RL's Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Review

RL Lemke · Dec 29, 2006

I have switched from BFG AT KOs (C rated) to Bridgestone Dueler Revos (E rated) for 5,000 miles, to Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor (P rated) tires. My 2004 SE V8 4X4 wears 265/70 17 tires.

The GY SAs now have about 50 miles on them. Today there have been heavy rains and the Dallas streets are quite slick. I made sure to drive thru all the outside lanes where the water was running deep. The SAs have performed every bit as well, if not better, than the Revos, and MUCH better than the KOs did. Only curb deep water across the lane slowed the 4Runners progress. When the curb side had water and the left side didn't, the 4Runner pulled forward evenly. Stops are fine with no slipping or ABS. The KOs engaged the ABS a lot on wet streets.

The KOs lasted 53,000 miles before cracks appeared in between the tread, indicating tread separation. Even though there was still a lot of tread depth still available. When new the KOs were fine in the rain, however they work hardened and became difficult to live with on wet streets quickly.

Falls · Dec 30, 2006

Glad to hear about the GY's , keep us posted on more milage and snow conditions.

I never had a problems with the KO's driving in water or anything for that matter, but I know what you mean with the the more miles the harsher they become in ride and wet.

Still my fav. AT tire though.

The GY long term test will be interesting. Im sure the "P" rating will ride better too than the "E" rated Revos.

RL Lemke · Dec 30, 2006

Falls said:
keep us posted on... snow conditions.

Since I live in Dallas, snow testing will probably not happen. Ice covered streets is something we have a couple times a winter.

TRBenj · Dec 30, 2006

If possible, it would be very interesting to see gas mileage data with the SA's. That seems to be the biggest complaint about them on Tirerack. Is that something you are planning to track?

The top 4 AT tires on Tirerack are (all of which are available in 265/70/17):

1. Pirelli Scorpion ATR
2. Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor
3. Firestone Destination A/T
3. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo

Interestingly, the Revo has over 2100 reviews, while the Pirellis (51), Goodyears (133) and Firestones (220) have significantly fewer. While the SilentArmor's have the 2nd best overall rating, they rank lowest of the top 4 in the "Would you buy again" category (8.1/10). I assume this is mostly due to the reports of decreased gas mileage, which makes sense considering they are the heaviest tire in this bunch.

It will be very interesting to hear your detailed impressions. Thanks for sharing!

Falls · Dec 31, 2006

No snow conditions ..... time for a road trip testing RL

TRBenj, I've seen that too on tire rack , it will be interesting. The Revos to have a lot of responses and a good rep on TR. Nice overall tire and I sure see A LOT of them around here.

The GY have caught my attn. too and am interested in them as well. It will be interesting to see the results RL reports with gas milage and things , wish we had some deep snow reports to judge by though..

He is right on about the BFG though. I had them on my Exploder and after 40k they rode so rough/harsh it was unreal. It was the first time I experienced it with these tires after owning them for years. It was hard to tell about wet weather traction because it was an awd model so naturally traction was pretty good.

I only have 17k on my 70/17 Revos and already trying to figure out my next AT tire.

RL Lemke · Jan 4, 2007

Update:

Dry Traction on-road: Same as new AT KOs, Same as Revos, just fine for the hard acceleration tight corners.

Dry braking on-road: Even with bumps I can't make the ABS chirp. I could do that easily with the AT KOs, and on occasion with the Revos.

Wet street driving: Very good, probably as good as any of the high performance tires I used to buy. The Revos were very good also.

Mileage: Well going up to 70 from the stock 65 causes the mileage to calculate as worse. But then, the indicated mileage is optimistic anyway.

My mileage depends on my average speed here in Dallas. With an average speed under 25 mph, colder temperatures (rich FI mapping until warm), and some extra idling time, my indicated mileage is in the mid 14 mpg area. The same as the AT Kos & Revos. Our fuel in Dallas has 10% ethanol. I burn premium gas.

RL Lemke · Jan 16, 2007

Ice Review

Plenty of ice here in Dallas to drive on yesterday. It's been a while since the alphabet soup of electronics have come in useful. The traction control kicked-in during brisk acceleration on the sheet of ice, the GY SA tires moved the 4Runner straight forward without fuss. Stopping on the solid ice street (why was it that the new street sections had the perfect ice?) allowed the ABS to show it's stuff. The GY SA tires offered sufficient grip to stop the 4Runner without having to use the curb for traction.

