Tire choices in Costa Rica. What would you pick ???

[GringoBob]

I'm a retired Gringo in Costa Rica and Have a 1997 LC in need of tires. I have a limited choice in keeping with the original tire spec (or close to it) which is 275/70/R16

Here they are:

Dunlop AT3
Falken AT01
Maxxis M751, and
Kumho AT

and deviating a bit in size (265/75/R16):
Hankook DynaPro. (Is this non-spec tire an OK size for my LC ?)

I have studied the ratings on these and have 2 favorites. But I won't tell you what they are because I want (unbiased) answers based on your field experience.

What would buy ??? Tip my scales please !!!

Thanks ...and, Vaya con Dios.

 

[IronCladLou]

One bit of information needed to give recommendations is how you intend to use the LC or what types of driving you encounter regularly. Also, I wouldn't be too scared to vary from the stock tire size a little. You can pretty easily go up to a 285/75-16 (33") without any issues. Many of us have run those on the stock suspension with no issues.

I have the Falken Wildpeaks now (essentially the same as the AT01, I believe) and they are great street/mild offroad tires. I have ~34k miles on them they have plenty of tread left, have worn evenly and are quiet on the street. They are pretty good offroad, but aren't mud tires for sure.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

I'm a retired Gringo in Costa Rica and Have a 1997 LC in need of tires. I have a limited choice in keeping with the original tire spec (or close to it) which is 275/70/R16

Here they are:

Dunlop AT3
Falken AT01
Maxxis M751, and
Kumho AT

and deviating a bit in size (265/75/R16):
Hankook DynaPro. (Is this non-spec tire an OK size for my LC ?)

I have studied the ratings on these and have 2 favorites. But I won't tell you what they are because I want (unbiased) answers based on your field experience.

What would buy ??? Tip my scales please !!!

Thanks ...and, Vaya con Dios.

GB - Just FYI - Right now my 96 is bone stock with Duratrac 285/75/16 tires on stock rims.

Doug

 

[HDJdreams]

Goodyear Duratracs are considered in between an all terrain and a mud tire, although mine have done well in mud. I got them because they were the most aggressive "snowflake" rated tire available, which probably is not a concern for you. Some noise, and not sure on wear think they are on softer side.

I have heard a lot of people like BF Goodrich Mud Terrains, they drive well on highways for a mud tire. I have avoided them because I want something suitable for snowy roads and ice. I had BFG AT KOs, drove well, wore great, mud traction was awful. The KO 2s are supposed to be a little better in mud, I have them on my TLC now, but have not tried them in mud yet.

I agree that 285/75R16 is the size to run on a stock cruiser that sees any time off road. I got 17" wheels and have 34x10.5R17, really closer to 33" than 34". Mine has old OME medium lift, but they would fit stock rigs, 10.5" is about 265 mm.

 

[ZackR]

If I recall correctly (I traveled to Costa Rica in 2010 and rented a Landcrusier Prado to explore) most of the driving in Costa Rica is low speed and much of it it on dirt roads or beat up paved roads, with a high chance of encountering mud. In those conditions I'd ideally go with some type of mud terrain or a beefy all terrain in the 285/75/16 size, depending on availability.

After having looked at your list I'm pretty sure the tire I had on the Prado was a Dunlop AT3. Maybe not the best for deep mud but we drove all over and it got the job done.

Good luck on the search and keep living the dream!

 

[bajaphile]

Yeah I'd go up to 265/75r16 . There are probably more choices for that tire as well.

Spent a lot of time down there in my life and if you're going out to the coast, I'd assume you'd want some decent mud terrains! Of course, it is amazing to see how most the locals can get around no problem on balding street tires, even during the rainy season going through mud bogs, flowing rivers and such. : )

 

[LINUS]

With a '97 - since you have the 1FZ the hp/(tq, really) - you can jump all the way to 305/70r16 (33's) on stock springs without noticing a great loss, and widen your tire selection too. Yes, you can fit bigger, but then we need to talk gears.

You don't mention how you use your 80 - so guessing a tire for you would be just that - guessing.

Do you air down much? I'd want some good sidewalls.

Mainly drive street & some dirt between streets? I'd want a decent street tread w/ a higher treadwear rating.

All out go nuts on occasion? Something like BFG mud or Goodyear MT-R's

So really need more info on your useage, or go to the 'reviews' on say tirerack.com - most unbiased info is people reporting back after 5-10-15K of having any particular tire.

I have MT-R's but since I don't "go nuts" like I used to, my replacements for my black 80 will more than likely be your Duratracs - the way they work for us up here in WA & since I'm not so gonzo anymore means it'll grab when I need but act decent on asphalt.

 

[LouisianaRubicon]

Another vote for 305/70r16 or 285/75r16.

 

[chap79]

This decision really is based on your needs. If a street tire is all that is needed then get what you like and what fits your wallet. Most of the folks here are under the impression that bigger is always better and run at least a 285/75r16. But since your shopping for tires outside the USA I would stick to a 265 or 275 to optimize availability to get a replacement in the future in the event of a failure.

 

[LINUS]

[QUOTE="chap79, post: 10421256, member: 42886/] Most of the folks here are under the impression that bigger is always better.[/QUOTE]

It's not? I guess my next build should be on a Smart car then, since we see so many at Moab & all.

To qualify my statement - I meant that going up to as big as a 305/70 is just an available possibility based on available tires down there, since up to that point doesn't really effect the performance an appreciable amount.

If a desired tire happens to be a size up to that range, I'd have no issue going up to that size & by my own experience - was a benefit since it broadened the selection of tires I could choose from & was hardly any increase in total cost.

