Need *practical* advice on tires/lift/wheels upgrade

[e46fan]

I have a 2006 T4R Limited 4WD 6Cyl Salsa Red on stock wheels/tires. They still have decent tread on them after 50k, but their all-weather performance has suffered greatly. I went out very carefully last night in 1-2" of fresh snow in 4WH and ended up in someone's front lawn. So I'm making it a priority to find a better solution to my winter/extreme weather problem.

I have searched and found some good threads discussing tires/lifts and they all have pretty pictures of rigs that I would love to have, but my problem is I am like most of you - a guy with a wife, 2 kids, and a mortgage and really can't budget $10k for sweet, sweet upgrades. I need a solution that will be practical, although I'm not sure what that looks like. Separate winter/summer tires? Year round AT that are more aggressive? That being said I have no problem with he stock wheels I have now. I will most likely do a lift in front, even small, just to get rid of the "nose-down" issue.

For more background info I live in STL, Missouri and don't do a whole lot off roading. The climate runs the spectrum, and we get maybe 8-10 days of rough (by midwest standards) snow driving, and lots of rain. This is primarily my wife's DD until we get a minivan in a couple years so would like it to be safe/comfortable. Honestly, I'm just sick of admitting that I've gotten stuck twice this winter in my "off-road" vehicle.


TIA to any advice and/or opinions!

-Derek

 

[chip4]

If your running the Bridgestone Dueler HT's I would go ahead and replace them with the Bridgestone Revo2 -they come highly recommended in this site and is popular upgrade to the original tires. Tirerack.com shows that the Revo2's wet and winter/snow ratings appear to be higher than the Dueler HT's Dry rating -thats pretty awesome.

 

[e46fan]

If your running the Bridgestone Dueler HT's I would go ahead and replace them with the Bridgestone Revo2 -they come highly recommended in this site and is popular upgrade to the original tires. Tirerack.com shows that the Revo2's wet and winter/snow ratings appear to be higher than the Dueler HT's Dry rating -thats pretty awesome.

Yeah I read about the Revo2s, that is some great insight though. Definitely puts them at the top of the list. Thanks!

-Derek

 

[chaz]

1/2 spacer up front,(for 1 in. of lift) & go to ATs year round, check out the goodyear wramgler with silent armor threads.

 

[e46fan]

1/2 spacer up front,(for 1 in. of lift) & go to ATs year round, check out the goodyear wramgler with silent armor threads.

Awesome, thanks chaz. Are the spacer installs difficult or is that something I would need to take to my shop. For reference I'm somewhat handy but not great at automotive work. I can change oil but usually don't.

-D

 

[audiqtr]

1/2 spacer up front,(for 1 in. of lift) & go to ATs year round, check out the goodyear wramgler with silent armor threads.

^^Agreed^^
Might even wanna go a size bigger (either Width or Sidewall).

 

[li_runner]

I think your right in line for a in-expensive spacer lift and a new set of all-season all-terrain tires. Each is partial to their own brands but many options exist that will keep you below $1500 for 4-5 tires & the lift.

A spacer lift can be done by yourself if so inclined, but if your not practiced it maybe worth it to have it done for you. The only statement I make is that if you do break something, you most likely just lost the money you would have saved. It is a task of 10-12hrs of decent work for one person (front & rear).

 

[Clemsonfan15]

This is an easy call. Spacer lift to level the 4runner. Then throw on some Revo 2s or Michelin LTXs. Go up a size if you desire.

 

[rdgt4r]

This is an easy call. Spacer lift to level the 4runner. Then throw on some Revo 2s or Michelin LTXs. Go up a size if you desire.

What Clemson said!

toytech.com
cornfedsuspension.com
daystar lifts

all for spacers and tires are so preferential so thats up to you just get a good A/T maybe 265 75 17 or 275 70 17 or stock whatever suits you.

