New Falken AT tire (A/T3W)
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rtinniste
New member
lt285/70r17 on method NV's
Ride is surprisingly smooth for a load range E noticed a shake in the steering wheel before adding hub centric rings still has very very faint shimmy over certain roads. I was going to rotate the rears to the front maybe they aren't balanced perfect to see if it changes. Then have the tire shop re-balance and check my alignment since I have 3 wheeling trips on the last alignment.
Tires ride just as quiet and smooth as my stock dunlops, less sidewall roll around corners now its not even noticeable that I don't have a front sway bar.
They do seem to pick up rocks easy just from turning off on the shoulder coming home from the tire shop had a rock stuck in there for about a half mile. 35 psi seems to be the sweet spot for me the tire shop had them aired up to almost 50 psi. Power did decrease slightly not by much and my mileage is 16.8 city per computer without compensating for tires freeway is unknown yet.
I have to drive 120 miles to work Saturday and I'll probably go wheeling at a couple local spots Sunday. So I'll update with how they do on the freeway and aired down offroad.
So far I really like them I couldn't chance going with a P series and risk a puncture especially with most the trails I run and being in the desert every weekend.
Its also crazy how aggressive these tires look in person they make my 35" yokohama geolander a/t-s on my dodge look like a street tire.
<a href="http://s376.photobucket.com/user/rtinniste/media/IMG_1475_zpsaydy9vpl.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo206/rtinniste/IMG_1475_zpsaydy9vpl.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1475_zpsaydy9vpl.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s376.photobucket.com/user/rtinniste/media/IMG_1478_zpsyz12kozm.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo206/rtinniste/IMG_1478_zpsyz12kozm.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1478_zpsyz12kozm.jpg"/></a>
Ride is surprisingly smooth for a load range E noticed a shake in the steering wheel before adding hub centric rings still has very very faint shimmy over certain roads. I was going to rotate the rears to the front maybe they aren't balanced perfect to see if it changes. Then have the tire shop re-balance and check my alignment since I have 3 wheeling trips on the last alignment.
Tires ride just as quiet and smooth as my stock dunlops, less sidewall roll around corners now its not even noticeable that I don't have a front sway bar.
They do seem to pick up rocks easy just from turning off on the shoulder coming home from the tire shop had a rock stuck in there for about a half mile. 35 psi seems to be the sweet spot for me the tire shop had them aired up to almost 50 psi. Power did decrease slightly not by much and my mileage is 16.8 city per computer without compensating for tires freeway is unknown yet.
I have to drive 120 miles to work Saturday and I'll probably go wheeling at a couple local spots Sunday. So I'll update with how they do on the freeway and aired down offroad.
So far I really like them I couldn't chance going with a P series and risk a puncture especially with most the trails I run and being in the desert every weekend.
Its also crazy how aggressive these tires look in person they make my 35" yokohama geolander a/t-s on my dodge look like a street tire.
<a href="http://s376.photobucket.com/user/rtinniste/media/IMG_1475_zpsaydy9vpl.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo206/rtinniste/IMG_1475_zpsaydy9vpl.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1475_zpsaydy9vpl.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s376.photobucket.com/user/rtinniste/media/IMG_1478_zpsyz12kozm.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo206/rtinniste/IMG_1478_zpsyz12kozm.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1478_zpsyz12kozm.jpg"/></a>
rshawiii
New member
Have new TEP coming this weekend or early next week. Want to swap out the stock tires for these A/T3W's in stock size 265/70. Read pretty much everything on this thread and it seems that there is little info on the real trade offs between the LT and P for this application. Discount Direct shows the LT at $165 and the P at $140. Email to Falken not answered.
Our T4R will do duty in the san juans of SW colorado as well as in summit county as well as burn up highway between there and Houston, until I can get to the mountains on a more full time basis. It will get to pull max towing or more from time to time. Offroading for us is about getting into the backcountry to hike, snowshoe, smell flowers, etc. The offroad 4wd stuff in the San Juans such as the alpine loop are typical. I'm not interested in rock crawling or seeing if I can get stuck in sand or mud. It will get to run the alpine loop and other backcountry roads in SW colorado. It may occasionally take us to buddy's place in NM that has spikey plants such as mesquite.
A buddy who builds and runs drift cars and has done some "Baja"-ish offroad stuff in SoCAL thinks the LT's are overkill. Will ride harsher on blacktop, worse mileage esp. in city, etc.
From what I can see here and on the Falken site, and other experience with snow-flake symbol tires, these are THE tire to put on a T4R that is going to take you into bad/snowy/icy conditions.
the ???? is which one P or LT?
