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A/T tire advice. Honed in on the 2 models.

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by VtotheJ, Jun 24, 2019.

  1. Jun 27, 2019 at 11:34 PM
    #31
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Which Michelin?
     
  2. Jun 27, 2019 at 11:42 PM
    #32
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    If you're not rock crawling, the Michelin Defender is hands down the best tire out there for people who are on pavement 95% of the time. Wet/snow/slush traction can't be beat, aside from going to a dedicated winter tire. They're a phenomenal tire. Super quiet, they run forever. 90k miles isn't unheard of. Low rolling resistance. And the stock size is a big tire. A nice fat black sidewall.

    I've had them in pastures, gravel roads, corn fields, boat launches, hunting trails, the list goes on... they simply perform flawlessly. Unless you're somewhere where sidewall puncture is a risk, you've got nothing to worry about.

    I ran several sets on my Tacoma's for almost 20 years (back when they were the MS2). And the newer Defender is supposedly even better in wet conditions. I'm running them on my T4R and can't tell a difference between the old MS2 and newer Defender.

    They're expensive but you make up for it in longevity.
     
    WallyT4R and Oey12 like this.
  3. Jun 27, 2019 at 11:44 PM
    #33
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Also- aside from the sidewall concerns with the Defender, you can rock crawl in a pinch no problem. There's some videos of a guy with Mich Defenders on Tacoma World and the tires performed awesome in the crawling that he did.

    Obviously, it's not built for that but they do it just fine.
     
    Oey12 likes this.
  4. Jun 28, 2019 at 7:53 AM
    #34
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    I bought my runner with Defenders on them and they were great. they were 285's, though which i though were just a little too big (no lift) for my current purpose so i went to KO2 in 265 and was much happier. its true, they do slip a bit in the rain, which i am not happy about, but thats my only real complaint.
     
  5. Aug 15, 2019 at 8:01 AM
    #35
    MountainMan

    MountainMan New Member

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    I just traded in a 2005 Yukon with a set of DuraTracs with 20k miles on them. Most disappointing tires I've bought.

    I drive 95% rural highway. I drive into the mountains a couple of weekends a month, and where I sometimes go, the nearest paved road or town is over 25 miles away. There is no tow truck to call, even if you had cell service, so I take tires seriously.

    The DuraTracs were the noisiest tire I've owned, after a set of TSL Super Swampers in the 80's. Caused gas mileage to drop a full 2 mpg. Not so great in snow, which is primarily why I bought them. First snowfall we got, I was at work and about 2" fell. I went out and jumped in the Yukon in anticipation of seeing how great they were. I went about 50yds and thought something was wrong. I was sliding all over the place and ABS was engaging when I touched the brakes. Not good. OK in deep snow and OK in mud. I'd rate them a 6 out of 10.

    I ran the Cooper Open Country AT3 and they rode nice, but were not great in snow and seemed to wear quickly. Surprisingly good in the dirt for what they are. 7 out of 10.

    Patagonia MT's were a pleasant surprise. Performed excellent off-road in all conditions, quieter on the highway than the Duratracs, and pretty darn cheap. 8 out of 10.

    Best all around tire I've found so far is the Cooper ST Maxx. Excellent in snow, good in mud, great in rocks, wore well, etc. Only detriment is the price. About $260 each. 8 out of 10.


    IMG_20161104_171853180_HDR.jpg


    After 20k miles...
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  6. Aug 15, 2019 at 8:08 AM
    #36
    wawuzit

    wawuzit New Member

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    Big difference in Goodyear and Michelins. If you have the $ ,go Michelin.
     
  7. Aug 15, 2019 at 8:14 AM
    #37
    MountainMan

    MountainMan New Member

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    Since I bought my UTV, deep woods exploration is done by it, so I just need to get to the trailhead, which, around here can still be a little sketchy.

    Tires for the 4Runner will likely be either the General Grabber AT2 or the Kumho AT51.

    The Kumhos are apparently phenomenal in the snow and decent for mild trails, plus they are pretty cheap...

    [​IMG]

    The General Grabbers have been around forever and are always regarded as "almost" as good as the BFG AT, without the crazy price...

    [​IMG]

    But, I love trying new and uncommon tires, and there are some intriguing ones out there.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Aug 15, 2019 at 8:25 AM
    #38
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    WHAAAAAAT???:censored: Well you made up my mind, F@$# Goodyear!
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
  9. Aug 15, 2019 at 8:59 AM
    #39
    MountainMan

    MountainMan New Member

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    Where you buy your tires is also important.

    In my area, prices at local chains and tire shops are insane. I buy exclusively online at Amazon, Discount Tire, Tire Rack, and WalMart.com.

    I pay about $100 less per tire buying online. The biggest chain out here, Les Schwab Tire, just started charging an EXTRA $35 per tire for mounting and balancing for new tires not bought from them. So now, not only have they lost my new tire business, they have lost my tire servicing business.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  10. Aug 15, 2019 at 9:29 AM
    #40
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    When I was choosing an A/T, I had a few things that were important to me. My truck is a daily driver, so I spend 90-95% of my time on pavement with it.

    I needed it to have grooves and sipes to help funnel water through deep puddles. The area I live in can have water pile up on freeways pretty quickly and in my experience, random tread patterns like the BFG A/T tend to get squirrelly in those situations.

    I wanted a 285 and it needed to be light because I didn't want to sacrifice too much power or mpg's, so I went with a P-rated tire.

    I didn't want that aggressive look of tread going all the way down the sidewall to the wheel. Completely unnecessary for my use and just looks like a mud bogger. I hate that so many tires have that look now, especially when paired with fake beadlock, bedazzled wheels. I digress.

    I wanted something that was quiet on the road, but also performed for the times I do go offroad.

    I ended up settling on P285/70/17 Firestone Destination A/T's. I've been extremely happy with them in wet and dry pavement as well as the trails I use them on offroad. My second choice would have been Micheline Defender LTX M/S's. I've owned them before and they are a fantastic tire in every way on the pavement, but I haven't had much experience with them offroad.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  11. Aug 15, 2019 at 4:41 PM
    #41
    Benny123

    Benny123 Toyota enthusiast

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    LEDs all around, otherwise bone stock.
    Exactly. That's why I posted earlier.
     

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