 

[SecretAgent]

Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor all-terrains in the 255/75-17 size can be had for $109.00 each from tirerack.com and are a 32" tire. they'll fit stock suspension just fine, and will slightly raise the truck. i'd also recommend doing a spacer lift however to eliminate any mall-crawler look from the 4runner. lol

 

[e46fan]

Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor all-terrains in the 255/75-17 size can be had for $109.00 each from tirerack.com and are a 32" tire. they'll fit stock suspension just fine, and will slightly raise the truck. i'd also recommend doing a spacer lift however to eliminate any mall-crawler look from the 4runner. lol

My bad, stock on T4R Limited in 06 is 18". I looked at your price and about jumped for joy, until i realized the same tire in 18" was 180.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

Take a look at Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 tires... I've been looking for new tires and I don't think you can do better for the price. All the reviews were pretty good on discount tire.

 

[audiqtr]

On a somewhat related matter, does anyone use General Tire?
I was browsing Tirerack and they are one of the new tires with excellent reviews, great AT ratings and unbeatable price.

 

[Merle]

How much do you want to spend and how much time do you have?

First, tires. I prefer the Goodyear Silent Armor (GYSA) and they're excellent tires for the Sierra Nevada / Tahoe winters. I plow the driveway because a) I need to get into the garage and b) there's less snow in the garage. Otherwise I could ignore up to 2' of snow (and have). Tirerack.com with a place to mount the tires will do you well, upsize if you can to 32". The GYSA has an additional set of wear bars so you know when the "severe snow" rating is coming off.

Second, a front spacer lift is fairly cheap ($100) and can be done by yourself with a few tools ($50). However, you do need to add in the cost for an alignment ($75), so this does add up.

A winter tire at 1/2 tread life acts as an AT. The AT acts like a summer and a summer is totally worthless, even with chains/cables (BTDT w/ a G35 driving up Kingsbury Grade in NV during a snow storm).

 

[e46fan]

How much do you want to spend and how much time do you have?

First, tires. I prefer the Goodyear Silent Armor (GYSA) and they're excellent tires for the Sierra Nevada / Tahoe winters. I plow the driveway because a) I need to get into the garage and b) there's less snow in the garage. Otherwise I could ignore up to 2' of snow (and have). Tirerack.com with a place to mount the tires will do you well, upsize if you can to 32". The GYSA has an additional set of wear bars so you know when the "severe snow" rating is coming off.

Second, a front spacer lift is fairly cheap ($100) and can be done by yourself with a few tools ($50). However, you do need to add in the cost for an alignment ($75), so this does add up.

A winter tire at 1/2 tread life acts as an AT. The AT acts like a summer and a summer is totally worthless, even with chains/cables (BTDT w/ a G35 driving up Kingsbury Grade in NV during a snow storm).

Well, I would like to keep it close to $1000, but judging by my first look at prices it looks like it may be up to $1300-1500 with the spacer installed. I am not really handy with automotive DIY so I may just pay my shop to do it when they put the tires on, since they will have to align as well.

Another question I just thought of - are there any size considerations for my spare? I haven't looked underneath but assume it will fit under there. Might try to throw a powdercoat on the rims as well and that may jack it up a couple hundred.

-Derek

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Do you need to upsize tires? If not stay stock.

Do you go offroad? If not stay with a street tire to mildly aggressive tire. I still think the LTX or Revo 2 would suit you very well.

 

[Jed]

You sound like you'd be happy with my setup. I just lifted the front one inch with a simple Cornfed spacer kit (very inexpensive) and got a set of Discover ATR tires. Looks better with the lift and the nice tires, plus it's a beast in the snow. The ATRs are almost a hidden treasure when it comes to street-oriented all-terrain tires. I found out about them because a lot of plow guys use them on their pick-ups around here. I figured they must be on to something if they are all using them to plow snow, so I figured what the hell, I might as well try 'em out. Best tire decision ever. They are great all around tires and work really good in snow, 100 times better than the Dunlops that came on my 4Runner.

 

[Jed]

Here's a pic before I had them mounted

 

[DRich43]

Jed-Show us a side profile of the truck please!

Thanks and have a good night...

 

[Jed]

Jed-Show us a side profile of the truck please!

Thanks and have a good night...

Well, here's one I took in the snow today. It may be hard to tell in this picture, but the front has a 1" spacer lift and the tires are Discoverer ATRs.