New tires dilemma

[VtaTom]

I've been through the "what tire is best" threads but I wanted to ask if anyone has any reason why I shouldn't put on Yokohama Geolanders in stock size. It's my cheapest option because I'm running an unused geolander as my spare but I don't want to be stuck with a bad choice. Reviews seem solid but wondering if anyone has run these on their 100 series in rain, snow etc.

My two main options are:
4 new Michelins.
3 new Geolanders w a Nexen spare for a month or two.

Mostly I'm driving on paved roads or forest roads.

I was hoping to get 1-2 more years out of the Nexen HTs on when I bought it three years ago but my fronts are worn out. (The backs were new but the fronts were almost new when I got it.)

My plan was to switch to AT tires when I got around to lifting and bumpers, etc. towards an expedition setup for the desert and the Sierras. So I could run Geolanders for a few years and switch to 285 (BFG or whatever) later on.

Except for a cargo barrier I'm running bone stock.

I'd appreciate any confirmation or warning since I'm getting them Saturday.

 

[hoser]

What does the date code say on your "unused Geolander?"

 

[TXLX100]

If you plan on going through a set of tires before building, go for it. Upgrading tires is a cheap, useful mod in my opinion.

If not, go ahead and get the 285's you want. You are probably looking at less than $100 per tire to get a better AT tire in 285.

I went back and forth between putting a stock tire on and waiting or AT 285s. Ended up with 285's, they fit, aren't that much more noisy, and will last a long time on-road or offroad.

 

[VtaTom]

I bought it 3 years ago to replace a shredded Dunlop AT that was mounted as a spare. I can check the code later but it's not ancient.

 

[VtaTom]

(Duplicate post removed)

 

[bucfl]

I had Geolander AT's on my Xterra and plan on getting them for the LC. I also had the BFG AT KO's. I loved KO's for obvious reasons. I stopped off roading as much and when it was time for a new set i bought the Geo's. They are a great tire for all purpose driving. I live in Florida and they were great for rain, sand...did not do mudding so cant comment.

They are a soft ply and are very light compared to the BFG KO's when it comes time to rotate. They are not noisy on the road and make for a comfortable ride do to their soft sidewalls. I notice i did not pick as many nails with them as i did with the BFG's.

I would say you can go a little bigger with the Geo's do to their lighter weight over the BFG's.

Someone mentioned they were bidirectional/unidirectional but i dont recall what the difference was. This will come into play when you rotate. I think it has to do with the way they get rotated? You just moved the front to back and vice versa with not cross pattern. Can someone elaborate on this?

 

[TheForger]

I have ran 275/70/16 Geolandar A/T's the entire time I've had my truck (~3yrs, 2 sets of tires) and I absolutely love them. I do the same kind of forest roads as you that take me all around the Ouachita National Forest. Ironically, the first incident I've ever had happened today with my right rear...But I would definitely consider them. I've found myself with the gas to the floor on multiple occasions while trying to go up large rocks in the road and the tires never slipped, I just had to back down and get momentum to go up. They do really well on ice too, but I'd give them a B- in the snow since the tread isn't that deep.

 

[aging fleet]

My only hesitation going with the Geolanders in the stock size is, if they're not really what you want, you've just spent a good chunk of money on something you're not really excited about.

When I bought my LC it needed tires, I ordered a set in the stock size because they were on sale. I slept on the decision and changed the order the next morning to something I liked better despite the higher cost. Fast forward a year, despite being very happy with the LTX M/S2's I bought, I wish I would've gone with a 275/70/18 instead of the 275/65/18.

Good luck

 

[Baron4x4]

Hi guys, if they are available in your area's check out the TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T 2's , really good tyre in sand/gravel/forrestry, decent in mud and have experianced no issues in rain, I can't comment in snow or ice, not something I need to concern myself with in this part of the world, also quite on the road, probably the quietest A/T I've experienced in a combination of 4x4's over the last decade.

First post just brought a 2006 LX470, my father has the TOYO's above on his 99 LX470 he uses to get to work and back plus some camping/fishing on weekend, (thrash about car)

 

[VtaTom]

Update and thanks for everyone's input.
I did put on the Geolander AT in stock size last week. Since I only had to buy 3 and I was already into some money for a pre road trip service the day before it was practical ($$).

I have put about 1,000 miles on them mostly on highway towing a tent trailer but there were some gravel and silty dirt excursions and I'm totally happy so far. Road noise not a problem.

If anything I'll be more likely to go explore some places I wouldn't have with highway tires.

A few years down the road I'll have an opinion about going with 285s or trying another tire. I just got BFGs on my Ranger a couple months ago (slightly larger than stock size) with the intention of seeing how they performed and Toyos keep coming up on my short list.

Since I got new spark plugs and changed tires at the same time I'm still trying to figure out mileage impact. I got 16.7 MPG on highway towing but haven't done a full tank around town yet.

Thanks for your replies. I haven't posted much but the knowledge you all share has been extremely helpful.

 

[krice118]

Ko just did HIH with those tires And they performed well for him I hear. His were stock size too

 

[bucfl]

Can you post pics? Id like to see how they look. Did you go with 275's?

 

[VtaTom]

Here are the 275s on my Cruiser.