Talk me into NOT running M/Ts on the road

[kylebacc]

SO. I have this issue. I'm broke. And I run 35" Nitto Mud Grapplers on my truck. And my truck doesn't see as much off-road as it used to. I have pondered getting another set of wheels and mounting some street tires or A/Ts on them so run around the town (school/work/life) and just switching over to the M/Ts when I go wheeling. But I'm 21 and stepping down like that will just kill me (looks-wise). The Nittos look soo damn cool haha.

But I'm also thinking a regular tire will help the MPGs a little bit, and with the supercharger, extra battery, winch, etc more mods etc, I get terrible mileage right now, just to go get groceries. But it's so cool/awesome looking/sounding. What do I do? Is it worth the cost of buying the new wheels AND tires? And not feeling as cool? Plus they would have to be 35" tires because they truck would look weird with smaller ones. That, and there's no way I'm going lower lol

Thoughts people?

 

[Mellow77]

Why not just buy yourself a little beater car and use that for the running around? It's definitely not as cool but life has quickly taught me that being broke is the un-coolest thing ever! :bash:

 

[kylebacc]

True story. Well I had a corolla that I gave to my sister, but she may be getting a new car soon, so I should be getting my car back. I didn't even consider that. Maybe this isn't a problem at all, I'll have to wait and see. Good work Mellow.

 

[techmen17]

I have been thinking about possibly looking for a set of some used tires that were mounted as well. Ones that I could use for highway and city driving, since I'm in the same boat as you, rockin the MT's.

But then I thought to myself, is it really worth the additional cost? And am I really going to mount/dismount my tires every time I go wheeling?? Probably not, and I'm sure not going to pay a shop to do it either. So at the end of the day I'm just going to suck it up, and drive on my MT's. But I don't have a long highway drive everyday, just shorter city driving to and from school and what not. I don't know what your commute is like, but unless you have a really long drive everyday, I would just stick to the muds.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Did you not think about this before you bought the 4runner?

I think getting your old car back is the best idea.

It will take a long time to start to see savings from new wheels and tires. Even if you only spend $700 for a set of tires and rims and gain 3 MPG it would still take you roughly 700-800 gallons to start seeing a savings.

 

[HB 4X4]

A good balance between an All Terrain and a Mud Terrain are the Goodyear Duratracs. They are more aggressive than an AT without the usual downfalls of a MT.

However, if you are broke, a $1500 set of tires may not be the best idea. I second the idea of driving the Corolla. Or... you could always sell it for tire/gas money.

 

[kylebacc]

I have been thinking about possibly looking for a set of some used tires that were mounted as well. Ones that I could use for highway and city driving, since I'm in the same boat as you, rockin the MT's.

But then I thought to myself, is it really worth the additional cost? And am I really going to mount/dismount my tires every time I go wheeling?? Probably not, and I'm sure not going to pay a shop to do it either. So at the end of the day I'm just going to suck it up, and drive on my MT's. But I don't have a long highway drive everyday, just shorter city driving to and from school and what not. I don't know what your commute is like, but unless you have a really long drive everyday, I would just stick to the muds.

Yeah my commutes around where I go to school are really short actually, it's the going home to the parents house that gets me, which is 450 miles each way. I don't do that THAT often, but when I do, I hate the thought of what kind of wear I am putting on the tires. Probably not worth it though to get a new set.

Did you not think about this before you bought the 4runner?

I think getting your old car back is the best idea.

It will take a long time to start to see savings from new wheels and tires. Even if you only spend $700 for a set of tires and rims and gain 3 MPG it would still take you roughly 700-800 gallons to start seeing a savings.

No I didn't actually because my first 4Runner had the stock tires on it. I'll see what I can do about getting the car back, it just depends on if my sister gets a new car or not. Thanks for the math, that helps in the decision making.

I mean, I have the money for new ones, but I always am looking for ways to be frugal, but I don't think this is one of those opportunities. Just gonna have to stick to the M/Ts and hope my sister comes through and does something with her life haha

A good balance between an All Terrain and a Mud Terrain are the Goodyear Duratracs. They are more aggressive than an AT without the usual downfalls of a MT.

However, if you are broke, a $1500 set of tires may not be the best idea. I second the idea of driving the Corolla. Or... you could always sell it for tire/gas money.

Yeah thanks, not really my style, but I've heard a lot of good things about those tires. I'm drawn towards the Toyo Open Country A/Ts. If I were going to get a new set of wheels and tires to switch, those are probably what I'd ride. But you're right, they don't look quite as aggressive.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Is this your first set of Nitto Mud Grapplers? How many miles do you think you have left on them?

Depending on how much you drive I would probably wait and get a new set of tires when your current ones wear out.

What makes you like the Toyo AT's more than the DuraTracs? They probably are pretty close MPG wise and the DuraTracs are much more aggressive.

 

[kylebacc]

Yeah it's my first set, so I don't really know what I have left on them. From what I can see, and the way I drive, I'd say I have another 3-5 months. I totally intend to change them once they're finished, and not before.

I don't know why I don't like the goodyears better, I just don't. Seems dumb logically, but it's just they way I feel. Besides, if I were gonna get a replacement set for on road, I really don't need the most aggressive tire possible, since they wouldn't ever see anything but pavement. Anyway it doesn't matter because you showed me how much it would take in order to make my money back on the new wheels/tires, and that was being pretty optimistic with the 3 mpg, so I'm just not going to do it.

Stickin' to the Mud Grapplers for the next set. But I might go Toyo Open Country M/T for the set after the next set if I get sick of how loud the MGs are for another whole set.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I hear ya man. It's hard to stopping running such a cool looking, aggressive tire once you put them on.

I'm just curious, what kind of mileage do you get around town?

You're at FSU right?

 

[kylebacc]

You know what I mean? haha

And mileage, I really have no idea. I'd say somewhere in the 9-11 range. But I have a lot of stuff that contributes to it falling, other than just the tires. The tires are totally worth the MPG hit that they cause, if you're still in college like me.

And yeah I'm at FSU. I can only assume you're at Clemson or were at Clemson, right? lol

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Yep. I'm at Clemson and still have a few years left. So I know all about the "jacked up" "big mud tires". Ha. I think we do it pretty well here at Clemson. Every time you turn your head you see a big truck or SUV.

 

[kylebacc]

Yeah I've got awhile here as well. And we do really well with trucks, but SUVs not quite as much :/ Just a lot of people who like mudding and that's it.

 

[gaterose]

How about pro comp extreme ATs? they look pretty aggressive in bigger (33 and 35") sizes. A guy in my apartment place has 33s and they look pretty good.

What about TSL thornbirds (or Trxus STS)? they're pretty aggressive (and look it) but still considered an AT due to the amount of tread and tighter siping than most MTs.


**** Cepek FC-IIs or Baja ATZs? I have 33x12.5 FC-IIs on my Z71 and they look pretty good. I made a firm decision that I could only go with FC-IIs or ATZs (or mudders) on the Z because it looks mean and beat up and would look like crap with other ATs, also Duratracs weren't available when I bought them and Procomp Extreme ATs weren't available in 33x12.5/16.

PS Nobody does it like UA on big trucks/suvs and mud tires - ROLL TIDE! hahaha

edit: haha I love the non-contextual censorship. Abbreviated "Richard" Cepek tires.

 

[truckmike26]

Lots of chunky A/Ts to choose from. Check out some Hercules Terra Trac A/Ts. Cheap and really good. I didn't know how good these were until I put them on the old truck. Really sticky on pavement, good in rain. Quiet with zero vibration. And not too bad looking.