Time for tires on my 3rd Gen and need some opinions on some 285's. What do you guys recommend. Ive never owned any of these tires so I need some input.

Setup:
99 4Runner SR5 Highlander 4x4
3.4L V6 Automatic
LockRight in the back.
TRD/LandCruiser Sonoran Steel kit

Uses: 25k miles on the road per year, occasionally wheeled, tows my trail rig on a regular basis. I live in the mountains so I see all sorts of conditions.

Choices:
BFG All Terrain
Nitto Terra Grappler
Cooper Discoverer STT
Toyo Open Country AT

If there are any others you guys would recommend feel free.

 

if your looking for the best millage i would go with the BFG all terrains. ive seen guys get 50,000 to 60,000 out of them on full size trucks. one down side is there not the best in the rain.

 

Time for me to I'm going with recaps from Treadwright for the low price and they are m/t's.

 

looks to me as if you tire choices are a little biased...i mean, you have 3 all terrians and 1 mud terrian, so that leads me to believe that you really want an a/t tire...so if i was you, i would go with the BFGs, as you'll get the most miles outta them. just don't expect to make it through any kind of mud other than a puddle with 'em...haha!

 

BOGGERS! they rock on the street!






just kidding...ive always been super happy with my BFG's...they are a great all around tire...I find the MT's are more aggressive and still have great road manners..though I've been happy with the at's too....

 

Might consider the cooper ATR's as an option if your in the market for an a/t tire. There pretty good in the rain and snow and they handle the mud well. I've had them for about 10k and there great.

 

every set of STT's i've seen have only lasted about 25k, so thats a new set every year for you

 

i say BFG you can never go wrong with them and worth the money

 

X2

unless you spend alot of time in the mud, bfg a/t's suck in the mud like most a/t's

 

I rarely spend time in the mud...I ing hate it and avoid it at all possible.

The general concensus seems to be the BFG AT's. The only reason I listed the STT is because I can get them at cost. However, I need the longevity of a tire that can work on and off road which makes me lean toward the BFG AT. Thanks for the input, any and all is appreciated guys.

 

I got 40K out of a set of BFG AT's and still got $150 for the set when I sold them. Good all around tire. Just don't let them talk you into a set of BFG Rugged Trails...My '05 came stock with those and they left a lot to be desired in the mountains (wet road, snow)

285's and towing a trail rig will kind of suck IMO unless you have re -geared...Might consider 265/75's if you tow much...just a suggestion
Just curious if you are flat towing your '80 and dropping the rear shaft?

 

i have the bfgs and i have loved them. like other people have said they dont do so well in the rain, but other than that they are awesome.

 

I just took off a set of Toyo Open country A/T's I was not impressed with them.

They rode like crap
Noisy for an A/T
One became out of round

 

Good to hear. Nothing can suck worse than my un-siped Goodyear MTR's in the rain.

Haven't re geared with 285's and honestly don't see the need to. I know the vast majority on here seems to but. I cant justify 2 sets of ring, pinion and install kits and installs just to save a couple of mpg's. With a 20,000 GVWR Hayden Trans Cooler it tows the 80 just fine. I pull with a 14ft open deck trailer that weighs about 700 pounds, if that. I get 180-200 miles per tank towing. Tundra brakes + Trailer brakes stops the 4k rig and trailer combo easily.

Well if you live in Washington and are keeping them thats saying something.

 

My vote is for the Nitto's. Load range D lasts a while. I got about 7500 on mine and they look brand new. They are great in rain and offroading. I've never even come close to getting stuck at any time. And they are cheap! I'm getting some 285 Nitto's for $126 each at a local offroad store. Unser Tire has them for $131 each I believe, but they aren't the most reliable store from reviews I've read. Discount Tire Direct seems to be a nice place and they have them for $143 each and I called and they said they can match any competitor price...

 

I love my bfg at's.

When these wear out i have three choices for new tires:
Interco Trxus, bfg muds, or cooper discover s/t

Those are the only ones in the size i want (255/85/16), unless i can somehow fit 15" rims, then its 33x10.5x15 bfg at

 

BFG for the WIN

 

BFG's are tried and true, A/T's aren't that great in the rain but, I've done ok in the mud with them, spin some but she makes it!

 

Check out Bridgestone Revos! Missing out if you don't...

 

I've driven on a few sets of BFGs on several Toyotas over the last 10 years and I'll never own them on a daily driven vehcice now that I've had my Nittos.

My TGs were $200 cheaper out the door and are much better in the rain/snow by a considerable margin over the BFGs which really don't have well defined water evacuation channels. Hydroplane resistance and control in the snow is what sold me on the Nittos.

My friend has an '01 Runner shod with BFGs and I made a direct comparison between our Runners and he just sold his BFGs for a new set of Nittos.

Dry grip is also better but that comes with a bit of a wear penalty. I'm hard on mine and see off road trails about 1-12 times a year and I'll see almost 50k out of mine (Nitto does now warranty the TGs for 50k) which is about what most realistically see form a set of BFGs.

The issue I had and have seen recently with BFGs is balancing problems and once you have a few years on them they harden up like rocks hence thier misleading "60-80k miles" out of them.

I've got about 35k on my Nittos and there's still plenty of tread on them and they still are pliable but with my hard cornering I've got a bit wear on the very edges.

IMO BFGs are a poor choice for a daily driven vehicle epsecially if you only off road a couple times a year but I think they have an edge in off road ruggedness and durability vs the Nittos but mine have been doing fine over 3 years now.



Mmmmmmmm,nothing like new and I almost can't wait for my next set.


BFGs are a solid tire but not the best for a mostly pavement pounder and they are popular not only by their rep but also by the guys at Discount push BFGs (they make a nice profit) on people's trucks and SUVs that will NEVER see even a rough road which is really just dumb.

The "look" is a primary reason for people buying BFGs and it is hard to beat but I needed tires that will perform the best on-road and at least close to the BFGs off road and the Nittos fit the bill.