Firestone Destination MT Review

johnsenpa · 05-19-2008, 08:48 AM

I have been around Bridgestone/Firestone since I was born and my dad has worked for them for almost 40 years. For years I have scanning offroad magazines oogling at the evolution of the offroad tires and have been often questioning why Firestone didn't jump into this market.

Firestone makes impressive tires, whether they are for CART series racing, airplanes, or grandpa's old buick. Their tire technology is always leading in design for the given tire. I asked my dad why they never did off-road tires, and he thought at the time years ago was because it was just too small a market, but said the closest thing they do are wilderness tires for heavy equipment.

So, once I bought my 4runner two years ago, I had the dueller ATs from bridgestone. Good all around street tire that wears well. Once they balded down I checked once again and to my amazement Firestone had come out with the Destination Maximum Traction (MT) ... not Mud Terrain. I laughed to myself when I saw Maximum Traction because I knew Firestone had taken every condition into consideration with their design. I have had mine on for 30,000 miles within the past year and a couple months. I have drove a lot of highway (illinois to virginia many times and out to kansas and colorado and back). The wear on the tread is unbelievable. I have much more than I thought I would when I bought them. They are extremely grippy and muck through clayey mud, soup mud, snow, sleet and rain. The come prepinned for any occasion where there might be some light morning ice on the road I just pin it in a few spots on each tire. (Not sure if that helps but when I have slipped like a puppy on ice with the dueller's on a few occations, I just get real leary about some roads. The water displacement is incredible. Most of your might be like duh its an MT. Well when your driving on a rainy night down a street you are unfamiliar with and you hit a pool of water I have hydroplaned a number of times with my buddy's Mickey Thompsons. Yes they had the same amount of wear.

With the Destination MT's I have yet to get separation from the tires and the pavement in that situation. Overall on pavement they are great because their aggressive tread lugs are made up of a respectively softer rubber that wears real well. This being said, when I was out in colorado doing runs with colorado yotatechers at St. Vrain, Corkscrew gulch, Black bear pass, Lead King Basin Rd.,...etc. They handled excellent. Through all types of rock and terrain. The most notable was on the ascent up slick wet shale at lead king basin, I didn't slip into the ruts or off the path down the side of a rut ( more crucial to do then it sounds, but if you are then when wet, you'll know). Also at Mid St. Vrain or it might have been the Bunce school Rd. portion that we did before St. Vrain, but whatever... There was a time where it was a steep ascent up some large flat pieces of sharp shale, that you had to just burn up and spin your way up eating dust and not losing any momentum in your travel. When I got to the top I had a few gouge marks and chips out of my lugs, and had shaved the side of one of my sidewalls. This is because the tire is a softer rubber. Granted if you are a hardcore rock crawler you are not going to get destination MTs, rather you are going to get some serious crawler tires which have harder rubber and more tough sidewalls meant for grinding rocks. The Destination MTs still have given me no trouble whatsoever. I have the 31x10.5's.

There is no doubt about it that these tires will take me anywhere that I want to go or that I can go. You will definitely not be disappointed in this choice of tire. I just wish they made 33x9.5's!!!

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CJM · 05-19-2008, 09:41 AM

I been tossing up this tire for my uses. Glad to hear they are working very good for you.

For me its a toss up between needing a max traction tire vs a good at like the destination AT.

Bear80 · 05-19-2008, 02:44 PM

Whoa, paragraphs, breaks something. That is a mess to read.

Matt16 · 05-19-2008, 10:01 PM

Thanks for the writeup. I'm trying to decide between this and the Cooper S/T.

armymike138 · 05-20-2008, 03:05 AM

I have the Firestone Destination MTs as well. At first I was kind of shying away from them because of the price, but then I said F it and bought them anyway. Needless to say, I could not have been more happy with them. The only time I have had any problems with them was when I was wheeling up in the Pine Barrens up in Jersey, and that was because I was digging way too much in the sand. But all in all I could not be more happy with my tires.

INFINITY · 05-20-2008, 04:35 AM

good to hear they have not chunked out like most of the ones i see here in AZ

Matt16 · 05-20-2008, 10:59 AM

How do they do on straight up ice?

norcalsvx · 05-20-2008, 11:39 AM

yea i used to sell a lot of them when i was at the tire store and my bro runs them on his 4runner they work great for him.

javadoody · 05-20-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt16

How do they do on straight up ice?

i'm running the destination a/t's, and they're like sticking your tongue on the frozen chain link fence--like glue. i'm been sitting at a dead stop on a slight bank curve on sheet ice on I70 at the tunnel and trucks all around are breaking free and sliding. i just walk up the hill as they "move over".
outstanding in the snow. tire rack reviews sold me on the product.

but, i don't know the difference between these a/t and the m/t.

