Almost ready to buy new tires

[Jester4kicks]

Hey all,

I'd love to get in on some of the winter wheelin, but by last attempt at a snow-covered hill didn't go so well. Not suprising, considering I currently have these: General Grabber AW

So I think I'd like to go ahead and swap on some better tires that will handle the snow on the trail, but won't be too bad on my daily driver.

I think I've narrowed it down to the Firestone Destination A/T's. Firestone Destination A/T

I'd prefer not to have to do a body chop, so do you think I can get away with 285/70/17's? Or should I play it safe with 275's? (I'm assuming both will fit in the spare spot on a v6 with the tow package.)

Any other thoughts on these tires?

Much appreciated!

 

[scojoe]

I went with the 275 on my 06 sr5 v6 and they rubbed a little with stock suspension up front (Only when backing up and turning)...Cured it with trimming the plastic fender inserts and moving them up a little. ...... I also have spidertrax spacers on mine and have not tried to run them without the spacers I lifted mine the next week with fj coils a Daystar budget boost up front and fj coils with 1 2/2 spacer in the rear because they really filled the fender wells. the 275 will also fit int the spare location. For the money I think they are a great choice for the daily driver with some off-road. They are great in the snow too..... you will need some lift to get the 285s on there Imo.
Scott

 

[Jester4kicks]

you will need some lift to get the 285s on there Imo.
Scott

I've got a 3" lift already with Light Racing UCA's, and I'll probably pickup a set of 1.25" spidertrax spacers.

Think I'll need more than that for 285's?

 

[scojoe]

Dont know about the spare, mine is tight.... but I think you may be ok on the front. Have them mount one and see if it fits... on the front. and in the spare location .. if they say no. go to another Firestone..... Another thing is gas mileage when going to the 285..personally I think a 275 is perfect with 2 3/4 lift leaves some room for flex.. Scott

 

[Jester4kicks]

Hmmm... I'll probably play it safe with the 275's then. I don't need the extra headache for the slightly bigger tire.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Hmmm... I'll probably play it safe with the 275's then. I don't need the extra headache for the slightly bigger tire.

See the suspension sticky. Those tires should be easier to fit than most, you should have very little trouble. A 3" lift is plenty, you'll just need a little trimming on the front bumper, move the fender liner forward, and remove the front mud flaps. Casper421 is running these without the body mount chop. He has 3.5" lift, but that won't make that much difference.

 

[parboy]

Don't know about the Firestones but I looked at every AT tire out there before I bought the BFG ATs. I was suprised how quiet they were. not completly quiet but what do you want to do? Climb snowy hills or have a silent ride? Snowy hills are more fun and you can get the ATs at a bargin if you shop around...

 

[Jester4kicks]

See the suspension sticky. Those tires should be easier to fit than most, you should have very little trouble. A 3" lift is plenty, you'll just need a little trimming on the front bumper, move the fender liner forward, and remove the front mud flaps. Casper421 is running these without the body mount chop. He has 3.5" lift, but that won't make that much difference.

That's what I was trying to find out. I know that different tires have slight differences in size and shape that can make a huge difference in fit.

I'm still somewhat torn on the 275's vs the 285's. I just can't decide if it's worth the potential headache.

 

[scojoe]

See the suspension sticky. Those tires should be easier to fit than most, you should have very little trouble. A 3" lift is plenty, you'll just need a little trimming on the front bumper, move the fender liner forward, and remove the front mud flaps. Casper421 is running these without the body mount chop. He has 3.5" lift, but that won't make that much difference.

^ This is truth...I still dont know about a 285 spare. Next time I may try a 285 . But I did mine in the wrong sequence.(tires before lift)..

 

[parboy]

275s you will have no issues with rubbing. 285s will likely require trimming.. The UCAs will not be your issue the body mount and wheel well trim will be the issue. The spacers will keep you away from the UCA rub Check the suspension sticky at the top of the forum. it goes over what is needed for 285s with a 3 in lift.. Good luck.. you could just move to VA where aparently it never snows .

 

[Jester4kicks]

you could just move to VA where aparently it never snows .

I'm actually originally from Fairfax, and I've got lots of family out there. I just like it out here way too much... although even that's likely to change, as my work is probably going to take me to Arizona some time later this year.

I saw the sticky, and it sounds like 285's should fit... I'm just not sure if the trimming and possible body mount chop is worth the difference between that and the 275's.

 

[Casper421]

I love the tires! Theyre great on the mpg's and good enough offroad. The 285's will fit with some trimming. The body mount chop isnt necessary with these tires. Hope these pics help your decision.

 

[KPINKY7]

100% SURE IM going with: CooperTiresConsumer - Discoverer A/T3<span class='trademark'>™</span>

 

[BenjMN]

I'm getting some Cooper AT3's mounted up today. Can't wait to try them out! Unfortunately there's no snow in MN (hasn't been all year) to play in.

 

[KPINKY7]

Wow please post report!!!

 

[BenjMN]

Will do K. I won't be putting too many miles on 'em till after this weekend, so I'm sure they'll be a little squirrely till they wear in. But I'll give some first impressions when I get it back later today. Went with 265/70/17's load range "C"

I was giving the destination a/t's a close look for quite a while, but have read very positive feedback about the at3's and they were rated #1 overall for a/t tires in CR's tire tests.

 

[ClockWork]

Get BFG's instead.

 

[KPINKY7]

Called a biljillion places 265/65/17 = 175.00 265/70/17 = 165.00

 

[Opi]

Called a biljillion places 265/65/17 = 175.00 265/70/17 = 165.00

thats actually not that bad. i think my 16" duratracs on my 99 were more

 

[Casper421]

Purchased my destinations from tirerack for $775 shipped to my house. And they only weight 44lbs, not bad for 285's!