WEST VIRGINIA TACOMAS

I've not ran them in snow yet, likely won't unless it's snowing when heading out to wheel or snows when I go wheeling. They're awful in rain, imo.
I got them used with about 15k miles on them, but I don't run them all the time, either. They'll spin off the line when I cross the white paint line at intersections. They'll slip crossing over any road paint at low speeds for that matter. I just have to adjust and drive a lot slower, the tall sidewalls, lift, and no sway bar make me do this already, too.
The guy who had them before me lives in Cincinnati. He liked them in the snow and slush up there, but when the slush got worse and melted, they lacked performance.

Overall, they're terrible on wet pavement/concrete. They eat anything off road, so far! They're pretty good on dry roads for a MT.
Will I run them again when these wear out? Likely not, but maybe. If the KM2s go down in price to make room for the KM3s, then hell yeah I'll buy em! Otherwise, I'll look at Cooper's, Mickey's, Dick's, anything with more siping than a KM2 for wet roads. And in 255/85 r16 size.

 

I’ve looked at 255/85 tires as well.. seems to be slim pickins there. I’ll likely end up going Mickey ATZP3 for my next tire. Buddy swore by them in Hawaii and I have a full size spare with one he sold me when he switched to 17” wheels.

Those tires sound like a liability. I’ve read that the KM3s are better, but still not fantastic for daily driving in rain or snow. Duratracs are pretty aggressive, but I’ve never experienced any slipping in them. Granted I don’t drop the hammer (can’t really, this thing is gutless), but I’ve yet to feel anything other than balance issue vibrations in them that a trip to the store / airing up or down a little didn’t fix.

 

They aren't a death trap, just not great on wet roads. They also suck to balance, too.
At one point, I thought about getting a tire grooving tool to add some siping. Still might. Until then, I'll just drive a bit slower and smarter, and switch to my 245/75 Grabber AT2s when I'm not wheeling. Goofy looking being that small, but driving the truck is much more tolerable. I'll soon be looking at 265/75 tires for daily, probably a P rating, all weather pattern.

 

I’ve never looked at the Grabber AT2.. that maybe what her neighbor has on his truck. I only got the Duratracs because we had a solid deal on them on Hawaii through a friend. Now that I can shop around, I can worry about the money at the pump (even if it is $1/gal less here!).

 

They're near infringement lawsuit compared to the KO tire. They're also pretty heavy in LT sizes, but they've worn well and taken a lot. I'd say I have about 40k on them and still half life.

 

I’ll take a look. I know KO2s get a bad rap because everyone on this site has them, but they’re a highly rated tire and not insanely priced when the timing is right. If they’re similar and cheaper, can’t beat that.

Also, gonna be a long winter of hosing salt off. Not in Hawaii anymore.

 

I like my AT2s and my KM2s. I'd love some Grabber X3s if they came in 255 flavor and weren't so damn heavy. Definitely getting a larger than stock road tire when the AT2s are done, when the KM2s go, I just know I want 3 ply walls and 10 plies on the ground.
We wheel muddy, rocky, tree covered terrain and cutting a tire would suck hard! Blowing a bead has been bad enough for those it's happened to.

 

I carry a full size spare (Mickey ATZP3 285/75) in my bed for just that case.

I’m gonna make a spreadsheet of tire weight / cost soon to see it all in one place and sortable. I wish 16” wheels had as many options as 17” wheels. Not feeling spending $800~ on wheels while I go back to college, but that’s the breaks.

On another note, Duratracs are indeed monsters in snow. My buddy with a newer F150 slides everywhere in 2WD once the roads are a little slick. My duratracs with 20k on the back lock down in 2WD. Have to pop the clutch to get it to break traction. Guess I’ll quit bitching .. a little

 

Came home to visit my parents for the weekend and then neighborhood cats have been more successful than some of my friends this season. Mom is not impressed.

Also got inspected and passed. Apparently I misread and SUVs/trucks can be darker in the back glass. Then he slapped a normal sticker on their instead of a modified vertical sticker. Ah wel”, looks legal

 

What up everyone

 

Just dropped off my skids to get them powder coated today because I’m not about to continually drop 180# skids for new rattle can treatment. Should be done early next week I suppose. Also got a NorthStar 27F battery I’m debating on putting in.. but I just got a warranty replaced no name OEM installed too.

After the new year we’re gonna plan a trip down to Thomas / Davis for a weekend and hit up the fiddle and stump town. Can’t wait.

Long time no see

 

glad to see you got your truck back

 

Dual batts!!!!

Don't know why you'd PC skids when they'll be hitting rocks and mud and trees

Only thing I have PCd is my front bumper and that's because it's the cheap ebay one, shitty PC job at that. Ain't care though. Rest of my armor is either spray paint or spray bed liner. Need done again, whenever I feel like it. My mid skid is under there bare metal going on 2 months or so.

 

Not terribly expensive (compared to what I would have paid in Hawaii..), so I figured just get it done and not worry about it until I hit something Your mid not one solid orange piece by now? The rear most section of the CBI set I ordered had surface rust on it just from shipping.

Also gonna try to avoid mashing too much. Dropping the rear bumper in Hawaii about made me sick.. and I’m not in the market for a $2500+ rear end. Yet.

I’d have to look into doing it with two group 27F batteries. Not even running any accessories to warrant it, but toys. Need a SwitchPro!

 

https://www.snowshoemtn.com/things-to-do/events/west-virginia-ski-free-day
Free skiing on Sunday for wv residents

 

No clue what color it is actually
Every metal thing I've put on my truck had some sort of surface rust when new, or definitely does by now!
There's a place here in the Huntington area that does great work for a good price. In Guyandotte, Kustom Koatings.

I'm considering a t-case skid, since it's all I lack. Or fab one up myself from all the scrap I've been hauling home from work's scrap bins. Also, a rear diff diaper is in the works inside the sponge between the ears. Damn thing hangs me up ALL THE TIME!
A trail Toys gas tank skid is 100% on the short list. After almost 2 years of wheeling and 15ish trips, it's showing that it's needed.

 

I hung a gas tank skid up for a buddy and thought it seemed extra, but trails in Hawaii are different that back home (I have never wheeled prior to Hawaii). I’ll likely end up getting one and a rear diff skid when sales are back up.

Being able to make one yourself is handy. Wish we had the option to take welding in HS.. they only let the kids who were below a certain GPA take skills courses. Would have loved to get that for free.. and likely have had a better job market out of HS/college. Girlfriend’s dad can weld, so there may be a bonding experience in my future.

I dropped mine off at Industrial Maintenance Solutions just outside of Morgantown towards Rivesville.

 

U gonna do a Canaan loop road or canyon rim/ Olsen knob run while ur in town?
Stumptown FTMFW !!

 

I’d looked into it.. never been down to that part of the state, so it’ll be awesome to see. She’s been down a lot with her group of girls and loves it, so I’m down for the loop and beer. I’ll be posting when we’re going down if anyone is up for a beer / pulling me out of a ditch

 

Right on
It’s a fun rough road with some mild technical creek crossings. I haven’t done it in my “new” truck because it’s a brushy pinstriping SOB lol
Canyon rim road is less brushy, at least it was 10 yrs ago. The Olsen Knob firetower is awesome and kinda scary to climb, but great views from the top