked up a set of these for my SCX10 and immediately fell in love with how well those tires worked. So when it was time to change the kicks on my Wraith, I thought I’d give Axial’s 2.2″ Wildpeaks a shot.

Specifics
Product: 2.2″ Falken Wildpeak M/T Tires
Manufacturer: Axial Racing
Product #: AX31077
Average Cost: $40.00
Installation Time: About 10 minutes

What’s In The Box
Axial packages the Falken tires in a set of two and includes an open-cell foam insert inside each one.

Installation
I was installing these tires on a set of new aluminum wheels, but come to find out the wheels did not have breather holes in them. Since breather holes are a necessity, I decided to just punch a couple into the tire itself. I removed the inner foam and, using a leather punch, popped a pair of holes into opposite sides on each tire. Before re-installing, I star-cut the inner foams slightly and then carefully fit them back into the Falken tires. This ‘star-cut’ procedure basically removes some of the foam and allows the tires to deform over obstacles, creating a massive amount of grip. The tires were then pressed over the wheels and the beadlocks were screwed into place.

Performance
Compared to the stock BFG tires … ok, wait. Really, there is no comparison. These new Falken Wildpeak M/T tires are on a whole different level than the stock rubber. The Falkens are a softer compound with the lugs being slightly taller and tapered for maximum grip. On the trails they perform well, kicking up dirt or grass like any good tire. It’s when you hit the rocks that you’ll notice a huge difference! No longer do I need to squirt the throttle in hopes the stock BFGs will pull me up and over that sally-set of rocks. Instead, aim for the tough sections, be smooth on the throttle and let the Falkens soft carcass contort to the rocks, slowly and effortlessly towing you up the trail. The tires are fantastic and, paired up with the cut foams, made easy work of what was previously a complete chore. In my best Obi-Wan Kenobi voice – These are the tires you are looking for.

Conclusion
If you’re looking to up the grip on your Wraith or simply just need a new set of tires, the Falken Wildpeak M/T tires should be your first choice. There are a few other tires out there that work just as good but don’t have the cool factor of being licensed Falken tires! The soft compound will grip almost any surface while the large lugs will separate mud, dirt or water to keep a strong grasp on the trail.

Price – 7.4
Fit and Finish – 9.1
Installation : 1=Complicated – 10=Easy – 10
Durability – 8.5
Value – 7.9

Connect
Axial Racing, www.axialracing.com

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