Good Off-Road Tires for non-lifted '96 SR5

[sibanez]

I'd stay away from any of the MTRs since they are overkill for most things, especially in a stock rig. Here are my suggestions based on lots of experience:

- Nitto TerraGrappler - These are some of my favorite tires. Even in the P load range, they'll hold up well over rocks. I did a lot of off roading in Pennsylvania with TGs and they never let me down. They also do well on the road and rain. The plus is you can get them in a 265/70/16

- Bridgestone Revo 2 - Slightly more expensive than the Nitto, these are some of the best all around tires that money can buy. I used them for several off road trips and they handled everything I could handle at them. They offer slightly better on-road handling than the Nittos and liked the snow better, but I'm not sure I'd say they were significantly better.

- Kumho Road Venture SAT KL61 - These are relatively new tires and served me well on my 2005 Tacoma. They handle snow better than anything I have ever used (close to a dedicated snow tire) and pull over rocks and mud without a problem. I'd say they are less aggressive than the other tires listed here, but for a stock rig, they are pretty good.

265/70/16 is a good tire size and while you may not rub under normal conditions on a stock 4Runner with 265/75/16, you will rub when you are off roading. You gain a 1/2 inch of height with the 75 series which can be helpful, but for the most part, you won't notice it. They will decrease mileage by 2-4 mpg over highway tires at 265/70/16 as well.

 

[playinitslo]

The Nitto TGs seem like a great option, but with my runner (still stock height till next week...) i went with 265/75 16 COOPER ST's. Perfect tires, moabs where ever I tell them too whether its dry wet or mud. A little noise on the highway, just that is the way I like it. Their also a lot cheaper than the bfgs are. Think of a cross breed between some A/Ts and M/Ts.

 

[the great him]

I'd stay away from any of the MTRs since they are overkill for most things, especially in a stock rig. Here are my suggestions based on lots of experience:

- Nitto TerraGrappler - These are some of my favorite tires. Even in the P load range, they'll hold up well over rocks. I did a lot of off roading in Pennsylvania with TGs and they never let me down. They also do well on the road and rain. The plus is you can get them in a 265/70/16

- Bridgestone Revo 2 - Slightly more expensive than the Nitto, these are some of the best all around tires that money can buy. I used them for several off road trips and they handled everything I could handle at them. They offer slightly better on-road handling than the Nittos and liked the snow better, but I'm not sure I'd say they were significantly better.

- Kumho Road Venture SAT KL61 - These are relatively new tires and served me well on my 2005 Tacoma. They handle snow better than anything I have ever used (close to a dedicated snow tire) and pull over rocks and mud without a problem. I'd say they are less aggressive than the other tires listed here, but for a stock rig, they are pretty good.

265/70/16 is a good tire size and while you may not rub under normal conditions on a stock 4Runner with 265/75/16, you will rub when you are off roading. You gain a 1/2 inch of height with the 75 series which can be helpful, but for the most part, you won't notice it. They will decrease mileage by 2-4 mpg over highway tires at 265/70/16 as well.

no offense man, but did you read his initial post!?!? this is a wheeling/backroads only truck not a daily driver, the tires you listed are at best all terrain tires(baring the nittos), and not at all what he is looking for. a good aggressive off road MT tire will greatly improve your vehicles off road performance! cbodie, stay away from all terrains, you will not be happy with them and their performance. sure they give a good blend of hwy street driving and can deal with back country gravel and logging roads they wont be very good on trail runs. take it from the guys who have some dedicated off road rigs. you want MTs ask any off-roader. i used to work for America Tire for a couple of years a few years back, ive seen and tested a lot of different tires on my trucks. if you want something that will run trails and not be a limiting factor then got with the mud terrains -ProComp, GoodYear, BFG, Nitto(try the Trail Grappler), Mickey Thompson, Hankook, Maxxis, Yokohama ect. if you do decide to go with all terrains i would only get the BFG ATs or the GoodYear Dura-tracs i would suggest Iroks and TSL but i dont think they make tires that small...

 

[fightman80]

Glamour shot of my Maxxis Bighorns on my 98 4Runner:

They clean out really well while tracking in the mud:

I'm running these in 285/70/16's....but you should be able to get them in 265's. They are a great Off-road tire, and not too bad on the highway either. Off-road, I've had them running through really thick mud and slippery rocks, and had no issues!

Here's a snow pic for good measure:

I honestly think you'd be happy with these tires....I sure as hell love them!:thumb3:

 

[sibanez]

I have taken all three tires through severe trails at Paragon and Rausch which required armor and lift. Just because they aren't big tires doesn't mean they won't perform. I have used MTRs and while they were great, they hurt the performance of a v8 4runner. The original poster was concerned about the impact on performance and MTs, especially LTs, really do reduce the 4runner's throttle response. I tried steering him toward ATs because of this. Most MTs in 265/75/16 and 265/70/16 are only available in Load Range E too which is much too heavy for a stock rig.

