Tire opinions

[marcfj60]

As many of you probably know already, I'm attempting to replace the wheels/tires on my new '99 Hundy because it came with chromed aluminum aftermarket rims with a non-OEM offset which makes them stick out 2" farther than they should. Because Toyota decided to make life hard on everyone, they used a 5-bolt pattern on a 150mm BC, with 14mm studs. Finding the OEM wheel (16" diameter) is not an easy task. They are available here and there but for lots of money. Another option is to buy some take-off wheels that came off a new Tundra because the new model has the same bolt pattern and offset values as the 100-series. The problem there is that they are 18" diameter wheels. I'd prefer the 16" but the 18" are more readily available and more reasonably priced. I've been contemplating what tire options I have because of the potential for the 18" rim, but they aren't great. I'm looking for some opinions on the following tire models:

Yokohama Geolander A/T-S
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Pro Grade
Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10

I think an All-Terrain tire will be the best choice for my truck and my expected use. I'd prefer the BFG A/T based on past experience but the size I need on an 18" rim is a ridiculous $290 each. I would also consider the Toyo Open Country A/T after Dan (Spresso's) recommendation but can't find a local source with the same warranty/free balancaing,rotation options you get from Discount/Sam's/Costco.

 

[Beowulf]

I would also consider the Toyo Open Country A/T after Dan (Spresso's) recommendation but can't find a local source with the same warranty/free balancaing,rotation options you get from Discount/Sam's/Costco.

My Toyo Open Country M/T's were bought at Discount. Ya just gotta ask and you have to ask for a discount or a lower price than they quote.
-Mike-

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Discount will give all the warranties and service on tires not bought from them. Look around on the internet but don't be surprised if Discount won't match the lowest price.

 

[OGBeno]

Discount will give all the warranties and service on tires not bought from them. Look around on the internet but don't be surprised if Discount won't match the lowest price.

Dude, isn't there an MTB forum for you to be hanging out in giving tire recommendations?

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Dude, isn't there an MTB forum for you to be hanging out in giving tire recommendations?

fawker

 

[Ruadhrigh]

WARNING: NON-MTB Related Material Posted Below

Marc,

Here is a short list of places I was looking at when I needed new tires. I got 5 BFG muds for $855 with shipping from the first link. Discount charged me $46 a wheel to mount/ balance/ and warranty.


OnlineTires.com - Discount Tires, Custom Wheels, Rims, Goodyear, Michelin, Cooper Tires
Custom wheels, car rims, truck rims, chrome rims, chrome wheels, discount tires
UnserTire.com - High Performance Tires



(stick that in your pipe ya damn Turk)

 

[slimbuddha]

Marc, I believe I've heard Costco and Sam's will not install any size of tire other than factory size, so if you plan to go to the 33", I don't believe they will cover it.

 

[SteveLCetc]

I believe Discount will match any locally installed price - including Costco and Sams. They have in the past - I've bought a half dozen sets of tires from them that way. Plus, they see my history with them on their computer system and go out of their way to let me exchange tires etc.

All that said, I'd go with 33" Goodyear MT/R's, no contest. Excellent traction all around and pretty quiet as well.

 

[alia176]

You asked for opinions, so here's mine:

Go with the BFG A/Ts and you can't go wrong. For the type of wheeling and driving you'd be doing with the Hundy, anything more aggressive than a set of A/Ts is a waste of money and you'd end up losing power and mpg.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Ali -

What information do you have that MT/R's have more rolling resistance than A/T's? Not that I have anything against A/T's, they are just a little slippery in mud. They're probably a better snow tire than the MT/R's, but with the A/T's I'd *definitely* get the Discount Tire warranty as the sidewalls are a little weak.

 

[fstmatt]

Mark -
I purchased Toyo Open Country A/T's from a guy here out in Tijeras - Kevin at Cedar Crest Tire. His prices are reasonable - not the cheapest, but his service is unmatchable. He'll also order tires from Tire Rack.com with minimal mark up.

Matt
(go Local!)

 

[alia176]

Ali -

What information do you have that MT/R's have more rolling resistance than A/T's? Not that I have anything against A/T's, they are just a little slippery in mud. They're probably a better snow tire than the MT/R's, but with the A/T's I'd *definitely* get the Discount Tire warranty as the sidewalls are a little weak.

Any time you can "hear" or "feel" a tire while driving, I translate this to more wind and rolling resistance. I was able to feel the lugs of the 285 75 16 MT/Rs when I came to a stop; this was the first set of tires on the 80. If I can feel a tire then it's too much resistance IMHO. Any time I can hear a tire this translates to wind resistance. Any resistance translates to loss of fuel economy and requires more hp to get rolling from a dead stop. We all know that mud tires are typically heavier than the A/T tires.

I did a tire test long time ago and went something like this:

With a set of MT/Rs, tranny in neutral, released the brake on top of the driveway and let the 80 coast backward into the street. The 80 usually ended up somewhere near the middle of the street.

With a set of Geolander ATs I performed the same rolling backward test. This time the 80 usually ended up on the driveway across the other side of the street.

Obviously this was a very unscientific test but it did show me how much easier the AT tires can roll.

Speaking of weaker sidewalls, the BFG A/Ts have a three ply sidewall which is not a common thing in most A/T tires as far as I know. I'm looking for an used set of 315s BFG A/Ts for my 80 currently.

