A/T & M/T Tires

[AlexJet]

I'm in a dilemma what tire to choose. I've checked and read many threads about tires here and in internet. I've started this thread specially to combine all information in one place, but mostly for PERSONAL OPINION of guys from this forum who is ACTUALY DRIVING these tires right now or have had them recently.

So there are two questions:
1. What size of the tires is more suitable for 4th Gen. 4Runner 16" or 17"? 16" tires are cheaper (~20%), but are they better for on-/off-road use? What are the benefits of 16

 

[Koz]

Don't waste you're time, REVOs do it all!

Koz

 

[AlexJet]

Don't waste you're time, REVOs do it all!

Koz

Koz, Revos are great tires, no complains. I just got back from off-roading on Saturday and they perform very well. The question is that after Cornfed Lift, even Revos are a little bit small and for off-roading bigger means better (with good set of tires). If I only can get Revos in 285/70R17, I'd of go with them, but the maximum Revo you can get is 265/70R17, which I have right now.
Another though was to get a set of tires for off-roading and leave Revos for highway, but in this case I'd need to do the tire work at least twice a month. That's why I'm interested in peoples experience with those tires. Also I have some questionable info regarding some of these tires, such as BFG are bigger then GY in the same size, A/T KO are loosing handing on the second year, T/A KM are very sleepy on the road, MT/R doesn't have enough traction in mud.

 

[4route]

I voted for the Goodyear MTRs. I have had experience with the MTRs as well as the BFG ATs, and in my opinion, the MTRs performed far better than the BFGs on and offroad.

You asked in the PM about the wheels I'm using ... they a re the American Racing Bajas ... 17" (because I have the Sport Edition) with 4.5" backspacing, and powdercoated black.

As for the tires, as I mentioned in another thread, I had the 275 MTRs at the same time as the 285 BFGs and in comparing them, the 275 MTRs were actually a bit taller than the 285 BFGs (partly due to the lugs).

I'm not sure if you'll need to do any trimming with the Cornfed lift. It depends almost completely on your wheels. When I first got my 275 MTRs, I was running only the Revtek kit, and they rubbed on the front inner plastic every once in awhile, so I cut some of that out to prevent rubbing during offroading.

The 285 BFGs, because they are wider, required a bit more trimming of that same inner plastic.

When I jumped up to 315s, I had to do some major cutting on the fenders, the frame, the upper arms, and nearly all of the inner plastic lining up front is gone.

As far as performance goes, I still do recommend the MTRs, and am running the 275s now even though they are a bit small for the lift I have. For my next set, I will be getting the MTRs again, as they've performed the best out of any tire I've had. For me, they worked well in the mud, were awesome in the rain, and just impressive in every situation.

 

[AlexJet]

I voted for the Goodyear MTRs. I have had experience with the MTRs as well as the BFG ATs, and in my opinion, the MTRs performed far better than the BFGs on and offroad.

You asked in the PM about the wheels I'm using ... they a re the American Racing Bajas ... 17" (because I have the Sport Edition) with 4.5" backspacing, and powdercoated black.

As for the tires, as I mentioned in another thread, I had the 275 MTRs at the same time as the 285 BFGs and in comparing them, the 275 MTRs were actually a bit taller than the 285 BFGs (partly due to the lugs).

I'm not sure if you'll need to do any trimming with the Cornfed lift. It depends almost completely on your wheels. When I first got my 275 MTRs, I was running only the Revtek kit, and they rubbed on the front inner plastic every once in awhile, so I cut some of that out to prevent rubbing during offroading.

The 285 BFGs, because they are wider, required a bit more trimming of that same inner plastic.

When I jumped up to 315s, I had to do some major cutting on the fenders, the frame, the upper arms, and nearly all of the inner plastic lining up front is gone.

As far as performance goes, I still do recommend the MTRs, and am running the 275s now even though they are a bit small for the lift I have. For my next set, I will be getting the MTRs again, as they've performed the best out of any tire I've had. For me, they worked well in the mud, were awesome in the rain, and just impressive in every situation.

Thanks for the info on MT/R. You have 17" Bajas with 4.5 backspacing. Do you remember what offset they have? Are they 17x8?

 

[4route]

Thanks for the info on MT/R. You have 17" Bajas with 4.5 backspacing. Do you remember what offset they have? Are they 17x8?

17x8, 0mm offset, 4.5" backspacing

 

[AlexJet]

17x8, 0mm offset, 4.5" backspacing

Are they polished or chrome? Could you post some pictures of you truck with Bajas and MT/Rs?

 

[4route]

Are they polished or chrome? Could you post some pictures of you truck with Bajas and MT/Rs?

I think I stated in my post that they are powdercoated black.

Also, the MTRs are not a mud terrain tire exactly ... they are "maximum traction", and I found them to perform better on road (as far as traction in dry AND wet conditions) than the BFG ATs (which were prone to hydroplaning).

Pictures of my truck:

More pictures here:
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234

 

[AlexJet]

I think I stated in my post that they are powdercoated black.

