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Old 01-29-2007, 10:36 AM
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P-rated or LT tires?

Hey guys I need some expert advise here. I'm ordering some new tires for my truck but Don't really know the difference between the LT265/75/16 and just the P265/75/16. There an all terrain tire as I plan to do some wheeling but I spend 85% of my time on the pavement. Could you guys help me out here. Whats the difference here? Would I be ok with the P265/75/16 or should i go for the LT? Thanks.

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Old 01-29-2007, 10:50 AM
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LT stand for light truck?
Old 01-29-2007, 10:59 AM
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As far as I know, LT does mean light truck, and you want that. It means the tire has a tougher carcass to carry more weight, but also resists damage from off road use. It will mean your truck has a slightly harsher ride over bumps on road. In my opinion the small increase in price, and the minor change in ride is totally worth it for the insurance against flats.
Old 01-29-2007, 12:05 PM
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So I guess most ppl here off-roading run an LT tire correct?
Old 01-29-2007, 01:15 PM
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LT tires do generally carry a higher load capacity than p-metric sizes. If you're talking about tread styles, an AT = all terrain and MT = mud terrain.
Old 01-29-2007, 04:49 PM
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If you have the option, get the LT.
Old 01-29-2007, 11:44 PM
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Well The tires I was looking at do have the LT tire but the supplier can only get the P rated version. I was like ooooook so I figured I'd ask if there was a noticable difference between the 2 especially when offroading. I gather that LT's are infact the better of the 2.
Old 01-30-2007, 04:20 AM
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P metric sizes will work on 4Runners...if you're not planning to tow or haul a lot of weight. I'd stick with LT tires just in case. Most if not all off roading style tires aren't available in p metric styles.
Old 01-30-2007, 01:04 PM
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alrighty, LT's it is. Reason I was asking is because the All terrain I;'m getting is available in p metric. It's cool though I'll look into an LT. Thanks everyone.
Old 01-30-2007, 01:07 PM
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Don't put passenger tires on your truck, you definatley want Light truck tires.
Old 01-31-2007, 05:59 AM
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If you don't put crazy miles on your truck yearly Nittos make a good choice for a DD since they have great road manners especially in the wet stuff and they won't break your wallet. I do think a set of BFGs are a bit tougher off road but if you are rarely there then the Nittos put the BFGs to shame in the rain and snow. I know since I have a couple of sets of BFGs to compare to and I'll never go back unless I had just a weekend warrior Runner.
Old 01-31-2007, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by One_96TR4
Well The tires I was looking at do have the LT tire but the supplier can only get the P rated version. I was like ooooook so I figured I'd ask if there was a noticable difference between the 2 especially when offroading. I gather that LT's are infact the better of the 2.
It really depends on what you're going to do with the tires. The "P" rating or "passenger" rating is usually made with fewer plies while the "LT" rating or "light truck" rating indicates it carries extra plies and a load rating as well (usually C = 6 ply, D = 8, E = 10, etc). Now before you ask why would anyone ever want a P rated tire, there are tradeoffs to P vs LT as well. The P rated tire is usually the smoothest and noise free since the tread conforms more easily to various road conditions, they also tend to get slightly better gas mileage due to less weight in the rotating tire itself. The LT tire's strengths are more obvious, increased load carrying capacity and puncture resistance being the two biggest biggest. The load capability of the 4runner isn't the greatest and you're very unlikely to overload the P rated tires so just just running LT tires for towing a trailer is probably overkill. So then you need to ask yourself what you're going to be doing most. If you're mostly doing highway and rarely go offroad, then an LT tire is probably not doing you any good, but frequent offroad trips on rocky terrain could warrant the extra plies. Totally up to you.

Last edited by MTL_4runner; 01-31-2007 at 07:02 AM.
Old 01-31-2007, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by MTL_4runner
It really depends on what you're going to do with the tires. The "P" rating or "passenger" rating is usually made with fewer plies while the "LT" rating or "light truck" rating indicates it carries extra plies and a load rating as well (usually C = 6 ply, D = 8, E = 10, etc). Now before you ask why would anyone ever want a P rated tire, there are tradeoffs to P vs LT as well. The P rated tire is usually the smoothest and noise free since the tread conforms more easily to various road conditions, they also tend to get slightly better gas mileage due to less weight in the rotating tire itself. The LT tire's strengths are more obvious, increased load carrying capacity and puncture resistance being the two biggest biggest. The load capability of the 4runner isn't the greatest and you're very unlikely to overload the P rated tires so just just running LT tires for towing a trailer is probably overkill. So then you need to ask yourself what you're going to be doing most. If you're mostly doing highway and rarely go offroad, then an LT tire is probably not doing you any good, but frequent offroad trips on rocky terrain could warrant the extra plies. Totally up to you.
Well said MTL!
Old 01-31-2007, 03:26 PM
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WOW MTL you really got it all covered. I was going to ask if I should consider An E load range but I think now it would just be over kill. Now I just need to decide between a p and an LT load range C. Anyone have any experience with cooper ATR's or Dayton Timberline A/T?
Old 01-31-2007, 03:31 PM
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mudders
Old 01-31-2007, 03:31 PM
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just 4 mud
Old 02-01-2007, 05:19 AM
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I tow boats and a camper frequently with my SR5 and I stick with the P-metrics. The 4Runner rides harsh enough, especially with the Bilsteins tightening the suspension, that I decided not to opt for the LT's.
Old 02-01-2007, 02:32 PM
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Check the tread depth on the P vs. the LT. The LT tires usually have deeper tread=more mileage.
Old 02-01-2007, 02:34 PM
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^^ Another good point, I will definately take that into consideration.
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