Our T4R will do duty in the san juans of SW colorado as well as in summit county as well as burn up highway between there and Houston, until I can get to the mountains on a more full time basis. It will get to pull max towing or more from time to time. Offroading for us is about getting into the backcountry to hike, snowshoe, smell flowers, etc. The offroad 4wd stuff in the San Juans such as the alpine loop are typical. I'm not interested in rock crawling or seeing if I can get stuck in sand or mud. It will get to run the alpine loop and other backcountry roads in SW colorado. It may occasionally take us to buddy's place in NM that has spikey plants such as mesquite.
A buddy who builds and runs drift cars and has done some "Baja"-ish offroad stuff in SoCAL thinks the LT's are overkill. Will ride harsher on blacktop, worse mileage esp. in city, etc.
From what I can see here and on the Falken site, and other experience with snow-flake symbol tires, these are THE tire to put on a T4R that is going to take you into bad/snowy/icy conditions.
the ???? is which one P or LT?
NinjaOne
New member
I am switching my P rated ones to LT within the next week (being delivered today) I will let you know how I feel ride comfort/noise changes. I love my Falkens, only switching because I wanted 285s for the extra ground clearance (and I'll admit it, looks
) and LT for the extra durability when off-roading in the mountains. Already sold my P-rated ones and $150 in rebates, so not a huge cost impact for me to switch =) These are snow rated, but I've only seen a couple real world reviews of these in snow (favorable). I'm interested to see how these do in snow/ice from more people.
NinjaOne
New member
sport2004
Member
Good show!
Anybody have an opinion on snow performance with either the P or LT...?
Edit: Just searched the thread...
rshawiii
New member
I would think snow performance is going to be pretty much the same. They both should have the mountain/snowflake symbol, which says they pass whatever standards the tire/rubber industry has for snow/cold performance.
I have pretty much decided on the P instead of the LT. Friends that race or have offroad experience think they are overkill. The LT is an E rated tire, and intended for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks/vans that are going to carrying lots of load, like up to 12,000 lbs for the whole vehicle and cargo. The racer friend says they won't air down properly with the weight the 4runner is going to put on them, should I want/need to do that.
Still waiting on the TEP. supposed to arrive at port on 11/18 and dealer sez it should get to their location quickly because we are adding no port installed options. I have a VIN number though !!! whoopie !!!!
I have pretty much decided on the P instead of the LT. Friends that race or have offroad experience think they are overkill. The LT is an E rated tire, and intended for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks/vans that are going to carrying lots of load, like up to 12,000 lbs for the whole vehicle and cargo. The racer friend says they won't air down properly with the weight the 4runner is going to put on them, should I want/need to do that.
Still waiting on the TEP. supposed to arrive at port on 11/18 and dealer sez it should get to their location quickly because we are adding no port installed options. I have a VIN number though !!! whoopie !!!!
Good call, the P is more than enough for a lot of members on here. Also, the Falken site indicates only the P rated has the silica tread compound, which is what makes this tire softer in the winter snow compared to the all rubber BFG KO2s.
WILDPEAK A/T3W TIRE | Falken Tire
SILICA TREAD COMPOUND
delivers superior wear life and wet performance (non‐LT sizes).
EvoRunner
New member
Thanks for this. Just ordered a set of P 265's for my TE. In bad need of tires and these look great, especially for the price.
Ther00ster
New member
Anyone run these in sand?
zefram47
New member
Got to experience snow last night, driving across Denver to get to the airport. Note, I've never experienced snow in a vehicle this heavy before, let alone a 4Runner. However, I'd say they feel more like a traditional all-season tire in the light snow/slush that was on the roads. Acceleration wasn't a huge problem, but braking performance was absolutely terrible. I'm now left wondering if I should spend the money on a set of General Grabber Arctics for my stock wheels for on-road winter use. That all said, I made it to the airport and back without incident, but they weren't as confidence inspiring as some cheap Hankook winter tires I had on my STi before. I was still passing many people on the highway at 40-50 mph, which still allowed reasonable stopping distances. Driving in 2WD was much worse than expected...ass-end would get loose with any throttle and it didn't brake straight. Threw it in 4WD and everything improved, just had to watch sharp turns. I'm sure the real performance difference would be in deep snow, which I haven't seen yet, but will in the coming months.
mattyrides07
New member
No offense, but you said it yourself- you don't have the experience driving in snowy conditions with this vehicle so don't get ahead of yourself. It's called 4-wheel DRIVE and not 4-wheel stop. Your braking issue is you and not these tires. And comparing sliding around in 2WD versus an AWD Subaru... How's that even a comparison?!Again, it's you and not the tires.
