Help picking new tires ...

I made the move from a 2005 SR5 AC (which I already miss) to a 2020 TRD OR. The 2005 SR5 AC had a lift kit and the most aggressive Nitto tires imaginable. I didn't put them on there -- I bought it that way (long story). I only upgraded to the 2020 TRD OR because I need the extra room going from AC to DC. Growing kid, one dog with wife wanting another dog it was getting uncomfortable.

New truck will not get a lift. I don't need it. The stock OR will get me everywhere I need to go with no problem (mostly road driving and off road trails in the North). One thing I do miss is the rugged tires. Not that rugged but I do like the look of something a bit more aggressive. That said, looking for advice on which tires I should get. There are two decent off road tire shops nearby but I want to have a good sense of what I want before I visit.

Would appreciate thoughts, opinions, feedback and insights on my short list. And for the nattering nabobs of negativism, I have used the search and read all of the tire posts that pop up here. It is how I created my short list. So if you hate tire posts ... please feel free to move along.

Nitto Ridge Grappler (265/70/16/XL): $182
Nitto Terra Grappler G2: (265/70/17/XL): $161
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W (265/70/16/SL): $151
Toyo Open Country A/T II (265/70/16): $151
Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 All Terrain (265/70/16): $158

 

I just put Toyo Open Country A/T III on mine. Love them, nice and quiet but have a more aggressive look.

 

Any decently priced AT tire should do you just fine. Just pick the one you like the looks of the best. Steer clear of cheaper brands. You get what you pay for with tires

 

Any of those will work fine for you, they're all solid choices. I'm partial to wildpeaks, the nittos I had lasted FOREVER but were heavy and I didn't like the look.

 

Haven’t heard anything bad about what you listed, however the second choice would require new wheels as well. If ride quality is a concern, I would stick to SL rated tires, going up to an LT will be a noticeable difference

 

Absolutely love my KO2's, of your list, I have heard really great things about the Falken Wildpeak's.

 

Ive been very pleased with my 265-75-16 KO2’s both on and off-road. BFG made some nice changes from the original. Like any tire, you’ll find those folks who dislike them. However, there’s a reason they’ve been the leading AT tire for decades.

 

Ditch the mud guards if you haven't already, it makes a big visual impact. I recently put on 265/75/16 E rated KO2s & am super happy with them. It completely squashed any desire I had to lift. My runners up were Duratracs & Mickey Thompson Baja ATZP3. If you want something that looks more aggressive than stock, you should size up.

 

Thanks. I know it makes me superficial but I do want something a bit more aggressive in look. I think these might be my leading contender. Do you recall where you got them and what you paid, by chance?

 

When you say you didn't like the look were they too aggressive?

 

Thank you for your insight. I do want to stick with SL. I don't need the LT. That helps me eliminate one.

 

Agree 100%. My sense -- and I freely admit that I am not expert -- is that those tires would be overkill for me. Mostly road driving. Some light off road monthly and some very rocky trails at least once or twice a year. Correct me if I am wrong but they are also $300 a tire, no? Nothing wrong with that, of course, but I don't drive my truck that much to justify it. Look forward to your opinion.

 

Same. My wildpeaks have been awesome. I got 56k out of the first set

 

I know on the mud guards. I am just a chicken and feel like I need them. Interesting comment on your KO2s. Did you have rubbing when you moved up? I would like to keep things stock. Any idea what you paid for those tires? Sorry. I have to tell you I find this confusing. I have narrowed my list but can add another tire to consider. I also have someone who wants to buy my stock tires -- which are new. So that helps. My challenge is that in NY we have crappy places to buy tires (Walmart, Mavis) and two specialty shops who insist I need a lift kit of at least 6 inches or they won't sell me anything. I exaggerate, of course, but not by much.

 

I have general grabbers atx"s and love them. 265/70/17. They look great and grip well.

 

General grabber atx gets my vote

 

Take a look at the Continental TerrainContact A/T - https://bit.ly/3f4SVtf , https://bit.ly/31OKgr5 , https://bit.ly/3e6zU8q and a $100 rebate: https://www.continentaltire.com/promotion

Ed

 

I paid $195 at Costco.
Zero rubbing on stock OR & it's not even close. It's basically the same profile as 265/70/17. You should be fine if you wanted to keep the mud guards on, especially if you do very minimal off road. 265/75/16 should have been the OEM tire without a doubt.

 

No, I had the terra grapplers. If anything, they weren't aggressive (looking) enough. They were good though, did great off road, quiet on road. I took them off at 50k-60k and they still had plenty of life left.

Wildpeaks and Cooper AT3 have been my two favorites. The wildpeaks win because I think they look better, both are awesome tires. KO2's were also good, my duratracs were junk. Not that those are on your list, but worth looking at.

 

That’s a decision only you can make. However, if you are going to be hitting rocky trails a few times a year, you might be glad that you have an LT tire. Once you start puncturing the sidewalls of SL tires, it doesn’t take long to lose any savings you gained going with them over a tougher tire.

My KO2’s have great road manners and I have zero complaints with them. Like I said, they’ve been #1 in the AT world for decades. Mine set me back a little over $800 at my local tire shop and that was installed.