Another tire inquiry

404NotFound

404NotFound

New member
So, when I bought my 4Runner a couple of weeks ago, the seller said the tires were "basically new". That's fine, well, and good, but they are also terrible. I mean, barely touch the throttle in the rain and the traction control kicks on, terrible. Since we have such lovely predictable weather in Oklahoma (sarcasm for those who haven't been here) I have been researching my replacements before the snowy season comes to pass. I started with the search bar here, then hopped on over to tirerack and discount to compare. I don't really wheel my rig but I wouldn't mind being capable on mud, ice, rain, and snow. My only drawback is I don't want to sacrifice mpg much (I'm getting between 17-18 combined) and I would like a tire that will last me 4-5 years, and I drive about 12,000 a year. So, utilizing the research techniques I did, here's what I came up with. I'm open for opinions, alternatives, you name it. But for the time I should mention I'm sticking to the 265/65/17 size. I'd really like an AT tire because we all know they look the best, but being an adult and everything I need to justify purchases to my new wife.

Firestone Destination AT
Goodyear Duratrac
Michelin LTX A/T2
Michelin LTX M/S2

I will mention this as well: I will never buy Cooper tires again. I had a set on my F150 and they disappeared in 10,000 miles. My dad had some on his 97 T4R and had two blowouts in a week of the sidewalls. I did have some Bridgestone Duelers on my F150 and they were great back in 2007-8, so I'm not exactly opposed to them either.

I sincerely appreciate and look forward to your advice gentleman (and ladies if there are any on the forum).
 
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If your not really using it off-road, but you want good all round traction (including the winter ice) I would look at either of the Michelins you mentioned. Both the A/T2 & M/T2 will wear well and do what you want. They both have good siping fir wet roads. Both are decent in the snow & ice while being quiet on the road. Neither will look as aggressive as the Duratrac. I would put the Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo2 in the mix too. It will look more aggressive than the Michelin, but will not wear as well. But it has good road manners and good wet & ice traction.
 
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I'd go with the suggestions above if you are mostly road driving and want to maximize your mileage.

I've got Duratracs on my FJ and love them. Mileage is lower on my priority list though. I've had them for a year and they do well in the dry, rain, and snow/ice we get in NC.
 
I've got the Firestone Destinations on my 4Runner which I use for twice weekly trips from Maine to Boston and back.
Lots of highway miles in all kinds of weather and the Firestone's handle it all well.

Somehow, I think my Duratracs were better in snow when I had them on my Tacoma, but they cupped pretty badly after awhile despite regular rotations and careful monitoring of tire pressure. It could easily have been my worn out Tacoma suspension that caused the cupping, but rather than risk it again I went with the Firestone's for the 4Runner. Less aggressive, less road noise, still very good tires in all conditions I encounter on my commute.

Since I've been on this board I've read a lot of positive reviews of the Michelin tires.

When I had my Cherokee I had the Revo's and absolutely loved them. Went through two sets and then put some on my Tacoma. The Revo 2's had some kind of compound change. They didn't wear as well or perform as well IMO.

Still, if I were looking today for an AT tire I think I'd go with the KO2's. They're expensive, but they have the extreme snow rating and even though the Firestones got me home through every storm last winter I'd like an even better tire in the snow.

Good luck with your decision.
 
404NotFound said:
So, when I bought my 4Runner a couple of weeks ago, the seller said the tires were "basically new". That's fine, well, and good, but they are also terrible. I mean, barely touch the throttle in the rain and the traction control kicks on, terrible. Since we have such lovely predictable weather in Oklahoma (sarcasm for those who haven't been here) I have been researching my replacements before the snowy season comes to pass. I started with the search bar here, then hopped on over to tirerack and discount to compare. I don't really wheel my rig but I wouldn't mind being capable on mud, ice, rain, and snow. My only drawback is I don't want to sacrifice mpg much (I'm getting between 17-18 combined) and I would like a tire that will last me 4-5 years, and I drive about 12,000 a year. So, utilizing the research techniques I did, here's what I came up with. I'm open for opinions, alternatives, you name it. But for the time I should mention I'm sticking to the 265/65/17 size. I'd really like an AT tire because we all know they look the best, but being an adult and everything I need to justify purchases to my new wife.

