New member, 1984 FJ60 diesel, looking for tire advice

peterdouglas · 12-19-06, 08:28 AM

Hi everyone! Great forum, I think I'll be spending a lot of time here! I'm taking possession of a smurf blue 1984 BJ60, 4 cylinder diesel in early January. Will post lots of pictures at that time too.

The truck is great, original paint, very minimal rust (which is good since it's lived it's whole life in a snow belt - Quebec City area). I'm in Barrie, Ontario Canada, which, despite global warming, still gets a fair amount of snow. One thing the truck needs right away is new tires...

I'm overwhelmed with information and reviews on tires. Looking for something that will be exceptionally good in snow, good on ice and that I can still use year round, mostly on-road, but some light off-road. I had Nokian Hakkapelliita tires on my last 4x4, a 1996 Lada Niva (Russian SUV, not sold in the USA). That thing was virtually unstoppable with those tires, but they don't seem to sell them anymore.

Been considering:

- Bridgestone Revo
- Toyo Open Country
- Kumho Road Venture
- BFG AT KO

Today a tire shop suggested an off-brand tire, Telstar Trail HT, Hankook Z36 or Pirelli Scorpion (all LT tires I believe). The tires don't have to be top of the line, but at least half decent. If it means paying a bit more for substantially better tires, then I will, otherwise I'd like to spend between $100 and $150 per tire, if possible. Any suggestions?

Happy Trails · 12-19-06, 08:48 AM

Welcome! I have owned the Revo's and currently run the BFG AT 33x9.5.
I prefer the more aggressive tread on the BFG's and they seem to be wearing well.

peterdouglas · 12-19-06, 08:56 AM

Thanks. I've heard the Revo's wear down a bit quicker and are a bit more expensive, but give excellent snow traction, which is important to me. I hear the BFG's are also reasonably good in snow. If anything, I like their looks!

Forgot to mention, I was also considering Yokohama Geolander AT II. Some people really like them, but I hear they wear down quickly too, though are a bit cheaper.

jmylie · 12-20-06, 06:27 AM

I run the BFG AT ko's in my HJ60 and FJ55 (both 33 x 10.50) and 33 x 9.50 in my wifes FJ40.

I run the BFG MT's in my trail 55.

They seem to wear well and I've had good luck with them in the New England and upstate NY winters.

peterdouglas · 12-20-06, 08:31 AM

That's good to hear you've been happy with those tires. They were initially my first choice until I started looking around and saw all the tires available. Never spent so much time deciding on tires!

I would probably get 235/75R15 rather than the 33" tires. I've got some questions on that, but will start a new thread since it's a bit off-topic. (Not sure about how and why to use 33" tires instead of the stock size).

Thanks!

Jaybikman · 12-20-06, 08:48 AM

Definitely the BFG AT T/A KO's We have a variety of terrain types here in Arizona. I am not sure how well they work in the mud and snow since we don't get that s--t here in Tucson,However I like their performance. Also welcome to the site. What 4 cylinder diesel engine are you running. I want to convert to Diesel in my Fj60 eventually.

peterdouglas · 12-20-06, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaybikman

Definitely the BFG AT T/A KO's We have a variety of terrain types here in Arizona. I am not sure how well they work in the mud and snow since we don't get that s--t here in Tucson,However I like their performance. Also welcome to the site. What 4 cylinder diesel engine are you running. I want to convert to Diesel in my Fj60 eventually.

Thanks!

It's got the Hino 4 cylinder diesel (90 hp I think), is that a 3.4 liter? Not sure, this is a new vehicle to me and still getting used to it. It was sold in Canada when new and has spent all its life here. Not sure if that helps narrow it down.

Tinker · 12-20-06, 06:11 PM

The Hakkes appear to still be available (had a studded set for my '89 Audi 5000 Quattro & chewed through everything): http://tiresbyweb.com/c-128-nokian.a...OVMTC=standard

60wagondiesel · 12-20-06, 06:47 PM

my 60 has BFG AT ther great in the snow
and my blazer has nokian hakkas its decentin the snow (it needs all the help it can get) it aint no cruiser thats for shure

peterdouglas · 12-20-06, 09:11 PM

I found some pics of my Hakkas, NR09. They're an older style, which don't seem to be listed on any websites currently. These performed VERY well, even without studs. They're 175R16, too small for the FJ60, or I'd be getting some 16" Toyota wheels for them.

My father just got Kumho Road Venture KL78 tires in LT 235/75R15 for his Sonoma 4x4. So far so good, but he's only had them for a few weeks. Just one small snowfall, so it's hard to tell how good they are.

brownbear · 12-20-06, 10:23 PM

Why did you make two thread asking about tires 10 minutes apart?

hec4x4dk · 12-21-06, 01:41 AM

Hi

I run BFG-AT/KO with sipes on my VX100 V8

and they are great only not in deep powder snow and mud, for that BFG-MT/KO would be my choice, and is on my HJ60 4.0 Diesel. The siping really lowers the brake distance...

I run 33x12,5x15 on the 60, but that is with OME springs, on std springs I ran 33x10,5x15 with slight rubbing. A diesel-60 without turbo was never a racer and gets slower with larger tires but lower rpms enhances comfort

and optimizing the fuel pump

gets adequate performance IMHO - but I know the 3.4 is less than a 4.0, so..

Regards...

henrik