94svt50 · 05-21-2008, 09:44 AM

I have had the Destination M/Ts for about 10k miles and have also been very happy with them. Much better then the Dunlop mud rovers I replaced, better on road ride and much better wet traction and stopping ability. Also, no serious vibration issues like the mud rovers. The destination M/T have done well in snow while pulling a trailer, but due to close spacing between tread they tend to clog in the real thick kentucky clay.
Over all I would definitly buy again, They also show little to no wear in 10k miles.

98LimitedCustomized · 12-03-2008, 06:17 PM

I have 285/75/16 Firestone MT's and they are the worst tire I've ever used on ice/packed snow/ any snow for that matter. The lack of siiping and width(in my case) make for a worthless 4x4. I'm putting my 235/85 Nokians back on ASAP.

crawldaddy · 12-04-2008, 02:40 PM

I bought a set and the tread started to chunk badly. I had complete lugs ripping off in the center of the tire down to the steel belts. They saw mostly street miles with light dirt roads in an 02 dodge dakota. All of this happened with in the first 10000 miles. Firestone said that there is nothing wrong with the tire, but then warned me not to drive them with the steel showing. I'll never buy these again.

fyreandwater · 12-14-2008, 06:43 AM

I love my M/T's! Fantastic on slickrock in Moab. I have about 10,000 miles on mine and they have worn great. I wish they made them in a 35x12.50.

bigtrucknwheels · 05-01-2009, 11:55 AM

anyone else with a lot of miles on theirs willing to give a review?

I need to be able to navigate snow with relative ease, as it is the number one reason I own a 4x4, next to being able to tackle anything I want to drive into/onto/over. Some mud, some dirt, and def. some snow.

anyone?

SnowRunner98 · 05-01-2009, 06:29 PM

i'm rocking the dick cepek fun co II's and they are excellent. Cooper st's are on all off our work trucks and they see everything, snow, mud, tons of highway miles, you name it. darn good tire. can't say about the fire stone.

Bandit Runner · 05-04-2009, 05:48 AM

I've got about 25,000 miles on mine so far, and they still have at least half the tread depth left. They are great in mud, dirt, sand, and deep snow, but not so much on ice. Also, very quiet on the road. Great tires!

Matt16 · 05-06-2009, 01:29 AM

How much MPG loss did you experience with Destination MTs? (and what tire did you come from?)

05-19-2008, 09:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
CJM Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 4,565	I been tossing up this tire for my uses. Glad to hear they are working very good for you. For me its a toss up between needing a max traction tire vs a good at like the destination AT. __________________ 96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

05-19-2008, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bear80 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 358	Whoa, paragraphs, breaks something. That is a mess to read. __________________ 1986 Truck - Monster IFS 1997 FZJ80 - Locked, Lifted, Ready Range Rover Recovery Vehicle

05-20-2008, 03:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
armymike138 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 11	I have the Firestone Destination MTs as well. At first I was kind of shying away from them because of the price, but then I said F it and bought them anyway. Needless to say, I could not have been more happy with them. The only time I have had any problems with them was when I was wheeling up in the Pine Barrens up in Jersey, and that was because I was digging way too much in the sand. But all in all I could not be more happy with my tires. __________________ '98 taco, All Pro 3in coilovers add-a-leaf All Pro Front and rear bumpers and other little s**t

05-20-2008, 04:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
INFINITY Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canyon Creek, AZ Posts: 724	good to hear they have not chunked out like most of the ones i see here in AZ __________________ -1980 toyota 4x4 - 235/85/16 bfg M/T tires, 03 taco wheels, onboard air, trd camshaft, 18" e-fan, weber 32/36 carb, yukon 4.88s, lockright in rear, dual 2.28/4.7 marlin geared cases, 9.5 XP Warn -94 xcab 3.4L, marlin 2100lb clutch, SAS, arb/lockright, 5.29s, 4" lift, marlin 4.7 gear t-case, dual speed ford e-fan, dual zuk mod using TJ springs http://yotatech.com/gallery/showgall...ser=15173&sl=i <---yes, that is victory blood!

