So i have a 99 4runner thats tires have come to the end of their lives. I live in colorado and drive in the mountains about every weekend to go skiing so id like to get an all terrain tire that i could use all year round and does very well in the snow and the ice. I've been looking at the bfgs all terrain but supposibly they dont do very well on snow and wear fast. Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

nitto terra graplers i have them and i love them

 

Heard great things about the Cooper Zeon LTZ tires!

 

Good tires on ice... no such thing. studs/chains help there, but everyday tires don't do well on ice.

snow is a different monster- i've heard the BFGs were good in the snow- didn't have the $$$ when it was time for tires, though.

i did some research and ended up going with yokohama's AT-S. tried them in snow, mud, rain- performed well in all categories. on the highway, they're wearing nicely. probably about 67% left after 20k miles, regular rotations. i'd recommend them- when i took them in for my lifetime rotation check-up, the tech at the tire center said he didn't know much about them, but he was a believer after seeing them first-hand (concerning tread wear). they look good, too!

LOTS of info on the site. many differing opinions. it'll come down to your budget, most likely. I wouldn't go back to a HT (in avatar) now that i've gone AT, btw. they look too HOT.

good luck!

 

I guess things must be different down there. Where I live you pretty much need actual winter tires. Most people have two sets of tires. Doing it this way does a couple of things. It gives you the best possible traction in the winter and good tires for the summer. Also, because you are only running your tires for part of the year you don't wear them down as quickly so there is not really a huge cost disadvantage. But, like I said I don't know how your winters are down there. If you are spending a lot of time in the mountains then why not have the confidence in your tire. My $0.02

 

ProComps are buy 3 get 1 free till end of September. I like my new Extreme AT's.

 

^^^ smokin'!

 

nice runner, I am getting cooper LTZ 265 75 r 16 intalled friday, I will let you all know how the handle in the snow...

 

I've researched this and been through a lot of tires. I'm a cop, for me there's no such thing as "I can't make it into work." I own a '99 Limited and we got 80 inches of snow this year...........

For snow under 8 inches and ice Bridgestone Blizzaks are unbelievable. It's one of the only tires that actually has some grip on ice. THEY WORK. No All Terrain tire even comes close.

The drawback on the Blizzaks is they are a soft compaund tire. A lot of guys keep them on seperate rims and run them November to March.

As for deep snow, 12 inches+ chains work like nothing else. Tire chain technology is much better than it was 10 years ago. Compared to a 2nd set of tires, chains are cheap. $100 per set.....cheap!

The drawback with chains is you have to drive slowly 30 miles per hour max. But a '99 4Runner with four chains on it will go better than anything else out there.

Check out RUD tire chains.

 

I got the General Grabber AT2s. They do great in all kinds of terrain. Except Mud. they look much like the BFGs and cost less.

 

so far so good with the ltz's. Drove home in about 2 or 3 inches of wet slush/snow in 2 wheel drive the whole time, no prob. Even made it up my steep drive way in 2 with minor slippage. I have read about the ltz's having a slight tire wobble at around 50 mph, but here the roads are rough so I cant really tell if its that or just the conditions I am driving in. Haven't been on the highway yet, I'll let you know how they do from 60 to about 80. Just waiting for the snow to melt to try them out wheelin. All in all, I pretty much made it through the whole north east winter with bald nokian vativas and the 4runner still handled like a champ! 3rd gens rocks...

 

The BFG KOs don't wear fast and are fine in snow.

I would also look at the NittoTerra Grapplers and my favorite the Goodyear Duratracs.

 

for the price I don't think you will find a better bang for you buck than with the ltz's. If you do some research you will be hard pressed to find any bad reviews about the ltz's. I live in the mountains where mud season has graced the land, BEAUTIFUL! I have been ripping around sloppy dirt roads with ease, and find it hard to even break the rear end loose around corners that I used to drift with ease. The LTZ's just dig in and tear up muddy slopes with ease. So far there has been no problem with the larger size, I havent flexed the suspension yet but don't think I am worried about it rubbing... Took the yota on the highway yesterday and it felt glued to the pavement... love em, even the wifey loves em! Go with cooper ltz for the best all-around all season AT tire mone can buy...

 

.....and yet another....The Cooper Discoverer S/T's I've been running did wonderful in both 14" snowfalls we had here this winter. I prefer them over the BFG AT....

 

Mastercraft courser a/t are the best. Do well in snow, rain, mud. Never got stuck and they wear real great on the road.

 

running nitto terra graplers in 265/75/16. If I could do it again i'd get something thats a little lighter in the load rating. Its a harsh ride. These only come in E. But so far traction is good in snow assuming you air down to match conditions. Have not done much mud. They are very good against side wall damage though.

 

I've really only been on Toyos.

Got mine used with the rims awhile back, moved to Colorado and had to deal with brutal snow and ice. They were pretty worn but i kicked butt in them on the way here through the Rockies. No one could keep up! Same went for around the city.

Off roading, got stuck a few times. However i think those were situations that any tire would've gotten stuck. Sand dunes are brutal, however i drove right by other stuck vehicles with ease! haha! I got stuck in huge empty river but that's cause i was swinging the truck side to side and ended up falling into a steep ditch on the side. Got myself out though.

Had to go with another set of Toyos!