More tire confusion on the 5th Gen Limited

[NoDak]

Bought 4 Michelin Defender Ltx M/s in 275/55r20 six months ago.

Couldn’t be happier.

Bought online. Had a local guy mount them. Costco and Discount Tire refuses because of the Size.

i've been running this size on mine for the last 3-4 yrs, quiet and never had any issues. the oem tires lasted until about 30-35k and i am now at 68k and i still have about 8/12ths thread left.

[Please don't get on me for yet another tire post. Yeah, I've already read all the relevant and recent posts on this site and others... and weeded thru a TON of outdated posts etc.]

Still, I find myself more confused than before.

I'm looking for tires for my '14 Limited I bought new. Geolandar 96s got me to 47K but are done. I am keeping the stock rims and I want the 245s. Summarizing it all, it seems like more people have had the overall best experience with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is probably second. Both happen to be at the top of the price list but oh well... that's OK.

I want all-seasons that will be decent in Chicago snows and rainy Springs. I also want to stick with the 700+ UTQG rated tire if possible.

Today I went to talk to a local 40-years-in-biz tire guy who came recommended. He actually doesn't sell tires but makes a living installing tires bought online so he has no real skin in the game that way, which gives him more credibility. Anyways he basically trashed both those tires. His claim is that the squared shoulder of the Michelin will cause noise and cupping. Never was 100% clear about his beef with the Bridgestone.

He highly recommends the Cooper Discoverer SRX, which from what I read quite a few people complain of terrible road noise. THat'd be a deal-killer to me.

I've decided to buy from a guy down into the city where I've bought several times before as his prices are unbeatable and his service great. However thanks to YELP he is so busy now that he almost never can come to the phone, meaning to ask him questions I have to probably drive down there.

So where's all this going?

I'm actually not looking for recommendations, but rather a sanity check. Do I trust my research, or do I throw my faith in this guy I just met today? He did say a few other things about the 4R which made me think he doesn't know the truck that well (or maybe it's me?).

Still it's kind of hard to dismiss him, so yeah... I'd love to hear some reassurance that I am on the right track with those two choices. Maybe he's simply biased?

And, I guess if you have recent personal experience with either the Alenza Plus of the Defender LTX M/S I'd like to hear it. They seem like 2 very different tires despite similar numbers overall.

Any opinions or experience is appreciated, thanks.

for winter time up here in ND they have been solid for the winters, never had any issues. slush not so great so watch out for that.

i've driven them twice to visit my mom and that 1700 miles 1-way and ive pulled a 5x10 uhaul with them back 1700 miles.

i would highly recommend these tires for a 4runner.

 

[Toskabg]

[Please don't get on me for yet another tire post. Yeah, I've already read all the relevant and recent posts on this site and others... and weeded thru a TON of outdated posts etc.]

Still, I find myself more confused than before.

I'm looking for tires for my '14 Limited I bought new. Geolandar 96s got me to 47K but are done. I am keeping the stock rims and I want the 245s. Summarizing it all, it seems like more people have had the overall best experience with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is probably second. Both happen to be at the top of the price list but oh well... that's OK.

I want all-seasons that will be decent in Chicago snows and rainy Springs. I also want to stick with the 700+ UTQG rated tire if possible.

Today I went to talk to a local 40-years-in-biz tire guy who came recommended. He actually doesn't sell tires but makes a living installing tires bought online so he has no real skin in the game that way, which gives him more credibility. Anyways he basically trashed both those tires. His claim is that the squared shoulder of the Michelin will cause noise and cupping. Never was 100% clear about his beef with the Bridgestone.

He highly recommends the Cooper Discoverer SRX, which from what I read quite a few people complain of terrible road noise. THat'd be a deal-killer to me.

I've decided to buy from a guy down into the city where I've bought several times before as his prices are unbeatable and his service great. However thanks to YELP he is so busy now that he almost never can come to the phone, meaning to ask him questions I have to probably drive down there.

So where's all this going?

I'm actually not looking for recommendations, but rather a sanity check. Do I trust my research, or do I throw my faith in this guy I just met today? He did say a few other things about the 4R which made me think he doesn't know the truck that well (or maybe it's me?).

Still it's kind of hard to dismiss him, so yeah... I'd love to hear some reassurance that I am on the right track with those two choices. Maybe he's simply biased?

And, I guess if you have recent personal experience with either the Alenza Plus of the Defender LTX M/S I'd like to hear it. They seem like 2 very different tires despite similar numbers overall.

