1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

This is a big FU&K Y@U at Falken Tire Corp

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by Gnfanatic, Jul 17, 2020.

  1. Jul 17, 2020 at 9:21 AM
    #1
    Gnfanatic

    Gnfanatic [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2020
    Member:
    #14830
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner TRD Premium
    SCS Wheels, Eibach Lift
    I am an owner of a 3 month old 2020 4Runner TRD Premium. After 1000 miles I could not stand the nose dive, floaty suspension, raked look and wimpy tires. After much research I decided to order the Eibach pro leveling Kit, SCS Ray 10's and Falken Wildpeak AT3. Pretty much everything came in at the same time so I decided to do a one shot deal (big mistake). I have a 2 post lift in my garage and have been working on cars since the 90's so the lift kit is no big deal. Once everything was installed, I put 100 miles on it for the springs to settle and got an alignment. Wildpeaks were mounted to the SCS wheels and road force balanced and this is when the headaches started. I started to get a wicked vibration at 55 mph and up, sometimes really bad. Brought it back to the shop, machine says the tires are not out of round and are balanced. Then the wheels were in question, then the "hub-centric' design was in question. Then they question the angle of my CV-axles due to lift, also questioned alignment. The shake would change at times due to outside temperature. Cooler mornings they had a much less shake, when it was 90 deg out the shake was severe (My dashboard and pass seat would vibrate bad). I told them multiple times it was the tires but they were going by what the $20k machine was telling them (balanced.) I went to another shop and got them "balanced", same issue. After weeks of going back and forth and many hours wasted checking over EVERYTHING I demanded that I get different tires and I will pay the difference. Toyo Open Country AT3 were mounted on the same SCS wheels using the same Road Force Balance machine and my 4Runner now rides smooth like a baby's ass. I got it up to 95 MPH during testing and it was perfect! Never again will buy a POS Chinese made Falken tire again, never! BTW, Falken would only exchange tires, no refund within the 30 day period.
     
    Trail Runnah, Mud slinger and Spanner like this.
  2. Jul 17, 2020 at 9:33 AM
    #2
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2017
    Member:
    #4821
    Messages:
    1,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD Pro Solar Octane
    SCS wheels and Westcott lift
    Thank for the update Ralph. I know the feeling I posted to your post before. 3sets of Falkens I tried all the same issue. Put my Nitto’s back on my SCS wheels and smooth as silk. Have any pics!!
     
  3. Jul 17, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #3
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Member:
    #7224
    Messages:
    1,599
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Toyota 4 Runner Offroad
    I didn’t know Falkens are made in China. That’s reason enough for me to avoid them.
     
    2A4R, Starr and Thatbassguy like this.
  4. Jul 17, 2020 at 9:35 AM
    #4
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2017
    Member:
    #4821
    Messages:
    1,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD Pro Solar Octane
    SCS wheels and Westcott lift
    My set had made in America. Made both places don’t matter all the same issues I had.
     
  5. Jul 17, 2020 at 9:40 AM
    #5
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Mine are made in US and are fine. Sucks some are bad but I read many positives on other forums
     
  6. Jul 17, 2020 at 9:45 AM
    #6
    Gnfanatic

    Gnfanatic [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2020
    Member:
    #14830
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner TRD Premium
    SCS Wheels, Eibach Lift
    Thanks guys. A lot of the neg reviews I read in the past was from 2018 so I figured they had a bad run and fixed the issues by now. Man was I wrong! I am so happy everything is fixed and the 4runner is enjoyable to drive now. I will have a pic tomorrow, I love the wheels and stance! Down the road I will be getting a front hidden bumper and lights.
     
  7. Jul 17, 2020 at 11:10 AM
    #7
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    Just canned the Falken Wildpeaks on the old Taco, Discount Tire took them back and let me pick another tire.

    How you liking the Toyo AT3, specifically road noise and wet traction?
     
  8. Jul 17, 2020 at 11:31 AM
    #8
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    I have had no issues with either balancing or vibrations from day one. Sorry to hear you did.

    I think no matter the tire, there's always going to be some that turn out bad. Your experience made you say FU Falken, while others have nothing bad to say.
     
  9. Jul 17, 2020 at 11:46 AM
    #9
    travelinscout

    travelinscout New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
    Ditto. Toyo AT 3 for me.
     
    Mud slinger likes this.
  10. Jul 17, 2020 at 12:18 PM
    #10
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2017
    Member:
    #4821
    Messages:
    1,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD Pro Solar Octane
    SCS wheels and Westcott lift
    If you go on the other Toyota forums there are guys that had so many issues with balancing the Falken. Search is your friend and you will find a lot of unhappy customers.
     
