Swapping stock tires - What do you recommend? (I know I know "search is your friend")

[DEKA3]

Swapping stock tires - What do you recommend? (I know I know "search is your friend")

I know that the tire subject has been discussed to death on this forum. But I haven't found anyone with my driving specs to have reviewed any tires on here, so here goes. I have been looking to swap out my stock DONElops since I got the truck, and after doing months of searching on this site, and google searches, I have narrowed it down to 4. Keep in mind...stock height, stock rims and I average about 14 mpg now with the stocks.
My driving is as follows: 20% highway, 70% city and 10% light offroading. Being in NYC, I get a variety of weather, from 25 inches of snow with 4 inches of ice, to 100 degree summers, and some minor flooding in between.

My choices are as follows:
1- General Grabber AT2
2- GY S/A
3- GY Duratrac
4- Michelin LTX A/T 2

With 2 kids that are chauffeured to their games once in a while, what do you think will be the safest and best looking choice for me?

Thanks in advance for not flaming me!

 

[beamer4prez]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...cheap-tire-upgrade-lots-available-supply.html

 

[DEKA3]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...cheap-tire-upgrade-lots-available-supply.html

Thanks for the quick reply. I had already read that, and was worried that the size difference (about half inch) might make my MPG's even worse. I am not an expert or anything, so any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[mtbnole]

I would check the weight of the tires you are looking at, those goodyears are 44lbs a piece, compared to the stockers at 39. checkout this thread. lots of answers to your questions here, maybe:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/86844-best-all-around-tire.html

 

[beamer4prez]

Thanks for the quick reply. I had already read that, and was worried that the size difference (about half inch) might make my MPG's even worse. I am not an expert or anything, so any feedback would be appreciated.

I haven't seen any difference since I put them on. In fact, the mpg may have actually gone up a little bit. (Of course that could be due to better inflation of the tires and more highway miles) Haha.

 

[DEKA3]

I would check the weight of the tires you are looking at, those goodyears are 44lbs a piece, compared to the stockers at 39. checkout this thread. lots of answers to your questions here, maybe:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/86844-best-all-around-tire.html

You know what? You are right on both counts! The wieght is definataley an issue, AND the post you mentioned is great. i read it last week and forgot about it!:sleepy::dammit:

Thanks!

But please keep the opinions coming! The more the merrier!:girl:

 

[DEKA3]

I haven't seen any difference since I put them on. In fact, the mpg may have actually gone up a little bit. (Of course that could be due to better inflation of the tires and more highway miles) Haha.

MPG went up? Im all over them! LOL.

 

[Ryan_S]

FWIW MPG went down with my Load E range Duratracs.

The look bad-ass though

 

[SigSense]

I have found that Load E typically adds 8-10 lbs to any similar P rated tire from the same manufacturer.

 

[Fuzzylogic]

I would add the Revo2 to your list for consideration. Mine are great. I bought the stock size (P).

It's a great all around tire. They vastly improved the handling of my vehicle.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Since you're doing so much city driving I would probably go with the Nitto Terra Grapplers, Bridgestone Revos, or the Michelins. I really like the LTX for a less aggressive tire.

 

[Froggy]

FWIW MPG went down with my Load E range Duratracs.

The look bad-ass though

Six percent loss in mileage (less than 6.4% increase in fuel cost), great ride, little difference in noise, ability to drive where we choose—worth it to me & the boss. And we like how they look too.

 

[Firefighter EMT]

I drive 50% highway, 40% city, and 10% light offroading. My driving also includes 4 months of nasty snow and ice. I am running GY Silent Armorers and think they are perfect for my type of driving conditions. I would definitely purchase them again.

 

[SeattleMike]

Michelins, you don't need Duratracs.

 

[jakehere]

My choices are as follows:
1- General Grabber AT2
2- GY S/A
3- GY Duratrac
4- Michelin LTX A/T 2

-->5. Firestone Destination A/T (P-Rated)

I'm very happy with them. Reviews on tirerack are fantastic, they are relatively inexpensive, I don't notice any loss in MPG, look aggressive for an AT, roll smoothly around the city. My first set of Firestones ever and very satisfied.

 

[JB.]

With 2 kids that are chauffeured to their games once in a while, what do you think will be the safest....choice for me?

Since you specifically mentioned safety, I'll chime in.

You'll want a passenger tire (P) so Duratracs are out, they're LT only. The others come in both.

Of the three remaining, only SA and Grabber have steel belt reinforcement (aka cap ply) which enhances safety. Grabber has it in some sizes. I'm guessing you can tell which by looking for the T speed rating but, if it were me, I'd email the company to verify.
Ideally, you want a full width cap ply.

So.....SA or Grabber in a passenger (P) tire.

If you use Tire Rack :rant:, here's how you can tell if the tire is a passenger tire.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/720273-post16.html

 

[Ghost Runner]

I put stock size toyo open country AT's (p rated not LT) and I've been very impressed with the quietness on the highway, and MPG.

They don't look as hot as the BFG KO or a MT tire IMO but they are a great all around compromise.

On one trip to the mountains and back to the city I got 20.5 MPG and most recently got 23 MPG in our 2010 TE with 3000 KM (about 2000 miles) on it.

We just got our rig about a month ago and I was too cheap to put on deticated winter tires. I have been impressed overall with the Toyo on snow.

I will be putting on studded winter tires in fall; wish I could get 285 sized Nokians but the only decent winter I've found thats studdable in that size is the General Altimax.

Good luck with getting your new shoes...the stock tires are truley crap and do not belong on the runner.

 

[deekoi]

-->5. Firestone Destination A/T (P-Rated)

I'm very happy with them. Reviews on tirerack are fantastic, they are relatively inexpensive, I don't notice any loss in MPG, look aggressive for an AT, roll smoothly around the city. My first set of Firestones ever and very satisfied.

+1 those after tons of research, that's my pic too. just haven't gotten around to buying them yet.

 

[HAMMER77]

Should definately consider the Kumho SAT. They have a snow flake rating like a dedicated snow tire. They look really cool w/ small flames on the sidewall. They are as quiet as original dunflops. Great looking tread pattern. Ride extremely well. Comes with a 60,000 mi warranty. And they are the #1 rated AT tire on tire rack. So far I have been really inpressed with these tires. Have only put about 4,000 miles on them, but really like them so far. Tires were unstoppable in Feb snow storm we had 18" of snow with drifts 3 to 4 feet in places. Gas mileage decreased slightley as I expected going to an AT, but looks and performance makes up for it hugely.

 

[DEKA3]

I have been looking at the D.I.C.K. Cepek Radial F-C II today. Very good reviews for city and highway an TireRack.com. Any comments on those?