Introduction and tire question

[Castaway]

I have been lurking on this thread since I bought my 1996 Limited about a year ago. I live in MS and am currently studying Industrial and Systems Engineering at Mississippi State University.

The previous owner had off-road tires on the 4runner and the tread wear is such that I will have to replace the tires before Christmas.

Tire size is 285/75/16 if I remember correctly (I can't check at the moment).
My driving is mixed on-road/off-road with the off-road being mostly gravel roads, sand, and a bit of mud. What tires would y'all recommend?

Responses would be greatly appreciated because I'm on a student budget and will need to start saving now for new tires since I just spent my tire money on a new master cylinder and rear axle seals.


The requisite pic of my rig. What you see is how I bought it, I want to mod it. But that will have to wait until I've got a big boy job.

 

[Hepar]

Are you wanting the same size tire? And about what would your budget be?

 

[Castaway]

Yes I would be wanting the same size. The tire installation places all said that if I wanted to go smaller (stock size for instance) I would need new rims. That I can't afford.

As to budget, there are some things I won't compromise on. Tires are one of them. So I would like to spend no more than about $1000, but I will if the best tires cost more.

I was kinda leaning toward Duratracs, because my family always runs Wranglers on our E-150s (full size vans), but I am open to any suggestions you all have.

 

[foxrider56]

Yes I would be wanting the same size. The tire installation places all said that if I wanted to go smaller (stock size for instance) I would need new rims. That I can't afford.

As to budget, there are some things I won't compromise on. Tires are one of them. So I would like to spend no more than about $1000, but I will if the best tires cost more.

I was kinda leaning toward Duratracs, because my family always runs Wranglers on our E-150s (full size vans), but I am open to any suggestions you all have.

Check out treadwrights, I'm going to be buying them, specifically the guard dogs, they are a cheap tire because they are retread tires, I did my research and they seem to be good and hold up great, so that's what I'm getting since the cost is about half.

 

[Millerad1651]

Yes I would be wanting the same size. The tire installation places all said that if I wanted to go smaller (stock size for instance) I would need new rims. That I can't afford.

As to budget, there are some things I won't compromise on. Tires are one of them. So I would like to spend no more than about $1000, but I will if the best tires cost more.

I was kinda leaning toward Duratracs, because my family always runs Wranglers on our E-150s (full size vans), but I am open to any suggestions you all have.

Why would you need new wheels to run a smaller tire. 265 75 16s are the next size down, and will fit a 7"-9" wheel, maybe even a 10" wheel. How wide are your wheels?

If you are set on getting 285s, look at Kelly Safari TSRs. They are just like Duratracs, but a little cheaper.

KELLY SAFARI TSR

 

[Castaway]

Why would you need new wheels to run a smaller tire. 265 75 16s are the next size down, and will fit a 7"-9" wheel, maybe even a 10" wheel. How wide are your wheels?

I've never taken a measuring tape to the tires or rims, but they are noticeably wider than stock. My guess is around 10 or 11 inches wide.
All I know is that every tire place refuses to put stock tires on my rims. Everyone says the rims are too wide for stock.

Since no one will install stock and I can't get replacement rims w/o doubling the cost of new tires, even with 285s. I will stick with 285s.

 

[Brian757]

Everytime I read an introduction from a new member, for some reason, I always think of this as an addiction so its sort of like an AA meeting.

New Member: "Hello everyone, my name is Castaway and I have been addicted to 4runners for 4 years."

Everyone: *Simultaneously* "Hi Castaway."

 

[Brian757]

As for tires...
*gasps*

BFGoodrich All-Terrains
- Mud Terrains

Nitto Mud Grapplers
- Terra Grapplers

Toyo Open Country A/T
- M/T

Goodyear Wranglers

General Grabbers

And so on and so forth...

 

[Millerad1651]

I've never taken a measuring tape to the tires or rims, but they are noticeably wider than stock. My guess is around 10 or 11 inches wide.
All I know is that every tire place refuses to put stock tires on my rims. Everyone says the rims are too wide for stock.

Since no one will install stock and I can't get replacement rims w/o doubling the cost of new tires, even with 285s. I will stick with 285s.

What size are they calling "stock"? Stock in most cases for these was 235 70 16. Not many came stock with 265 75 16. That size is only 10mm less than 285s in width...not very much. Have you gone in there and person?

If you do stay with 285s, and want the Duratracs, I'd still suggest the Kellys that I posted a link to earlier.

 

[Castaway]

What size are they calling "stock"? Stock in most cases for these was 235 70 16. Not many came stock with 265 75 16. That size is only 10mm less than 285s in width...not very much. Have you gone in there and person?

There has been some inconsistency between shops as to what was stock. About half said 235s and half said 265s.
Every shop I asked I was asking in person.

If you do stay with 285s, and want the Duratracs, I'd still suggest the Kellys that I posted a link to earlier.

I am pretty set on keeping the width I have with the 285s. When my brother and I play on sand his '88 Jeep Wrangler (with narrower tires) sinks further and faster than my 4Runner, even though the 4Runner weighs a lot more. There are lots of sand bars where I'm from, and they're about the only place we can play.

Duratracs were what I was looking at because I was familiar with Goodyear truck tires from my family's full size vans. I would welcome suggestions for other brands.

Everytime I read an introduction from a new member, for some reason, I always think of this as an addiction so its sort of like an AA meeting.

New Member: "Hello everyone, my name is Castaway and I have been addicted to 4runners for 4 years."

Everyone: *Simultaneously* "Hi Castaway."

From my time spent lurking I think you're right. Especially if you get the modification bug. Which I have, I just don't have the means to indulge that bug yet

 

[Hepar]

Look at your jamb on your door. Not the jamb around the door frame. That will tell you the size that came stock on your particular rig.

I've really only run BFG AT's, but I hear good things abou the Duratrac's. They might be my next tire once this set wears out. I'm not a fan of the E load only in the 265/75's.

 

[Castaway]

Was able to check on the way to work this morning.

Door jam says: P265/70/R16
The tires I have on the truck now are: LT285/75/R16

I also know that the rims are not the ones that came on the truck from the factory.

Thank you for all of your suggestions so far.