I'm done with AT Tires

NYRunner · Jan 8, 2026

CutthroatSlam said:
You should have bought a RAV4 or a Highlander, because you are paying taxes with lower fuel economy of a 4Runner that you use mostly on road.

Some of us don’t mind that fact, in fact it was my preference regardless

Having survived being sandwiched between a stopped greyhound bus and a speeding tractor trailer, watching the NHTSA crash test videos was the deciding factor confirming the 4Runner was right for me. After seeing the the t-bone video where the truck kinda just bounced a few times I imagined being in the seat, looking down at whatever hit me with a smirk and saying “huh, what was that?”

Yes I used to do a lot of surfcasting from the beach as well as regular blizzard driving to a ski house, and even towed a boat from time to time, but it was crash protection and survivability I was looking for more than anything else, as well as Toyota’s (and the 4Runner even more so) legendary design and build quality and long term dependability

As for tires, I’ve stayed with the OEM Geolander G96b’s which have been solid in all conditions, though I’ve been curious about trying a set of Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 if anyone has had both and prefers them…

ch1966 · Jan 8, 2026

Ah! Michelin Life.

I bought this truck in August and swapped wheels and tires from my other 3rd Gen.
The mpg and ride from these tires are awesome.
I don't abuse them though.
Their job is keeping me quietly and safely pointed down the road in all weather.

As I set this one up it will get a set of K02's for weekends and vacations.
And I'll swap back to my old daily with the Michelins.
They are smoother than my prom date's thigh.
:focus:

CutthroatSlam · Jan 8, 2026

NYRunner said:
Some of us don’t mind that fact, in fact it was my preference regardless

Having survived being sandwiched between a stopped greyhound bus and a speeding tractor trailer, watching the NHTSA crash test videos was the deciding factor confirming the 4Runner was right for me. After seeing the the t-bone video where the truck kinda just bounced a few times I imagined being in the seat, looking down at whatever hit me with a smirk and saying “huh, what was that?”

Yes I used to do a lot of surfcasting from the beach as well as regular blizzard driving to a ski house, and even towed a boat from time to time, but it was crash protection and survivability I was looking for more than anything else, as well as Toyota’s (and the 4Runner even more so) legendary design and build quality and long term dependability

As for tires, I’ve stayed with the OEM Geolander G96b’s which have been solid in all conditions, though I’ve been curious about trying a set of Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 if anyone has had both and prefers them…

We have a 2014 4Runner with 405K miles. Had been running Cooper AT3s in LT or e-rated. Cannot tell the difference in ride between e-rated and c-rated, but the e-rated last much longer. Went 85K, but could have gone 90K. Replaced before winter set in and while they had their fall sale going on. Shop said they no longer make the AT3 and we ended up getting the Cooper Stronghold AT in LT or e-rated for both our 2014 and 2023. Early results are good. With the AT3 we periodically suffered the notorious vibration at 60 to 62 mph. Never heavy, but some was there. With the Stronghold, that vibration is completely gone. Don’t know if their will be a difference in tread life.

Humble Leader · Jan 9, 2026

CutthroatSlam said:
You should have bought a RAV4 or a Highlander, because you are paying taxes with lower fuel economy of a 4Runner that you use mostly on road.

I feel that is the reality for most 4runner owners. most use their vehicle daily instead of offroad. except when you want to offroad that's where you almost need the 4runner. and that is the exact reason I bought it - it has space, full time 4wd for winter and can tow modest amounts (good for jet skis, etc.). I also wanted toyota reliability. at the time the tax was worth it

my next vehicle will not be a 4runner most likely. I love the vehicle but as the years have passed my priorities changed. I don't have as much time to offroad because I'd rather be doing other things like boating but I still would like the ability to tow a jetski... the good offroad trails are hours away from me, just small local stuff is close by. I did zero offroading in 2025 and I'd like to do some in 2026 again. when the 4runner is no longer viable I will go back to my RX which I never got rid of

