Best tire for 4runner

Hi there. I have a 2023 SR5 2WD 4runner. Came with the Dunlop AT tires. I'm happy with them for the most part, just researching for when I need to replace them (currently have 15,000 miles), which tires would be best. I live in North Carolina, rarely see snow and I don't offroad much, but do occasionally so I don't want a straight highway tire that would perform badly when not on pavement. TIA for your recommendations.

 

Wide selection of All-Terrains. Seems like a lot of the members like Wildpeaks, BF KO’s and the new Micky Thompson’s Baja, and Toyo AT3

 

https://www.4runners.com/forums/wheels-tires.2/

Tons of tire reviews in there.

 

Its for a 2WD. I bet in this case long lasting tires like Micheline Defenders would be a good choice.

 

We're going with Michelin Defender LTX on our 22 Limited 4WD when we change from the OEM Geolanders (which last a long time). We're running BFG KO2's on our 21 Venture.

The LTX is a great road tire and respectable on light trailing off-road.
The KO2 is great on the trails and respectable on the road.

Your description would point me to the LTX's. There are lots of good options. I'm sure others here will weigh in with other ideas. Good luck!

 

Does that mean he can’t get anything other than Michelin ?

He might want some tires that have a little more “curb appeal”

 

I was just giving suggestions tires like Micheline Defender, Bridgestone Duelers, Yokohama geolander HTs that have warranty like 70K miles would be best.

Vs tires like Wildpeak, KO2, Baja boss, OC AT3 could just waste money. Just a thought, I could be royally wrong.

 

We just bought 2024 4Runner ORP. Went to Costco and bought 5 BFG Trail Terrains and sold the Dunlops on Craigslist. The Trail Terrains are like KOs light, they don’t hurt Ur mileage but look a lot better than the Dunlops and they are AT tires.

 

KO2, the Jack of all trades, for the 4Runner, the Jack of all trades

 

Man, I effing love this forum.

 

yep, ask 4 owners and get 6+ opinions. glwood54 had the best answer IMO

 

No rock climbing with 2WD. I just want tires that will get by on gravel/dirt/ occasional snow. I don't want to worry if I turn off the pavement that will be standed in the wilderness, living off grubs and berries for the rest of my life.
Someone mentioned the Michelin LTX. Great tire if you never encounter snow. I had those on my previous 4runner which was 4WD. On an asphalt street with a modest incline and 1/2-1" snow could NOT GO ANYWHERE. Didn't struggle to get up the incline - wouldn't go at all. I would rather sacrifice some comfort and mileage on the highway for a tire that can go off the highway.

 

Michelin Defender are not winter rated tire / No 3 peak mountain snow flake symbol. Hence the rubber would not be soft as tires with 3PMSF rating in lower temps. So you don't get grip in cold snowy days as a tire with 3pmsf. But the benefit is Michelin Defender has loooong tread life warranty.

I bet tires like Michelin Defender are still strong enough for some wilderness. For example I had stock Dunlop Grantrek AT20 when I had my first 4Runner exploring this trail / rough road. (This is not my pic.)

 

We have ran KO2s (and KOs for that matter) on all of our SUVs and trucks over the years and have always been quite happy with them. They perform well year around here in Michigan, have a reliable treadlife of 40k miles+. While this is subjective, I also like the sidewall appearance.

I am interested in hearing how the new KO3's perform once more of them hit the street. One of the things I don't like about the KO2 is how often they hold and throw rocks down the side of the vehicle. I had Wildpeak AT3W when my Gladiator Mojave was stock and they captured at least 70-80% less rocks going down the same road.

 

You might research what the tire industry calls “on-road” all terrain tires which are milder than “off-road” all terrain tires.
https://tireterrain.com/tires/all-terrain/on-road-all-terrain-tires/

 

We've used Michelin Defender LTX MS/2 tires year round from -50C northern ice roads to +50C Sonora desert temperatures for 25 years on several vehicles while towing trailers and on oilfield back country bush trails, wouldn't run anything else. Upsides are great gas mileage, no road noise, no flats and 70K mile tread, better yet if you have Costco discount, rotate periodically for best tread life.

 

This was my first thought also. I had the Michelin Defenders on my F150 2WD and it drove like a luxury sedan, especially on the highway.

 

Thank you for this. I was going to ask about Pirelli tires as I am now a big fan. A little off-topic but my previous vehicle was a Nissan Altima. Low to the ground, sporty sedan. It came with crappy Dayton/Continental tires, so when they wore out at 28,000 miles I got a set of Perelli 4 season radials. Hands-down the best tires I have ever driven on. And I have always bought Michelin or Goodyear (never skimped on tires). That Altima cornered like it was on rails with those Perelli's. And handled on wet roads almost like they were on dry roads. Best wet road tires I've ever had.
I want to do some more research into Perelli's for the 4runner. I might lean towards those when these Dunlops wear out.

 

I am steering away from Michelins after my previous experience with Michelin on a 4runner. Even with four-wheel-drive, couldn't go anywhere in the snow. I like Michelin tires, and if I knew that I would never be going off highway, I would consider them, But I want to be able to drive in the snow or off-road with confidence.

 

What brand are KO2/3?

 

BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 (new variant will be KO3)

 

Does anyone have experience with or opinion on the Toyo Open County A/T III tires?
I am also considering those period all of the reviews I'm reading online (tire rack.com) are very positive, including this hilarious review that I need to share:
"they are also very durable – my wife runs over curbs, garbage cans, road debris, etc. and we haven't had any punctures." LOL

 

I feel like the Cooper Discoverer AT3's may be a good candidate for you. I absolutely loved mine on my Tacoma. Quiet and smooth on the highway but had lots of traction off road.

 

Really any AT tire will do well with your usage and you don't need super aggressive like my Duratracs or K02's.

Toyo Open County A/T III would be just fine.

 

Just put these on yesterday. [stock size : 26570R17] Cooper AT3-LT load range ‘C’. Running 32psi. My first impression is that these are extremely quiet for an AT tire. I did not notice any perceivable increase in road noise over the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II that came on the vehicle. The ride might be slightly stiffer, hard to tell honestly. We opted for the white letters on the outside, I think it looks good.

Cooper Tire website link:
https://www.coopertire.com/en_US/tires/discoverer-at3-lt/24485-17000100100000.html

 

KO2s are great. I just replaced the stock all-seasons on the 4R SR5P. I wanted something good for the occasional mud and rough conditions but don't intend to go off-roading. Wanted something quiet and smooth with a bit of capability so went with the Nitto Terra Grappler G2. So far so good.

 

Thank you. I will check those out.

 

Thanks. Will definitely be looking at these.

 

The new version of the Michelin, Defender LTX MS2, is absolutely fantastic in the snow. It’s an XL tire with stiffer sidewalls than the previous version and has an updated rubber compound.

It’s subtle but it’s also much better on the highway in wind. You feel slightly more planted.

 

I hear great things about the Toyo AT3
It's a very lightweight tire and works well in wet conditions.