A while ago, I pondered actually getting smaller tires (down from the 265/70/16's). A quick note.

1. I live/drive at 6,000 feet and above
2. 99% of all driving is on pavement
3. We tow with the 4runner

With all this in mind, I realized a couple of things.

1. I have 4.3 gearing vs. 4.56 gearing
2. My engine has less HP than a new honda civic
3. I never go off road
4. The large tires kick up rocks

After much research, and bitching at my local costco (they suck in so many ways) I marched on down to my local discount tire.

Wow. They did everything I asked without question. They mounted the tires (with a few odd looks), used the appropriate adapter for the sport rims, balanced everyone perfectly, let me watch the whole deal and did a damn fine job.

The LTX AT/2 tires are fantastic. They ride amazing, track perfectly, look pretty nice and have fantastic bite.

The day we drove home, a huge storm blew through with an inch of rain in just under an hour. While I could visibly see cars/trucks (and one tacoma) hydroplane on the road, I drove straight through. Michelin pays the bucks for research. I never slid once.

I went with smaller/narrower tires for the following:

1. Wet traction
2. Quicker acceleration
3. Better MPG (marginal at best)

Again, I am not the average yotatecher who seeks off road prowess. In fact, I suppose I am bucking the american trend where "bigger is better always".

Even in the bay, the discount techs were looking very strangely at me. I said "not very manly eh"? The tech agreed.

Fine with me. Cheaper tires for me on sport rims.

 

Well, you'll see manly thumbs up when fueling up at the local petrol station from your 'Techer' peeps when oil reaches $150/barrel again. It's coming soon, stay tuned because I hear that there's an energy bill in the works that will halt all oil production in the U.S. too. What more could an anti-American terrorist/treasonous traitor dream up? Happy cuatro de Julio, Homie!

 

I have the LTX AT/2 as my highway and dd tire. I've put 14,000 miles on them now and they have barely warn down. The only down side is they suck in the snow

 

pics or it didnt happen

 

Pictures.....

 

I will only give Discount Tire my business... if I ever live near one again... Nothing bad to say about them

 

That doesn't look too bad at all, kudos for taking the initiative.

 

She looks good with the smaller shoes. All the better that you are happy with them.

 

looks good and you could probably even run front mudflaps without rubbing-a constant goal of mine....

 

How about some pictures from the front or behind so we can actually see how skinny the tires are.

 

I am very happy with them. The downside is the cost. I had to buy a matching spare. Yes, I know I could have used the existing but felt better with matching tires.

Before, and your mileage may very, the truck steered heavy and rather imprecise. It could have been the tire quality and age-who knows.

As I mentioned before, I was looking for an acceleration increase due to high elevation-which the smaller tires accomplished along with the other mods-which of course, all of this is hotly contested.

My only remaining concern is weight. These tires are rates at 400lbs less per tires than the previous. Theoretically, I lowered my GVWR by 1000lbs. However, I have found that the 4runner, while rated at a high weight rating, in practice, the short wheel base and light weight lend itself to lower weights.

I am sort of a person that is very sensitive about these things and not everyone cares like I do. So, YMMV.

 

x2

 

I dialed in the air pressure today and found a few interesting things. At 32psi the ride is quite harsh.

I dialed the rear down to 28 and the front to 31. At 29 front, there is a nice ride but pronounced understeer(?). For example, in a hard turn, there is pretty pronounced pushing of the front end. At 31 there is (possibly) less and a lighter steering feel. I forgot to mention that at 29 PSI the steering is a bit heavier .I might get out the chalk and do it that way which requires more time than I want to put into it. As long as the PSI is between 28 and 32 PSI, the truck rides fine.

The tires are very grippy on the dirt and siphon water well. In a performance course, I wouldn't hold my breath. There is trade off for off road grip and soft ride.

 

Do the chalk test to find the right pressure - I did it for the first time about a year ago and I'm addicted.
I still need to do it on my '85 actually...

Again, kudos to you for doing the practical and efficient thing - most of us don't have that much control on our wallets/debit cards.

Fink:devil;

 

Rederic....Isn't there rules in the forum about opinionated political rants.

 

Lets see some before pics.

 

It looks like every other 4runner with 265's...

 

Not really.

If you were to see some side pictures it would look different.

Also a picture of the width would serve as a good example. Would't those be 3" narrower than 265?

 

Guys-with all respect, I really don't want to take more pictures or dig up more....

I appreciate the feedback. My advice is...if all your driving is road, consider the smaller tires. But let me tell you, they are noticeably less manly looking. I notice every time walking up to it.

 

and THERE'S the rub...