Nitto Terra or BFG ATs?

[tenguns]

Need to get tires now for my 09 Limited. Running Corn 3/2 and wanted to get into a 32"+ tire. I've just picked up 4 used 17" wheels off a 06 taco - so I'll load those up with the new tires.

My choices are a Nitto Terra 235/80/17 or a BFG AT in comperable size although not available in the narrow width.

Know that the Nitto is an E rated tire and frankly probably don't need that - but it is a skinny AT and that's what I was looking for. Only wish it was closer to 33" then 32.

I've always run BFG ATs or Cooper STTs so is it worth the risk with the Nitto's or should I stick with the BFG ATs?

My use is a significant amount of serious 4xin with some mud & snow (I hope next couple weeks in Wyoming). Some rockn & dry stuff too.

Thoughts?

I'm doing a significant amount of road warrior stuff when forced to work and I see there are mixed reviews on the Terra's - but as an AT will they stand up like the BFGs?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Need to get tires now for my 09 Limited. Running Corn 3/2 and wanted to get into a 32"+ tire. I've just picked up 4 used 17" wheels off a 06 taco - so I'll load those up with the new tires.

My choices are a Nitto Terra 235/80/17 or a BFG AT in comperable size although not available in the narrow width.

Know that the Nitto is an E rated tire and frankly probably don't need that - but it is a skinny AT and that's what I was looking for. Only wish it was closer to 33" then 32.

I've always run BFG ATs or Cooper STTs so is it worth the risk with the Nitto's or should I stick with the BFG ATs?

My use is a significant amount of serious 4xin with some mud & snow (I hope next couple weeks in Wyoming). Some rockn & dry stuff too.

Thoughts?

I'm doing a significant amount of

My thoughts are a bitfftopic:

What about the Toyo Open country A/T in the 255/75/17 size? It's the 'sister' tire to the Nitto. That's what I'll be doing; looking for my 255/75/17 options besides the BFG M/T. (Nothing wrong with the BFG M/T, it's just not for me.) http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/open-country-at
:cheers:

 

[Thai]

Between those two tires and with YOUR needs, BFG AT KO is a clear winner. And if you plan on airing down, it should be a no brainer between those two tires.

 

[JohnsD90]

NITTO's 100%, i had them in winter and i never ever lost a bit of traction in 6-10 inches of snow and they are great offroad, quiet, and good on gas milage.

 

[tenguns]

Nitto's will be in tomorrow so I can look at them. The BFGs have always been my standby - but may take a chance with the Nitto's. Ran a set of the toyo's on my 96 Forerunner and were okay. But leaving for Wyoming Monday so will have to do something tomorrow or Monday morning. Its down to the BFGs or Nitto's based on availability.

Thanks for the input. Sure wish they were true 32 plus but maybe I'll have room for chains if needed. Hoping that 235 width runs okay on the wheels. I'll post some pics before I leave one way or another.

 

[tenguns]

Okay - we're gettin some place now. Starting to not resemble the old grocery getter. 235/80-17 Terra Grappler's & some spray paint.:biggrin2:

Sure are skinny - and with only 20 miles on them - I'm feeling good. 3000 mile trip is next up. Thanks for your input!

 

[crawlerjunkie]

Ive never been a fan of the blacked out wheels, but seeing them on these yota's is changing my mind real quick. looks good.

 

[K.C.]

tenguns,

Did I read this right...you got P235/80R17

Can you please educate me why you chose a narrow tire?

...off topic...

Be sure to sell your 18" Limited wheels...it seems to be popular on this forum.

 

[tenguns]

tenguns,

Did I read this right...you got P235/80R17

Can you please educate me why you chose a narrow tire?

...off topic...

Be sure to sell your 18" Limited wheels...it seems to be popular on this forum.

Sure. I'm into function - not looks.

Don't get me wrong. If I had the dollars then I'd have popped for my first choice aftermarket wheels but economically I had to do the short term upgrades cheap. Then again the wheels I wanted came in a 17x9 in their smallest size.... and that would have limited my ability to go as skinny as I did I think? In a perfect world - the tire would be an inch taller or more (a 32.7"r) but best I could do. This would give me a little more clearance and would still leave room for chains maybe if I get in too deep.

Anyway - for my applications which typically involve severe angles (even with an IFS truck), rock, mud, snow...etc... on a daily driver.... skinny means more traction in almost every case.

Ever see fat tires on a tractor? I know they aren't pretty - but I don't care. My personal experience is that the skinny tires cut through to the hard stuff better then the wider variety. And while that's been argued at times - the science / math regarding peen pressure "applies" specifically better to tread patterns that are more narrow.

Then there is the cost associated with tires because they carry huge reocurring & operational cost....

Even though most put 100% of the rolling resistance on tire hight - (including the tire shops)... I think about how hard it is to peddal a mountain bike with fat short tires and then switch to a bike as used in the Tour de France with tall skinny tires. Friction ratio's isn't hard to figure that way... and I don't ride bicycles much anymore...

