Tire question for my rig...

[4x4Runner09]

My current tire size is stock. 26/70/16
I'm also running BFG's Rugged Trails.

Now heres my questions....

I'm thinking about upgrading tires to BFG's All Terrains.
Will I notice a difference on onroad performance and offroad performance. Noise, traction, and whatever else?

And last...what do all the numbers means on the tires. I know the last couple digits in the rims size...(R16)

What do they mean?

--------------------
2000 4Runner Limited 4wd

 

[Thai]

4x4runner,

First, check this thread out regarding the numbers: (play around with it)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70

Basically, 265 is the width. 70 is the height (70% of 265). 16 is the rim size.

So, 265/75/16 tire is TALLER (but same width) than 265/70/16...because 75% of 265 > 70% of 265.

The BFG AT KO tires are excellent. They are relatively quiet...as quiet as the Bridgestone Dueler AT REVO, but with more aggressive tread. It is good in off-roading...however, in deep mud, they gum up easily, as do all all-terrain tires. They have a strong sidewall. On-road handling is good. They are supposed to be excellent in snow. They have been good in the rain for me.

You can read more about them on TIRERACK.COM.

Now, the bad part. THe KO tires in stock size (265/70/16) or, more popular, slightly bigger (265/75/16), are LT tires, not P tires. LT=light truck; P=passenger. LT tires are tougher with more plies. LT tires come with LOAD RANGES. In the sizes above, the KO tires have a load range of D. This is great for towing and off-roading. Load range D has 8 plies!! Load range C has 6 plies. The 8 plies will help with puncture resistance when off-roading. HOWEVER, load range D tires are heavier. This means that it adds weight to your 4Runner...thus, MAY decrease acceleration, decrease fuel economy, and prolong braking distance.

For my 4Runner, there is significant decrease in acceleration when i got my BFG AT KO tires. Remember, my size is also slightly taller (265/75/16) than stock OEM.

 

[Thai]

Hey all,

Well, i just exchanged my BFG AT KO tires for Michelin LTX A/T. The reason was that i had a vibration in my steering wheel, mostly between 60-70 mph and while turning. Alignment is good.

Discount Tires store was very nice. They first re-balanced all the tires using their most expensive machine that also checks for "road force." Anyway, they still couldn't get rid of the vibration. They then replaced two of them with brand new BFG AT KO tires...and that didn't do the trick either (helped a little).

So, after about 6000 miles, the store accepted for me to go to a different tire with NO additional charge (a direct exchange). I picked the Michelin LTX A/T because it is proven, fairly aggressive for off-roading, and cost similar to BFG AT KO (did not want to pick a cheaper tire of inferior quality than BFG). In addition, the LTX is LOAD RANGE C, which has less plies than the BFG (6 vs. 8 plies), thus less weight and stress on my drivetrain. The LTX is not as aggressive as the BFG but it does look like it will do better in rain (true water channels).

Well, it worked! The steering vibration is gone!! Woohoo!

Review of LTX so far:

1. At city speed (under 50 mph), it hums a bit more than the BFG AT KO tires...surprisingly! However, at highway speed, they are about the same noise level.

2. Tread pattern is not as wide as the BFG, which means that it may be less capable than BFG in mud. Mind you, BFG AT KO tires are not known for it's mud capability.

3. LTX does seem to be able to channel water better than BFG.

4. It looks nice, but not as powerful-looking as the BFG.

5. LTX A/T also seems a bit taller than BFG...just a trick appearance i guess.

Hopefully, these LTX A/T tires are keepers!

 

[Thai]

Please refer to my thread on:

Tire Balancing Thread...MUST READ!

This may have helped my situation above...oh well, too late...LTX is known for it's perfect balance!

 

[stylishauto]

Tires

Thai,I run the "mich's"on my 98.I do not do much offroad at all,mostly highway and smooth dirt and or sand and they are a great all around tire.Noise levels down,smooth even wear,and they helped alot in smoothing out the ride.

 

[dcampen]

For my 4Runner, there is significant decrease in acceleration when i got my BFG AT KO tires. Remember, my size is also slightly taller (265/75/16) than stock OEM.

Thai,
When you were running these slightly larger tires was that also the size of your spare and do you have the towing hitch? On my truck the hitch seems to leave no room for an upsized wheel.

 

[Thai]

Thai,
When you were running these slightly larger tires was that also the size of your spare and do you have the towing hitch? On my truck the hitch seems to leave no room for an upsized wheel.

Nope, i am now back to stock size. The bigger size made the 4runner a bit sluggish...but it looks great! Like you suspected, the bigger tire will not fit with the hitch. However, you may deflate the tire a bit to make it fit. I would recommend sticking with stock size. Your 4runner has excellent ground clearance as is. Your 4runner will thank you for sticking to stock size.

 

[Kmvreter]

Michelin LTX A/T

Thai,
When did you get off the LTX A/T's and why?
I've been a Mich fan for 25 years. I had my last set of A/T's (P235/75R15) for over 8 years, 200,000 Km / 125,000 miles and they were just excellent (smooth, quiet and sticky on-road dry or wet, perfect for snow, no hard core off-roading but held their own.) The only problem is sizing. I'll have to oversize when I dump the DoneFlops or just go to Cross-Terrains.
My 0.02 worth.

 

[Thai]

The Michelin A/T's were good. However, their tread is not as aggressive as BFG AT KO's and their sidewall is same as regular passenger cars. Because i do take my 4runners off-road (sometimes on rocky trails), i needed a little more protection. I also found the BFG AT KO to be slightly quieter than the Michelin AT. Lastly, i wanted to go to stock size (265/70/16)...the Michelin AT do not come in stock size.

 

[Kanab]

On my 95 Landcruiser I replaced the Michelin LTX/MS's with the BFG AT/KO's in the stock size. They were noisier than the Michelins but would go anywhere. The BFG's wear very well. I traded the Landcruiser with 136K miles on it and replaced the Michlelins at 80K miles. The BFG's still looked like new with 56K miles on them. As you can see the stock Michelins lasted 80K miles and could of gone another 10K+ miles. When I bought my new 4runner I had the dealer swap tires so I have the Michelin Cross Terrains on my 2004 sport. I hope they will be good for 90K miles. I sure like the way the Michelin Cross Terrains handle and ride.