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Old 11-14-2019, 08:58 AM #16
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Originally Posted by 4RunnerL2016 View Post
Bridgestone Alenza's all the way!!!
Thanks. It's very close but I am sticking with the Michelins. I like the more aggressive tread. The Alenza was very tempting though.
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Old 11-14-2019, 12:14 PM #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayw View Post
One of the OE Yokohamas wore much more quickly that the others. It seems real odd. The couple tire guys I've met with seem none too concerned and attribute it to alignment. To me, there's a distinct quality difference in that one tire. Was it from from a different plant or something? Must be.

Still, if I'm spending ~$1000 I want to get everything reset. So I'm getting the alignment. Only question is where.. dealer or local shop? I'm thinking, dealer for $130 which is high.

As to why I don't buy another set of Geolandars, see above. Also they were great traction at first even in snow but haven't been great in a while. I snuck by last winter, but this year no way. We've already had two 3" snows and I can tell, driving would be treacherous w/o new rubber. Slipping an sliding around now where I **never** did before.

These Yokos also cost more $$ than the Michelins so that's another no-brainer. The Geolandar 96s are rated '360 BA' which is not impressive vs 720 AA for the Defender LTX.

My last Michelins on a Ford went 80k. I once had Bridgestone Desert Duelers go 60k. All the other stuff I've owned - the Generals, BF Goodrich, Firestones, Dunlops etc - all were half those numbers.

As for changing wheels, nah. Not for me. I like these. Not big on the mods - except my "semi custom" running board setup which looks and works way better than those dumb factory ornamental ones.
################

I went to the city today and talked to my old tire shop. The LTXs are actually $100 less than I was told so now I'm getting them for $900 out the door. Next Friday installation. I will take a photo and post.
FWIW - all tires have a DOT code on them. If you still have the tires, you can look at the DOT codes on each tire to compare them. They will have the year and week of production as well as the factory they were produced in, so if you look up how to decode it, you can tell if it was from a different production run.
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Old 11-14-2019, 02:39 PM #18
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I just bought my 5th gen, still have my 4th gen (170,000 miles), sold a 3rd gen (152,000 miles) and sold a 2nd gen (215,000 miles). All but about 60,000 of those miles was when I lived in thesnow belt. The best tires I had were the Michelin LTX M&S. 2nd were Firestone Destination LT. And the Michelin will wear like iron.
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Old 11-18-2019, 05:46 PM #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KP Texan View Post
Definitely get an alignment, and the dealer might not be the best. I would personally find a well trusted independent shop (note Firestone, etc.) which preferably has a hunter alignment machine. The important thing is that you want to be able to tell them to get your caster as close to 4 degrees as possible, with all other adjustments in spec. This made a very noticeable difference with my 4Runner - before that, steering was kind of vague and it tended to wander on the highway even though it was technically within Toyota specs with caster at the lower end.
I've called about 5 reputable places, all doing computerized alignments. As soon as I ask about the equipment (Hunter?) they get "suspicious". Maybe it's the way I'm presenting it, I don't know.

Then when I mention the "4 degree" request, every single one has been reluctant. Couple told me flat out, no we just get it within spec, no custom work.

So I wonder, is "setting the caster as close to 4 degrees as possible" still within Toyota spec for a 5th Gen Limited?
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Old 11-18-2019, 06:59 PM #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayw View Post
I've called about 5 reputable places, all doing computerized alignments. As soon as I ask about the equipment (Hunter?) they get "suspicious". Maybe it's the way I'm presenting it, I don't know.

Then when I mention the "4 degree" request, every single one has been reluctant. Couple told me flat out, no we just get it within spec, no custom work.

So I wonder, is "setting the caster as close to 4 degrees as possible" still within Toyota spec for a 5th Gen Limited?
The Hunter machine isn't really essential - you could simply ask what kind of equipment they use and hopefully they give you the impression that it's a good one. One key I found is to call a shop that also does lifts or work on off-road vehicles because they are used to having to mess with alignment specs.

Depending on your model of 4Runner, Toyota spec on the Caster would be 3.25 degrees +/- .75 degrees, so 4 degrees is essentially at the top of the spec.
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Old 11-18-2019, 07:57 PM #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petron5000 View Post
Bought 4 Michelin Defender Ltx M/s in 275/55r20 six months ago.

Couldn’t be happier.

