Help me pick a tire - Im torn

[FoxNJ]

Anyone have an opinion on Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmors?

I'm not looking for an overly aggressive off-road tire but I want something I can be confident going out and playing in some fresh snow. I do a bunch of runs from NJ to VA and next year that'll change to VA to FL. I don't want something that's going to be a pain on the highway with a ton of vibrations in the steering wheel. I don't mind the noise of an AT.

Right now my short list is:
1. Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor
2. Michelin LTX AT2
3. Michelin LTX MS2

For reference, I had Grabber AT2s on my Jeep a few years ago and loved them. They're just a bit more aggressive than I want this time around.

 

[Doozi]

I've loved my Silent Armors! They've never let me down... travelling across the country, rocky trails, snow covered trails where I was dragging the belly of the 4Runner, and everything else I've been through. They've been quiet and comfortable. I run them at 33psi, rotate them regularly (5-tire rotation), and they hardly look like they've worn at all. I've wanted a more aggressive looking tire, but have had a hard time justifying it... until now. I am getting ready to buy DuraTracs, but only because I have CBI front and rear bumpers and new wheels now so I'm going up to 285's.

Here's a pretty cool shot of how they look. They were new here...



And here's a recent picture that shows the tread pretty well...

 

[wkeryder4]

I've loved my Silent Armors! They've never let me down... travelling across the country, rocky trails, snow covered trails where I was dragging the belly of the 4Runner, and everything else I've been through. They've been quiet and comfortable. I run them at 33psi, rotate them regularly (5-tire rotation), and they hardly look like they've worn at all. I've wanted a more aggressive looking tire, but have had a hard time justifying it... until now. I am getting ready to buy DuraTracs, but only because I have CBI front and rear bumpers and new wheels now so I'm going up to 285's.

Here's a pretty cool shot of how they look. They were new here...



And here's a recent picture that shows the tread pretty well...

Not to change the topic but I'm on the fence about chopping the exhaust. Have you noticed a difference in sound? Also is there still a recirculating problem with the rear window down?

 

[Doozi]

Not to change the topic but I'm on the fence about chopping the exhaust. Have you noticed a difference in sound? Also is there still a recirculating problem with the rear window down?

That's just temporary due to the rear-most hanger hitting my CBI bumper mount. There's not much of a difference in sound... maybe slightly more "gurgle", but not much. I will have it turned out to the side right behind the rear tire just to eliminate any chance of fumes getting into the cabin.

Back to tires for FoxNJ... all of the tires you mentioned are nice tires and another tire that has really good reviews would be the Cooper Discoverer AT3.

 

[Desert Fox]

Silent Armors are good tires. But Goodyear discontinued them so getting a warranty replacement if you need to will be a problem.

I have run Procomp AT (poor tread life), Goodyear Duratrak (sold with truck), Goodyear Silent Armors (left on totaled 4Runner), Hankook Dynapro (sold when I bought the Coopers) and currently Cooper ST Maxx for off road.

Silent Armors are probably my choice of the bunch but the Coopers are working out real well.

 

[FoxNJ]

Im happy to hear the Silent Armors are treating everyone well. How are they on the highway? I know Im not comparing apples to apples, but how much should I expect the ride and steering feel to change from the stock Dunlops? I do love how smooth they are but I don't think theyre going to handle what I want to do this winter.

Edit: I just re-read what was said about the SA being discontinued. What about the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar?

 

[Desert Fox]

Im happy to hear the Silent Armors are treating everyone well. How are they on the highway? I know Im not comparing apples to apples, but how much should I expect the ride and steering feel to change from the stock Dunlops? I do love how smooth they are but I don't think theyre going to handle what I want to do this winter.

Edit: I just re-read what was said about the SA being discontinued. What about the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar?

The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is replacing the SA so there may not be a lot of reviews on them. Check Tirerack they may have some information.

I was going to buy SA even though they are being discontinued but then I came across the 255/80/17 Cooper ST Maxx and went with that one instead. Silent Armors are good tires on and off road.

In comparison the Coopers I have right now are much stiffer but they are 10 ply. I am willing to sacrifice some highway comfort for off road capability but that may not be what you are looking for.

Try getting Discount Tire to give you a smoking deal on Silent Armors, get 5 of them so you have one to rotate in. Then if you have a hazard issue that DT cant replace the SA you have a back up.

I love buying from Discount Tire, they will work with you and if a store manager wont, there is another store down the road that will.

 

[FoxNJ]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys.

In my own research I'm starting to think the LTX AT2 are exactly what I'm looking for. Snow performance sounds phenomenal from what I've read and they're more aggressive than the MS2 so those few times I do venture off road, they'll still get the job done. Everyone says theyre quiet and comfortable on the highway as well. The only real downside is theyre just as expensive as the MS2.

 

[ebg18t]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys.

In my own research I'm starting to think the LTX AT2 are exactly what I'm looking for. Snow performance sounds phenomenal from what I've read and they're more aggressive than the MS2 so those few times I do venture off road, they'll still get the job done. Everyone says theyre quiet and comfortable on the highway as well. The only real downside is theyre just as expensive as the MS2.

The LTX & MS2 are awesome daily driver tires. They wear well and are quiet. But I wish they has rim guards like many other tires.