Tires are a huge compromise but for Marc's mall crawler it makes no sense to go with anything resembling a mud tire. If he wants to play in Moab, a set of A/T tires will do very well over there. I have run Geolanders in Moab for a few years and Dan (spressomon) just ran hard trails w/o issues. Heck, a set of drag racing slicks probably would do fairly well on the slick rocks too

Just another opinion.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Your driveway test does sound pretty objective (assuming equal pressure and temperature etc.), and I agree that noise is a sign of resistance - either wind or rolling, but I didn't notice an increase in noise when I went from BFG A/T's to MT/R's, and in fact had the MT/R's on it when I got 15 mpg at 75 (two way long distance run, confirmed with a one mile level highway two way run. They're not loud like BFG M/T's either.

That said, when I replaced my 285/75R16 A/T's with MT/R's on the 80, I saved the A/T's, and now am going to put them on our '99 4Runner. However, I need to lift it about 3" first. I have stock front 80 springs for the rear, but am undecided about what to do with the front. Got any ideas?

 

[Ruadhrigh]

I agree with Ali, ATs will crush curbs just as well as MTs.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Mark -
I purchased Toyo Open Country A/T's from a guy here out in Tijeras - Kevin at Cedar Crest Tire. His prices are reasonable - not the cheapest, but his service is unmatchable. He'll also order tires from Tire Rack.com with minimal mark up.

Matt
(go Local!)

So the guy is ordering from tirerack.com, and then charging you more for the tires? But its all good since he's a local?

 

[marcfj60]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts/opinions/suggestions. I'm taking it all into consideration.

I find it interesting that some say the BFG AT has a weak sidewall while others say it has a strong sidewall.

I know I want a somewhat aggressive AT. I think the street focused Michelin, Bridgestone and Yokohama "All Terrains" would probably fail me on off-road activities. Tires I've seen online that I think might be good are (from cheapest to most expensive - from Discount Website):

Nitto Terra Grappler AT - D-range ($150)
Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 ($155)
Toyo Open Country A/T (Special order $168)
BF Goodrich AT ($189 after rebate)
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac ($197)
Bridgestone Dueler A/T 694 Revo ($214)
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R ($226)
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlar ($252)

I don't think a Mud Terrain is going to be the best choice for me because of the small percentage of time the truck will spend off-road. I need something with better road manners and hard surface traction than what I think an MT will offer.

 

[marcfj60]

That said, when I replaced my 285/75R16 A/T's with MT/R's on the 80, I saved the A/T's, and now am going to put them on our '99 4Runner. However, I need to lift it about 3" first. I have stock front 80 springs for the rear, but am undecided about what to do with the front. Got any ideas?

I saw a wrecked '98 100 at All-Mini earlier this week. The rear coils were inside the truck. I seem to recall the front of my Tacoma being a spring-over setup though so if the same era 4Runner is that way too, then those springs probaly will not work.

 

[alia176]

That said, when I replaced my 285/75R16 A/T's with MT/R's on the 80, I saved the A/T's, and now am going to put them on our '99 4Runner. However, I need to lift it about 3" first. I have stock front 80 springs for the rear, but am undecided about what to do with the front. Got any ideas?

I don't know much about the 4Runner lifts but 3" sounds a lot like opening up Pandora's box to me. The coil over lift system sounds like the cat's meow to the 4Runner and Taco people.

 

[alia176]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts/opinions/suggestions. I'm taking it all into consideration.

I find it interesting that some say the BFG AT has a weak sidewall while others say it has a strong sidewall.

I know I want a somewhat aggressive AT. I think the street focused Michelin, Bridgestone and Yokohama "All Terrains" would probably fail me on off-road activities. Tires I've seen online that I think might be good are (from cheapest to most expensive - from Discount Website):

Nitto Terra Grappler AT - D-range ($150)
Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 ($155)
Toyo Open Country A/T (Special order $168)
BF Goodrich AT ($189 after rebate)
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac ($197)
Bridgestone Dueler A/T 694 Revo ($214)
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R ($226)
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlar ($252)

I don't think a Mud Terrain is going to be the best choice for me because of the small percentage of time the truck will spend off-road. I need something with better road manners and hard surface traction than what I think an MT will offer.

If the Nitto TG have a 3 ply sidewall then I think that'd be a good choice too. I'd be looking at those tires too but they have a 2 ply sidewall in the 315 size. I hear very good things about this tire as far bang for the buck. Also, I hear that the Revos are an excellent choice as well. The 80 crowd loves them from what I can tell.

Your approach to tire shopping is smart; buy tires for the 99.9% of use, not for the 0.1% use that they may get.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Marc:

I think you're being smart to buy tires for the vast amount of driving you do, not the little bit that they won't be able to.

For that reason, I've got (and everyone in my family has got--that's 6 trucks) that all have the BFG A/T KOs. On the faux lux, I recently replaced a set that has 100,000+ miles on them (no joke) and still had some life left. I've been incredibly happy with the way they have consistently worn and lasted a long time. They also aren't all that bad off road.

If I want an MT for something fancy, I'll buy a cheap set of MT (hopefully--used???) and keep a spare set of wheels to put them on only for when I want them. That way the vast majority of my time is spent with the BFG ATs that have done so well for me.

Dan