In need of new tires

[sheen]

I have a 99 limited 4wd. Its my first car and my daily, I've had it for almost a year now. When i bought the car, stupid me, i didn't look very closely at the tire tread and I've been driving on them even though they really need replacement for some time now. but it dosnt really matter

I'm interested in a set of at's because i like the aggressive look. I won't be doing much off road driving. mainly just some dirt roads up in the sequioas/yosemite to get to trailheads because i do alot of backpacking. I live in the valley but during the winter i do a lot of driving up to my local ski resort. At most 2-3 times a week. No off road snow driving but the roads do get icy and snowed over on some trips and my current set didn't handle very well. We had a few close calls where we started sliding but i was luckily able to maneuver away from hitting anything to a stop. So my main concern is a tire that will handle pretty well in the winter months because i may get a job at my resort this winter, and will be living up there for a couple weeks.

I'm 17 so obviously budget is a problem. I've read good reviews about the Firestone destination AT. As well as the General Grabber AT 2 which i've read performs better than the Firestone in the snow. I can only really spend about 6-7 hundred to get them and installed. I've been going around getting quotes but everywhere seems so expensive. Any thoughts on any other tires within my budget range. thanks


Edit: Also want to still maintain some good gas mpg. As i mostly drive city/highway outside of winter

 

[KidVermicious]

Buy once cry once, don't cheap out on tires. Save for another month or donate plasma or pimp yourself out or whatever to get the right tires. Get the Grabbers if you like them, they'll work well for you and you'll be glad you did it right instead of buying cheap tires you won't be happy with.

 

[SR5Runner97]

Find a buddy who works at a discount tire or something. My family has gotten me great deals. paid 750 for 285/75/16 tires that should have been at least 200$ more.

 

[Brique]

I've read the grabbers are good, and they look just like bfg at ko, which is a beautiful tire to me. I just got a set of cooper discoverer at3s, and I'm pretty happy with them so far. Not quite as aggressive looking, but I believe they're a bit better on road in terms of rolling resistance. Don't know that for sure, though.

I've always been really happy with Discount tire (aka America's Tire in some parts), the service has been amazing and if you haggle, they may cut you a deal. They also have the cooper discoverer atp, which are a bit cheaper i think. Also, if you're not gonna be rock crawling, a set of P rated ATs may save you some cash over C rated (aka LT).

 

[tre9er]

I have discoverers as well and while not as aggressive they have been great on road and in winter. Tread wear is something I'm watching though as after a year I'm not sure the wear is great so far. Will keep monitoring

 

[BrianSD_42]

Tirerack.com

General Grabber AT2

Best for you budget but even if you have extra cash they are still great.

Stock size 16" 31s: $482 + shipping, no tax

285 size 16" 33s: $618 + shipping, no tax


:bat:

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I have discoverers as well and while not as aggressive they have been great on road and in winter. Tread wear is something I'm watching though as after a year I'm not sure the wear is great so far. Will keep monitoring

I have the AT3 and have 44K on them with about 1/4" tread left. I keep waiting for them to wear out so I can get another set, but at this rate I'll be waiting a few more months. There's probably 10,000 or 15,000 miles left in them.hwell:

BTW they are awesome in snow and rain. Scott Brady of Overland Journal said they are the best AT tire he has run in the snow.

 

[Robb235]

Are you looking to run stock size tires, or are you looking to go bigger?

If you're not looking for bigger tires, I suggest looking for something in the 245/75/16 range. This size is the same diameter as stock, but slightly narrower. I have a set of Cooper Discoverer AT3 in this size, and I'm very happy with them. The 245 tires are lighter with less rolling resistance, which helps MPGs slightly (driving over 500 miles a week, it adds up). The fact that they were cheaper than the 265 series tire was a bonus for me, but if you're on a budget, this may be a better option for you. The slightly narrower tire doesn't look out of place at all on my 4Runner, even with the Limited fender flares. This size tire looks completely OE, and the tread pattern looks pretty cool. Discount Tire Direct was running an eBay special of $100 off, plus Cooper had an $80 rebate, so all-in-all, I paid around $400 if I remember correctly. So far these tires have done well for me. I've gone through some mud (industrial construction job site after it rained) and they didn't get stuck. On the highway, they're quiet like regular street tires.

