Good Year Wrangler Silent Armors, who's got em?

[smackitsakic]

Who on here uses Good Year Wranger Silent Armor tires on their T4R? I am in the hunt for some new winter tires (in about 4 months) and am beginning the shopping process.

The tire shop recommened Wrangler tires based on my need (year round tires, good on gravel with a strong ability to get through heavy snow). Can anyone who owns these comment on:

Handling/safety on gravel roads?
Ability to tread through heavy snow without getting stuck?
Offroad capabilities (although this would be rare) in mud?
Road noise?

Any info would be appreciated, and if you can recommend a better tire for a similar price, even better

 

[danny4runner]

I love my Good Year Wrangler Duratracs! GREAT in the Colorado snow and can be studded for extra traction! I paid $205 a tire with install. Real quiet for how meaty they are. Say they are a AT but look like a MT!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Who on here uses Good Year Wranger Silent Armor tires on their T4R? I am in the hunt for some new winter tires (in about 4 months) and am beginning the shopping process.

The tire shop recommened Wrangler tires based on my need (year round tires, good on gravel with a strong ability to get through heavy snow). Can anyone who owns these comment on:

Handling/safety on gravel roads? Seems very good. In the size I chose they appear to be a very rugged construction/design for a 'P' rated tire.
Ability to tread through heavy snow without getting stuck? Follow the link in my sig. A few members who commented have some good snow stories. In the little snow/ice I have encountered they're great.
Offroad capabilities (although this would be rare) in mud? Not bad for an A/T. No Duratrac I'm sure but not bad.
Road noise? Slightly more below 50mph or so. Very tolerable. Over 50mph I can't really tell a difference as minor wind noise and engine noise begin to creep in.

Any info would be appreciated, and if you can recommend a better tire for a similar price, even better Some are having good luck with the Hankook. Read ArkSwampRider's threads. On the more pricey side the Revo2's are well liked. Don't forget to price the Nitto Terra Grappler also.

:cheers:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yep, I'm very happy with the Hankook's. IMO they have a more aggressive look than the Goodyears, which is what I wanted. They were still pretty cheap, much cheaper than Revo's. There's a link in my sig to take you to my write-up/pics. Goodyear SA's are a great tire and was my second choice, just decided on the Hankook's though.

 

[rdrunner]

I've had them a while now. Great in snow and basic off-road. Handle great in the corners and a pretty good ride. Noise is pretty low overall. One complaint though, I find them squirmy. They sort of behave like a tire with tall flimsy sidewalls at times. I know that's not the problem but that's how the feel. They're very squirmy on the highway if the road has grooves worn in it, maybe because they have lots of side bite. I'll try something else just based on that next time I need tires.

 

[smackitsakic]

I love my Good Year Wrangler Duratracs! GREAT in the Colorado snow and can be studded for extra traction! I paid $205 a tire with install. Real quiet for how meaty they are. Say they are a AT but look like a MT!

How much of a price difference between the Silent Armors and the Dura Tracs? The tread on the Dura Tracs looks VERY appealing, but i'm wondering what the cost difference is? Also road noise comparison? I want a nice aggressive tire, but would love it if the wife noticed no road noise difference!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Not sure what size you're wanting, but since Duratrac's don't come in a 255/75/17 so I'll compare 265/70/17's.
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armour: $198
Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs: $203
Hankook Dynapro ATM: $145

I should note, the Duratracs are a LT rated tire whereas the others are P rated. Most guys running the GYWSA's picked up the 255/75/17's for much cheaper. So in their case, a big difference in price between it and the Duratrac. Those prices are from Discount Tire Direct.

I also checked Tire Rack. Not counting shipping, which will add close to $100 to the total I believe:
GYWSA: $184 ($109.00 for the 255/75/17)
Duratrac: $189

 

[danny4runner]

How much of a price difference between the Silent Armors and the Dura Tracs? The tread on the Dura Tracs looks VERY appealing, but i'm wondering what the cost difference is? Also road noise comparison? I want a nice aggressive tire, but would love it if the wife noticed no road noise difference!

Really the road noise is VERY little. I was happy about that! its at its loudest below 30 and turning on a winding road but not at normal right and left turns. At 75-80 its just like my stock Bridgestone's were but look WAY better. Go take a look at them next to the SA's like I did...

 

[danny4runner]

Check out this old post.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/performance-zone-tires-wheels-exhaust-superchargers-more/56682-colorado-duratrac-owners.html

 

[CJ3Flyr]

How much of a price difference between the Silent Armors and the Dura Tracs?

If the 255/75/17 path is appealing it's tough to beat the GYSA. Check it out. They are dirt cheap 'cause it's a Jeep size. If 265/70/17's are your choice you have lots of options Duratracs are freakin' sweet. I f I didn't commute 40 miles each way I'd be intrigued.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

They're very squirmy on the highway if the road has grooves worn in it, maybe because they have lots of side bite. I'll try something else just based on that next time I need tires.

