Need help deciding on a tire.

[Flava Flav]

So the title says it all. I'm at the point of needing to replace my stock tires soon. I've got about 52k on them now. (Pretty good IMO). I've been reading up on how some people have been going with the Michelin and Coopers. Great tires but I'm not quite sure of my need for tires that aggressive. For my needs, I do about 90% pavement and the other 10% is just when I care to have a bit of fun. Here's what's slowing me down on pulling the trigger. I'm a southern boy living in New England now. The stockers actually did a great job getting me through two snow seasons and the little off roading that I did. Either way, I just want something that won't compromise mpg, has good ride quality, quiet and can handle light off roading. Thanks in advance for the suggestions. Also, if anyone can recommend a good place/website for the tires. TIA!

 

[Bearded_Runner]

Nitto Terra Grappler is the way I would go

 

[03_4x4Runner]

It sounds to me like you need to replace them with exactly what you have now. Why change if you are happy with what you have.

 

[Bad_Influence]

since you don't want to lose any mpg, make sure you are aware of how much the stock tires weigh when they are new, and then find an h/t tire that weighs the same as your original. Anything heavier will likely cause mpg to go down. I would like to recommend a "p-metric" a/t tire, but they will never match the mpg of the stock "all-season" highway tires.

Also, do you drive an sr5, LE or trail? This would make it easier to help you out btw.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

It sounds to me like you need to replace them with exactly what you have now. Why change if you are happy with what you have.

Yep, sounds like you know what you want!

But I'd just recommend Duratracs. Not too bad on MPG, not terribly loud, and plenty tough for when you want to have fun.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

So the title says it all. I'm at the point of needing to replace my stock tires soon. I've got about 52k on them now. (Pretty good IMO). I've been reading up on how some people have been going with the Michelin and Coopers. Great tires but I'm not quite sure of my need for tires that aggressive. For my needs, I do about 90% pavement and the other 10% is just when I care to have a bit of fun. Here's what's slowing me down on pulling the trigger. I'm a southern boy living in New England now. The stockers actually did a great job getting me through two snow seasons and the little off roading that I did. Either way, I just want something that won't compromise mpg, has good ride quality, quiet and can handle light off roading. Thanks in advance for the suggestions. Also, if anyone can recommend a good place/website for the tires. TIA!

You've gotten good advice based on your needs and comments. I'd stick with what you have.

 

[kaatahdin]

Tires

You've gotten good advice based on your needs and comments. I'd stick with what you have.

Just got my duratracs yesterday and love them, much cooler looking that the standard BFG KOs I normally buy (don't know about performance yet). I do have a little girly Prius for commuting so gas isn't an issue for me.

Good websites for whatever you choose:
-discounttiredirect.com & their eBay store
-Costco or Sam's Club, if your stick with stock size
(same price as discount, free road-hazard)

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Just got my duratracs yesterday and love them, much cooler looking that the standard BFG KOs I normally buy (don't know about performance yet). I do have a little girly Prius for commuting so gas isn't an issue for me.

Good websites for whatever you choose:
-discounttiredirect.com & their eBay store
-Costco or Sam's Club, if your stick with stock size
(same price as discount, free road-hazard)

Wheel them (in the same places you did your BFG's) and let us know how they are compared to the BFG's since you've had both. I don't pay much attention to the folks that say yeah they look great, blah, blah, but they don't wheel them nor have a basis for comparison. Yes, looks matter, but not nearly as much as performance and getting us there and home again.

Frankly owning a Prius is smart. It's a very high tech vehicle that saves you money (smart) and you use it for what it's designed for (smart) so you can do MORE (smart) in your 4Runner. What the heck is wrong with that? Nothing. I own 2 Toyota hybrids besides the 4Runner.

 

[Flava Flav]

Hey guys, thanks to everyone who gave some input. Sry about the delayed response, work travel had me tied up. Again, I gotta say that what I'm primarily after is comfort while driving on the hwy but yet assurance of capability. Did a little more research and I've narrowed it down to two...Stockers vs Cooper Discover AT III.

To anyone that has/have these tires (Coopers), can anyone of you give me some feedback to the caparison in regards to road noise and/or mpg gain/loss?

