looking for a smoother ride, new tire options

[Henrythewound]

I have a 2000 4WD 4Runner with an older Sonoran Steel 7 lift (level lift with a mix of Tundra and LC suspension I believe) and 265/75/16 BFG AT tires. The ride is rough which is probably a combination of the lift and the load range E tires. I'm trying to decide if I should look into a different wheel size to open up the tire options or just get a lighter duty tire on my stock wheels.

I like the stock wheels and am happy with the tire size but I'm leaning away from anything load range E because of the stiff sidewalls. Am I thinking about this wrong? I don't really need super aggressive offroad tires but I'd like to stick with something somewhat capable and durable for when I do go offroad.

Thoughts? opinions? thanks for any assistance here I appreciate it

 

[Hepar]

I made the switch from E rated BFG's to C rated Duratracs. Same size as you. Happy for the most part, but I am currently looking to get out of them. My one complaint on the Duratracs has been wet road performance. For you in AZ I don't think it would be as big of a deal breaker. They're great on dirt/mud. Only other small complaint is that they do have noticeable more road noise than the BFG's that seems to get worse as they wear, but it's nothing too crazy in my opinion.

 

[UNDEB]

I just put on new Falken Wildpeak A/T3W (265/75/16 SL load range) yesterday. I'm as happy as I can be for 35 miles. Low road noise, and has an aggressive sidewall.

 

[Henrythewound]

Hepar thanks for your reply. I think I'd like to stay at something ≤ as aggressive as the BFGs I have. The road noise of your Duratracs would bother me I think. I have driven with those tires offroad a fair amount in a work Jeep and they are great for AZ sand and rocks but the drive to and from the field area is loud. If BFG still made an AT in a load range C I'd just buy those as I love the look and durability.

Theres the Goodyear Silent Armor and costco sells Bridgestones but it doesn't seem like many people run those.

 

[phattyduck]

What tire pressure have you been running on the street?

Too bad you can only get the K02's in load range C if you step up to 17's (265/70-17) in that rolling diameter.

-Charlie

 

[Henrythewound]

What tire pressure have you been running on the street?

Too bad you can only get the K02's in load range C if you step up to 17's (265/70-17) in that rolling diameter.

-Charlie

I think the tire pressure is in the low 30s but I'd have to check. I think the BFGs are heavy tires and load range E is definitely more than what I need. There are lots of used wheels on my local Craigslist which made me wonder about stepping up to 17s to allow for different tire options. If I stick with the 16 OEM wheels I have and get a less-beefy tire I think the road noise, ride quality, and possibly gas mileage(?) will improve.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I have a 2000 4WD 4Runner with an older Sonoran Steel 7 lift (level lift with a mix of Tundra and LC suspension I believe) and 265/75/16 BFG AT tires. The ride is rough which is probably a combination of the lift and the load range E tires. I'm trying to decide if I should look into a different wheel size to open up the tire options or just get a lighter duty tire on my stock wheels.

I like the stock wheels and am happy with the tire size but I'm leaning away from anything load range E because of the stiff sidewalls. Am I thinking about this wrong? I don't really need super aggressive offroad tires but I'd like to stick with something somewhat capable and durable for when I do go offroad.

Thoughts? opinions? thanks for any assistance here I appreciate it

BFG's were the tires our 4Runners came with from the dealership. If you want quieter and softer rides you'll have to sacrifice off-road capability. Some of the best compromises are the following:

Michelin Defender: Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tires | Truck Passenger All-Season Tires | America's Tire

Yokohama Geolander A/T: Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 Tires | Truck Passenger All-Terrain Tires | America's Tire

Yokohama Geolander H/T (this is what I have): Yokohama Geolandar H/T G056 Tires | Truck Passenger All-Season Tires | America's Tire

Surprisingly, my 4Runner does really well with the Yokohama H/T's off-road due to 4Runner's excellent 4WD system. It also is the best rain tire I've ever owned on a pickup/SUV. However, the sacrifice in is in mud/snow. They are ok on snowy highways but bad in any kind of deep snow, they just don't have the tread to get any traction. There is no perfect tire that excells in every condition, but seeing that I spend probably 98% of my time on dry and wet roads, I should pick a tire that matches that best.

Plus they give great traction for when I floor it! :zoom:

 

[jgue467]

Really Smooth = Michelin LTX AT2
Smoothest = Michelin LTX


Enjoy that runner! :cowboy:

 

[TRD 4RNR]

I absolutely love my K02's (range C) in 265/70-17
Quieter, softer ride and the 17's handle better - then again I'm 95% on-road

 

[MStudt]

I love my Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 285/75/16. I've had them for about 7,000 miles, and have no complaints about them. They do have some road noise, but it's not that bad honestly.

Mike

 

[3bears]

load range e tires are stiff, where they excel is on the back roads and sharp rocks not punching though the rubber...thats why I run e range.
when I put on my e tires I knew I would be dealing with stiffness....but i did not want a mall cruiser or smooth freeway cruiser...I wanted one less flat on the way back road in rocks. So I sacrificed smooth hiway for less back road flats.. If I wanted smooth hiways, id leave things stock....plus I come from hi performance lowered volvos, bmw's etc where you feel every pebble which is expected on stiff sticky hiway tires with stiff shocks and poly bushings
so...I know im strange...but if you put a lift on your 4runner and e rated tires....are you expecting a smooth vibration free ride ? to me and everything I have read and experienced.....aint gonna happen
you want smooth.. get rid of the lift and get some Monroe matics and c rated tires and bounce along with all the other mall cruisers

 

[thezentree]

KO2s are hot garbage for ride quality. AT3Ws are what you seek.

