Winter Tires for 03 Runner

[LTC9024]

I am seriously considering getting some steel rims and putting ice/snow radials on my 03 Runner. I am real concerned that the OEM Dunlops are not going to cut it this winter.
I am going to 16" rims as Toyota does not make a 17" rim yet for the Limited's 17" size.
Tires I am considering are:
1. Michelin 4x4 Alpins
2. Bridgesone Blizzaks DM-Z3
3. Toyo Observe GP-4
The size is P265-70R16.
They are all within $110(Can $) of each other.
I was leaning towards Bridgestone but I am getting concerned about how long they would last.
Comments and info please

 

[Thai]

Here is a wild suggestion: BFG AT KO. (Note: i know nothing about winter tires because i just don't see snow in Texas.)

BFG AT KO tires have the "snowflake" symbol, indicating for severe snow conditions. It is the only all-terrain tire that has this symbol.

The reason i bring this up is because you can buy these AT tires (does also come in 17" rims) and use it year around. Thus, there is no need to change rims and tires for winter.

I have the BFG AT KO...i love 'em! :thumb:

Just a suggestion.

P.S.: check out this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=226

 

[Kmvreter]

16" snow tires

LTC9024,
I'm planning the same thing (a 2nd set of skins on steels to save the aluminums.) I noticed from other threads that you got the Toyo's but I'm wondering which wheel you got and where? Do you have an actual part #? Are they black or silver?
Thanks.

 

[mikes4runner]

Here is a wild suggestion: BFG AT KO. (Note: i know nothing about winter tires because i just don't see snow in Texas.)

BFG AT KO tires have the "snowflake" symbol, indicating for severe snow conditions. It is the only all-terrain tire that has this symbol.

The reason i bring this up is because you can buy these AT tires (does also come in 17" rims) and use it year around. Thus, there is no need to change rims and tires for winter.

I have the BFG AT KO...i love 'em! :thumb:

Just a suggestion.

P.S.: check out this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=226

me too....there greeeeat!!!

 

[Pribilof]

Blizzaks are pretty awesome tires.

 

[leftyrb]

I have had great success with Bridestone DM-Z3's, now mounted on 16" steel rims. Fourth season between two vehicles. These types of tires have a soft rubber compound, which gives good adhesion, but wears rapidly in warm weather conditions. I removed mine last week, and install about December.

Hope this helps

 

[LTC9024]

2nd set of rims

The 16" rims I use for my snows were obtained from my Toyota dealership. They apparently are steel rims that were taken off a new Toyota pick-up as the customer wanted to put some fancy rims on his truck. My dealership got them from a company in Toronto Ontario that gets the rims to resell.
They are a silver colour and are very close to the colour of my Titanium silver 4Runner.