Firestone Destination AT
Goodyear Duratrac
Michelin LTX A/T2
Michelin LTX M/S2

I will mention this as well: I will never buy Cooper tires again. I had a set on my F150 and they disappeared in 10,000 miles. My dad had some on his 97 T4R and had two blowouts in a week of the sidewalls. I did have some Bridgestone Duelers on my F150 and they were great back in 2007-8, so I'm not exactly opposed to them either.

I sincerely appreciate and look forward to your advice gentleman (and ladies if there are any on the forum).
Click to expand...

Which Cooper tires did you have? Most everyone around here loves the AT/3's.

Keep in mind that most tire manufacturers make "discount" tires for places like Walmart, Costco and Sam's Club and those tires are not to be compared to the better tires made by the same manufacturers
 
I just started with a second set of Falken Wild Peak AT, my 1st set were the identical Rocky Mountain ATS sold only at Discount Tire. They are a 50,000 miles warranty tire and I got 55,000 miles. I really like the look, yes they are an AT tire but they are really quiet on the highway and good traction in the snow and sand a few times. Also they are pretty reasonable priced, $144 per tire on Discount Tire Direct, also no sales tax or shipping. Just bring the tires to any tire installer, I used a local Discount Tire store where I get free rotation & balancing.

BTW, I have 265 70 17 which are only $137/tire on DTD.

Tire Details - Discount Tire Direct
 
black4vcobra said:
Which Cooper tires did you have? Most everyone around here loves the AT/3's.

Keep in mind that most tire manufacturers make "discount" tires for places like Walmart, Costco and Sam's Club and those tires are not to be compared to the better tires made by the same manufacturers
Click to expand...

I just replaced my factory Michelins with the Cooper Discoverer AT3s in 265/70/17 LT C load. This was after extensive reading through this and other forums. all the good reviews, the 55k mile warranty, the reasonably aggressive looks, and the price compared to the michelins led me to the purchase.
 
DisguisedRope said:
I just replaced my factory Michelins with the Cooper Discoverer AT3s in 265/70/17 LT C load. This was after extensive reading through this and other forums. all the good reviews, the 55k mile warranty, the reasonably aggressive looks, and the price compared to the michelins led me to the purchase.
Click to expand...

Did you go with the LT tires since you do a lot of offroading?

I have standard AT/3's ready to install before the snow flies.
 
My vote
 

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Mostly in my last truck (in sig), I've driven in OK during the winter with the LTX M&Ss and they did fine. I was there during a snowstorm once and thought it sort of funny that the locals were going in the ditch while the AZ driver stayed on course with no issues!

That being said, I just got new tires: Cooper AT3s. I would have liked to get the M&Ss, but I only drive about 5-6000 a year and they would have dry rotted long before I got to the 70K mark. So far the AT3s have shown to be very smooth and very little road noise...and I saved $250, too. The only downside so far has be loss of mpg. OK...I did get them for looks as well.
 
Wow thank you all for the really positive responses. It sounds like I have some more tires to look into but also that I can't really go wrong with any of the ones I had in mind either. As you all know, it really is a hard decision! Haha.

I'm changing the plugs this weekend and I just ordered an AFE stage 2 that'll be at my door on Friday. Think I'll do tires after that! I may do like Paul b said and order some from discount tire direct because there's one here in town.

I know I should be sensible but all these awesome looking tires you guys are showing me are so tempting.
 
404NotFound said:
Follow up question: are KOs made out of platinum or something?
Click to expand...

Based on the price difference I'm seeing at NTB, looks like they are infused with pixie dust for improved hp gains. Possibly even incorporating purple power bands in the radial plys for improved off road handling, and may also be integrating unicorn glitter for it's torque enhancing qualities.
 
Im also in the market for tires and the Toyo Open Country AT2's are very high up on my list right now. Still debating between the "P" versions or the "LT" versions. But given I don't offroad much and my 4runner is my daily driver, I'm 99% sure I'm going with the "P" versions (C-Load).
 
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