Specific Tire situation recommendations

[Doc3g]

So, my commute situation is about to change, and I need to replace my tires in the next couple of weeks.

Current Setup:
- Tires: BF Goodrich KM3's (285/70R17)
- Wheels: Fuel D557 Anza (17x8.5 w/ -6mm offset)(4.45 backspacing)

I had the BFG's installed around the beginning of the pandemic, and they only have about 15k miles on them. The problem is that they are cupped.

They weren't rotated as often as they should have been, so maybe that was the cause. Otherwise, I had a new Toytec alumaseries lift installed w/ the tires and rims (shocks, coils, Upper control arm). Also had new OEM axles installed, new LBJ's, new OEM steering rack + a 4 wheel alignment performed by the best shop south of Houston. Hence, most of the typical culprits for cupping shouldn't have been an issue.

My commute is going to increase from 5k per year to ~15K per year, and I don't want to spend $1800 every year for tires. Hence, I'm looking for something that will hopefully wear a little better and have less road noise, but also that has the look of a protected sidewall as the KM3s have.

Suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Hey, you are a lucky one like me that you have a 4Runner that likes to cup tires. Try as I may, different tires, alignments, pressures, tire balancing and every other trick out there has not solved the issue. After they cup if I rotate them to the rear I usually get some bad tire vibrations so I leave them alone.

Getting an alignment done after a new set will definitely help make them last longer so keep doing that. It makes sure that they are not applying pressure to the outside edge of the tire. Another thing you can do is run a higher PSI in the tires but this didn't help me. I was running about 40 PSI in my tires (max 44 PSI) but it made the ride so harsh I ended up dropping the pressure anyway. Cupped tires are not the end of the world though. I have about 40,000 miles now on my cupped H/T tires but this is the last winter for them, too much sliding and loss of braking.

I'm not sure which part is worn out but I've done inner tie rods, steering rack, LBJ's, UBJ's, sway bar bushings, struts and coilovers and still it cups the edges of the front tires. I just live with it now.

 

[pluton]

I've been getting 50-60K miles (depending on your taste in near-bald tires) on BFG A/T KO2's, stock 265/70/16 size on stock 16x7 rims. Inflation about 32-33 front 34-36 rear.

 

[Pyral]

Never had a tire cupping issue thank god. For bettor or worse my suspension is all original (shocks, struts, springs, and bushings) and it doesn't seem to affect anything.

I don't believe that some vehicles simply wear unevenly, unless they were sold new that way something must have happened between then and now to cause it.

Your geometry must be off, did it wear unevenly before the lift? My parents had K02 on a Wrangler and despite not rotating the tires once in 40k miles the tires wore relatively evenly (they wore at different rates as you would expect, but a normal wear pattern).

If you cant find the culprit run some road tires on a different set of rims when you aren't going off road and swap your expensive rims/tires when you go wheeling. K03 are $$$.

 

[Romeo1]

Yeah, time for a second set of tires, or a commuter car. I had an 01' forester. It was awesome.

15k a year ain't bad. I was doing about 25-30k a year when I had to commute.

My vote would be an older commuter car. But a second set of tires and wheels would be a real viable option also.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Never had a tire cupping issue thank god. For bettor or worse my suspension is all original (shocks, struts, springs, and bushings) and it doesn't seem to affect anything.

I don't believe that some vehicles simply wear unevenly, unless they were sold new that way something must have happened between then and now to cause it.

Your geometry must be off, did it wear unevenly before the lift? My parents had K02 on a Wrangler and despite not rotating the tires once in 40k miles the tires wore relatively evenly (they wore at different rates as you would expect, but a normal wear pattern).

If you cant find the culprit run some road tires on a different set of rims when you aren't going off road and swap your expensive rims/tires when you go wheeling. K03 are $$$.

Yes I agree, something is off or broken but I cannot find what it is. It seems the OP has the same problem, whatever that mystery problem is. A second set of tires sounds like a good solution but also realize that many people buy K02 or other tires for the tread look and may not be satisfied with the look of an all-season tire or H/T. Swapping out the wheels isn't all that hard especially with an impact gun.

