AT Tires for my 4Runner

[mtnbkr]

I've narrowed it down to two and won't consider anything else unless they're significantly better, the same or lower price, and easily obtained.  

My 4Runner is old and mainly used to ferry me to/from work, around town, and into the woods for deer hunting.  I don't do any hardcore 4-wheeling, play in the mud or anything like that.  We rarely get more than 10-12" of snow at a time.  In fact, I rarely go anywhere you couldn't take a 2wd truck.

I've narrowed it down to (both LT265-75/R16):
Dakota Definity AT2 (slightly more aggressive than the normal Definity AT) at Pep Boys.  I can get a set of 4 out the door for $700ish.  To get that price, I have to buy the Road Hazard warranty (get one tire free though).  Standard treadwear warranty is 40k.

Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac.  If I order them from Discount Tire Direct and have Walmart mount them, I'll spend about $820.  Their warranty is 6 Years / Free replacement first year or 2/32" of wear, then prorated until 2/32" remaining depth.

Both get good reviews at offroading sites.  The Wranglers will require having tires shipped to my house, then me schlepping them 20 miles to the nearest WM with an auto center.  Why WM?  They're the only ones that will mount tires for less than $35/each.  Pep Boys is just a couple miles away.

I'm mostly on board with the Dakotas, but I'd like to hear other opinions.

Chris

[41magsnub]

The landcruiser guys tend to love the Duratracs.  I know nothing about the Dakotas.

I went with Cooper discoverer S/T's 285-75/R16's on my land cruiser.  They are very aggressive AT tires but not crossing the line into a tire that is going to be a PITA on the road.  They are in the same class as the Duratracs.  I'm pretty happy with them thus far.

[grampster]

I have used Goodyear Wrangler HT's for many years.  I get about 40,000 plus miles on 'em.  I tend to get new rubber when I still have fairly good tires.   I have not bought any recently because I've changed vehicles for swmbo's AWD ride and a friend got me a really cheap deal on some other obscure brand that sucked for my Nissan Frontier 4wd.  If I can get Wrangler HT's I get 'em.

I use my 4wd just like you...when I was still working, back and forth, ambling around the county, a little 2 track woods driving, generally just here and there no serious back woods stuff etc. but as I live in the sticks 4wd is a plus.

The Wrangler HT's for some reason gave me better traction than more aggressive treads in the woods and in the Michigan snow/sleet/wet and were quiet and smooth on the highway.  If they are still available it would be a no brainer to get them.

[SADShooter]

Can't speak to either listed option. I was really happy with the BF Goodrich T/A KOs I had on the Grand Cherokee. 50k warranty. Really nice highway/offroad performance balance. $203 per at Discount  on a quick search.

[zxcvbob]

Check out Kumho KL78's.  I put those on my 2WD truck and they handle really well, good traction, and they don't show any wear yet after 6000 or 7000 miles.

[charby]

My Nissan Frontier has General Grabbers on them http://www.generaltire.com/tires/Grabber-AW

I bought it that way and the tires were new at the time. I was kind of skeptic of the tires as AT tires but after 16 months of ownership they have been good. I've only been stuck once and that was because I high centered my truck on a snow drift while ice fishing on Lake Okoboji, 5 minutes of shoveling and I was on my way again.

I've been up to the axles in mud, climbed a steep hill in 12" snow and so forth. Tires have been good and they are quiet on the highway.

[mtnbkr]

BF Goodrich T/A KO: Familiar with them, too expensive.
Kumho KL78: Too expensive.  Gonna cost as much or more than the Wranglers by the time I get them here.
Cooper Tires: Checked them out, liked the ST and STT.  Shops in this area want Michelin prices for Coopers though.

I'm really only interested in the two tires I listed.  I've been reading, researching, and calling shops around here. 

Chris

[K Frame]

Wrap them in the pig skin of the pig you're chumping out of.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i have the dakotas on my cherokee  like em. i have similar driving habits  have 10 k on em and they look good for wear.  i got em for a steal when a kid upgraded to bigger wheels and tires on a new truck.  wish i could get more at same deal

[Sergeant Bob]

Check out Kumho KL78's.  I put those on my 2WD truck and they handle really well, good traction, and they don't show any wear yet after 6000 or 7000 miles.

That's what I have on my Explorer and I love them. Very good in snow and mud, yet still smooth and quiet on the road.

Kumho KL78: Too expensive.  Gonna cost as much or more than the Wranglers by the time I get them here.

I'm really only interested in the two tires I listed.  I've been reading, researching, and calling shops around here. 

Chris

What size tire are you looking for? My Kumho's were $115 installed (by a local shop) from Tire Rackâ„¢. Those are only 15" though.

[mtnbkr]

Size is 265/75-R16.

Chris