It sounds to me like you need to replace them with exactly what you have now. Why change if you are happy with what you have.

Very true, which is why the stockers are still in the race. Part of me is wondering if they really are as good as they were in the New England snow conditions b/c they're that good or if its b/c I wore them in well enough before the snow got here or if it was just luck that I didn't get stuck.

since you don't want to lose any mpg, make sure you are aware of how much the stock tires weigh...Also, do you drive an sr5, LE or trail? This would make it easier to help you out btw.

Great advice, thanks. I will look into that and take that into consideration. I'm driving an sR5. My only other concern with the tires I chose is that my rig is 4x2. I say this only b/c NE weather during the winter is hit or miss. The weather pple here are always wrong. Either they always over predict or under predict the weather.

 

[sn_85]

Hey guys, thanks to everyone who gave some input. Sry about the delayed response, work travel had me tied up. Again, I gotta say that what I'm primarily after is comfort while driving on the hwy but yet assurance of capability. Did a little more research and I've narrowed it down to two...Stockers vs Cooper Discover AT III.

To anyone that has/have these tires (Coopers), can anyone of you give me some feedback to the caparison in regards to road noise and/or mpg gain/loss?

I don't have the AT3's but here's a thread with a lot of comments about them. It's seems everyone is pretty happy with their performance, noise, and little to no effect on MPG. They don't look as aggressive as some of the other tires but all indications say that they perform extremely well. I could only imagine that they would be a big improvement over the stock tires.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html

 

[rick.deckard]

Hey guys, thanks to everyone who gave some input. Sry about the delayed response, work travel had me tied up. Again, I gotta say that what I'm primarily after is comfort while driving on the hwy but yet assurance of capability. Did a little more research and I've narrowed it down to two...Stockers vs Cooper Discover AT III.

To anyone that has/have these tires (Coopers), can anyone of you give me some feedback to the caparison in regards to road noise and/or mpg gain/loss?

[snip]

I've had the Cooper Discoverer AT/3s on for a couple thousand miles now. Load Range C. I've become acquainted with them on a drive down from Minnesota to Ouray for the FJ Summit. Nice tire on the highway. Yeah, they're a little noisier and less plush than the OEM tire. I'm guessing I lost between .5 - 1 mpg. Handled great during a downpour where, I might, have been going more than the posted 75mph speed limit. Nice trail tire, but I'm not doing any rock crawling.

I'm happy with the purchase. And I prefer them over the Firestone Destination A/Ts I had. If I were you, and I'm not, I'd stick with the OEM tires. People in the forum will slag on them all day long, but Toyota chose them for a reason.

 

[p_j_o]

Nitto Terra Grappler is the way I would go

I gotta second this... not to aggressive and one of the quietest tires around :thumb:

 

[thelouv]

Can I just throw something in, knowing you have it down to 2?
Took the stock tires off and replaced with these. 1000 miles now and the wife has no complaints at all. I could not tell a ride or sound difference when I pulled the stock wheel & tire set off and bolted these on. Dunno a thing about mpg.

 

[tarpon6]

Can I just throw something in, knowing you have it down to 2?
Took the stock tires off and replaced with these. 1000 miles now and the wife has no complaints at all. I could not tell a ride or sound difference when I pulled the stock wheel & tire set off and bolted these on. Dunno a thing about mpg.

:lasercannon: Quit showing me these wheels!! Your going to make me break down and get them. I really like that wheel and tire together. BFG rebate just ended, hopefully another will start soon.

 

[Stifler]

PMetric Nitto TG is what I run, cant complain. Look aggressive, handle well and are quiet. Last set I had on my Tundra lasted 60k

 

[ant-ny]

PMetric Nitto TG is what I run, cant complain. Look aggressive, handle well and are quiet. Last set I had on my Tundra lasted 60k

^^These are really nice. I got the Nitto Dura Grappler, which are a little less aggressive. I went back and forth on deciding between the two, but NTB was running a special on the Dura Grapplers and it was around $650 for all 4, installed. I am very happy with them as they are quiet, provide a good comfortable ride, I don't see any decrease in my MPG's, and I like the way they look. You seem to be about like me in the 90% on pavement, 10% off. I also read very good reviews that they lasted 60K miles +. They were also very good in the snow.