A good driver with ATs can take a rig a lot of places a bad driver with MTs can't go. Purpose-built rigs need MTs because they go places that will break most street rigs. MTs are great tires, but ATs are extremely capable.

no offense man, but did you read his initial post!?!? this is a wheeling/backroads only truck not a daily driver, the tires you listed are at best all terrain tires(baring the nittos), and not at all what he is looking for. a good aggressive off road MT tire will greatly improve your vehicles off road performance! cbodie, stay away from all terrains, you will not be happy with them and their performance. sure they give a good blend of hwy street driving and can deal with back country gravel and logging roads they wont be very good on trail runs. take it from the guys who have some dedicated off road rigs. you want MTs ask any off-roader. i used to work for America Tire for a couple of years a few years back, ive seen and tested a lot of different tires on my trucks. if you want something that will run trails and not be a limiting factor then got with the mud terrains -ProComp, GoodYear, BFG, Nitto(try the Trail Grappler), Mickey Thompson, Hankook, Maxxis, Yokohama ect. if you do decide to go with all terrains i would only get the BFG ATs or the GoodYear Dura-tracs i would suggest Iroks and TSL but i dont think they make tires that small...

 

[sibanez]

With Terragrapplers and Revos.

 

[BrianSD_42]

get the BFG AT/s they are great tires. I recently purchased them again because I was so happy with the first sets performance.

They are reasonably priced $190 each at most stores and online. They are amazing off road and whisper quiet when driving - at least for me.

You can run BFG AT/s 265x70xR16 on stock. You can also run 275x70xR16 on stock but you might need to remove "the bolt" in your wheel well so it doesn't rub. The 265 and 275 are nearly identical in diameter; I believe they are within 1/4" of each other.


Here is a pic of my truck with 275x70xR16. I have 3" lift but am still running the stock sized tires. These tires will work on your vehicle and won't rub.




Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Good Luck!

:lookout:

 

[BrianSD_42]

@sibanez - I didn't realize a 4th gen could look that good!


The top pic you posted (pulling the other truck) looks awesome!
.

 

[durrell]

I'm having a set of 265/75 Maxxis Bighorns put on tomorrow. From what I've seen and read, they're hard to beat for the price. My brother has them on his Sierra and they're pretty unstoppable in the mud.

 

[BrianSD_42]

those maxxis bighorns look like overkill to me but I don't spend much time in the mud. From the look of the tire, they will be VERY LOUD on the hwy.

 

[durrell]

They're not as loud as they look, but they are louder than an AT.

I agree the BFGs are an awesome tire, but they are outrageously expensive around here.

 

[BrianSD_42]

They're not as loud as they look, but they are louder than an AT.

I agree the BFGs are an awesome tire, but they are outrageously expensive around here.

How much are the Bighorn's ? I know you can buy the BFGs online for $190 with free shipping and no tax. Then you can have them installed for $15 per tire at almost any shop. It probably isn't fair to compare these two tires, one is a general offroad tire that is reasonably quiet on the hwy, the other is a mud tire that looks bad@ss and is probably great offroad as well.
.

 

[quicksilvr]

Right now the limitations I'm experiencing are with thick mud, steep dirt hills (slippery even worse), and rock inclines.

I'm looking for some new tires but first let me explain the application (remember, no lift with stock 265/70/16's):

This is a "play" vehicle, as I commute with my '01 Jetta 2.0. We'll drive to the trails (sometimes a few hours away) so the tires need to be street-legal.

I'm looking for an all-around tire that will improve the performance of a stock vehicle. I do not want the speedometer to read inaccurate with current gearing and do not want clearance issues. As a play vehicle, road noise is not an issue.

Trails are in the hilly parts of the Carolinas so there's usually mud, rocks, roots, and steep dirt hills all on one trail. Nothing to prove, no competitions, just a good time with friends and family.

Based on this, I really think you'll want a 265/75R16 size (WAY more available in the kind of tire you need) and for brand and style, here's my list for you:

1) Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ

2) Firestone Destination MT

3) Kumho MT KL71

4) Goodyear DuraTrac

5) BFG MT KM2

6) BFG A/T KO

 

[cj80cruiser]

I loved my bighorns and they took me anywhere I wanted to go but they did wear quicker than I expected. I know MTs dont wear well on the street but it was worse than I expected with that particular tire, however I'd buy a set right now if I had the cash.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I really think you'll want a 265/75R16 size (WAY more available in the kind of tire you need)

Go to this site to calculate TIRE SIZE: Tire size calculator

FYI:
The 265x70xR16 is 30.6" diameter (toyota stock 16" tire)
The 265x75xR16 is 31.6" diameter (1" bigger btw)
The 275x70xR16 is 31.2" diameter (0.6" bigger ... my current tire, see pics above)
The 275x75xR16 is 32.2" diameter (1.6" bigger btw)

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Go to this site to calculate TIRE SIZE: Tire size calculator

FYI:
The 265x70xR16 is 30.6" diameter (toyota stock 16" tire)
The 265x75xR16 is 31.6" diameter (1" bigger btw)
The 275x70xR16 is 31.2" diameter (0.6" bigger ... my current tire, see pics above)
The 275x75xR16 is 32.2" diameter (1.6" bigger btw)

Nobody makes a 275/75/16. Or if they do I've yet to find it.

 

[the great him]

the bighorns are an amazing tire! i have a set on my truck 285 70 17, and yeah pretty unstoppable. i would NOT get the BFG ATs, they are a hwy tire that is ok for groomed logging roads and clear trails but the will not offer you good traction in lose dirt or rock/shale, and will gum up quicker than glue in the mud... they dont clean out well. sure i cant argue that they dont have awesome potential in the snow on roads or for a 50/50 mix and are arguably one of the best all terrain tires out on the market, but not for dedicated 4wheeling and trail runs, stay away from the ATs! you will regret them