Buying tires is a pain
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zcruiser
Senior Member
Recent threads on this question...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/73465-new-shoes.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/73295-tires.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/73465-new-shoes.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/73295-tires.html
cordrayj1
New member
cooper makes a good tire
Nelsonmd
New member
What is up with the cooper love on this site? I swear we have reps on here just promoting them or something...
Yeah there are tons options because there are tons of considerations. You need to know what you want to do with the tires first, then find ones that will fit that.
Try tirerack.com. They have tons of reviews and some good survey guides here:
Tire Research : Tire Survey Results
I like this visualization of their reviews. They don't have coopers listed there, but they do cover alot of the most popular tires people on here use.
I know how it feels being overwhelmed with the options, but after researching quite a bit I think it is worth it to figure out what the options really are and find a good matching tire. Don't just go to the shop and take what they tell you you should take.
CO_FlyFisher
New member
I'm in the same boat right now. Looking for A/T also, but in LT265/75/16. Tires have gotten friggin' expensive!!! 
My choices have narrowed to:
BF Goodrich A/T TA KO
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Bridgestone Revo
All are good tires in their own right. I currently have the BFG (with 43,000 on them), but the load range "D" in 265/75/16 are no longer made! :wtf: Grrr...
The top three in the list all have the mountain/snowflake symbol (unless you go to load range "E" in the BFG), which is quite important to me here for both getting to/from work when roads suck and for getting to the playground otherwise during the winter. Decent A/T performance is also required as I do take the rig into the back roads of the CO mountains at least a few times a summer, not to mention Elk hunting. However, I also do a fair amount of city and highway driving, which has me re-thinking the DuraTrac (supposed to be a great tire otherwise).
My only real complaint with the BFG after having them is wet performance. This is a well-known complaint, as the tires don't really have well-defined water evacuation channels. This causes them to hydroplane easier, in heavy rain and especially in slush. For this reason (and the fact I'd have to go back to 265/70/16 to get load range "D" in the BFG), I am strongly considering a different tire this time around. After a couple weeks of thought on this now, I'm heavily leaning toward the Silent Armor in load range "C", but the decision is far from a done deal.
My choices have narrowed to:
BF Goodrich A/T TA KO
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Bridgestone Revo
All are good tires in their own right. I currently have the BFG (with 43,000 on them), but the load range "D" in 265/75/16 are no longer made! :wtf: Grrr...
The top three in the list all have the mountain/snowflake symbol (unless you go to load range "E" in the BFG), which is quite important to me here for both getting to/from work when roads suck and for getting to the playground otherwise during the winter. Decent A/T performance is also required as I do take the rig into the back roads of the CO mountains at least a few times a summer, not to mention Elk hunting. However, I also do a fair amount of city and highway driving, which has me re-thinking the DuraTrac (supposed to be a great tire otherwise).
My only real complaint with the BFG after having them is wet performance. This is a well-known complaint, as the tires don't really have well-defined water evacuation channels. This causes them to hydroplane easier, in heavy rain and especially in slush. For this reason (and the fact I'd have to go back to 265/70/16 to get load range "D" in the BFG), I am strongly considering a different tire this time around. After a couple weeks of thought on this now, I'm heavily leaning toward the Silent Armor in load range "C", but the decision is far from a done deal.
drewser
New member
I looked at a 4Runner that an independent mechanic was selling for a client -- it wasn't right for me, but I was talking to the guy about the best tires for a 4Runner and he said the Toyo Open Country (along with one of the Coopers--can't remember which) were in his top two. And they didn't sell tires there, so I don't feel like he was biased in that regard.
brian2sun
Elite Member
He was probably talking about Cooper Discoverer STs - very good A/T tires IMO. They do well in the snow/mud and look pretty agressive for an A/T and also handle great on road. The Discoverer STTs (one more T) are the M/Ts which look very agressive and are really great off road tires and not too bad on road.
Thanks for the responses, I ended up with a tire that was not even mentioned. Hankook Dynapro ATM, overall very comprable to the tires in its class (ie: BFG T/A) however has increased tread and sipping. Also, these were 1 of 2 tires in its class that offers a true 50K mile warranty. When deciding I really had to think about where I use my truck the most and its unfortunatly highway driving (300) miles a week for just work. I will report back on these as I drive them in various situations (weather contingent maybe offroading this weekend). Thanks again...oh yeah and I'll post some picks tonight when I get home.
CO_FlyFisher
New member
If you don't mind my asking, where and how much?
Also, were the other tires with the 50k warranty the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor?
Also, were the other tires with the 50k warranty the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor?
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They were $230 each at Discount Tire, I got them at their 104th CO BLVD location. Plus all the other fees, warranties, valve stems and balancing. I don't remeber the other tire, I just remember they were $275ish a piece. So far I have only put 30 miles on them for the drive home from work and they were pretty quit and grip alot better then my balding Michellins
AddictedOffroad
New member
I agree. I've run three sets of the AT/S tires. Great all weather tire. They even make them in 37x12.5x17s now too.
Might need to grab a set for my 00' 4runner for winter use.
I just bought a set of Hankook Dynapro A/Ts for my wife's 93 4runner winter commuter. I am pretty damn impressed with them so far. Did great in the rain we had all day yesterday and are quiet and comfortable. Very little weight to balance as well. Discount Tire price matched Onlinetires.com and I got them for $99/tire. Reviews were excellent on them as well. It was hard to go away from the Yokahoma, but I want a little more siping for my wife to get too and from nursing school. She cannot miss a single day without falling way behind.
There is only one tire, the BFG T/A. it really is simple, you can confuse yourself and listen to a lot of nay sayer's but in the end, nothing, and I mean nothing rides as quiet, handles as good, and performs all around as well as a T/A. simply the best for a reason. Sorry, I am super biased, since I was 18 been driving with them, in the military and beyond. snow, sand, wet, mud, rocks. and mainly, street as thats where EVERYONE spends the better part of their driving they work remarkable. since the net you get the usual bashers and people that say, "coopers are just like em" or "TA's suck cuz I hit a puddle of water at 100 and I lost control". but no other tire comes stock on kick ass rides for a reason, they work.
I found my best luck at discount tire direct, with a rebate they had going on. but it takes some shopping for sure, as buying tires is like buying most stuff anymore, depending on the day and who you talk to the price may be good or bad.
later.
I found my best luck at discount tire direct, with a rebate they had going on. but it takes some shopping for sure, as buying tires is like buying most stuff anymore, depending on the day and who you talk to the price may be good or bad.
later.
cordrayj1
New member
brian2sun
Elite Member
It sounds like you don't have much or any experience with other tires except that one. Everything is infinitely awesome and horrible at the same time if you don't have anything to compare it to. Kinda like saying, "You're the best father I've ever had". To say TAs are the best without trying several other brands of tires is not exactly an informed decision. I say get out and try something new, you may be surprised that there are a few tires out there that you may like better. Personally, TAs don't rank all that high on my list. I had a set of them on my old 4runner and I'll take KM1s, KM2s, A/Ts, or Rugged Trails over the TAs. I don't even rank BFGs in general all that high on my list when it comes to a good balance of traction, tread life, and price, but that's just me.
