iDRiVaT4R's 4Runner Trail

[iDRiVaT4R]

Falken Rocky Mountain ATS Tires

Hey everyone, just thought I'd let you know I sold my fairly new Firestone Destination M/T tires to my buddy. They were Load E and when paired with the massive tread lugs lead to a really bone jarring ride in town. I felt every little crack in the road. Never really got a chance to try them off road unfortunately.

Anyways I decided to give the Falken Rocky Mountain ATS aka Wild Peak a try. They have a 30 day grace period, if I don't like them I can return them to Discount. I spent the last 5 days researching tires, I had narrowed it down to Nitto Terra Grappler's 295/70R17 Load D, These Falken's 285/70R17 Load D and Good years Duratrac, same size and Load rating. After I Couldn't find too many people running these, I decided to try them out, and if anything let people know how they are. First off, 4ShoreRunner already has them on his 5th gen, so I'm guessing I'm the 2nd 5th gen to run them???

On road, compared to the M/T's I just got rid of, Night and Day difference in ride quality. I have a lot less squeaks in my dashboard now too HAHA. Most of the info I found was from Discount Tire's forum postings at FJcruiser, titan, Ford, and etc. They have video clips and write-ups. Everyone seems to say they are great off road, except in deep sticky mud, but I've been there, done that and cleanup is a Bitc*.

As soon as I take some pics I'll post them here and also create a new thread in the Tire section where those that have these tires can post our experiences, pics, etc. Good and the bad. I'm hoping to get out to the desert within the next 30 days to test them out. Hopefully I will not need to use my spare to get back home. Thanks for reading!

Here are some links to check out in the mean time....
http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/off-road-adventure-accessories/falken-rocky-mountain-tire/
http://www.yotatech.com/f105/falken-rocky-mountain-ats-220248/
YouTube video I found
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VWdtkikqwjM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mtbnole]

Hey everyone, just thought I'd let you know I sold my fairly new Firestone Destination M/T tires to my buddy. They were Load E and when paired with the massive tread lugs lead to a really bone jarring ride in town. I felt every little crack in the road. Never really got a chance to try them off road unfortunately.

Anyways I decided to give the Falken Rocky Mountain ATS aka Wild Peak a try. They have a 30 day grace period, if I don't like them I can return them to Discount. I spent the last 5 days researching tires, I had narrowed it down to Nitto Terra Grappler's 295/70R17 Load D, These Falken's 285/70R17 Load D and Good years Duratrac, same size and Load rating. After I Couldn't find too many people running these, I decided to try them out, and if anything let people know how they are. First off, 4ShoreRunner already has them on his 5th gen, so I'm guessing I'm the 2nd 5th gen to run them???

On road, compared to the M/T's I just got rid of, Night and Day difference in ride quality. I have a lot less squeaks in my dashboard now too HAHA. Most of the info I found was from Discount Tire's forum postings at FJcruiser, titan, Ford, and etc. They have video clips and write-ups. Everyone seems to say they are great off road, except in deep sticky mud, but I've been there, done that and cleanup is a Bitc*.

As soon as I take some pics I'll post them here and also create a new thread in the Tire section where those that have these tires can post our experiences, pics, etc. Good and the bad. I'm hoping to get out to the desert within the next 30 days to test them out. Hopefully I will not need to use my spare to get back home. Thanks for reading!

Here are some links to check out in the mean time....
Falken Rocky Mountain Tires First Impressions - Off Road Adventure
Falken Rocky Mountain ATS - YotaTech Forums
YouTube video I found
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VWdtkikqwjM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Cool, let us know how they ride!

 

[Dlak]

tire

I heard a lot of good things about those tires. The guys at offroad evo run those on their jeeps and I think that was the tire of choice for the 4runner backcountry project.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

^^ Yep you're right, here is a quote from the article of 4Wheeler magazine "With the lift out of the way, we decided to bump up the tire size from the stock P265/70R17s to LT285/70R17s, which is just under 33-inches. After being so thoroughly impressed with the Falken WildPeak A/Ts on Project 'Con Artist, we decided they would be a wholly appropriate choice for our overlanding mission. The WildPeak features a 3-ply sidewall with a heavy, durable carcass for strength and puncture resistance. We have found the grippy tread to be work well in a variety of environments, while maintaining extremely quiet and smooth highway manners."

