I now know why people call these tires Dunflops. Within the last 700 miles my vehicle has started to 'float' and 'flop' while driving, not providing the same precise road feel of a new tire. I was impressed with the Dunlops at first, but like any tire, 80% of the soft rubber is used up by 18,000 miles. These Dunlops seem to be lasting only 6K miles before turning into a Dunflop. Looks like if I want to retain the sharp, road feel of new tires, I will have to replace these 'flops' with something more substantial and longer lasting.

 

Which "Dunflops" are these?

 

Stock tires, I believe they are Grandtek AT620's, something like that.

 

Stock tires are usualy the cheapest POS tires that the manufacturer can get away with. No one will decide to buy a different vehicle because they don't like the tires. The higher end Dunlops will give you much more satisfaction.

 

They are Grandtrek AT20 on my truck.

I could have gone all day without reading your post -- I'm at 5,700 miles and don't want to replace the tires that fast -- they are expensive!

 

Can't be any worse than the stock Goodyears. They don't even protect the rims very well...

 

I'm happy with the dunlops that came with my runner. They're the grandtreks as well. They lasted about 70K before I replaced them. I think there fine for street and highway driving.

 

I had the Grantrek AT20's on mine, and within 7,000 miles they became completely out of round. I went to Sears, and replaced them all with a full credit, because they have a 2/10's free replacement warranty for manufacturers defects. All I told them was I had been to two different shops to have them rotated and balanced and neither shop could get them right. The second shop even showed me how out of round they were.

If I was you, goo to the place you bought them, and repeat the same thing I did. Dunlaps are junk!

Chris

By the way, that a $460 credit towards a new bigger set of Bridgestone Duelers AT Revo's in the 285 size! It was sooo sweet!

 

They will probably last until 70K miles, but I like the feel of a sharp, concise ride. The Flops were pretty good for the first few thousand miles while new, but now that the initial 'new' soft rubber has/is wearing off the tire it is very sloppy and I find myself drifiting on the highway or country road. My Michelin LTX's at 34K miles still had that 'new tire' feel and drive. Too bad LTX does not come in a 265/70 17 size.

 

What pressure are you running the Dunlops at??

 

I had the AT20 from the factory as well and got the 265-70-17 Revos installed last week. Factory rims, w/X-REAS and no rubbing. The ride is slightly firmer but overall still very comfortable, but different.

I haven't had a chance to hit the beach except once so far and I had no problems. After I have them a month or so, I'll give a better opinion/report of them.

You will not get a bigger tire on a 4th gen without lift. I have no rub but there is very little tolerance with the 265-70-17 Revos with the factory 17x7 1/2 aluminum wheels with 30mm offset.

 

So can someone verify that the tire rubber goes from a soft compound to a harder one as the tire wears?

I mean riding on the belts is one thing, but softer to harder rubber? I've never heard of that.

 

I've got 75XX miles on mine and keep them at 35lbs and rotate every 2000 miles I've realized good tires rotated will last longer, crappy tires still wear out as fast.

I have had no real problem with them but Im replacing them before the winter, I cheated death once with them and thats enough, I have realized that in hot weather they can slide to the point where VSC does not even kick in, not fishtailing but I can get it loose on exit ramps and nothin.

I thought 4Runners came with Yokohamas, I saw tons of 3rd Gen 4Runners on the lots with Yokohamas and GoodYears you realize Toyota is screwing customers cause on Tire rack Dunlops are like 60 bucks and Michelins are 100 plus.

I guess a more refined Truck means car like crappy tires for the MILF

Sac State
So since your at 18k have you done anything besides oil changes, Im really dreading going back to Toyota :cry:

 

Ditto on Dunflops... I have been looking for new tires, and have read a LOT about Dunlops. On the surface, they offer the best deal for the money (Mud rovers 32X11.5R15 only $99!) but A LOT of people have problems with them shortly down the road. I think I will spend a little more and get BF Goodrich or similar. Hard to imagine how two people with identical set of tires can have such different experiences.. but on average, Dunlops do seem to produce more complaints than other brands.

 

Which LTX? The Michelin web site lists 5 different variations.

They also list a Cross Terrain SUV tire that says it comes in 265/65-17 and 265/70-17, but I haven't found who sells it in both sizes...only found the 265/70-17.

 

Anyone ever thought of the Toyo M410's. There rated #1 by consumer reports. Here is the link. Click on the tire that says light truck. http://www.toyo.com/tires/index_frame.html

 

EDGE: I've only got 5600K miles at this time, but I have read in auto rags that 80% of a tire's soft rubber is used up by the 18K mark of that tires life. It doesn't mean the tire won't last until 45K miles, or more, but the majority of the soft rubber that gives a tire its characteristics is worn by then. I was surprised that the flops started to lose their EDGE after only 5600K miles.

I run 32psi at four corners and I have a compressor in my garage, so checking the psi once a month is mandatory.

I am dreading going back to the dealership too, I was just informed that my service writer, who was the best I have ever encountered, has left the dealership for another opportunity. Been using him for about four years. That sucks for me, good for him, he was the only person in the service department that I truly trusted. He has a '03 Runner as a personal car, so we always traded stories. Oh well, some things just gotta change!

 

32 psi is low for those tires. I would try them at 35 to 36 psi and see how they feel.

 

Sac State
I just realize I read what you said wrong:pat:

I have some time before the 15k service

 

My SR5 came with the Bridgestone Dueler H/T on the 17" alloys, and I have 9300 on them. I keep them at 37, and like the way they ride. No noticable difference from the day I picked it up. I just ordered a set of REVOs in 275/70R16, and a set of OEM steel wheels for the winter. The REVOs look to be only an inch larger that the H/Ts, but will see when they are mounted. I don't anticipate any clearance problems. My only experience with Dunlops was a LONG time ago on my Alfa, they stuck like glue in the corners, but were only good for 30,000.