I am wanting to replace my 35*12.5 SSR's and think I want to stick with Swampers. Which would be the better tire for FJ40 that is driven several times a week as a DD and also driven to and from the trail runs I go to (no trailer queen here). I am thinking about going with a 36*12.5 (I'd rather go with a 38 or 38.5, but I won't fit in the garage if I go that big). So, would you go with a bias ply SX or get the radial due to road/highway driving requirements? Is there any REAL difference in the tread pattern?

Oh yea - Redding is **HOT** in the summer - like just behind Death Valley for high temps in CA in the summer and doesn't really cool off in the winter (40-50). I do get up into the mtns in the winter for some snow fun, but cold weather wheeling does not really describe the majority of my 4x4 time. Besides, if it gets too cold, I take the FZJ80 out for some fun :)

TIA.

for you guys in the colder climates, with street miles, i would go radial because of the flat spotting you get with bias, especially sx.

A couple years ago I went through the same dilema as you. I liked the tread and sidewall toughness of the SX but my cruiser is also my daily driver. I decided to go with the 36 12.5 TSL radial as a compromise. I had heard (and seen) negative reports about the sidewall strength of the SSR, and bias ply SX's on a true daily driver didn't make sense.
Years previously, I had a set of Mickey Thompson bias plys. The ride sucked, I could never get them balanced for more than a month or two at a time, and had to sell them off because of flat spot wear long before the tread gave out. I didn't want bias ply again.
The TSL radial has been a good compromise. The tread pattern is slightly more open than the SSR and the size is a true 36" as compared to the 35" SX which is closer to a 33.5 - 34". I do pay a little more attention to watch for roots & rocks on the trail, but in the last two years, I haven't had any sidewall tears. I've put 26,000 miles on them and they're at about 1/2 tread now, and I've driven from the Bay Area to Moab and back without balancing them and it was a bearable ride.

36 x 14.50 Super Swamper Radial.

I had swamper radials prior to my SX's....granted, I also jumped sizes

Tore out 2 sidewalls on the radials in the first 4 months. Sold them after 18 months. Bought SX's and haven't had one problem. They are NOT a great road tire. Use 5 golf balls inside to balance them tho, and they work fine. (4 for 36's) Once they warm up and the flat spots go away, they aren't bad on-road tho....at 55 mph with my 38.5's the gear whine still overshines the tire hum...heh heh