TIRES!

[Saul Abel]

99 Landcruiser currently running 275/65/18 (I think the rims are off of a Sequoia as they are not a factory size for Cruisers?). Any ideas on best/least expensive place for seasonal change out to winter tires? Also, wanting new tires for next spring; on/off road with minimal road noise (relatively speaking). Been looking at:

BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO 2 in a LT275/70/R18

or

Dick Cepek Fun Country in a similar size

Does anyone have experience with these tires and/or this size on a 100? I'm unfamiliar with tire sizes based on inches (i.e. 33x11 etc). I'm open to suggestions, but don't want anything too radical as this is a daily driver and is used for business purposes, but want an all around tire that will perform reasonably well in the mountains of Southwest Montana and possibly sand down south. Sand is a secondary "want." I'm willing to go up to $275 per tire.

PS: Enjoyed meeting everyone at ColdSmoke Coffee on 11/15/16. I'm signing up!

 

[rcurrier44]

kolar tire in helena.
I won't use any of the big shops again. Will beat any price and have great CS

 

[NyNomad]

I've been enjoying my DC Extreme Country's. Lots of wheeling and a two week trip from Mt to SD Black hills cruiser classic to CO to the Miller jeep trail . Recently rotated and lots of tread left..

 

[Hack]

So, just to clarify, you are looking for two distinct sets of tires: One winter, another spring/summer/fall?

Are you off-roading during the winter/snow season? If mostly on paved roads, I've been happy with my Firestone Destination AT's (I'm on my second set in 9.5 years) that I have on my 2002 Chevy Blazer LS 4wd:





I originally wanted the Bridgestone Dueler HT, but the dealer was out of them. And I needed tires that day, so I got the Firestone AT's. Never have had a problem in snow, and I've made my 35 mile commute in 10+" of snow and deeper drifts. Decent on ice, good in the rain. Not real noisy either.

I've never run a dedicated snow tire, like a Bridgestone Blizzak. But it would be a consideration if I was going to swap tires with the seasons.

Tread design, tire construction, will all depend on how hard you wheel off road. The BFG AT's wear like iron, and are decent for a lot of things. But they aren't going to be as good in sand/mud/goo or sharp rocks as a more aggressive tire.

Since this is your DD, and aren't looking for anything aggressive, I'd also be looking for something that has a decent tread wear guarantee.

 

[80 Sack]

We have several members running the Cooper St Maxx, including myself, with great reports. Look back in our 406 Cruisers section for the full write ups. I love the blizzaks, but they don't offer them in the size I want and have considered the duratrac for a winter tire. The duratrac would be a great choice for all seasons, but I've heard about sidewall damage when wheeling them. My $.02.

 

[3rdGenTRD]

I'm going to go to the ST Maxx for my 4runner in a 285/75r16, moving from AT3s. I'm probably going to have the siped to they are better on ice. Have not ordered them yet so not 100% yet but it's either Duratracs or the siped STMaxx for me.

 

[elkun1]

Have just the center siped, great traction but helps on the chunking. We have 3 sets of them and no complaints on the stmaxx. Have had a couple sets of duratracs and not impressed. other people have had good luck with them but we haven't

 

[elkun1]

1 more thing, check prices in belgrade. Interwest or whatever their name is is a great shop. Also tire rama in belgrade, more of an old school laid back atmosphere. might be a case of drive a little and save alot. good luck, Ron

 

[3rdGenTRD]

Have just the center siped, great traction but helps on the chunking. We have 3 sets of them and no complaints on the stmaxx. Have had a couple sets of duratracs and not impressed. other people have had good luck with them but we haven't

So that'd be just the center lugs that get siped so the outer ones stay normal so they hold up better essentially? So trying to get the best of both worlds, traction but still being good the rest of the year and on rocks?

 

[elkun1]

Yep, the tires already have some sipes in them from the factory, you're just wanting to add some more in the center, makes a phenomenal difference on ice. We have 1 set on Sam's 55 that he didn't have siped. He tries to avoid driving in in the winter for rust reasons but he has been on nasty roads and says he can tell the difference. Ron

 

[Kyitty]

I have ST Maxx and love them. Have yet to play with them in real snow though.