05-20-2008, 11:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
norcalsvx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alpine--GRASS valley, CA Posts: 2,125	yea i used to sell a lot of them when i was at the tire store and my bro runs them on his 4runner they work great for him. __________________ 1994 toy 22re- http://www.yotatech.com/f86/nocalsvx-s-94-toy-104593/ 2006 Subaru Forester XT -some mods/awd 5spd 1994 Subaru SVX- hwy runner 84 RX7- drag car build

05-21-2008, 09:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
94svt50 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: KENTUCKY Posts: 142	I have had the Destination M/Ts for about 10k miles and have also been very happy with them. Much better then the Dunlop mud rovers I replaced, better on road ride and much better wet traction and stopping ability. Also, no serious vibration issues like the mud rovers. The destination M/T have done well in snow while pulling a trailer, but due to close spacing between tread they tend to clog in the real thick kentucky clay. Over all I would definitly buy again, They also show little to no wear in 10k miles. __________________ -1989 4x4 22re - homemade flat bed - exhaust system off dead cobra -Destination M/T 31"-KYB monomax shocks-"add a leaf"

12-03-2008, 06:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
98LimitedCustomized Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 432	I have 285/75/16 Firestone MT's and they are the worst tire I've ever used on ice/packed snow/ any snow for that matter. The lack of siiping and width(in my case) make for a worthless 4x4. I'm putting my 235/85 Nokians back on ASAP. __________________ 98 Limited, 3.4 Auto, 4.30's w/E-locker; TJM T-15, Tundra coils/OME lift, 235/85/16 Nokian Hakka 10's, custom 200 amp GM alternator, dual batteries, Brembo/PF brakes, modified Injen intake, Hella 500's, Hayden 678, Taurus Fan, etc

12-04-2008, 02:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
crawldaddy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Logan, Utah Posts: 5	I bought a set and the tread started to chunk badly. I had complete lugs ripping off in the center of the tire down to the steel belts. They saw mostly street miles with light dirt roads in an 02 dodge dakota. All of this happened with in the first 10000 miles. Firestone said that there is nothing wrong with the tire, but then warned me not to drive them with the steel showing. I'll never buy these again.

12-14-2008, 06:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
fyreandwater Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 159	I love my M/T's! Fantastic on slickrock in Moab. I have about 10,000 miles on mine and they have worn great. I wish they made them in a 35x12.50. __________________ 1983 Toyota SR5 Short Bed 4x4 3" suspension lift, 1.5" body lift 37x13.50 DC FC II's Front and Rear Aussie Lockers 4.88 dif gears 4.70 Crawler tcase gear TG High Steer Stock 22R Hedman Header Custom Bumpers, Rock Sliders, Warn Winch

05-01-2009, 11:55 AM	#14 (permalink)
bigtrucknwheels Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Where it always works if you work it, in Sunny Selinsgrove, PA Posts: 2,332	anyone else with a lot of miles on theirs willing to give a review? I need to be able to navigate snow with relative ease, as it is the number one reason I own a 4x4, next to being able to tackle anything I want to drive into/onto/over. Some mud, some dirt, and def. some snow. anyone? __________________ '03 Camry LE. Fwd/I4/Auto. Runs like a raped ape, but she's nothing purddy to look at :hillbill: '89 Pickup Std. Cab DLX. 4wd/I4/5spd. 3" BL. New project :D Hopefully 7M-GE/GTE awesomeness on the way Previous Vehicles '97 4Runner SR5 (5 Spd/E-locked, :'( should have never sold her...) : '87 Corolla SR5 (RWD) : '87 MR2 (BEAST :D) : '90 4Runner (4WD) : '90 Xtra Cab P/U (4WD) : '90 Std Cab P/U (4WD) : '81 Honda CX500 (Motorcycle)

05-01-2009, 06:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
SnowRunner98 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: cheyoming Posts: 312	i'm rocking the dick cepek fun co II's and they are excellent. Cooper st's are on all off our work trucks and they see everything, snow, mud, tons of highway miles, you name it. darn good tire. can't say about the fire stone. __________________ 98 runner SR5, flowmaster 40, K&N deckplate ISR,Poly rack and pinion bushings,1in. dropdown spacer, 2.5 swayaways c/o, Camburg UCA's. 285's Dick Cepek FuncountryII's 16x8 black wheels, Built front bumper,Tundra Brakes! Wish list(rear lift, 4.88's,E-locker, rear bumper,sliders)

05-04-2009, 05:48 AM	#16 (permalink)
Bandit Runner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stevensville, MI Posts: 155	I've got about 25,000 miles on mine so far, and they still have at least half the tread depth left. They are great in mud, dirt, sand, and deep snow, but not so much on ice. Also, very quiet on the road. Great tires! __________________ Bandit Runner 2002 4Runner Sport Edition, Black, 4x4 Currrent Mods: SS 1.2 lift, 265/75R16 Firestone Destination M/T's, Extended Rear Diff Breather, 4Crawler 1.5" body lift, Deckplate Mod, ISR Mod, Andy Trac Off Mod, Customized 4xInnovations slider steps, Custom Eagle Alloy Series 1378 Aluminum Wheels, Custom front bumper Coming Soon: Custom skid plate Future: 35" Mickey Thompson MTZ tires

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