So far, the SA tires are proving to be excellent all around tires. Now if only I could find some snow. Maybe this weekend in the Ozarks will provide the off-roading and snow opportunity I'm looking for.

Kmvreter · Jan 16, 2007

RL Lemke said:
I have switched from BFG AT KOs (C rated) to Bridgestone Dueler Revos (E rated) for 5,000 miles, to Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor (P rated) tires. My 2004 SE V8 4X4 wears 265/70 17 tires.

The KOs lasted 53,000 miles before cracks appeared in between the tread, indicating tread separation. Even though there was still a lot of tread depth still available. When new the KOs were fine in the rain, however they work hardened and became difficult to live with on wet streets quickly.

Thanks for the good info so far.

Only one question that is related to ride and handling. What psi did you run in each set/brand of tire?

RL Lemke · Jan 16, 2007

Re: Re: RL's Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Review

Kmvreter said:
What psi did you run in each set/brand of tire?

The KO's lasted more than 52K for me so I tried a lot of pressures. I think that 38 worked the best.

The Revo's I tried first at 44, then went to 38 to see if the "bounce" would go away. Alas, no.

These P rated SA's are set at 35 now.

Falls · Jan 16, 2007

RL, How are they so far ?

MW 4Runner · Jan 17, 2007

Re: Ice Review

RL Lemke said:
Maybe this weekend in the Ozarks will provide the off-roading and snow opportunity I'm looking for.

Where are you going in the Ozarks???

RL Lemke · Jan 17, 2007

Re: Re: Ice Review

MW 4Runner said:
Where are you going in the Ozarks???

I have an interest in a property on Beaver Lake. We just had a timber company add 17 miles of new "roads" around the place. That adds to the previous 10 miles of Jeep roads we have been driving on since 1999. Hope to get everything captured on GPS this weekend.

MW 4Runner · Jan 18, 2007

Re: Re: Re: Ice Review

RL Lemke said:
I have an interest in a property on Beaver Lake. We just had a timber company add 17 miles of new "roads" around the place. That adds to the previous 10 miles of Jeep roads we have been driving on since 1999. Hope to get everything captured on GPS this weekend.

Cool... I grew up on Beaver Lake. South end close to War Eagle.

Falls · Jan 18, 2007

Finally had a chance to check them out. I was parked next to Suburban at the DR's office and naturally check everything out on every truck...... I'm so strange that way..... well in always I guess.

Anyway really nice looking tire , nice tread depth , looks aggressive and kinda has the squared off sidewall like a BFG AT. I like the squared off look on a tire. Looks tougher IMO.

Once RL takes a road trip to Colorado to hit some deep snow I'm sure we'll get a good report

RL Lemke · Jan 21, 2007

Mud & Trail Update

I spent a couple days driving around a 2,300 acre Ozark property, which I have an interest in, this weekend. Since we have 17 miles of new roads recently cut around the property, I have the chance to drive on some vary slick mud topped roads. There is even a new road across a field which has springs and a very soft sub-surface.

The V8 4Runner was a blast to use on the very steep muddy climbs. I would launch the vehicle from the bottom of the climb using half throttle and the 4Runner would literally leap up the "road" clawing for traction where it could find it. To tell how slick it was, one time I tried to drive up the slope and made it half way before sliding back down the climb. No way to stop as it was so slick that gravity would pull you backwards towards the ravine.

Here is a photo of the road thru the trees.

RL Lemke · Jan 21, 2007

I found that the GY SA tires did a great job of taking the abuse of the sharp chirt rocks, which shred heavy pick-up tires.

When returning on the same roads, I looked to see what tracks were left by the SA tires. I was pleased to see the full shape of the tread, which indicated that they don't load-up in the mud.

RL Lemke · Jan 21, 2007

There was plenty of ice this trip too.

RL Lemke · Jan 21, 2007

It was a pleasure to show-up there on a blue sky day, right after the frozen rain made such an impact.

RL Lemke · Jan 21, 2007

So far, I think the GY SA tires are the best compromise between off-road capability and on-road performance.

RL Lemke · Jan 21, 2007

One last parting photo.

RL's Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Review

New member

Super Moderator

New member

New member

Super Moderator

New member

New member

New member

New member

Super Moderator

New member

New member

New member

Super Moderator

New member

Attachments

New member

Attachments

New member

Attachments

New member

Attachments

New member

Attachments

New member

Attachments

Forum statistics

Share this page

Trending content