Bought online. Had a local guy mount them. Costco and Discount Tire refuses because of the Size.
i've been running this size on mine for the last 3-4 yrs, quiet and never had any issues. the oem tires lasted until about 30-35k and i am now at 68k and i still have about 8/12ths thread left.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jayw View Post
[Please don't get on me for yet another tire post. Yeah, I've already read all the relevant and recent posts on this site and others... and weeded thru a TON of outdated posts etc.]

Still, I find myself more confused than before.

I'm looking for tires for my '14 Limited I bought new. Geolandar 96s got me to 47K but are done. I am keeping the stock rims and I want the 245s. Summarizing it all, it seems like more people have had the overall best experience with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is probably second. Both happen to be at the top of the price list but oh well... that's OK.

I want all-seasons that will be decent in Chicago snows and rainy Springs. I also want to stick with the 700+ UTQG rated tire if possible.

Today I went to talk to a local 40-years-in-biz tire guy who came recommended. He actually doesn't sell tires but makes a living installing tires bought online so he has no real skin in the game that way, which gives him more credibility. Anyways he basically trashed both those tires. His claim is that the squared shoulder of the Michelin will cause noise and cupping. Never was 100% clear about his beef with the Bridgestone.

He highly recommends the Cooper Discoverer SRX, which from what I read quite a few people complain of terrible road noise. THat'd be a deal-killer to me.

I've decided to buy from a guy down into the city where I've bought several times before as his prices are unbeatable and his service great. However thanks to YELP he is so busy now that he almost never can come to the phone, meaning to ask him questions I have to probably drive down there.

So where's all this going?

I'm actually not looking for recommendations, but rather a sanity check. Do I trust my research, or do I throw my faith in this guy I just met today? He did say a few other things about the 4R which made me think he doesn't know the truck that well (or maybe it's me?).

Still it's kind of hard to dismiss him, so yeah... I'd love to hear some reassurance that I am on the right track with those two choices. Maybe he's simply biased?

And, I guess if you have recent personal experience with either the Alenza Plus of the Defender LTX M/S I'd like to hear it. They seem like 2 very different tires despite similar numbers overall.

Any opinions or experience is appreciated, thanks.
for winter time up here in ND they have been solid for the winters, never had any issues. slush not so great so watch out for that.

i've driven them twice to visit my mom and that 1700 miles 1-way and ive pulled a 5x10 uhaul with them back 1700 miles.

i would highly recommend these tires for a 4runner.
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Old 11-18-2019, 08:14 PM #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayw View Post
[Please don't get on me for yet another tire post. Yeah, I've already read all the relevant and recent posts on this site and others... and weeded thru a TON of outdated posts etc.]

Still, I find myself more confused than before.

I'm looking for tires for my '14 Limited I bought new. Geolandar 96s got me to 47K but are done. I am keeping the stock rims and I want the 245s. Summarizing it all, it seems like more people have had the overall best experience with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is probably second. Both happen to be at the top of the price list but oh well... that's OK.

I want all-seasons that will be decent in Chicago snows and rainy Springs. I also want to stick with the 700+ UTQG rated tire if possible.

Today I went to talk to a local 40-years-in-biz tire guy who came recommended. He actually doesn't sell tires but makes a living installing tires bought online so he has no real skin in the game that way, which gives him more credibility. Anyways he basically trashed both those tires. His claim is that the squared shoulder of the Michelin will cause noise and cupping. Never was 100% clear about his beef with the Bridgestone.

He highly recommends the Cooper Discoverer SRX, which from what I read quite a few people complain of terrible road noise. THat'd be a deal-killer to me.

I've decided to buy from a guy down into the city where I've bought several times before as his prices are unbeatable and his service great. However thanks to YELP he is so busy now that he almost never can come to the phone, meaning to ask him questions I have to probably drive down there.

So where's all this going?

I'm actually not looking for recommendations, but rather a sanity check. Do I trust my research, or do I throw my faith in this guy I just met today? He did say a few other things about the 4R which made me think he doesn't know the truck that well (or maybe it's me?).

Still it's kind of hard to dismiss him, so yeah... I'd love to hear some reassurance that I am on the right track with those two choices. Maybe he's simply biased?

And, I guess if you have recent personal experience with either the Alenza Plus of the Defender LTX M/S I'd like to hear it. They seem like 2 very different tires despite similar numbers overall.

Any opinions or experience is appreciated, thanks.
Michelin LTX M/S, keep them at 35 psi...Best possible option...
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Old 11-18-2019, 08:47 PM #23
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OK so potential new wrench-in-the-works?