 

[MAST4R]

I have a 2000 4WD 4Runner with an older Sonoran Steel 7 lift (level lift with a mix of Tundra and LC suspension I believe) and 265/75/16 BFG AT tires. The ride is rough which is probably a combination of the lift and the load range E tires. I'm trying to decide if I should look into a different wheel size to open up the tire options or just get a lighter duty tire on my stock wheels.

I like the stock wheels and am happy with the tire size but I'm leaning away from anything load range E because of the stiff sidewalls. Am I thinking about this wrong? I don't really need super aggressive offroad tires but I'd like to stick with something somewhat capable and durable for when I do go offroad.

Thoughts? opinions? thanks for any assistance here I appreciate it

I have done 70 trails, more than 80 runs, and nearly 2000 offroad miles on my P265 70 17 Wildpeaks in 3 states. Here in AZ trails include Crown King Backaway, Broken Arrown, Red Rock Powerline, Crapshoot, Cliffhanger, many moderate trails, and so on. No serious issues on street pressures but I burst a sidewall when aired down against my own advice on Harquahala Peak.

My plan B if a burst a sidewall in a dangerous spot is 255 75 17 LT-C Cooper ST MAXX. These are 3-ply sidewall tires but also C range and yet also AT. There are several LT-C MT options with a 3-ply sidewall in that size but the 255 75 17 Cooper ST MAXX is unique. It is 54lb, which is the one concern I have besides the price vs the Wildpeaks. I go through tires quickly.

 

[corz24]

I just put on new Falken Wildpeak A/T3W (265/75/16 SL load range) yesterday. I'm as happy as I can be for 35 miles. Low road noise, and has an aggressive sidewall.

I will Second these! Fantastic tire, looks aggressive, not being super aggressive, low road noise and LONG life! Well over the 55k rating :bravo:

 

[MAST4R]

I will Second these! Fantastic tire, looks aggressive, not being super aggressive, low road noise and LONG life! Well over the 55k rating :bravo:

Sure, if you stick to pavement. And the same is true of KO2s. They do not last 50k if you are regularly offroad in the SOuthwest.

Here in AZ where the OP is, my Wildpeaks will be done somewhere between 25-30,000 and my KO2s were wearing at the same rate.

(see post above for detail).

 

[Hepar]

I think the tire pressure is in the low 30s but I'd have to check. I think the BFGs are heavy tires and load range E is definitely more than what I need. There are lots of used wheels on my local Craigslist which made me wonder about stepping up to 17s to allow for different tire options. If I stick with the 16 OEM wheels I have and get a less-beefy tire I think the road noise, ride quality, and possibly gas mileage(?) will improve.

I am planning on stepping up to a 17" wheel to get back into a C load BFG. The total weight of the 17" wheels and tires will be almost 10lbs lower per wheel/tire than the 16" setup I had with 265/75-16's.

 

[squaregrouper2]

I run BFG KO2's in 285/70/17. No issues at all and smooth riding on the hard ground. Load Range C.

 

[rightyouareken]

One thing to double check is your air pressure. Load range E tires can be inflated up to like 80PSI, and that's stamped on the sidewall. Some dummies at a tire shop or service center might think that's what you should run. Run more in the 30-35psi range on the road.

If you're not happy with the ride on your setup, going to a lower load range or a P (passenger) A/T tire is likely to help. Though I'd guess your stiff ride is also coming from your lift as well. Hard to say how much tires specifically will help, and it's a gamble to spend $1k on new tires and find it doesn't help as much as you hoped.

Maybe try to find a set of stock wheels/tires on craigslist to install to try?

 

[BamaDrewski]

I have always run Michelin's for a number of reasons. Yes, they are expensive but you can get 80-90K miles out of them if you keep them rotated and balanced along with periodic alignments.

I have run the LTX AT2's (85K) and LTX's. They are both great tires.

If you are a member of Costco - they usually have a $70 off deal every other month or so and if you ask, you can get the ONE CENT PER TIRE install when they offer it. Costco also fills with Nitrogen, has road-hazard, rotation and balance all included for FREE. Most people don;t know that now, Michelin offers free roadside service when you buy a set of their tires. When I bought the LTX AT2's, about three weeks afterwards, I had a flat. Took it to Costco, they found a metal spike in the tire and ordered me a new one and replaced it AT NO CHARGE!

 

[MSRP.]

I have always run Michelin's for a number of reasons. Yes, they are expensive but you can get 80-90K miles out of them if you keep them rotated and balanced along with periodic alignments.

I have run the LTX AT2's (85K) and LTX's. They are both great tires.

If you are a member of Costco - they usually have a $70 off deal every other month or so and if you ask, you can get the ONE CENT PER TIRE install when they offer it. Costco also fills with Nitrogen, has road-hazard, rotation and balance all included for FREE. Most people don;t know that now, Michelin offers free roadside service when you buy a set of their tires. When I bought the LTX AT2's, about three weeks afterwards, I had a flat. Took it to Costco, they found a metal spike in the tire and ordered me a new one and replaced it AT NO CHARGE!

Not sure if the roadside assistance is universal, but their tire/treadware warranty is certainly one of, if not, THE best in the industry.