Unless you're @ 5,000ft, and since most ROW 80's came with about that size - you can even get that little factory speedo correction gear Slee vendors (common part ROW) - and install is easier than swapping a spark plug, really!

& OP - it may be tough finding many here who have ran those exact tires - the reviews on the tirerack site or other online vendors whould be where I'd look, maybe trying to find heavy vehicles like ours to do a loose apple-apple comparison.

Most here have the common brands in larger, offroad, open lug style - the Toyos, BFG's, GY, Interco, etc - so that's why I bring up the reviews section - I've found them very helpful when picking road car tires by looking at reviews by people with similar cars.

 

[chap79]

@LINUS I was just basing tire size off of the information that was provided by the OP. Because he is looking for 275 or 265 width tires and in Costa Rico I assumed (and we all know what that does) that tire choice is based off what is most available in the Central American market. Yes, a 285 tire is more likely available in San Jose but maybe not the outlying towns. IDK. Like most I'm just a guy vicariously living the expeditionary dream through images posted here on Mud and Expedition Portal.

FWIW, I run 285/75 on my current truck and have run up to 39s on other builds. Buy 'em for purpose or looks. Only you know what you really want or need.

 

[decoco]

one question, is what are most similar rigs there using? that should give you an indication what works well in your market as well.

 

[Tapage]

one question, is what are most similar rigs there using? that should give you an indication what works well in your market as well.

This it's good and healthy advice .. altho BFG used to have a plant ( or still have ) in CR .. so you should be able to get the best AT ( looks like that's what you want ) ever made IMHO BFG AT and get in 285/75 R16 which it's pretty common size around here ..

If you are not able to get what you want in CR .. drive down to the border ( Paso Canoas ) and you should have more variety and better prices .. ( Panama prices )

 

[GringoBob]

This it's good and healthy advice .. altho BFG used to have a plant ( or still have ) in CR .. so you should be able to get the best AT ( looks like that's what you want ) ever made IMHO BFG AT and get in 285/75 R16 which it's pretty common size around here ..

If you are not able to get what you want in CR .. drive down to the border ( Paso Canoas ) and you should have more variety and better prices .. ( Panama prices )

Tapage -

Bridgestones and Firestones are made here in Costa Rica but no BFG. BFGs and Goodyears are tough to find here ...if they wern't, I probably wouldn't have posted this thread.

I've used CR made Firestone Destinations made here on my 4Runner (when I had it) ...noisy and they just didn't feel that good (not recommended) ...and it's not available in the size(s) I want anyhow. I have CR made Bridgestone Duelers A/T Revo2s on my Montero ..moderately aggressive tread, very quiet on the pavement and I have a lot of confidence with them off road ...I recommend them, and would put them on my LC but they aren't offered in the size(s) I'm looking for.

I checked the tires on a 95 LC diesel here the other day ...285/65R17s ...which would have about the same height as a 70R16 if I figured right. It had Dunlops which I've read numerous complaints about ...especially performance on wet pavement (thus not advisable for the CR rainy season me thinks!)

So with all the advise I have read here, I'm going to see what's available in 285/75R16s ...maybe I will get a surprise. It may be the size to have.

As for Pasa Canoas ...do you know if there are any tire shops in the free trade zone ...or will I have to enter Panama ? (which would drive up the cost quite a bite in both time & $$$.)

And for everyone who has asked ...not including a few long road(asphalt) trips a year ...my typical driving week is about 1/3 on CR dirt/stone/mud roads and 2/3s on asphalt ...120+ miles a week.

And, thank-you ...and everyone responding. I'll keep you posted.

 

[IronCladLou]

This it's good and healthy advice .. altho BFG used to have a plant ( or still have ) in CR ..

Just a bit of trivia/information. BF Goodrich doesn't make tires anymore (I don't think they have since the late 1980s). Michelin bought the BFG brand name and now makes all "BFG" tires. If there is a plant making BFG tires somewhere, it is most likely a Michelin plant.

 

[Golgo13]

Have you considered talking to the locals or taking a survey of what you see the most on the roads? I'm sure there are plenty of guys who drive a lot down there that would be willing to help you find a good tire for your use.
You can see that you asked on here and the responses are telling you to go to something bigger or use a tire not on your list.
Consider looking at government vehicles or delivery and people-mover type(taxis, tourist transports, etc) vehicles; see what tires they use.

If this thread stays on the top page for a couple days, you'll have guys telling you to get hub adapters and run HMMWV tires/wheels or that you should seriously consider swapping over to a set of axles from a Volvo C303 with portal hubs and running wheels/tires from a farm implement.

Don't ask a tire salesman. They just want to sell you whatever they can't sell otherwise or can make the most profit on.

 

[Tapage]

As for Pasa Canoas ...do you know if there are any tire shops in the free trade zone ...or will I have to enter Panama ?

there are " tire " shops .. you know are not the kind of the tire shop you'll expect in US .. just probably a guy with a floor jack under a mango tree ..

 

[Heckraiser]

I run 265/75r16's on my LX and they are close enough to stock that you can't tell the difference by looking or driving. Speedo is accurate. According to the various tire calculators, a 265/75 is about 1/2" taller than a 275/70. Only a few manufacturers still make the 275/70, but pretty much everyone makes a 265/75 in just about any variety.

I have the Hankook Dynapros and so far they have been terrific for my use (Rocky Mountain/Moab wheeling, around town and highway, snow). Completely useless in the mud. When you say Costa Rica, I imagine muddy rainforest roads (never been, you lucky dog!) If that is the case, skip AT's all together and go straight to a Mud tire.

 

[4G63 POWER]

No toyo in cr?