Maybe a half mile a gallon better gas milage then a 255 or 265 tire is not realistic - but we'll have to see. Wyoming & back will be the testing ground.

So from my perspective - tall & skinny are better for true 4x4ing, better from a road friction standpoint and probably better during the dreaded daily driver duty. And it works for me! :naughty:

I'm selling the 18s but think the mrs wants me to put them on her 98. Probably a good idea. A practicallity battle is inevitable. What are they going for. Looks like $550 or so locally for the set?

 

[tenguns]

Sliders, belly armor, winch and bumper are next when i can afford it.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If you spend most of your time on the street and deal with inclement weather but do off road more than a few times a year the Nittos are a solid choice but if you truly off road regularly the BFGs have a slight edge in sidewall durability but then again I've just about exhausted my first set of Nittos after 4 years and almost 50k miles and on and off road (8-12 times a year except this year) and I really have no complaints. Very solid AT timre in the rain and snow.

I'm flip flopping right now between another set of Nittos (and they now have a 50k warranty) or the new GY Duratracs.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

They look great to me! I like 'em tall and thin:bigok:


What pressure are you running? Sidewall flex; do you notice it much?
:cheers:

 

[tenguns]

I haven't checked yet on the pressure. I'll see the nitrogen reading and adjust as I'm leaving town. Probably run them pretty firm on the way up there. They are an E rated tire - so sidewalls are pretty stiff - but the forerunner is like a formula car next to my titan with 35"s on it!!! so sidewall play might be negligable on my guage.

I couldn't afford the bfgs - ...the nitto's were quite a bit cheaper and skinnier too.

Well see... I like the look too! Need a couple thousand miles on them to comment on ride. Supposed to rain wed / thursday - so we'll test the mud factor then.

 

[JB.]

I haven't checked yet on the pressure... Probably run them pretty firm on the way up there.

Tires look good. I hadn't given that size any consideration until you mentioned snow chains. Being able to slap them on more easily is an appealing thought.

For reference, 45psi would match the Original Equipment tire load/inflation relationship. If you have any interest in staying in the ballpark of typical Original Equipment load reserve, mid to high 30s would be a minimum for normal city/highway. 40s or 50s for long highway runs.

 

[4Runner8]

nitto's!!!!

 

[tenguns]

Back from Wyoming. Nitto's ran great. I seemed to get the same or better gas milage by 1 mpg then my stock wheel tire combo!!! "THINNER"!!!

More importanty - I was in an area where every vehicle I saw had chains on except for one other 3rd gen 4runner with 33" mudders and ATVs in every flavor.

I couldn't be happier with the tires performance. Never got close to getting stuck - and the guys with the chains and the mudders were sliding just like me. Basically - when the mud holes and tire channels are that deep - they're in the same sitcom as me from what I saw. That gravity thing.

On the road - with a full load of gear - I thought I noticed some sidewall flex -but seemed to disappear after I put a couple hundred miles on them...

I had the wheels and tires put on at Big Brand. Then after about 60 miles around town left - and not more then 30 minutes into an 1100 mile drive the tire indicator in the dash came on. Any ideas? It stayed on for the duration of the trip and... now that I'm back at sea-level - the damn thing is off when I jump in the truck for work this morning??

I have to find the suspension noise - an annoying rattle every-time the front passenger tire hits a bump where there is a drop in the suspension. Driving me crazy. Something to do with the Cornfed 3/2 I put in.

I'll post some pics tonight of the rig in camp - but can tell you now - after over 2600 miles, mud were no match for the Nitto's and they run great on the road.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

.
I had the wheels and tires put on at Big Brand. Then after about 60 miles around town left - and not more then 30 minutes into an 1100 mile drive the tire indicator in the dash came on. Any ideas? It stayed on for the duration of the trip and... now that I'm back at sea-level - the damn thing is off when I jump in the truck for work this morning??

Great report!:bigok:


What pressure did you run?



Was it cool enough in WY to make the spare fall just below the 'low-pressure' threshold turning the light on?

:cheers:

 

[4Runner8]

hahahahahaha...
:worthless

 

[tenguns]

Great report!:bigok:


What pressure did you run?



Was it cool enough in WY to make the spare fall just below the 'low-pressure' threshold turning the light on?

:cheers:

I'd think since I was only a few miles away and still at sea level when the light came on - maybe the increased tire pressure in the new tires - from the heat being run maybe made the difference. I wasn't sure if the spare even had a sensor - but guess it does. I'll lower the tire and see how far off it is. I was running the 4 Nitto's at 44lbs. Don't know what the difference has to be to set it off.

Camp

Its going to be cold this morning: 9 degrees

Nice drive - while the ground is frozen!

Neighbors

It was a good trip - but the tire sensor light on - and the maintenence light on as I arrived at camp 1100 miles from home - it wasnt' without stress. Also have developed the rattle with the Cornfed install. I'll find that first- then I'll get back to the tire issue.

 

[4Runner8]

i love your black runner