Is this tire repairable? If not, how many new tires do I need?

[alext72888]

Discovered a nail about an inch away from the side wall.

My hope was to kill these dunlops before getting some AT tires, then this happened...

I'm going to go to a few places to see if one of them will do an inside patch job since it's the safest way to go in terms of tire repair

If none of the shops will do it, how many tires do I need to get since its a 4x4 vehicle? I hear mismatched tire wear puts a strain on the drive train.

My options ordered in preference are

1. Tire patch job from the inside of the tire
2. OK to buy just one dunlop (if possible)
3. Buy all four new AT tires

 

[(none)]

Best way, just ask a tire shop. Most will patch from the inside. I don't think it's too close to the sidewall, you should probably be fine.

If you are hard up for cash and it is too close, have them throw the spare tire on that wheel for the time being. Then when you do buy tires, throw one of the tires back on as the spare. Most spare tires end up rotting away before they are ever used and since Toyota didn't include the spare on an aluminum wheel and TPMS, it's hard to do 5-tire rotations.
Buy an el-cheapo tire for the spare if you feel the need.

I wouldn't worry about having 1 new tire (same make and size) with 3 somewhat worn tires. Especially not when you usually run around in 2wd. The difference between total outside diameter is minimal.

 

[2000se]

looks repairable to me as well..I agree, check with tire shop though

 

[alext72888]

Best way, just ask a tire shop. Most will patch from the inside. I don't think it's too close to the sidewall, you should probably be fine.

If you are hard up for cash and it is too close, have them throw the spare tire on that wheel for the time being. Then when you do buy tires, throw one of the tires back on as the spare. Most spare tires end up rotting away before they are ever used and since Toyota didn't include the spare on an aluminum wheel and TPMS, it's hard to do 5-tire rotations.
Buy an el-cheapo tire for the spare if you feel the need.

I wouldn't worry about having 1 new tire (same make and size) with 3 somewhat worn tires. Especially not when you usually run around in 2wd. The difference between total outside diameter is minimal.

Thanks for the help! I actually just returned here to edit my post because I forgot I could throw the spare tire on that wheel.

Thanks again!

 

[catrains]

I see no problem with the use of a plug to fix that small nail/screw.

the location is in the steel re-enforced area.

what I would do because I have repaired many tires for my family members is remove the nail pull out, remove the screw unscrew. then using the tire plug kit following the instructions put a plug in it.

when using the ream tool you follow the path of the steel that was in the tire. this can be done with tire on vehicle .

when you remove the steel from tire if the steel is complete then no need to remove tire from rim.

also being a small steel diameter no need to use a plug patch.

I just got new tires for my truck 10 yrs old I did have to put a couple of plugs in the 10yr old tires with steel of that size and never had any leaks.

if you never done this which is why your asking this question just go to gas repair station they can do it in 10 minutes.

tire shop will want you to buy 4 new tires .. why ? $$$$

 

[Heavy_GD]

I would most certainly get a pull through patch... although that may not be all the way through the tire.

 

[amalik]

so was your spare *identical* in size to your other 3?

 

[Jetboy]

I would put another vote for fixable. I worked at a tire shop for a few years, but that was 15 years ago. I wouldn't think twice about fixing that, but shops have gotten more cautious. Also there's no reason you can't just replace one tire. Nothing special about a 4runner that requires all 4 new tires unless the set is really worn out then you might just replace all 4 anyway. I'm not a big fan of the OEM dunlops, so I'd probably use it as an excuse to put new tires on.

 

[philsey]

If you're OK using up the oem tires, have a tire shop repair it and swap it out with the spare. Keep your eye on the spare to make sure it holds pressure.

 

[alext72888]

Update

Okay so I went to town fair this morning and they did a few things

1. Put the spare wheel tire on the rim with the punctured tire
2. Put the fresh spare tire wheel on the back axle.

I will be purchasing a used ebay tire to either

throw on the spare

or to replace the fresh one and put the fresh one back on the spare.

the only reason I may do the latter is because of tire diameter issues. I don't know if it will cause a big issue in the drive train. I have a few photos. The old tread vs the new tread.

Any opinions would be helpful. Thank you!

1st pic = worn tire
2nd pic = fresh spare wheel tire

 

[wfo9]

Not enough diameter difference to worry about.... Your tires don't all rotate at the exact same speed anyway....

 

[e60ral]

I wouldn't use it as a spare, I would just take 5 minutes to pull the nail and plug it

 

[carlomagne]

I would just buy 4 MT tires and call it a day.