soon to be 4runner owner, tires question

Hello folks, I'm supposed, at least I hope, that I'll get my new 4runner anytime before the end of the year. I am actually driving a Jeep Wrangler with Toyo open country at3 in LT(10 ply) in the same stock dimension than the 4runner which is 265/70/17. The tires are fairly new with no visible wear yet. The tire that come stock with the 4runner trail edition are Bridgestone dueler HT. I am mostly doing city/ highway milage, but in hunting and fishing season I am doing a lot of forest road and moderate off road. I am questioning myself if I keep the Toyo on my jeep to mount them on the 4runner. I really like the tire, but the 10 ply feels a little stiff and overkill, but I feel like the Bridgestone might be stressful for running flat in the woods.. are they any good? Never rode these tires on any car... And, since I live in Quebec, where winters are really rough, I plan to buy some dedicated winter tires and not ride the all terrain all year round like I used to do. I looked a bit and found great deals in my area for continental viking contact. So, to summarize, what would you do for the summer tires, keep the stock one, or put my actual Toyo? And are the continental good winter tires for the 4runner for the people that tried them? Thanks for your time and sorry for my English. Have a nice day.

 

It all depends on your idea of “moderate” off-road.

 

Casual gravel road with occasional mud, nothing rock climbing like.

 

In your first post you described the LT Toyos as stiff and overkill. You also said you will be driving mostly on the street. In my opinion, neither of the options you presented is ideal. I’d like to see a third option where you put some C-rated AT tires on the 4-Runner. But given the two choices I’d stick with the Duelers. They are good tires.

 

Best case scenario would be P rated or C rated Toyo open country, but I don't plan to buy "new" summer tires. That's why I'm questioning myself which side do I go.. more road oriented tires, or more offroad.

 

And stiff, on my jeep Wrangler, I don't know how they would ride on a 4runner, anyone here running them on their rig??

 

Haha. Load rating of AT tires is a topic of highly spirited debate on this board.

So if you took the E-rated Toyo tires off your Jeep, wouldn’t you then be faced with buying new tires for the Jeep?

 

I am trading the jeep in, so don't really care what tires are on it when bringing it to the dealer.

 

I have the Goodyear Wranglers. Live on/in the edge of the Cascades. FS roads, trips, and moderate snow. I like them!

 

I would keep the Toyo and put them on the 4Runner. The Duelers will not be go during hunting season. I can deal with a “stiffer” ride while driving on the street, I don’t want to deal with a blown sidewall out in the woods.

 

I'm about 98% on road, pulling my boat or hauling stuff to tailgates. Other 2% would be across farm fields. I put the Pirelli Scorpion Plus AT in the stock size on my 2019 ORP. Very quiet road manners and they have handled the rain we've had.

 

Agreed. The difference in "feel" or noise was negligible to me when I went to the Toyo. To me it was an easy decision.

 

I mean, road noise and feel is definitely less intense with the Toyo than the ko2 they replace. It feels as bumpy tho since both of them were E rated. But a Wrangler is bumpy anyway, so my guess is that it will be "feeling" better on the 4runner. I think I got my answer. I was mainly wondering if the dueler were still a little "capable".. but I prefer a little bumpier ride, than changing a flat tire the morning going to hunt I mean, I'd probably put wood wheels on the 4runner and it would still ride better than my wrangler thanks for your time!

 

I'd keep the Duelers for summer driving. They are not the best tires in the rain. I experienced a bit of hydroplaning with mine. But at the first hint of snow, change them out. These tires are horrible...horrible....in the snow.

 

Just an unrelated side note if you’re in Quebec be sure to put fluid film or something else on your new frame prior to winter driving.

 

Rust proofing in Quebec is almost mandatory if you want to keep your car a few years, I've done it on all my cars. Road salt and the abrasive stuff they put here is a real frame killer

 

So with all your answer I think my plan is going to be running the Toyo on the 4runner for summer and hunting months. And I will be running real dedicated winter tires in the snowy months. I really didn't like the manners of my jeep with the ko2 and the Toyo in the winter months even though they are three mountain peak rated... They really are poor in icy and slushy conditions. As a recently new father, I prefer a more safe option.

 

I second the Pirelli Scorpion Plus AT's - I have these on my 2021 ORP and they do have very nice road manners and do well in light off road situations.

 

The General Grabber ATx in SL load was my pick after lots of research & contemplation. My situation is very similar to OP’s but lots more time on gravel/FS roads.
They are lightweight (41.4 lbs) & have a fairly deep 13/32 tread depth for a 4 ply tire. Super quiet & most importantly to me…they ride & handle like stock.
IMHO they are pretty close to the perfect middle ground tire for the 4Runner.

 

I would probably invest in some quality tires that meet AT/winter specs. I ran some Cooper Discoverers and these were nice. For the type of whether you get up North I'd seriously consider Michelin Defenders based on owner reviews.

 

AT tires are shit for our winter here.. been running this setup for 3 winter straight and it's not enough

 

is that based on your experience in the Toyos or other experience as well? If you need Blizzaks get Blizzaks, and then I'd recommend buying a set of wheels from someone "upgrading" their wheels and keep your two sets ready to swap out.

 

The Toyo and the ko2, I will now buy some real dedicated winter tires. Probably continental viking contact

 

ALMOST as bad as Politics ​

 

I'm from Buffalo, so I know snow. Just put on a set of BFG KO2 tires on the new 4runner. Its a all terrain tire that is also snow rated. I have had both the Goodyear Duratrac and BFG KO2 on previous truck. Both performed the same, just found the KO2 tire makes less road noise.

 

Looks good!

KO2’s are certainly the most popular choice.

 

I’d keep the 10 ply, use up the factory for a bit, but the stock tires will not hold up if your driving gravel and rocky roads, I just dealt with a rock stuck in the tire last week up by Moosehead, my guess is that Quebec woods is similar to the terrain around Moosehead.

 

I think you all missed it OP keep the toyo and sell the new tires and put the money towards a dedicated snow tires on a set of used 4Runner rims your life will be complete

 

Except the op is going to need to swap the tires at trade in time. Which also negates my post of put some highway miles on the stock sneakers.

 

Have you actually used the K02 in deep NY snowstorms and Black Ice ?

Versus

Bridgestone Blizzaks