Which tire to get, BFG A/T KO or Nitto TerraGrapplers?

[geigerz2001]

I just got myself a 98 4runner and wanted to upgrade the tires. This truck wont be a DD and I plan on using it mostly for off-roading. I wanted to get a tire that would be capable of handling most terrains. I live in Southern California and I want to do exploration trips. One of my first goals is to drive the mojave road.

Road noise is important to me so I was thinking AT would be a better choise thatn M/T. I dont want to tire noise to get on my nerves on the way to the trail. Are A/T tires sufficient or should I go with M/T? I dont think I will ever do hardcore rock climbing.

From doing a lot of searches it seems BFG and Nitto are the two top AT tires. Which one is quieter?

Thanks

 

[Thai]

For your purpose, you may want to reconsider M/Ts. Most M/Ts do not make THAT much noise and is easily tolerable. Yes, ATs make significantly less noise, but they also signficantly less capable off-road, esp. in mud. If you do mudding often, then you really don't have a choice because ALL ATs suck in mud, including BFG AT KO. M/Ts outperform AT over all terrains except maybe deep sand where the M/T's lugs will cause more digging (which is bad). Rocks, mud, gravel...M/T is better.

Now, if you still don't want M/Ts, then i would go for BFG AT KO. It is simply the tougher (much tougher sidewall) of the two tire you mentioned and the more aggressive one. Noise level is about the same when i had them both. On-road performance probably favors Nittos.

You should give M/T a try before deciding...i think that some shops/brands do have 30-day trial period or something. Check with your local dealer.

 

[olliebear]

Tires and the Mojave Road.

Four Wheeler magazine recently did a multi-issue article on traveling down the Mohave Road. Some of the vehicles in the pictures used BFG A/Ts without any problems. I had always wanted to travel down the trails and actually did a few miles. You need to go with a group and experienced wheelers as many of the trials disapppear or merge with what looks to be trails, or washed out in the rains, etc.

Make sure you have a GPS, proper maps, survival and recovery gear.

Dennis Casebier's book on the Mohave Road is the best one around with very clear directions and lat/long markings.


Good luck. I did not get to do the road as I moved up to Nor Cal before I would find a local group to travel with.

 

[Camprunner]

I have to go with Thai on this one if I was going to do any significant off roading than it would be MT's all the way. I did a direct compairison with a friend some years ago he had BFG A/T's on his jeep and wanted to upgrade to some MT's and when he did it was night and day off road with the MT's.

As far as road noise ask around to find out a quiet MT ........ I read someware that the Toyo MT is quite quiet for a MT tire.

 

[Thai]

A while back, I wrote a quick summary of the popular MTs: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22027&highlight=firestone+destination+m/t

BUT, there is a new MT on the market from BFG that you may want to wait for to come in your size: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30935

The new BFG M/T looks badass IMHO.

And this is my on-going review of my Firestone Destination M/T: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22613

Hope this helps.

 

[geigerz2001]

Thanks for all your replies

Thai - Ive actually read your evaluation on the Firestones a couple of times. If i were to go to M/T i would get Firestones or the Cooper STT. I will check out the new BFG u mentioned.

Btw, how will the M/T handle snow and ice? I like to go snowboarding during the winter.

 

[Thai]

Re: Thanks for all your replies

Btw, how will the M/T handle snow and ice? I like to go snowboarding during the winter.

From what I HAVE READ, M/Ts do well in snow...actually, FourWheeler did an article a few years ago where M/Ts actually do better in snow than all-terrains because the deep big lugs dig deep into the white stuff. HOWEVER, ice is where M/Ts suck the big one because either lack of siping or not enough of it. Thus, on ice, all-terrains (esp. BFG AT KO or Goodyear SilentArmor and other snowflake ATs) would be the better choice.

 

[MAC4Runner]

Since it's not a DD, I would definitely go with the BFG.