looking for tire suggestions to replace the OEM junk tires.

My wifes 4runner 4WD came with the well know Grandtrek AT20 is Dunlop's Size: 265/70R17. They have 30,000 miles on them i am cheap so have been putting off on replacing them as they still have decent tread but i see they are rated really bad in snow.

We live in VA and rarely get snow anymore but it does happen seems to always be snow/ice mix but 100% of the time the 4runner only sees blacktop and gravel roads.

In the past my go to tire has always been the Michelin - Defender but i feel like it is to tame for a 4runner, i always bought them because they lasted 60,000 miles.

 

BFG AT KO2 (or KO3).

Good enough tire so that you can kick it up a notch and have more fun than you are currently having!

While I need to get back to proper off-roading, they work fine on pavement and on the gravel roads.

They’ll hold just enough gravel to remind people not to tailgate when you go from gravel to tarmac.

I’m in VA as well, but they served me well in WI too.

 

BFG Trail-Terrain, the next step up in off-road looks and performance without going full all-terrain

Edit: The Defender LTX M/S I believe was discontinued in our fitment but the M/S2 seems a smidge more aggressive so perhaps that or the A/T2?

 

I’ve ran the Michelin LTX m+s on my 2001 4Runner, and loved the ride. they replaced 75,000 mile BFG K02s. I went to Michelin because of more highway driving and softer ride.
When replacing my Bridgestone Duellers on my 17 I went with the load range C BFG K02s to stiffen up the ride. I didn’t like the wishy washy feeling of the 5th gen and knew that they would last.
I would strongly caution on load range E tires if you don’t carry a lot of weight or off road a lot.
There are a lot of BFG haters here, but they last a long time, and are pretty durable, capable, and look decent.

 

I replaced the Dunlops at 35,000 miles with Michelin Defender LTX m/s2. Had to be real about 99% of my driving being on pavement. The Defenders do well enough off road though. M/S 2s are a smidge more aggressive than last generation, and not as quiet as the marketing material leads you to believe. Note: there is no SL rating but rather XL. They are noticeably firmer than an SL tire. I’ve taken them back to Discount Tire twice with fine balancing issues. Dunlops were smooth for 35k; why can’t these high-dollar tires also be smooth? My runner-up choice was the Cooper Road & Trail. Having a bit of buyers remorse, honestly.

 

Cooper Discoverer Road + Trail AT
BFG Trail-Terrain,

 

Another tire thread.

 

Oh boy.

 

The KO2s are good all-around tires, and they can be purchased in OEM size as "C" rated, which will be stiffer than your Dunlops, but not significantly.
[edited: the KO3 is only available in load range "E" , at least in Canada in the OEM size. My guess is those might be more than you want]
In the KO2, you can also get a LT255/75/17C which is a tiny bit larger in diameter, and a smidgen narrower, and doesn't have the raised white letters.

 

Hey @Dave97
You’re right Michelin is too tame. Even some Cooper and Continental are kinda tame. Everyone has BFG’s - which I don’t like, and they aren’t the best choice for my region.

If you want a long lasting tread, highly regarded, snow rated tire, that is as aggressive looking as KO2/3’s, I got two words for you:
Mickey Thompson.
Another two words: Baja Boss
I guess I had 4 words for you.

Goodluck!

 

You answered your own question, go with Michelin Defender since you like them and they would fit your needs.

I personally wouldn't go with any Michelin tire on a "truck" but i need versatile off road besides wet and snow capabilities.

IMO Goodyear Duratrac RT's are the best all around tire by far, but way overkill for your needs.

 

I run Duratracs on my truck way overkill for the 4runner.

 

Ltx/ms or ms2 for everyday driving.
.

 

Are they overkill tho if in turn they’re an excellent investment w/ very high mileage output if you’re already buying decent tires. Once in a while you need the extra grip, they’re there for you. In the event of a tie, the guy with AT’s on his 4R gets the lady every time.

 

I'm very happy with my Falken Wildpeak AT4Ws

 

ANY kind of grade and I would avoid ko2's like the plague. Huh kinda rhymes. I live in the mountains with ice covered gravel and blacktop. We don't go anywhere when the roads are like that

 

Two threads on these tires:
- https://www.4runners.com/threads/cooper-road-trail.41253/
- https://www.4runners.com/threads/cooper-road-trail-reviews-thread-with-pics.42556/

 

BFG or Michelin

I won't buy Cooper or Goodyear, had too many issues with crappy and uneven wear. Falken and Toyo became big(ger) names and the price went up and over the value. They're an big sticker without big performance.

So, for 100% street, Michelin is the right choice.

 

I have never owned cooper but i do like the way they look also cheaper than others.

 

I bought the DuraTracs for the snow and they have have been amazing on my old Tacoma getting me out of some nasty places. It's really the only time i drive it is in bad weather.

 

Nice, right on! I wish I had a pick up too.

Funny enough, I bought Duratracs in ‘21, but supply chain crap delayed my delivery so long that my 4x4 shop advised I pull the plug cuz eta switched to indefinite…switched to Mickey Thompson and never looked back

 

I find it hilarious that people buy tires for how they look.

 

I used to run super swampers back in the day.

Loved how the looked. Loved how they performed offroad.

Loved how I couldn’t hear my engine at freeways speeds and how it turned my seat into a vibrating massage.

 

When I put my ultra terrains on my runner, it looks way better than the OEM highway tires. I didn’t buy them based on looks, but it has an impact.

 

This

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ko2s-in-the-snow.684435/

 

We have sleet and snow here in the St. Louis area, my stock Nitto Grapplers are very impressive.

 

If I have two tires that perform very well. Identical. I’d choose the one that looks better.

I like that the AT4Ws perform excellent and look fantastic.

 

My OR wheels came with brand new Dunlop AT20s. So didn't really need to replace them right away. But after 2 years, they don't handle worth shit as they wear down. They slip in the rain and on gravel roads. Plus they are a f.n magnetic for nails and screws. Lol

I read too many balancing issue stories on here about KOs. So narrowed down my choice to pirelli scorpions ( that's just basing my experience with pirelli being one of the best sport performers on cars) and Falken wildpeaks. Michelins are always solid performance tires, no experience with them on trucks.

 

looks are a big part of it. IE if they look tame or aggressive.