Also, the MTRs are not a mud terrain tire exactly ... they are "maximum traction", and I found them to perform better on road (as far as traction in dry AND wet conditions) than the BFG ATs (which were prone to hydroplaning).

Sorry didn't mentioned it before, but when last time I was checking the AR website, Baja was available only in polished or chrome.
Wow, MT/Rs are performing better on road then BFG A/T KO, especially in wet road. That's interesting. I didn't know it. How is it possible? If look to tread pattern, BFG has more blocks and larger contact area with the surface. May be it because of the form of those blocks or because it's easier for water to escape from the contact point with MT/R. This is great info, it turning me ahead to MT/R. Thanks.

I like your spare tire carrier. Looks nice. By the way why you modified a drop bar? Is it necessary with lifting the vehicle?

 

[4route]

Yeah, I had the Bajas powdercoated locally.

As for performance in the rain, BFG A/Ts are notorious for less-than-stellar traction and/or hydroplaning.

I drive very cautiously in the rain and still had issues with the traction.

To me, the MTRs are the best all around tire - the best of both worlds (off-road and on). Better traction offroad than an A/T, better traction on road than an M/T.

That said, I encourage you to read up about these tire choices on other websites/forums as well. What it comes down to is personal choice, because you will find that all the tires you mentioned are good, and it just depends on what you're looking for specifically. There are probably 50 different threads arguing between the MTRs and the BFG A/Ts on any forum you'll find - everyone has their preferences, and they are both very good tires.

Just happened that I found the MTRs to better suit my needs and the situations/terrain in which I find myself driving.

 

[4route]

By the way why you modified a drop bar? Is it necessary with lifting the vehicle?

People will argue both ways, but with the amount of lift you are getting, you will NOT need to do anything to your panhard bar.

I had to modify mine because at one point I was running a ridiculous amount of lift that really messed things up back there, laterally.

You don't need to worry about it for yours though.

 

[Expat]

Weighing in to the debate about MT\AT's you might want to consider the relate softness of the tires too.

As I understand (only my hearsay) the MTR's are a softer compound so this may account for relatively good on-road performance.

I know in a panic stop I was involved in a few months back, I could not believe how well my MTR's pulled me up. I was sure my front end was going to be toast. With the stock Dunflops I'm also sure I would have rear-ended the car in front of me.

PS I didn't vote because I can't compare - no experience with the AT's.

 

[AlexJet]

Thanks for the opinion 04Runner and 4route. So you both are on MT/R. Be honest with you, I was considering MT/R too, but wants to get more people opinion to make the right choice.
Guys, if I'll go with 275/70R17 MT/R and will leave spare 265/65R17 what may happen in case I need it? I don't think it does will be many problems off-road, because most of the time you driving with diff lock and VSC off, but sometimes you just driving 4High. Am I right? What about on-road? Are they going to activate my VSC in corners because of the difference in diameter or something else? The point is, if I'll get a blown tire, I'll head to the nearest tire shop to fix it; I'm not going to drive couple of days till I'll pass by one of this shops.
One more thing I'd like to ask you guys, could you make some images of your front setup? I mean some shots of the fenders and places where you have trimmed or modified the body shape.

Another thing I mentioned in this forum and other forums that many off-roaders uses American Racing Baja or Mojave rims. Why? Are they so good for off-roading?

As for now, most of the posts in this thread are for MT/R. Is anyone else wanted to post their opinion on one of these tires?

 

[4route]

The reason I chose the American Racing Bajas was because at the time I got a good deal on them, and they were exactly what I wanted. But no, they don't make any difference offroad ... just wheels, pretty ones.

As for the tires, have you done a search on yotatech or even here? I know there are plenty of other threads on this same topic and they may give you more info too!

Lemme see if I can dig up some pics of the cutting I've done ...

 

[4route]

I can't find my 275 trimming pictures, but the 285 pictures have the same amount of trimming as the 275s (in other words, when I got 285s, I didn't have to do any NEW trimming).

cut for the 275s / 285s:

cut for the 315s (and later cleaned up to look nice):

 

[AlexJet]

I see you cut the bumper for 315s, not only the fender...
Any cutting else to fit 275/285 except the ones you've post?

 

[4route]

I see you cut the bumper for 315s, not only the fender...
Any cutting else to fit 275/285 except the ones you've post?

Well, I only ran the 285s for a day, and then decided to go to 315s because the 285s ended up being smaller than the MTRs ... so I didn't bother cutting anything for the 285s but they DID rub at full wheel-lock on the plastic like when parking (because they are wider than the MTRs).

For the 275s, the top two pictures in that last post show all the cutting I had to do ... which ended up not being too too much.

 

[4route]

I see you cut the bumper for 315s, not only the fender...
Any cutting else to fit 275/285 except the ones you've post?

Here is a picture of things before I ever cut anything ... the line shows basically the part you want to cut off, but I found that it was better to cut off a few more inches above it as well:

 

[AlexJet]

Here is a picture of things before I ever cut anything ... the line shows basically the part you want to cut off, but I found that it was better to cut off a few more inches above it as well:

Why Toyota made this triangle? What for it used?

 

[4route]

To store dirt, dust, and mud? I don't know!