  11. Jul 17, 2020 at 3:26 PM
    #11
    Gnfanatic

    Gnfanatic [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2020
    Member:
    #14830
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner TRD Premium
    SCS Wheels, Eibach Lift
    Give me a couple of weeks to give a review but so far I am happy with noise and dry handling. They are no louder then the wildpeaks . I have not driven in rain yet
     
  12. Jul 17, 2020 at 3:33 PM
    #12
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    I went to toyo at3 from wildpeaks. The wildpeaks I had without issue, only changed as I went to a larger size.
    The handling wet and dry appears equal in both tires and the Toyos are a tad louder on road. Not enough to be annoyed, I prefer to like it, reminds me of a truck tire
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  13. Jul 17, 2020 at 3:33 PM
    #13
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2019
    Member:
    #10814
    Messages:
    436
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 silver SR5 4x4
    I've had 3 different sets on 3 different vehicles and have had great luck with them personally... On and offroad, in rain, mud, pavement...

    Sucks some of you've had issues... But there's not a single tire manufacturer out there without similar complaints.
     
    blackcloud08 and Thatbassguy like this.
  14. Jul 17, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #14
    Gnfanatic

    Gnfanatic [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2020
    Member:
    #14830
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner TRD Premium
    SCS Wheels, Eibach Lift
    I agree, they all have issues. I guess I have been lucky all these years with other manufacturers because I never had this issue before. Out of curiosity did your wildpeaks have a yellow dot and a red dot on them?
     
  15. Jul 17, 2020 at 7:06 PM
    #15
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    Thanks for that, the wet and dry as well as noise from the Wildpeaks were excellent I must say. I wish they would have worked out balance wise. Went with Cooper AT3 4S for the Taco. Definitely considering the Toyo's strongly for the 4Runner as she simultaneously needs shoes too.

    OP- look forward to get your feelings on them when you give them some run time.
     
  16. Jul 17, 2020 at 7:10 PM
    #16
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2019
    Member:
    #10814
    Messages:
    436
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 silver SR5 4x4
    I dont really remember but im sure they did, those are for balancing the tire.

    Check out this link....

    https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/what-are-the-red-and-yellow-dots-on-my-tires/
     
  17. Jul 17, 2020 at 7:14 PM
    #17
    glandnut

    glandnut Reserve Collection Squirrel Hair

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #3256
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    NE Florida
    Vehicle:
    16' Trail Premium
    ^^My Wildpeaks def had the red and yellow marks. I asked them multiple times when I was having issues them to align the valve stem with the yellow mark but they kept telling me it wasn't necessary...
     
  18. Jul 18, 2020 at 1:15 AM
    #18
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2019
    Member:
    #8335
    Messages:
    1,297
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Missouri Ozarks
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR - MGM
    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.

    What size / load Falkens?

    I have 25k on my 265/70R17 SL made in Thailand Wildpeaks. No issues.
     
  19. Jul 18, 2020 at 6:19 AM
    #19
    Matze

    Matze Fremdsprachler

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2019
    Member:
    #11881
    Messages:
    486
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Lady Lake, FL
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner ORP
    here we go again — that’s bad service! The customer should get what he want. Sure not every wish is possible and some are the results of bad knowledge but that’s obviously not the case here since a yellow dot is marking the lightest spot on the tire, so matching that with heaviest spot on the wheels (usually were the valve is) is making sense.

    Pretty sad that there is a huge amount of a...holes and unqualified installers in the tire industry.
    i always look up the dot no. to see how „old“ the tires I purchased are before I take it. Saved me once for getting screwed but that shouldn’t be necessary!
     
  20. Jul 18, 2020 at 7:03 AM
    #20
    Firefly21

    Firefly21 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7073
    Messages:
    337
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Duane Frazier
    Vehicle:
    18 off road premium trd
    Hid lows 3500 drl / high Led interior Led reverse Led oem fogs Sequential blinker Trd intake Unifilter pump mod Apex recover points BF Goodrich KO2 (matching trd spare) Kicker front tweeters Tvd overlays S2 yellow wide fogs Apex black sequential rear tails Cartrim home blue convex mirriors
    Sorry...i got 5 and rotate in the spare. Smooth as glass no issue. Picked this up the other day. Took tire off, patched reinstalled in same location & Didnt rebalance. Zero issues. Best tires I have. ...duratrax mtrs etc

    EF78BD1E-BB2A-4C92-833F-9DCD7A682CC6.jpg
    C9E919A2-E2DF-41AD-AAA4-EA7E2FA77C25.jpg
     
    Mud slinger likes this.
  21. Jul 18, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #21
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2019
    Member:
    #12421
    Messages:
    6,230
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Bisbee AZ
    Vehicle:
    2020 Black 4Runner Venture 1967 FJ40 Land Cruiser
    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Sorry to hear that unfortunate story about the Falkens. I read a number of reviews, both good and bad, before I bought a set and have had no issues. My tire dealer is a fellow Veteran and quite trustworthy. He gave the tires a good evaluation even though he could have sold me several other brands for more money.
     