/// BREAK ///
The AT3W's do hold onto small pebbles. So if you're Wheeling fire roads and what not, be prepared to hear the rocks on the drive home. I have NOT tried these in mud. But in snow they handle superbly; in ice I stick to the ground with the 4WD; and these tires allow the truck to be predictable in various weather conditions. The tires are SILENT on the highway and roads. I will buy these again and recommend these to anyone looking for a well-rounded AT tire that is not doing their majority of Wheeling in sharp rocks and mud.
zefram47
New member
Wow dude...just wow... Compared to actual winter tires, there was far more sliding/ABS action than there should've been...that's on the tires, regardless of the vehicle. Have you ever driven on actual winter tires before, not just an AT that happens to have a mountain snowflake symbol?
rshawiii
New member
Ok, just got my TEP today and need to be making a decision on these pretty quick.
can you guys that have snow and maybe some icy conditions figure this out????
Looks like we'll have the AC going for thanksgiving down here in Houston.
having a hard time believing that falken would be advertising a product in womens magazines featuring hot surfer chicks that doesn't actually work as advertised. LOL.
FALKEN TIRES INTRODUCES NEW ?GRIP THE MOMENT? ATHLETE PRO-SURFER MALIA MANUEL | Falken Tire
can you guys that have snow and maybe some icy conditions figure this out????
Looks like we'll have the AC going for thanksgiving down here in Houston.
having a hard time believing that falken would be advertising a product in womens magazines featuring hot surfer chicks that doesn't actually work as advertised. LOL.
FALKEN TIRES INTRODUCES NEW ?GRIP THE MOMENT? ATHLETE PRO-SURFER MALIA MANUEL | Falken Tire
DKFTPNYC
New member
Had the LT at 45psi per Falken's recommendation (actually called for 50psi if I wanted the same max load rating as the stock tires) and I thought they didn't ride that bad. But then, I put my stock wheels back on last weekend, with P-metric Firestone Winterforce tires in the stock size, and realized how much stiffer the LT's were. When I switch back to the wheels with the AT3s in the spring, I may try to lower it to 42psi to see if that smooths things out enough.
rshawiii
New member
I believe you posted that you are running LT's. ??? At what pressure ? The door panel lists 32 PSI for the stock tire. So could it be that running at heavy duty stiff tire at higher pressure on a vehicle that is too light is keeping the contact patch from being proper formed?
See this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clSC7APitaQ&feature=youtu.be
zefram47
New member
That could be part of it...still playing with pressures. When I had it off the ground to put skids on last night I noticed that the outer tread blocks aren't making as much contact as they should. I'm at 40 psi, where Falken had told me 48 which I figured was way to high. I think I'm going to drop down to 36 and go back up from there, as DT had originally filled to 38.
mattyrides07
New member
Zefram,
Seriously I'm NOT wanting to argue with you. But I will address your statements/questions:
Goodyear Silent armor- '98 Pathfinder
Goodyear Duratrac- '08 FJ & (currently using) on our '10 T4R
Dunlop AT- '13 TE
Blizzak- Volo V70R, '12 STi
Hankook I-pikes- '12 STi
Hankook Dynapro(?)-'08 FJ
Faulken Wildpeak AT3W- (currently using) on my '13 TE
Also, fun fact- that "mountain snowflake symbol" is QUITE LITERALLY a winter tire: LMGTFY - Let Me Google That For You
Seriously I'm NOT wanting to argue with you. But I will address your statements/questions:
I'm not sure how you can possibly qualify this statement when you yourself stated your one and ONLY experience driving in winter conditions (also as you stated, "with a vehicle that heavy before") was done on the Falken. You have nothing tangible to compare "actual winter tires" handling in similar conditions as with your one winter experience on the Falken.
What I've used in winter (From the tires I remember... There were more):
Goodyear Silent armor- '98 Pathfinder
Goodyear Duratrac- '08 FJ & (currently using) on our '10 T4R
Dunlop AT- '13 TE
Blizzak- Volo V70R, '12 STi
Hankook I-pikes- '12 STi
Hankook Dynapro(?)-'08 FJ
Faulken Wildpeak AT3W- (currently using) on my '13 TE
Also, fun fact- that "mountain snowflake symbol" is QUITE LITERALLY a winter tire: LMGTFY - Let Me Google That For You
mattyrides07
New member
I too think Falken's recommendation is too high. I started with 50PSI (way too much) and 34 (way to soft)... These are my limits. I'm now playing with several different PSIs and calculating MPG & ride quality. Currently, I'm really liking the MPG & ride quality of 40PSI. (*NOTE- I have additional weight of 45 lbs bike rack in the rear, ~ 25lbs roof basket, and ICON suspension)