CutthroatSlam · Jan 9, 2026

Humble Leader said:
I feel that is the reality for most 4runner owners. most use their vehicle daily instead of offroad. except when you want to offroad that's where you almost need the 4runner. and that is the exact reason I bought it - it has space, full time 4wd for winter and can tow modest amounts (good for jet skis, etc.). I also wanted toyota reliability. at the time the tax was worth it

my next vehicle will not be a 4runner most likely. I love the vehicle but as the years have passed my priorities changed. I don't have as much time to offroad because I'd rather be doing other things like boating but I still would like the ability to tow a jetski... the good offroad trails are hours away from me, just small local stuff is close by. I did zero offroading in 2025 and I'd like to do some in 2026 again. when the 4runner is no longer viable I will go back to my RX which I never got rid of

Basic Rule: always use the right tool for the job.

Wife has 2014 SR5 and 2023 ORP 4Rrunners. She is regularly driving between our homes in Fullerton, CA and Stevensville, MT. Does not tow, but regularly hauls items.

I have 2005 Honda Accord 2.4L 5spd manual to commute 3 miles to the Fullerton train station for
work in LA offfice (just a year or 3 until I retire). I also have ‘94 and ‘99 K2500 Suburbans w/ 6.5 diesels. Those are my big haul and towing vehicles. They get 17.5 mpg highway at 70 mph which is decent for their size and not much less than the 4Runner. That drops to 12 mpg towing, but that’s with 7K to 10K lbs behind it, which you can’t do with a 4Runner.

I work on all the vehicles, including installing a new Optimizer 6.5 in the ‘99 last year. Not much work I don’t do. Given that, I admire the relative trouble free and less needy 4Runners. They relieve some of the burden of maintaining 5 vehicles while working my day job.

Humble Leader · Jan 10, 2026

CutthroatSlam said:
Basic Rule: always use the right tool for the job.

Wife has 2014 SR5 and 2023 ORP 4Rrunners. She is regularly driving between our homes in Fullerton, CA and Stevensville, MT. Does not tow, but regularly hauls items.

I have 2005 Honda Accord 2.4L 5spd manual to commute 3 miles to the Fullerton train station for
work in LA offfice (just a year or 3 until I retire). I also have ‘94 and ‘99 K2500 Suburbans w/ 6.5 diesels. Those are my big haul and towing vehicles. They get 17.5 mpg highway at 70 mph which is decent for their size and not much less than the 4Runner. That drops to 12 mpg towing, but that’s with 7K to 10K lbs behind it, which you can’t do with a 4Runner.

I work on all the vehicles, including installing a new Optimizer 6.5 in the ‘99 last year. Not much work I don’t do. Given that, I admire the relative trouble free and less needy 4Runners. They relieve some of the burden of maintaining 5 vehicles while working my day job.

in theory you should get a pilots license so you can fly a small plane from CA to montana lol . think about all the time you'd save

CutthroatSlam · Jan 10, 2026

Humble Leader said:
in theory you should get a pilots license so you can fly a small plane from CA to montana lol . think about all the time you'd save

That’s not going to happen. My wife was a widow when I married her. She lost her husband and a 5 year old son in a plane flown by her father. They found the wreckage 9 years after it disappeared. So no small plane flying for me.

Old Tanker · Jan 10, 2026

T4R2014 said:
So what if you have a 4x4 and do not go off road?

Rather like saying " I have a gun and never shoot it, so why should I bother with ammunition?"

If you off-road, mud terrains are the appropriate tire. If you need to compromise due to wet or icy roads, all-terrains are the compromise. I can't see why someone would run minivan tires on a 4x4.

