Need your opinion! (Tires)

Finally pulled the trigger on a lift kit and need to purchase wheels/tires. Have a few options and will not be spending the money on BFG ko2 (regardless of how sexy they are). A buddy can get me distributer pricing on Nitto Terra Grappler G2 A/T for $139 ea in 33"...just not completely sold on the look. I have see toyo open country A/T and Duratracs look pretty good. Between the 3, what do recommend and why?

 

Friend has the Nitto's on a lifted 4 Runner, they don't look too bad, definitely not as aggressive as the BFG's but very comfortable on the road. Hope this helps!

 

wouldn't recommend anything in E rating if that narrows the field.

 

Duratrac's if you drive in a lot of wet/ice/snow conditions.
Otherwise, K02's.

 

Tell us how you use the truck 80% of the time.

Tires should be picked to give you best function for that 80%.

If they happen to look good to you as well, lucky you.

 

Not always. 80%+ of my driving is highway, but I'm traveling to where I need a deep lug tire ;o)

So I suffer with the howl, and ride of MT's.

 

Falken Wildpeak AT3w. Love mine

 

What's the rationale behind your recommendation? Thanks!

 

It is definitely situational, and often depends on frequency. If you do this 2-3 times a week, I get it.

Once a month? A 2nd set of wheels/tires may be a better option.

 

Weight, cost, weight. And they are heavy.

Unsprung weight is your enemy in every aspect.

Awesome if you need that 'grade' tire. Not so much if you don't.

 

10 Ply is extremely rigid for the weight of our trucks and makes for a significantly harsh ride. I haven't seen 10 ply recommended for even 1/2 ton chassis much less compact trucks. However, when you start going big it is easy to purchase these in the larger sizes not realizing the significant difference in un-sprung weight for the suspension and road manners.

 

80% of my driving is highway to and from work, which is why I am leaning towards the NITTO Grapplers G2. Like the BFG, but they are expensive and don't have nearly as long as a tread life as the Nitto. Thinking I may just have to go with the NITTO's since they are rated extremely well in all categories, just lack that curb appeal...

 

Toyo RT's...... no doubt

 

Of the 3 I would go for the Duratracs because they are more aggressive. I ran a set of 265/75/16s on my 2009 Prerunner before I sold it. They were load range Cs which weigh 46 per. I am about to replace my current BFG KO Ds with a set of Cooper ST Maxx in 265/75/16 load Es because I wanted the tire in that size and they only come in Es. I know it is overkill but I run some really rugged ranch roads. Some websites list the Coopers at 49 lbs but I hear they might be closer to 53. 49 is the weight of my current tires.