Snow tire question

[Cricoid]

I'd like to buy a dedicated wheel/snow tire set for my '06 Limited 4wd. I don't NEED them (I run BFG ATs and have never really had trouble), but being able to pop on true snows is attractive to me...I live in the sticks and have a job where I pretty much have to get to work no matter what. Questions:

1. I'm leaning towards 17 inch wheels, but should I consider 16s? What is the wheel diameter I need? I'm only familiar with my 18s.

2. For 17s, would 265/65 be an ok size for snow tires? I know skinnier is probably better, but I'd like to hear opinions on the optimum tire profile.

3. Any wheel recs? Leaning towards picking up some stock 17s from eBay or the like.

4. I'm not set on tires, but I've had Nokians on a Range Rover and a Porsche and really liked them. I'm looking for the best dedicated studless snow tires...don't really care about dry performance. Blizzaks vs Nokian?

Thanks for the help!

 

[kobresia]

If you go with 17 inchers, expect to pay around 20% more for otherwise identical tires, and also to have slimmer pickings as far as selection. I don't have any experience with 18s, but I'd guess it's about the same. Low profile tires are just generally more expensive and not all tire styles come in those sizes.

The 16 inchers are much more common across the board, prices are better, and so is the selection. Most tire selection utilities on websites will give you the stock tire options for a particular vehicle, that's how I usually have to remind myself what I need.

Disadvantages of getting a second set of wheels include the TPMS lights (either spend the money to get the sensors installed in the new set, or park next to your stack of summer tires), and if you get steel rims, the lug sizes & type are bound to be different.

I just put a Goodyear Ice WRT studless set on my 17" rims, no complaints so far. From what I experienced last week with a few miles of icy roads, they were somewhat comparable to the studded sets I'd used in previous years.

 

[ebg18t]

Personally in use Nokian on my vehicle that stays in snow country. I have been very happy with the Hakka R series when compared to the B-Stone Blizzak WS series I ran prior.

 

[WXman]

I noticed that you live in Kentucky. While we do occasionally get hammered here, most of our snowstorms are light (under 6") and my advice would be to keep your stock wheels and put a good modern AT tire on them. Cooper AT3, Toyo AT2, Hercules AT2, something along those lines. You'll never have a problem and you can run them year-round. That's what I'm doing.

 

[Cricoid]

Thank you for the recommendations. I was looking at some local 17 inch FJ rims on Craigslist...may hold off now and look at some 16s.

Yeah, I know KY isn't known for blizzards, but we got a few inches several times last year and I wasn't blown away by the BFG's snow performance. Seemed like when it was really cold they were pretty lousy honestly. I had the Nokians that aren't really even the hard core snow tires (WRGs?) on the wife's Land Rover and thought they were more sure footed than my A/Ts.

I live pretty far out and go in at weird hours..just looking for some more winter confidence in the ride.

 

[M1911]

I got a set of 17" FJ Cruiser take-off aluminum wheels. I run Nokian snow tires in the winter. Dedicated snow tires work better in snow and ice than AT tires.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Are your 18" wheels original wheels? The Sport has larger brakes and requires the 17" wheel to clear the calipers, on a limited like yours, I think that may have been an available option. So if you do have the larger brakes, you'd need 17" and larger wheels.

I love my yokohama Geolander winter tires. My local toyota club buddies who have those also love them. You're BFG AT may have been less than stellar in the cold because they freeze up pretty solid. Look for a tire with the mountain snowflake symbol. That rubber compound resists freezing to lower temps. BFG AT also now have certain sizes with the snowflake symbol. But something about the pattern makes them not too good

My buddy has some nokian in the 265 width on an FJ. He doesn't like them. I think the pattern is more ice tire. So in deep snow the thread fills up and you spin more. My yokos have lots of sipping but also spread out deep lugs. Plus mine is a 4Runner not a stinking FJ Cruiser... LOL...LOL...Goodyear Duratracs are also very good with the snowflake symbol.

On the flip side 2 other guys in my toyota club have skinny nokians and they love them. I think with nokian they are a great ice tire, but they need to be skinny to put the weight down and get traction, otherwise with the lack of deep lugs they float and you slip and slide around. I think i'd seen on the Nokian europe website they have an almost MT looking winter tire. Maybe the USA has those available, up in Canada we couldn't get them.

 

[Cricoid]

Are your 18" wheels original wheels? The Sport has larger brakes and requires the 17" wheel to clear the calipers, on a limited like yours, I think that may have been an available option. So if you do have the larger brakes, you'd need 17" and larger wheels.

Yes, my 18s are the originals. I browsed around a bit today, and it did seem like some 16s may not work with the Limited. I'm leaning towards 17s. Thought I had some 17 inch FJ wheels today, but local guy sold them:ybrick:

The search continues....

 

[CAM24]

I have a set of brand new Nokian hakkapeliitta winter tires in Cincinnati that you might be interested in. Never been mounted. They're for a 16 inch wheel. I would run them but want to keep my stock 17s.

 

[Casper421]

Have you considered 265/70/17 duratracs with studs? I've heard good things about them in the snow.

 

[Cricoid]

I have a set of brand new Nokian hakkapeliitta winter tires in Cincinnati that you might be interested in. Never been mounted. They're for a 16 inch wheel. I would run them but want to keep my stock 17s.

If they were 17s, I'd pick them up tomorrow! Thanks though.