It's amazing, I spent all weekend searching Google, forums and etc. and not once did any site or any reference to project 4Runner Backcountry pop up. (perhaps I just missed it) Go Figure. Thanks Dlak!

 

[mtbnole]

are the Wildpeaks and the Rocky Mountains the same tires?

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

^^ Yep, from what I understand, Wild Peaks are the online Discount Tire brand, and Rocky Mountains are sold in Discount Tire stores.

You can actually find the Wild Peaks online for cheaper at DiscountTireDirect.com

Falken Wild Peak A/T tires listed by size

You also don't have to pay for tax in some states and get free shipping.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

Anza Borrego 6-4-2011

Went off road again last weekend. Tires did great. Had them at 25 psi the whole off road portion. Did great in the sand, the rocks, etc. There is no wear on the side walls from the rocks or anything which was quite amazing.

Anyways here are the trails we went on in order:
From S2...
Carrizo Canyon
Mortero Wash
Down one-way dropoff at Volcanic Hills
Joboba Wash
Canyon Sin Nombre
Carrizo Creek wash all the way to the closed impact signs
Up Seco Del Diablo
Down Diablo Drop Off
Fish Creek out to the 78

Some pictures, rest can be seen here... Trip Photo Album

I also have some videos I'll post soon.

 

[WFO_Racer]

Thanks for posting your pictures :bigok:

Do they let you shoot in the area?

Is this doable for someone with limited off-road experience, stock rubber?

What maps should I get to know the area?

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

Do they let you shoot in the area? No

Is this doable for someone with limited off-road experience, stock rubber? Stock Tires, I'd mostly be worried about the tires getting punctured from the rocks. If you're careful, it's do-able. Since 4Runner's come with adequate skid plates, I would just get some sliders to protect the rocker panels for rock damage (been there/done that in my 08' Tacoma.).

What maps should I get to know the area? This is what I use http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/638/files/ABDSPmap.pdf
I printed a few on 11x17" paper. They are also available at the information center for $1 each in Borrego Springs.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

Video Clips from Saturday June 4th 2011 Anza Borrego Desert State Park, CA. Also in the Vids Sticky.

4 Clips Total, 0:00(RailRoad), 0.23(Obstacle), 1.12(Drop-Off Outside view) & 2:05(Drop-Off Tire View GoPro)

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RRF2FGCquzk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


2 Clips Total: 0:00 Carrizo Canyon Rock Garden (just a rocky trail) 5:06 Going down Diablo Drop Off, GoPro HD Footage

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_LpJpDb9Pls" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


1 Clip: After Diablo Drop off, the trail leading into Fish Creek, GoPro HD Footage.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mUjAxJV2Gr0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[DEKA3]

Awesome views, awesome videos. Looks like fun! Hope you had a great time and enjoyed the "research", cuz I enjoyed the vids!

Thanks for posting!

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

Hey everyone,

I sold my TE yesterday. I loved everything about it except for the payments. It went to a good home though. I guarantee the new owner will post pics here shortly. He hangs out with "the_josh" from the 4th gen forum section here. It's a matter of time before it has bumpers, skids, Lights, etc..

I found myself a used 2007 4Runner V8 4x4 in White in great condition to replace the TE. Time to start saving for the new mods.

 

[joneseyyy]

Man a lot of nice rigs have been sold over the past couple of weeks. Good luck with the new truck and your newfound monthly "play money"

 

[453030]

Hey everyone,

I sold my TE yesterday. I loved everything about it except for the payments. It went to a good home though. I guarantee the new owner will post pics here shortly. He hangs out with "the_josh" from the 4th gen forum section here. It's a matter of time before it has bumpers, skids, Lights, etc..

I found myself a used 2007 4Runner V8 4x4 in White in great condition to replace the TE. Time to start saving for the new mods.

Dang Nathan, sorry to hear it. I appreciate all of the great contributions you made to the 5th Gen forum, and can't wait to see what your 4th Gen turns into. BTW, thanks for the advice on the Viair 450P... I used it for the first time last weekend and it worked like a champ. Be well my friend.

 

[terra4r]

guess we'll have to pick up on the progress with the next owner. have fun with the 4th gen, another solid toy!