Any opinions or experience is appreciated, thanks.

Michelin LTX M/S, keep them at 35 psi...Best possible option...

 

[jayw]

OK so potential new wrench-in-the-works?

Maybe something I need not worry about but I just spoke to an off-road shop in my area, they send their alignments out BUT he warned me, the lower control arms could need to be replaced if the alignment bolts are frozen in.

Has this happened to anyone else? Also I've seen the alignment bolts, if they're rusted can't they just be cut out and replaced?

It's definitely putting the cart before the horse but this is the first I've heard of this. That would be an ugly twist to this tale for sure, he's talking costly repair if it's needed. And I have someone else do it (I could probably do it if needed)

 

[jayw]

OK so potential new wrench-in-the-works?

Maybe something I need not worry about but I just spoke to an off-road shop in my area, they send their alignments out BUT he warned me, the lower control arms could need to be replaced if the alignment bolts are frozen in.

Has this happened to anyone else? Also I've seen the alignment bolts, if they're rusted can't they just be cut out and replaced?

It's definitely putting the cart before the horse but this is the first I've heard of this. That would be an ugly twist to this tale for sure, he's talking costly repair if it's needed. And I have someone else do it (I could probably do it if needed)

OK so in all my tire readings I never saw any hint of this issue. A quick search reveals numerous reports, as you all know. It's not uncommon.

Today I went to my long-time trusted shop for an oil change. They don't do alignments but they do all repairs etc. The owner checked all cam bolts and reported they all move freely w/o any issues which is a relief.

The local off-road shop referred me to their alignment place, to me it seems clear THEY KNOW what's up, and the caster question didn't even raise an eyebrow. He knows the 4Runner well, and was the ONLY guy I talked to that didn't catch my mistake thinking I needed a 4 wheel alignment. My regular guy informed me it's 2 wheel, and this guy knew it w/o looking at the vehicle.

So, with any luck, I am on the right path...

Should I ask them to remove the cam bolts and put anti-seize on while they're at it? Hmmm.

 

[jayw]

Defender LTX M/S

 

[BigCountryT4R]

Defender LTX M/S

I've owned multiple defenders on my Camry and they have been the best tire I've owned for dry/wet/snow. Even in the snow/ice they feel like its almost dry too! I will no doubt get some for the 4runner when it's time.

 

[AGS92]

Defender LTX M/S

Great choice! I ran these on a Honda Pilot and agree with the previous poster that they provide amazing traction in all conditions--dry, wet, ice and snow. I'll be putting this on my wife's 2018 Limited when the factory Yokohamas wear out.

 

[JayceeP]

Late to the party but I have the Bridgestone Alenza Plus on my 20’s and I don’t really like them. They have also worn very fast. I just went through my 3rd summer with them and I’ll be lucky to get another one. I’m at 5/32. I only drive 20,000km/yr (12,000mi). I’ll be getting either the Geolanders (I got good fuel economy with those) or Michelin’s. I have 17” Michelin X-Ice xi2 as my winter tires and they are much quieter and offer better fuel economy than my Bridgestone’s. We also have several Michelin tire plants in Nova Scotia so I feel like I am buying local (regardless of whether the actual tire is made here).

Good call.

 

[jayw]

Late to the party but I have the Bridgestone Alenza Plus on my 20’s and I don’t really like them. They have also worn very fast. I just went through my 3rd summer with them and I’ll be lucky to get another one. I’m at 5/32. I only drive 20,000km/yr (12,000mi). I’ll be getting either the Geolanders (I got good fuel economy with those) or Michelin’s. I have 17” Michelin X-Ice xi2 as my winter tires and they are much quieter and offer better fuel economy than my Bridgestone’s. We also have several Michelin tire plants in Nova Scotia so I feel like I am buying local (regardless of whether the actual tire is made here).

Good call.

I did OK with the stock Geolandar G96, but just OK. They were OK in snow first 2 yrs. They've been iffy for a while. I'm holding out hope for these.

 

[jayw]

I've already noticed they do feel "stiff", which I am OK with. It's not a creamy ride vehicle, never was and never will be. It's a truck ride. Even the Limited.

 

[JayceeP]

I did OK with the stock Geolandar G96, but just OK. They were OK in snow first 2 yrs. They've been iffy for a while. I'm holding out hope for these.

Speaking of snow, the Alenza Plus are complete crap in snow and ice... both that you would expect from from an AS/AT tire. I got caught in an early wet/snowy/icy storm last year and it was absolutely awful.

 

[jayw]

Better photo