    Mud slinger likes this.
  22. Jul 18, 2020 at 8:18 AM
    #22
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Member:
    #2395
    Messages:
    1,344
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lee
    Collierville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Custom scratches
    I had Falkens too, same issues, balanced, beads, etc. Ready to sell the stupid vehicle but I put some on Nittos and it was all good. I love the way the Falkens look and perform, but I will kinda stick with others from now on.
     
    travelinscout likes this.
  23. Jul 18, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #23
    Mud slinger

    Mud slinger New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2020
    Member:
    #15576
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Female
    Vehicle:
    02 4Runner 4x4
    Great choice! Been running toyo’s for year’s...absolutely love them. They last the actual life of the quoted miles and beyond (if rotated every 4-5k miles)
     
    travelinscout and 7385 like this.
  24. Jul 20, 2020 at 9:41 AM
    #24
    Archangel

    Archangel My name isn't Jake!

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2019
    Member:
    #12170
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    Monroe, North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    18 Silver T4R ORP
    Yokohama Geolandar M/T's
    As somebody that spent 15 years in the tire industry, that tire isn't safely repairable. RMA style patches will not adhere to the sidewall, and eventually fall off, regardless of how well of a job they do. I would take that tire back and tell them to replace it.
     
  25. Jul 20, 2020 at 10:23 AM
    #25
    Rngr188

    Rngr188 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2020
    Member:
    #12738
    Messages:
    116
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chad
    Harrison, AR
    Vehicle:
    Silver 20 TRD ORP
    Loving the Toyo AT3 at about 6k miles.
     
    Trail Runnah likes this.
  26. Jul 28, 2020 at 3:12 PM
    #26
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock

    People keep telling me to put Falkens on mine, but I've read enough stories like yours to be leery of them. Falken has a great marketing dept, but I feel like they're still a "cheap" tire. I'm strongly considering the Toyos for mine. Just have to figure out what size...stock or 255/80/17. Decisions, decisions!
     
    Starr likes this.
  27. Jul 28, 2020 at 4:34 PM
    #27
    Spanner

    Spanner New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2020
    Member:
    #15294
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Douglas
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    Had it narrowed down to the Falkens and the Toyo AT3's...yeah, got the Toyo's this afternoon, I believe this post put me over the top. ...on a side note, the Toyo's balanced good, no shake at any speed, and are quieter than my KO2's that I had on my FJ.
     
    Mick4Yota and Trail Runnah like this.
  28. Aug 8, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #28
    Soflorunner

    Soflorunner New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2020
    Member:
    #15789
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner TRD Off-Road
    Just a little input from a fellow forum user.

    Before I made mY tire selection I was dead set on the falkens in 285/70r17. I then read this thread and was shocked and began to rethink my choice. I was reading about load ratings and everyone said if you go E the ride will be so stiff blah blah blah. I said to heck with it. I got falken 285/70r17’s load range E on my vtx rogues. Could not be happier. 1000 miles on them in 2 days and have experience absolutely none of the issues I read about.

    The reason I experience no issues is because I went to a very reputable tore shop. If you are reading this in the same boat I was looking for your purchase, do not be discouraged to get a quality product because others had a a couple bad experiences with unreliable tire shops.

    D42E7167-D67A-495A-AF20-A5D6BB956D61.jpg
     
    SlvrSlug likes this.
  29. Aug 8, 2020 at 7:55 AM
    #29
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    I run Falken 285/70/17 MT’s load E , and have no problems with them. Also ran Falken MT’s 2/75/16 E on my 02 with no problems.
     
    ForRun likes this.
  30. Aug 8, 2020 at 8:36 AM
    #30
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    I had stock size falken and loved them. I went Toyo due to reviews on my 285 and although they handle and ride good as the falkens they are loud. At 1st it was like the trd exhaust, thought the noise sounded cool. After awhile it becomes annoying.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top