Tire and Wheel Question for new to me 77

[jhynesrockmtn]

My 77 currently has Toyo Open Country ATs on it in 31 10.5 15. They are old and worn, but the spare is barely used, also quite old. I was thinking of just going with the new version of the same tire and buy 4 vs 5 and leave the spare in place. Does that make sense? Most of the use will be some dirt forest service roads while we camp and some around town all 4 seasons. I'm wondering if I'm being stupid trying to save $225 bucks and should just buy 5 new tires and rotate them periodically.

Second question, powder coat the current wheels? Since I'm doing this, I'd like to clean the wheels up. While I'd love a more stock look, I don't want to spend the money on new wheels. But I could have these powder coated to a darker color closer to the original or a dark grey or black. Thoughts?

 

[45Dougal]

22 years is quite old for a tyre, but if it looks in good condition (not hugely perished etc) then I'd be inclined to save the money.
You could even use the savings towards a few cheap used steel wheels so you have multiple spares either for rough tracks, or for when you send your nice wheels to be painted and want to keep the truck rolling in between.
I find multiple spares very handy.

 

[clrussell]

Buy 5 tires. Rotate in.

Don’t trust your life with a 22 year old tire. Especially over $200

 

[pb4ugo]

Old tires deteriorate quicker with exposure to UV light. The spare may work fine to get you out of a pinch. I'd be concerned if I had to use it for any length of time. You want to powder coat aluminum wheels? You could probably clean or polish them, then sell them and apply the proceeds to new or used stk wheels. They look to be in good shape and a desirable size.

 

[aging fleet]

I wouldn't let the added cost of a fifth tire dictate my decision on which brand and size to buy. You'll have the new set for years, get the size/brand you want.

Regarding the wheels, the cost to powder coat the old wheels will probably gets you half way to the cost of OEM steelies. If it were me and I was trying to save money, I'd probably just leave them alone while keeping an eye on the classifieds for something I want.

 

[Skreddy]

If you want more original wheels, powdercoating those is going to run you $75-125 a wheel locally. You can buy a brand new oem wheel AND hubcap for that money. They’ll be black, but easy to paint before and ask tire shop to be careful. I rattle canned mine and no scratches when they mounted the tires. I just ordered a stock wheel for the spare on my 60 and it was $99 shipped through Decatur Toyota on a sale.

 

[77mustard40]

Stock steelies and hub caps all the way... with 33's with that 4" shackle lift. A few bucks more for the tires but you will get rubber overdrive, an extra inch of ground clearance and a smoother ride than with 31's, I was very surprised how much I liked 33's over 31's.

 

[sterling]

/\ This @77mustard40 nailed it .
That truck deserves some steelies and hub caps!

Put a wanted add in classifieds for stock steelies if you don't want to go new.
Hub caps are arguably the best deal in the 40 world for new OEM parts.

Congrats on the new truck!

 

[Grayscale]

New treads all-around, absolutely.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Stock steelies and hub caps all the way... with 33's with that 4" shackle lift. A few bucks more for the tires but you will get rubber overdrive, an extra inch of ground clearance and a smoother ride than with 31's, I was very surprised how much I liked 33's over 31's.

So if I went with the stock 15s, I can get 33 by 10.5s and they will work well? I also see 16s out there as an option.

 

[Malleus]

Keep in mind that powder coating can't be fixed when it gets chipped (and it will); paint can.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

I looked closer at the wheels today and they are 15 by 8s. A wheel still currently available. I think I'm just going to clean them up and go with the 33/10.5/15 option in an AT tire and buy 5 new ones. Right now most likely the BF Goodrich KO2. I'd love to get the City Racer 16" tires but the $1,400 plus $455 shipping is just not something I can justify at this point.

 

[Catching Neutral]

City Racers are worth it. IMHO. Even if you have to delay the purchase to save.

 

[77mustard40]

So if I went with the stock 15s, I can get 33 by 10.5s and they will work well? I also see 16s out there as an option.

No issues with either the 15 or 16 inch wheels and a 33" tire.

Edit: Max tire width in stock form is pretty close to the 10.50 width. FWIW, I use a generic 1/4" spacer to keep the inside of my DS tire from hitting the steering drag link on full turns. I've been running this for roughly 8 years without issue.

 

[cims1970fj40]

If you run steelies with a 10.5 tire make sure you take it to a used tire shop. Any corporate shops won’t mount it because they don’t want the liability.

 

[jim land]

Kenda klever RT or MT 33x9.5/15 is also good fit with stock wheels
Stock 15" wheels are cheaper than 16"
In Canada i got them for 86$ (about 60 US $)

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Ultimately I was a bit overwhelmed by choices. I ended up with Cooper Rugged Trek on the wheels I already have. Bought 5 and will rotate accordingly. I took it on a highway drive after picking it up, and it drove so much better than with the old tires.

 

[clrussell]

Great choice

 

[1911]

Ultimately I was a bit overwhelmed by choices. I ended up with Cooper Rugged Trek on the wheels I already have. Bought 5 and will rotate accordingly. I took it on a highway drive after picking it up, and it drove so much better than with the old tires.

View attachment 3762271

I am running the Coopers on my other 4WD truck (an FJ Cruiser) and they have been great so far, a couple of years. Holding up really well, barely any noticeable wear.

 

[Grayscale]

Second question, powder coat the current wheels? Since I'm doing this, I'd like to clean the wheels up. While I'd love a more stock look, I don't want to spend the money on new wheels. But I could have these powder coated to a darker color closer to the original or a dark grey or black. Thoughts?

I was hoping for some paint. Like an originalish gloss grey analog from a rattle can? My factory steelies are sporting ACE-brand grey primer. Easy to fix scratches because it is easy to sand and touch-up.

If it was my call, I'd say do a flat grey primer for the diamond plate, and a gloss grey on the wheels, minus the front hubs, rear hub caps, and acorn nuts. Or use the factory enamel color on the diamond plate. This way, the original vehicle stands-out amongst the aftermarket wheels and diamond plate skins.

The lack of white lettering on the new treads is an improvement in appearance.