Too many tire choices

I have a 2002 4Runner limited. Completely stock at the moment but about to put on an OME lift. I am thinking I want to slightly upsize the tires. I have spent hours reading threads on multiple forums trying to figure out the "best" tires for me. There are just too many options and too many opinions. I have read and reread all the Tire Rack tests. 95% of my driving is on pavement. I need good wet traction and good snow performance. I am looking for an On/Off road AT. Cost is not a consideration. Performance in rain and snow is. So instead of asking what tire should I get, I am asking for reasons not to buy one of the tires listed below. So please, anyone with experience with these tires, tell me why you wouldn't buy them again.

The candidates are: Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Nitto Terra Grappler

Michelin LTX A/T2

Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

I appreciate your input.

 

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S - Great tire, not my favorite looking tire. Now the STT is another story.

Nitto Terra Grappler - This is an uber popular tire. I call it a "fan boy" tire. So so so many guys who upgrade wheels upgrade to this tire. My experience is it is ok in standing water on the road, but terrible/slippery with damp roads.

Michelin LTX A/T2 - They're french. 'Nuf said. Boring soccer mom A/T.

Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 - highest price point, amazing tire. Good to great in every category. Especially loose dirt, mud and rocks. best looking A/T avaialble.

 

The Michelin and Yoko are definitely more biased towards road performance, I think they're really AT only in name. I'm pretty sure some new Subaru's come with the Yoko, if that tells you anything.

I've never actually seen or heard anyone say anything good about the Nitto. They come on TRD Pro 4Runners, that's their main claim to fame. Like WT said, they seem to be popular with a certain group, I mainly see them in very low profile sizes on overly wide wheels on full-size pickups.

I've read a lot of good reviews of the Coopers, supposedly they're actually pretty good off-road considering their appearance, and they've done good in comparison tests I've read.

Out of these, I'd go with the Coopers if you do intend on at least som off-roading, and the Michellins if you're going to be strictly on road.

 

the yoko's that the OP is considering are not the ones that come on the Subaru's (my girlfriend has those on her subaru). the G015's aren't super aggressive, but I would say are as much of an AT as the nitto or cooper. they also have the 3 peak mountain snowflake... they would be my choice of the options mentioned.

 

fair enough.. my girl has the crosstrek and it has yoko's, just not the G015. the rest of my post still stands though. as much an AT as the nitto or cooper.

 

I know it's the opposite of what you asked for, but..

I would absolutely buy the Yokohama Geolander AT-G015 again in a heartbeat.

They were the best AT I've used in snow so far. They were some of the best all all-around tires I've ever used. And, some people do off-road with them as well.

They won't be great in mud, but no AT really is.

 

Haven't used the Geolander's though I've heard great things.

As for rain and snow performance, I've been stupid happy with the Cooper ST Maxx's. I've used the tires in mud, dirt, and sand as well. From wheeling in the dirt, sand, and rock in Moab to the deep snows in the Sequoias and similar.

Buddy of mine really likes his Toyo Open Country ATIII's as he's experienced using them in snow, rain, mud, dirt, and sand. I did recently buy the same Toyo's for my Land Cruiser, but can't comment on them much aside from the fact that they're quieter than the Cooper STT Pro's I had before them.

Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws are another tire I've had great results with in every terrain except snow; I never tried them in the snow.

Here are the tire changes I've gone through myself -

Falken Wildpeak (left) Cooper ST Maxx (right)



Cooper STT Pro (left) Toyo Open Country ATIII (right)

 

They actually look like they'd be good in light snow, and all the roads as well.

I've just seen a few Subi Wilderness reviews where the reviewers seemed to be less than impressed with them off-road.

 

To be fair, these are Subaru guys.

They certainly won't be the best off-road. Chances are, the best AT off-road will suck on road.

 

Falken Wilpeaks do great in the snow, I have them on my 4runner. So far they have been a great all around tire.

 

I appreciate all the input. Apart from not "looking the part" of an AT, the Geolandars seem to be highly rated for rain and snow. I drive in both of these conditions way more than off road and don't care as much about look as performance. Calling in for work due to weather is never an option for me. They tested quite well on Tire Rack, for what it is worth. I haven't heard from anybody that owned them that wouldn't buy them again. If you are out there let me know as I am leaning heavily in this direction. Given minimal actual Off Roading, should I go with the P or the LT?

 

I would go with the "P" unless I were planning on off-roading in rocks. An LT will be tougher, but also heavier and could cause a harsher ride quality.

 

I would definitely go with the P rated. I run Ps on mine, did not see the need for LT since 99% of my miles are on pavement.

 

Thank you all.

 

You're welcome!

Welcome to the forum!

 

I run the Yokohamas on my wife’s sequoia. I can tell you that I have mixed reviews on them . They are definitely a great on road tire and are not loud at all . You will feel a little rougher then a normal all season but that’s expected. I have about 10k miles on my set.

I’ve used them in mild snow at big bear , Ca and they handled well. My main gripe is wet handling. I’m torn on this one . Driving around town when it’s raining and they will get out from you on occasion when accelerating from a stop or making a right turn 90 degrees . A little sketchy and my wife even wanted me to look for new tires.

last weekend on our way home from Las Vegas , the 2nd half of our drive was all rain. Heavy downpours poor visibility in the mountains and the tires handled well. Only felt a few puddles where it felt like it wanted to hydroplane but never did. Got us back home safely . Our issue might be that we’re running a 20inch tire and the size is 275-55-20.
Overall a good tire and you probably will like them . Will I get them again or put them on my 4Runner ?? Not sure yet.
Take my opinion for what it’s worth and hopefully it helps you make your decision.

 

Oh and I’ve also ran the coopers on my tundra when I had it a few years back. Those are my all time favorite but they are more aggressive and they do get louder as the tire wears down which I did not like . But they handled great in all conditions.

 

I have noticed in the past that the painted lines on the road will cause your tires to break loose when its wet or rainy out, you know like the cross walk lines and stuff.

 

That's why you stay off them on a motorcycle especially!

 

I had a Viper truck with a 6 speed stick and did a 360 in the cross walk taking off from the stop.

 

Maxxis rzr ats check them out! Right now I have the cooper at3s, I like them. They are pretty light so not much decrease in mpg, good on road traction in all conditions and they seem pretty good for tread life, I have 25k on mine and still plenty of thread

 

Thanks,
Just the kind of feedback I am looking for. I am planning on putting the Geolandars on my wife's Land Cruiser before winter. If there is a better tire in the rain and snow I would love to know what it is.

 

Just to follow up on this thread. Ended up putting the Geolandars on my 4Runner and Land Cruiser. My local Toyota dealer was having a buy 3 get the 4th free sale so I got 8 for the price of 6. Really liked these tires so far.