A method for making a vulcanizable rubber composition comprises heating while mixing a first composition comprising EPDM elastomer and alkylphenol disulfide polymer to make a first pass intermediate. The first pass intermediate is combined with a second composition comprising a sulfur crosslinkable natural or synthetic rubber to make a second pass intermediate. The second pass intermediate is combined with a curing package by mixing at a temperature below a curing temperature to make the vulcanizable rubber composition.