 

[drewm]

Don't leave out the Cooper AT3, the tire that won the latest consumer reports shootout. It really is damn good. Cheap at about $120-130 each in P-metric sizes. Check tirecrawler.com, discounttire.com for it

 

[FoxNJ]

Don't leave out the Cooper AT3, the tire that won the latest consumer reports shootout. It really is damn good. Cheap at about $120-130 each in P-metric sizes. Check tirecrawler.com, discounttire.com for it

They really do get some great reviews. They come in both LT and SUV so Im a little unsure there. And Im unfamiliar with "p-metric" and other terms like that. Any insight?

My local go-to tire shop even stocks these. Theyre looking like a decent option.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Out of your choices I'd go with the LTX AT2. I've heard nothing but good about those tires. The MS2s are good as well.

 

[montana_jeepn]

I had Michelin LTX AT2 on my Yukon and currently have Firestone Destination A/T's...great tires both.

Anyone have an opinion on Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmors?

I'm not looking for an overly aggressive off-road tire but I want something I can be confident going out and playing in some fresh snow. I do a bunch of runs from NJ to VA and next year that'll change to VA to FL. I don't want something that's going to be a pain on the highway with a ton of vibrations in the steering wheel. I don't mind the noise of an AT.

Right now my short list is:
1. Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor
2. Michelin LTX AT2
3. Michelin LTX MS2

For reference, I had Grabber AT2s on my Jeep a few years ago and loved them. They're just a bit more aggressive than I want this time around.

 

[drewm]

They really do get some great reviews. They come in both LT and SUV so Im a little unsure there. And Im unfamiliar with "p-metric" and other terms like that. Any insight?

My local go-to tire shop even stocks these. Theyre looking like a decent option.

If you aren't going to be traversing sharp rocks offroad, then you just need the regular "SUV" ones, their size starts with a P, not the LT ones

 

[AZ07Runner]

Any guesstimate on the actual percentage of road driving vs "other" you do?

I ran LTX M&Ss on my last truck (see sig) and thought they were the best tire I've ever driven on. I used them in snow and dirt roads with absolutely no issues and was very happy with their highway tributes - quiet and smooooth.

I'm pretty much sold on Michelins.

 

[Bossman]

I'm coming up on about the one year mark of running the Michelin LTX MS2 tires on my 4Runner.

These tires replaced my Michelin Cross Terrains - which I really liked, but are no longer in production

At the 32 psi I keep them inflated to, they ride very nicely, are comfortable at highway speeds, and handle pretty well in the (Canadian!) snow. I'd say the Cross Terrains performed a little better in the snow.

I had considered the Cooper AT3 tires (great tire and price!), but wanted to stay with Michelins.

 

[Cygan1008]

I ran the silent armors before the Cooper ATP's I have now. They are a good tire. Our fleet also uses them on our 4x4's. It's not a bad tire but for the money there are nicer options. I like the ATP's much better.

 

[FoxNJ]

Any guesstimate on the actual percentage of road driving vs "other" you do?

I ran LTX M&Ss on my last truck (see sig) and thought they were the best tire I've ever driven on. I used them in snow and dirt roads with absolutely no issues and was very happy with their highway tributes - quiet and smooooth.

I'm pretty much sold on Michelins.

Realistically, I drive 95% on road. Im considering an AT because now that I own the truck outright I don't want to limit myself down the road if I decide to lift it and actually take it off road.

I'm coming up on about the one year mark of running the Michelin LTX MS2 tires on my 4Runner.

These tires replaced my Michelin Cross Terrains - which I really liked, but are no longer in production

At the 32 psi I keep them inflated to, they ride very nicely, are comfortable at highway speeds, and handle pretty well in the (Canadian!) snow. I'd say the Cross Terrains performed a little better in the snow.

I had considered the Cooper AT3 tires (great tire and price!), but wanted to stay with Michelins.

The MS2 can handle the deep snow? I know they're supposed to be good in snow, but do they handle 8-12 inches? The price is whats holding me back from the Michelins. Im sure the quality of the tires is fitting to the price, I just don't know if I can drop almost 1k on tires alone.

 

[Bossman]

The MS2 can handle the deep snow? I know they're supposed to be good in snow, but do they handle 8-12 inches? The price is whats holding me back from the Michelins. Im sure the quality of the tires is fitting to the price, I just don't know if I can drop almost 1k on tires alone.

With the full-time 4WD of my Limited, I do not run with a dedicated set of winter rims/tires. The MS2 tires handle pretty much all of the winter conditions we get up here. I've never gotten stuck, and my 4Runner loves the unplowed roads in a good winter storm.

Cost is a huge factor. These MS2 tires were definitely not cheap. If I was on a tighter budget, the Coopers would get a serious look.

 

[Sungod]

I would without question pick the Michelins over the Wranglers in every situation. They will last longer and give you a more quiet and comfortable ride over the life of the tires. Between the MS2 and the AT2s, it would really come down to what you are doing. The AT2s will do slightly better in sticky mud and snow. The MS2s will do better in sand and ice. The AT2s will have a more aggressive look. The MS2s will be better on the highway. I would call it a toss up because neither are substantially better in one condition than the other. They are both all purpose tires so the best you can hope for is to be good in any condition and not expect greatness in any one category.