OnTheEllipse · Jan 21, 2026

2ndhandyotaman said:
In September I picked up a '19 T4R OR that had a fresh set of KO3's on it. The 800 mile trip from the dealership near Atlanta back to Baltimore convinced me that I didn't need an 'E' load range AT tire on the 'runner. I picked up a set of Nitto Terra Grappler G2 on the cheap and swapped them over in early December. Night and day positive difference for me and the Nittos are better suited for how I will use the 4runner.

howdy neighbor. Current 3rd gen owner with a new-to-me 5th gen coming in this week. Carmax has Pep Boys Iron Man tires on it which I assume I'd like to replace.

I do a few trips a year out to Western Maryland and Western PA (from Annapolis) for skiing. We were out in the middle of nowhere near Seven Springs a few weeks back and some of those roads were sketchy in the weather. Following this thread with interest because I have no idea what tire to get. I usually make the safe/logical choices, but am leaning towards something more "fun" (maybe midlife crisis). My commute is short and only 3 days a week, so no big highway miles outside of those ski trips and an occasional trip to OBX.

CutthroatSlam said:
That’s not going to happen. My wife was a widow when I married her. She lost her husband and a 5 year old son in a plane flown by her father. They found the wreckage 9 years after it disappeared. So no small plane flying for me.

man that's terrible...and what are the odds that someone suggests you get a small plane and this is your experience?! that's crazy and i'm sorry to hear that.

henley · Sep 13, 2026

We've used BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, 10-ply / Load Range E and had a good experience with them-

Humble Leader · Sep 14, 2026

OnTheEllipse said:
man that's terrible...and what are the odds that someone suggests you get a small plane and this is your experience?! that's crazy and i'm sorry to hear that.

that is incredibly sad such a rare occurrence. sorry for the loss as well and to hear that. the rarity isnt in asking the question, its the rarity of the actual event happening

I asked a question Im sure he's been asked before. if you don't ask it you've at least thought it. the rarity is small plane crashes are rare and - but its more rare he's experienced it and the seriousness of the casualties (3 people same family). easily millions to 1

fourrunnerbill · Sep 14, 2026

I can't tell if your 4R is 4x4. I have a TE with all the 4x4 modes and I do go off road mainly on easy trails. If you do that you need a good durable tire. After I switched to BF K02's the difference was amazing and I feel as safe as possible with these tires. You need good grip and durability agains sharp rocks. My previous general AT were not good. My next set will be the improved K03's.

p nut · Sep 14, 2026

fourrunnerbill said:
I can't tell if your 4R is 4x4. I have a TE with all the 4x4 modes and I do go off road mainly on easy trails. If you do that you need a good durable tire. After I switched to BF K02's the difference was amazing and I feel as safe as possible with these tires. You need good grip and durability agains sharp rocks. My previous general AT were not good. My next set will be the improved K03's.

I went from KO2's to KO3's last year. Overall, I like the change. I feel it rides quieter, but maybe that's just from getting new tires. I haven't really tested snow performance yet, since we hardly got any snow last year, unfortunately.

I briefly had Michelin LTX M/S's as well. They ride really well on road and snow performance was good enough. I just can't trust them when I'm on dirt and rocks.

Yamahamer · Sep 14, 2026

p nut said:
I briefly had Michelin LTX M/S's as well. They ride really well on road and snow performance was good enough. I just can't trust them when I'm on dirt and rocks.

My 4R has been on Michelin LTX A/T tires for 3 years now. Where I live there isn't much pavement so most of the 33000+ miles on it were on dirt roads. Some very rough dirt roads. Not one problem with them, plus they are nicer on the highway when I do have to drive pavement. Really quiet and good traction.

I think most 4R drivers put on aggressive tires mainly for how they look. At my age I could care less about looks, function only!

p nut · Sep 14, 2026

Yamahamer said:
My 4R has been on Michelin LTX A/T tires for 3 years now. Where I live there isn't much pavement so most of the 33000+ miles on it were on dirt roads. Some very rough dirt roads. Not one problem with them, plus they are nicer on the highway when I do have to drive pavement. Really quiet and good traction.