 

[twitchee2]

I get 65k in duratracs. Did have some cupping issues but that had to due with poor rotations and wornout lca bushings.

 

[Pyral]

Yes I agree, something is off or broken but I cannot find what it is. It seems the OP has the same problem, whatever that mystery problem is. A second set of tires sounds like a good solution but also realize that many people buy K02 or other tires for the tread look and may not be satisfied with the look of an all-season tire or H/T. Swapping out the wheels isn't all that hard especially with an impact gun.

Basically everything I'm about to say only matters if OP does go with a separate set of wheels. And for anyone reading this who doesn't already know: M/T = Mud Terrain tire ; A/T = All Terrain tire ; and H/T = Highway Terrain tire.

These days there are a lot of tires with the aggressive sidewall of M/T tires but a tread better suited to road use. The Trail Terrain looks like a K02 from the side but the tread is more suited to on road use. It's cheaper too.

If that wasn't to their fancy then buying a M/T tire from a less premium brand like Milestar or Iron Man is the next best option. Wont be as expensive as a premium brand.

Though for a second I want to point out the virtue of H/T tires because while a lot of us see the benefit of A/T or M/T tires off road, a lot of people don't dwell on the fact that the reverse is true. A H/T tire will always handle better and be safer on road than an A/T or M/T tire. So if you can run multiple sets of wheels, I'd seriously consider this because of safety. Though I understand why people don't want to put H/T on their 4runner.

 

[Bad Luck]

Kenda Klever AT2 have a fairly aggressive sidewall in my opinion. They are more of a hybrid tire than an all terrain. 4 NEW LT 285/70R17 Kenda Klever AT2 10 ply KR628 285 70 17 2857017 ALL TERRAIN | eBay

 

[Ripper238]

I get 65k in duratracs. Did have some cupping issues but that had to due with poor rotations and wornout lca bushings.

I have Duratracs on my 19 and think they are a great balance for on/off road. I have ~35k and maybe 1/3 worn. Great all around tire and no cupping.

 

[Doc3g]

Thanks for the recommendations. Some good options to parse through over the next few days.

 

[xcmtb83]

Hey, you are a lucky one like me that you have a 4Runner that likes to cup tires. Try as I may, different tires, alignments, pressures, tire balancing and every other trick out there has not solved the issue. After they cup if I rotate them to the rear I usually get some bad tire vibrations so I leave them alone.

Getting an alignment done after a new set will definitely help make them last longer so keep doing that. It makes sure that they are not applying pressure to the outside edge of the tire. Another thing you can do is run a higher PSI in the tires but this didn't help me. I was running about 40 PSI in my tires (max 44 PSI) but it made the ride so harsh I ended up dropping the pressure anyway. Cupped tires are not the end of the world though. I have about 40,000 miles now on my cupped H/T tires but this is the last winter for them, too much sliding and loss of braking.

I'm not sure which part is worn out but I've done inner tie rods, steering rack, LBJ's, UBJ's, sway bar bushings, struts and coilovers and still it cups the edges of the front tires. I just live with it now.

You aren't alone. Mine does the same thing. I plan to replace the control arm bushings with poly bushings very soon. I hope this helps. Have you ever replaced your control arm bushings to try and fix the abnormal tire wear?

 

[gamefreakgc]

You aren't alone. Mine does the same thing. I plan to replace the control arm bushings with poly bushings very soon. I hope this helps. Have you ever replaced your control arm bushings to try and fix the abnormal tire wear?

No, I've heard it's a real pain and not something I want to take on right now. I have my suspicions also that might be it as the adjustments are made right there which affects the geometry of the lower control arm. Maybe I'll have a bit more incentive after I do the rear control arm bushings.

 

[Unner]

I put 80k on a set of ST Maxx and they still had mileage left when I took them off, I was going a 5 tire rotation though. They're still in the garage actually, I could have probably got 100k out of those times.

Religious rotations is a big key to even tire wear. I do mine every 5k miles.