I have none of that on my 255/75 GYSA's. I have the option of running up to 44psi. Mine handles great and doesn't track excessively. I don't doubt rdrunner for a second; I'm just sayin' the 255's at 35psi are great.

 

[PhotoRunner]

I have had my GYSA's for about 6 months and over this past winter I had no issues with snow traction -- and there were times I was trying. I have them in the oddball 255/75 size and I don't think I could ever beat them for the price. I was recently out in the Moab area and they were great on the trails I was on -- slickrock, ledges, rocky dirt and sand -- nothing terribly difficult, but a fair test. I haven't tried them in mud, but I really don't see much of it anyway. On the highway they don't seem any louder than other tires I've had and as a bonus there isn't as huge a penalty on the gas mileage as other tires.

 

[olsen_karl]

If the 255/75/17 path is appealing it's tough to beat the GYSA. Check it out.

Based on input from CJ3Flyr and others, I went with 255/75/17 Silent Armors on my completely stock 2008 4R, 4WD, V6. I did move the inner fender liners forward on the front wheel wells, but otherwise, there is no rubbing at all.

These tires are still really cheap on Tire Rack: $109 apiece, and there's still a $40 rebate from Goodyear:
Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

I bought mine from a local Discount Tire store, which matched the price from Tire Rack. I got the rebate too.

The 4R drives a tad bit more sluggish in acceleration, but has no problem in maintaining highway speed, even up steep grades (e.g., Donner Summit over I-80 in California). I'm pretty happy with the fit of the tire and performance so far; time will tell on mileage/treadlife.

 

[paraordnance]

Duratracs were my top pick before I bought GYWSA in 255/70/17 from Tire Rack at half the price of Duratracs. Remember though as appealing as Duratracs look they are no match to GYWSA when it comes to thread life. GYWSA has 50k mile warranty and I think they will get there with ease, Duratracs - no warranty and much softer tire. I seen both in person side by side and I don't think Duratracs will last any more than 40k miles. I never had problems in snow with GYWSA however I dont doubt for a second that Duratracs will be even better particulary on ice.

 

[danny4runner]

I'll keep you all posted on my Duratracs life. So far just under 10K and look brand new. no issues just wish I woulda got the 285's....next time!!

 

[borgzman]

Things I've heard:
- GYSA is next to BFG AT/KO
- Revos? no snowflake, but very popular
- Nitto TG? Bling they say,good tire
- Scorpion ATR? not many have them, good reviews
- Duratracs? new comer, soft, less noise as AT
- General? cheap...won't gamble..good company
- Hankook Dynapro ATM? why not? its agressive
- or Kumho road Venture SAT KL61 also w/ snowflakes..
- Michelin LTX AT2 bites in all surface ..but not severe weather certified
- and how about Toyo OC AT? nitto's cousin..great tire
- Cooper Discoverer? need to read more..
- and BIG O..Big Foot Tire? is there as such?

..and my tires? LOL!.. is gay..street tires..and my 4Runner is 2wd :cheers:

 

[bobzilla]

If you are gonna go the SA route check onlinetires.com. they have the 255/75/17's for $115 with FREE shipping. you can then have Discounttiresdirect BEAT their price and get em even cheaper Also anybody else buying tires these guys are THE cheapest. I got my 255/85/16 KM2's for $155 each or $720 shipped by having Discount beat onlines price. Thats a smokin deal!!!

 

[Merle]

Yesterday was interesting. Was coming down Kingsbury grade before they were able to get the plow out, and it was nearly whiteout. There was about 2" of snow on the road and the grade is pretty steep.

As I was following a Toyota (paranoid folks driving 15-20mph w/ no chains), a car in front of them coming up hill spun out, went sideways and was coming uphill in our lane of traffic.

The car in front of me, tried to slow down but was having problems. No, wouldn't be able to stop in time BUT fortunately the car continued their 180 and decided "this is nuts" and went back down the hill.

I hit the brakes, and felt the traction control kicking in. No worries here, but a quick look into my rear view mirror...

Here comes a bright yellow X-Terra coming at me sideways. Guess they spun out too.

So took my foot off the brake, passed the Toyota on the left and watched the X-Terra wind up in the ditch (only about a 1' deep). They did back out and continued down but it's interesting watching CA drivers in the snow.

So... GYSA, good traction, but if you're going too fast downhill, you're going to fast and are going to break traction. Can hold in 6" of powder (tested in a few Heavenly Ski Resort parking lots w/ and w/o VCS yesterday) and going up grades easily. Rim protection is nice ("ewps, there was a pot hole in that snow?" as I was doing donuts) for curbs and what-nots. Tread seems nice and deep. You're going to high-center rather than get stuck in the snow (1.5' driveway conditions +2-3' berm if I choose to not clear it that day).

Haven't had a chance to take it in the mountains yet (e.g. El Dorado Nat'l Forest) nor on gravel.

Oh yeah, you can lose traction at 40+ MPH if there's 4-6" of snow on the highway (Echo Summit, CA). Just ease of the gas and they'll bite right back in again, as long as you aren't drifting too bad.