I think most 4R drivers put on aggressive tires mainly for how they look. At my age I could care less about looks, function only!

Yes, for sure. Hope I wasn't misunderstood as saying the tires would surely fail off road. I am in Utah, so I frequent places like Moab and SW Colorado. Lots of sharp rocks and rough trails. Perhaps the LTX's would do fine. I would just rather have tires with beefier sidewalls.

gomiami · Sep 14, 2026

Old Tanker said:
Rather like saying " I have a gun and never shoot it, so why should I bother with ammunition?"

If you off-road, mud terrains are the appropriate tire. If you need to compromise due to wet or icy roads, all-terrains are the compromise. I can't see why someone would run minivan tires on a 4x4.

Probably because the majority of people who bought the 4Runner (excluding this forum community) were considering between a minivan and the 4Runner when they bought it in the first place.

Most people don't use their rides as they were intended by design. My neighborhood is full of middle-aged bro-culture men who own full-size pickup trucks and do nothing with them other than commute to their desk jobs or go to the grocery store...and literally every Jeep Wrangler is owned by a teenage girl who has a row of ducks on the dash.

p nut · Sep 14, 2026

gomiami said:
Probably because the majority of people who bought the 4Runner (excluding this forum community) were considering between a minivan and the 4Runner when they bought it in the first place.

Most people don't use their rides as they were intended by design. My neighborhood is full of middle-aged bro-culture men who own full-size pickup trucks and do nothing with them other than commute to their desk jobs or go to the grocery store...and literally every Jeep Wrangler is owned by a teenage girl who has a row of ducks on the dash.

Off Topic - I am so very jealous of your EM1 in EBP. That is my favorite combo of the Civic line, ever. I never liked the hatches much. I had a 97 EX Sedan which I loved (as well as a 98 ITR), but always liked the coupes. I still remember the EM1 commercial of a guy trying to escape from work and zooms away in an EBP. I wanted one since then. :bounce:

Argyle Edison · Sep 14, 2026

I'm at 12,532 miles since I posted this thread and they still look brand new.

Few trips down the east coast with no tire noise and better MPG has been wonderful.

We had over 4 FEET of snow last winter and these tires were fantastic.

gomiami · Sep 15, 2026

Argyle Edison said:
I'm at 12,532 miles since I posted this thread and they still look brand new.

Few trips down the east coast with no tire noise and better MPG has been wonderful.

We had over 4 FEET of snow last winter and these tires were fantastic.

That's good to hear. I've made a tire brand mistake a time or two and it kills me to have to live with that mistake for years until they need replacing. Buying the right set feels like hitting a home run.

gomiami · Sep 15, 2026

p nut said:
Off Topic - I am so very jealous of your EM1 in EBP. That is my favorite combo of the Civic line, ever. I never liked the hatches much. I had a 97 EX Sedan which I loved (as well as a 98 ITR), but always liked the coupes. I still remember the EM1 commercial of a guy trying to escape from work and zooms away in an EBP. I wanted one since then. :bounce:

Yeah...it was March 2000 and I was about to buy my first new car. Went to Honda after test driving some others and there were two cars on revolving turntables in the center of the showroom - an S2000 in Spa Yellow and the Civic SI in Electron Blue Pearl. I didn't have the $25K for the S2000 so I asked about the EM1. It had 172 miles on it. I told them order me one from the factory with less than 5 miles on the clock and they'd have a sale. 3 weeks later, I drove her home.

It was my daily driver for 23 years and my wife wants me to sell it but it's difficult. She drives great, original engine, tranny, clutch assembly. Because of the Gone in 60 Seconds race scene against the Porsche 911, I still get a handful of offers each year from random people. There can't be more than a few hundred of these left in EBP with VIN-matching everything and completely stock.

One day I'll sell but it'll be a sad day.

out:

I'm done with AT Tires

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