 

[sheen]

Are you looking to run stock size tires, or are you looking to go bigger?

We have the same year and color lol White with the silver flares
I'm fine with the stock size 265 70 16 and thats what i've been looking at. tomorrow im going to get quotes from a few more local owned shops rather than the chain tire places. Then i'll compare em all up.

Discount tire in my town wasn't very cheap. The cheapest AT tire they had was the Falken Wildpeak for 758

I'll have to look into the cooper a bit

 

[3rzrunner]

We have the same year and color lol White with the silver flares
I'm fine with the stock size 265 70 16 and thats what i've been looking at. tomorrow im going to get quotes from a few more local owned shops rather than the chain tire places. Then i'll compare em all up.

Discount tire in my town wasn't very cheap. The cheapest AT tire they had was the Falken Wildpeak for 758

I'll have to look into the cooper a bit

what I have found here in bc 265/75's are cheaper that 265/70's......

 

[Troybylt]

Tirerack.com

General Grabber AT2

:bat:

How do you like these VS BFG A/T KO's? Starting to think about bigger rubber for when I get a SS 1.2 lift.

 

[Brique]

I was very happy with my bfgs when i had them. Everything I've read is that the grabber performs better, as the at ko design hasn't changed much over the years and newer designs are doing better. I can't say that from experience, since i haven't tried them myself.

 

[sheen]

I've read the grabbers are good, and they look just like bfg at ko, which is a beautiful tire to me. I just got a set of cooper discoverer at3s, and I'm pretty happy with them so far. Not quite as aggressive looking, but I believe they're a bit better on road in terms of rolling resistance. Don't know that for sure, though.

I've always been really happy with Discount tire (aka America's Tire in some parts), the service has been amazing and if you haggle, they may cut you a deal. They also have the cooper discoverer atp, which are a bit cheaper i think. Also, if you're not gonna be rock crawling, a set of P rated ATs may save you some cash over C rated (aka LT).

I just went to Americas Tire today and got a quote
702 for the firestone
706 for the cooper
697 for the general

Btw how well has your mpg been with the coopers on there? any drop or posssibly increase

i think the grabber is the heaviest of the 3

 

[sheen]

Tirerack.com

General Grabber AT2

Best for you budget but even if you have extra cash they are still great.

Stock size 16" 31s: $482 + shipping, no tax

285 size 16" 33s: $618 + shipping, no tax


:bat:

I had been looking at those grabbers on tire rack last night before i posted this thread. I think it was 60$ for shipping. Do you think it would be cheaper to get these online and have a shop install them. I'll have to call a few and just ask how much they charge just to install a set

 

[02SE]

I've had enough defective tires over the years, to know I want to buy from a local shop. That way when/if there is a problem, it's easy to take care of.

Buying online makes resolving defective tire issues a pain.

Not to mention that by the time you actually get the tires to you, and pay a shop to install them, it's often cheaper to buy locally anyway.

 

[sheen]

I've had enough defective tires over the years, to know I want to buy from a local shop. That way when/if there is a problem, it's easy to take care of.

Buying online makes resolving defective tire issues a pain.

Not to mention that by the time you actually get the tires to you, and pay a shop to install them, it's often cheaper to buy locally anyway.

Thats a good point. I calculated it out if ordered them online and had them installed it would be 608 for the general grabber. I can get that tire from the same shop for 697 + i have a 20$ off coupon, and buying from them you get free lifetime rotation, flat tire fixes, balancing etc. So i think im just going to pay the extra dollar here 677 is pretty good anyways.