Which tires to buy for under $600?

Im looking for a new tires to play in the dirt with. All my friends are running lifted silverados with mickey thompson tires and im still in my taco with my michelin LTX M/S2 tires . They usually go hit up trails with dirt hills , dirt slopes , water/mud holes about 2-3 ft deep and areas with loose moist sand (which I get stuck in most of the time). I like these LTX tires , they are damn quite and have worn well over the past 5k I put on them but they suck in the dirt , they have zero traction climbing wet curbs , they love to spin in the sand/mud even with the locker and im looking for something a bit more agressive. I average about 800-1000 miles per month (if that),rarely ever got over 75 , most of my driving is highway/street and every weekend or so I like to explore trails and such but Im limited by my current tires. Im hoping to keep the stock 265/70R16 size and find a setup at around $150 per tire or less. I would like to see 30k to 50k out of these tires

Currently Im looking at these 4 types of tires
Treadright 265/70R16 GUARD DOG M/T (P) ... i everytime i see the tread pattern

General Grabber AT 2
Firestone Destination A/T
Kumho Road Venture KL78

Which of these should I get ... or should I just stick with my current Michelin LTX tires?

 

I have the guard dogs in 265/70/17 and they are awesome, but beware if you dont like loud tires they are not for you

 

I'd go with the Guard Dog if you want maximum off-road traction(but slightly reduced on-road manners). Hercules Terra Trac A/T if you want to maintain some highway comfort.

 

I had the destination ATs on my old s-10. They are a very practical all terrain and great in the snow, they were quiet, and drove great on road. I didnt do much offroading with them but i would imagine the treadrights have better traction offroad.

 

I liked the Firestones I had. They lasted 45k miles and did well in anything but mud. I just upgraded to Cooper S/T Maxx. $185 each at sears.

 

They suck off-road. A bald highway terrain out performed them on multiple occasions.

 

I hear ya on the LTX...awesome tire, but too much extra work
to go offroad with them all the time. good for occasional junkets
but you need to work harder on slippy stuff.

 

They are all good choices. I think you might get more usable miles out of the Firestone. FYI Pep Boys are offering buy 3 get one free on Hankook Dynapros and Falken Wild Peak AT, just others I think you should consider especially if you are budget minded like myself.

 

I have the Grabber AT2's and am impressed with what they do,snow ,sugar/loose sand and rocky trails/small stuff ..

My riding is on Class 6 roads or private land BUT we do "Air down" for longer rides ....20lbs. on all 4 for me...I have LT's...

Not sure if you are already doing that BUT that helps 2 ways...1st;Tread Lightly and 2nd;wider print of the tire to move you through and over instead of just pushing along...

I totally agree with the LTX comments; I have those on my Ridgeline and while they perform well for moderate snow;(GPS & wife just had me on a Class 6 sno-run) act good in NH rain storms and give me great mileage( 65000 on this set) they will NOT go where the Tacoma goes ...

 

This ^^^^

I'm running them. Haven't wheeled with them but really like them. Great ride and quiet. I have heard they were not good in snow or ice though. Which doesn't affect me very much.

 

I wouldn't touch the Hercules tires. They're cheap tires and wear out very quickly, in my experience, making any cost savings null because you have to replace them so often.

 

265/75 Guard Dogs would be my choice. Unless you have a baby that needs to take naps in your truck.

 

68WHISKEY,

How many miles are on your Michelins? What will you be doing with the Michelins if you replace them?

 

I have these as well, however can't comment on off road performance as the most my truck have seen so far was fireroads etc.

They do look aggressive to me, they are not loud and so far wear slowly so I'm happy.

 

I have 285 guard dogs and love them. The only other tire I would take over them is the MTR's. I had duratracs before the guard dogs and I like the guard dogs better for wheeling anyway. On road they are loud, really loud.

 

Hankook Dynapro ATm from Discount tire. I payed right at $600 for 4 tires, lifetime balance and replacement warranty. These tires have been great on the street, in rain, mud, sand, and have heard good things about their snow performance as well

 

I have 4 265/75-16 Cooper Discoverer ATP's. I think they're a great tire for the price.

 

My kids always fell asleep to the hum of my tires. My old Nitto Mud Grapplers 35x12.50/16 on my 92 toy almost put me to sleep several times.

 

i loved my guard dogs, and will own another set here pretty soon.

 

I own some 285 Guard dogs on my first gen and love em. Great off-road traction and not bad on road at all! Also they have awesome snow/slush traction...but realistically anything would have more traction than my almost bald 265 toyo open countries. They also have a new treadwright sidewall design which im bummed i missed out on! anyways go treadwright you wont regret it, i got 4 tires shipped to my door in CO for 560....cant beat that with any name brand!