Maybe something I need not worry about but I just spoke to an off-road shop in my area, they send their alignments out BUT he warned me, the lower control arms could need to be replaced if the alignment bolts are frozen in.

Has this happened to anyone else? Also I've seen the alignment bolts, if they're rusted can't they just be cut out and replaced?

It's definitely putting the cart before the horse but this is the first I've heard of this. That would be an ugly twist to this tale for sure, he's talking costly repair if it's needed. And I have someone else do it (I could probably do it if needed)
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Old 11-19-2019, 03:25 PM #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayw View Post
OK so potential new wrench-in-the-works?

Maybe something I need not worry about but I just spoke to an off-road shop in my area, they send their alignments out BUT he warned me, the lower control arms could need to be replaced if the alignment bolts are frozen in.

Has this happened to anyone else? Also I've seen the alignment bolts, if they're rusted can't they just be cut out and replaced?

It's definitely putting the cart before the horse but this is the first I've heard of this. That would be an ugly twist to this tale for sure, he's talking costly repair if it's needed. And I have someone else do it (I could probably do it if needed)
OK so in all my tire readings I never saw any hint of this issue. A quick search reveals numerous reports, as you all know. It's not uncommon.

Today I went to my long-time trusted shop for an oil change. They don't do alignments but they do all repairs etc. The owner checked all cam bolts and reported they all move freely w/o any issues which is a relief.

The local off-road shop referred me to their alignment place, to me it seems clear THEY KNOW what's up, and the caster question didn't even raise an eyebrow. He knows the 4Runner well, and was the ONLY guy I talked to that didn't catch my mistake thinking I needed a 4 wheel alignment. My regular guy informed me it's 2 wheel, and this guy knew it w/o looking at the vehicle.

So, with any luck, I am on the right path...

Should I ask them to remove the cam bolts and put anti-seize on while they're at it? Hmmm.
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Old 11-22-2019, 08:34 PM #25
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Defender LTX M/S
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More tire confusion on the 5th Gen Limited-20191122_165048-jpg 

Last edited by jayw; 11-23-2019 at 12:01 PM.
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Old 11-22-2019, 09:27 PM #26
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Defender LTX M/S
I've owned multiple defenders on my Camry and they have been the best tire I've owned for dry/wet/snow. Even in the snow/ice they feel like its almost dry too! I will no doubt get some for the 4runner when it's time.
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Old 11-23-2019, 08:20 AM #27
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Defender LTX M/S
Great choice! I ran these on a Honda Pilot and agree with the previous poster that they provide amazing traction in all conditions--dry, wet, ice and snow. I'll be putting this on my wife's 2018 Limited when the factory Yokohamas wear out.

Last edited by AGS92; 11-23-2019 at 08:27 AM. Reason: grammer
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Old 11-23-2019, 08:42 AM #28
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Late to the party but I have the Bridgestone Alenza Plus on my 20’s and I don’t really like them. They have also worn very fast. I just went through my 3rd summer with them and I’ll be lucky to get another one. I’m at 5/32. I only drive 20,000km/yr (12,000mi). I’ll be getting either the Geolanders (I got good fuel economy with those) or Michelin’s. I have 17” Michelin X-Ice xi2 as my winter tires and they are much quieter and offer better fuel economy than my Bridgestone’s. We also have several Michelin tire plants in Nova Scotia so I feel like I am buying local (regardless of whether the actual tire is made here).

Good call.
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Old 11-23-2019, 12:03 PM #29
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Late to the party but I have the Bridgestone Alenza Plus on my 20’s and I don’t really like them. They have also worn very fast. I just went through my 3rd summer with them and I’ll be lucky to get another one. I’m at 5/32. I only drive 20,000km/yr (12,000mi). I’ll be getting either the Geolanders (I got good fuel economy with those) or Michelin’s. I have 17” Michelin X-Ice xi2 as my winter tires and they are much quieter and offer better fuel economy than my Bridgestone’s. We also have several Michelin tire plants in Nova Scotia so I feel like I am buying local (regardless of whether the actual tire is made here).

Good call.
I did OK with the stock Geolandar G96, but just OK. They were OK in snow first 2 yrs. They've been iffy for a while. I'm holding out hope for these.
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Old 11-23-2019, 12:04 PM #30
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I've already noticed they do feel "stiff", which I am OK with. It's not a creamy ride vehicle, never was and never will be. It's a truck ride. Even the Limited.
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