pattycakes77

iTrader: (2)

I'm looking for tires for my second set of wheels for just winter/snow/ice driving. Background: I live in Iowa and we see snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, you name it. My vehicle is a 4wd '98 4runner with a Sonoran Steel lift and currently has 265/75 16 BFG A/T tires. The BFGs have been good in the snow but are now getting pretty worn from 5 years of driving on them. I'd like a second set of wheels/tires for winter driving and I'll probably get another set of the BFGs in the spring and store the winter tires. As I said, I've got a lift (about 2.5") and I'm probably going to get a 1" body lift soon so I think I'd like to get something bigger than my usual 265s. I'd like something aggressive looking like the BFGs, something that will fit with a mild lift and 1" body lift, 16" rim size tire, and perform great in snow and ice. I don't want studded tires.

I've looked around on tire rack and they don't really have anything that looks great and sizes are confusing or not a lot of 16" selection.

Anyone have anything I should look into that fit my criteria? Thanks.

pattycakes77

iTrader: (2)

FYI, I've been researching and looking at more reviews and what I have in my head and what is available don't match. However, the closest thing to what I want is the Firestone Winterforce LT. They seem to get good ratings, they come in 285/75 16, and they look pretty good but not as aggressive as my BFG ATs but they'll do for winter. Probably going to order them in the next few weeks before the snow officially starts piling up.

Check them out if you like:
Firestone Winterforce LT

habanero

Also check out the Michelin LTX m/s. Just for another option. Since you're going with it as a winter only tire it seems the Firestone with a few more sipes and better snow/ice traction would do better than the better wear/wet traction Michelins. Firestone appear to be cheaper, too.

nmtoy

I have the Winterforce in a 205x75x14 on my 2wd truck and they work very well in the snow.

Moonfish

I think you want skinnier tires for winter, not wider.

snobdds

Just go with the duratrack and run them year round. I run them here in Wyoming and they rock in the snow and ice.

pattycakes77

iTrader: (2)

Just an update...

I didn't have the money for a body lift and/or wheel spacers so I went with the same size tires I have on now, 265/75 16s. I did go with the Firestone Winterforce LTs and look forward to first snow to see just how good they are.

Junkers88

What did they run you? I've been looking at getting a set for my 89 and really don't want to spend the money, of course spending money on getting my rig out of the lake when I spin out on the drive to work would be worse. So far my cheapest alternative to getting new skins is getting my TW's siped but the tire guy is a little gun shy about siping a 285/75/16.

pattycakes77

iTrader: (2)

Sorry for the late reply... The shop I work at gets a deal through TireRack but by the time I was ready to buy they said they were out of 265/75 and would not be making more until next year! So I stopped by the local Firestone store on a whim and asked if they could possibly order from their stock, the guy had 4 in stock at the store! With tax and no mounting/balancing they were around $550 for the four tires, I had another shop do the mounting/balancing for another $100 which is what Firestone was going to do, I was just trying to get a better deal at the store we use at work and that didn't happen.

It's only snowed twice this year and not stayed on the ground much. I have not had any trouble getting around with these tires and my 4WD, they slide on ice when you get on the pedal some but what tires don't do that? They are a little noisier than my BFG ATs but not much, the ride is much softer too. I'm pleased with them so far, we'll see how many miles I can get out of them.