 

[4gotalot]

I am running the KO2 year round for my 200 as a DD (I also try to follow TC on trail rides...) and have found them to be the best i have run as a A/T tire especialy on snow and ice. I have been running Cooper AT3 for many years but will never again due to constant flats and other failures. I gave my AT3's away with 80% remaining because they were not worth the risk. No flats or any other problems on the KO2's with 20K miles on them.
There is no A/T tire that has snow/ice traction like designated snow tire. I run Yokahama Geoldr I/T 072 (4ply) (no flats either) on the 80 series for a snow tire. I found it to be better than the Blizacks because they have more space between the lugs for breaking trail in fresh snow and fall/spring time mud. Model# may have changed with these but tread pattern is similar. I run the similar Yokahama snow tire on my wife's '96 Honda Pilot year round. Yes they are noisy but it only get driven 5K miles a year (and no flats or failures).
Costco has great prices but 1-2 months out for an appointment or be there in the AM before they open and hope for a cancelation just to get your tires rotated.

 

[Saul Abel]

I have been incredibly happy with the Blizzaks in both deep snow and on ice! Does anyone think i could pull off a 275/70/18 on the 100 WITHOUT lift? Again, currently running a 275/65/18. I think the aspect of 70 on the 275 will push it to 33 inches and change. My fear is that it will rub and then i get to do a lift, re-gear, etc.

 

[Hack]

What model Blizzak are you looking at? I don't see a 275/70R18 listed. Might be one, but I can't find it right now. There is a 275/60R18 in the DM-V2 model which specs at 31" and is recommended by Tire Rack: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 for 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser

An issue to consider with the Blizzaks, is they are a softer compound, and will wear faster on dry pavement. I'd go the Blizzak route if I was content to swap out tires every year. Otherwise, you should be thinking all season tires. JMHO.

 

[Saul Abel]

Just to clarify, I already have the Blizzaks on at 275/65/18. I'm looking to do a seasonal change out to an A/T tire in the spring. TC and Jeremiah have me pretty well convinced that the ST Maxx is the way to go. Mark made a good argument for K02's, but I've had bad luck with BF Goodrich tires in the past. My biggest concern is the sizing for the new tires on a stock 100 platform. Ive read that most 275/70/18 will fit or fit with MINOR changes to the wheel wells. I'm attempting to get as much "natural" lift without touching the suspension and hoping that this size will fit and provide the 33 inches that I ultimately want/need. My theory is that a cold air intake will make up for the extra weight with 33's and a re-gear can be avoided. Sorry if I sound like I'm beating a dead horse here.

 

[80 Sack]

It might be worth a post over on the 100 section of mud. And don't worry...cruiser guys are ocd and love beating dead horses!!

 

[Kyitty]

I've never had KO2's. However, I know the off-road crowd on TacomaWorld.com poo poos on them pretty heavily. They call them the "bro" tire because "everyone" gets them for looks.

So far my ST Maxx are doing really well on the winter roads here in town this year. Though I can tell I need more weight on the rear end of my truck!

Taking a drive down to ID this weekend and the weather looks to be bad. I can report back, assuming I survive, on how they do on the highways if the weather is crap.

As for Cold Air Intake. I put a K&N on my Tacoma. Only thing that changed is how loud the motor sounds.

Factory I had 3.73 gears w/ 30" tires. I'm not 33" with 4.56 gears. The 33's with the 3.73 the truck was gutless. But I've got a different power plant than you do!

V6 4.0L in the Taco only puts out 236 max HP.

 

[3rdGenTRD]

So I have been driving about with the ST Maxx with siped center lugs and I love them! Aside from the fact that my wimpy little 3.4 doesn't like the turn them it's great! Much more grip than my old AT3s. It's much harder to have fun and do a well meaning drift every one and a while. But guess that'll keep me out of trouble when it has been icey and slick I have had much better luck actually slowing down and my abs has not had to kick on randomly like it used to and right now with the fresh snow it just goes on its merry way and don't actually use 4wd that much. I give them an A++

 

[Kyitty]

After driving nearly all day today in this stupid snow storm.... ST Maxx rock!! Add 4x4 and I was angry at how extremely slow everyone else was driving. Roads really didn't feel that bad! LoL