Should I upgrade from Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus to Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus just for looks?

I'm thinking about upgrading my current tires which are Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus (P265/65R17) to Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus (245 /70 R17 110T SL RBL) mostly for looks...but also for better traction in the wet and if I ever go to the mountains (snow) and if I ever hit a fire road (very mild off road)..... the current tires are about 2 years old (I think) and still have 65% tread left give or take...... yeah I know it's stupid because these tires are top of the line and cost the old owner a pretty penny I'm sure (I bought the truck on Halloween 2020).....but......the rims are brand new (Which I bought and had mounted Nov. 2020) and I've had them balanced twice now after the initial install and they still "wobble" a little bit and it is annoying. America's Tire moved the suspect tires to the rear but I still feel it.....nothing major but the wobble is still annoying......anyway, I DO like a more aggressive looking tire even though it's 2wd and I never go off road......I'm considering the
PIRELLI
SCORPION ALL TERRAIN PLUS
245 /70 R17 110T SL RBL.....America's Tire has them for $176 each so they are priced good!

the tire size is "almost" the same size....the slightly narrow tire doesn't bother me at all and I like the more aggressive look without going all out with something like the KO2's.......funny thing, the Pirelli's are only 36 lbs each compared to the current tires which are 40lbs each (according to Tire Rack).........and they actually are designed for the 7" rim size I have now and actually the current tires are supposed to be mounted on a 7.5" rim (According to what I read on tire rack).......my truck DOES have the factory tow package but I never tow and if I did it would be something small like a u-haul rental trailer.....and I mostly use the truck as a daily driver so gas mileage is somewhat important and I usually only carry a folding little giant ladder and some brochures and roofing samples.....I'm a roofing contractor.....the current tires ride smooth but break free pretty easy when I gun it and don't do well in the rain.....I live in So CA and drive in lots of stop and go traffic and drive pretty aggressive....

as a side note.....I'm really NOT interested in going with a taller or wider tire as gas mileage will probably suffer.......so I'm kinda set on the 245/70-17 as they are the closest to oem (I think).....


265/65-17 245/70-17 Difference
Diameter inches (mm)
30.56 (776.3) 30.5 (774.8) -0.06 (-1.5) -0.2%
Width inches (mm)
10.43 (265) 9.65 (245) -0.79 (-20) -7.5%
Circum. inches (mm)
96.02 (2438.82) 95.83 (2434.11) -0.19 (-4.71) -0.2%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)
6.78 (172.25) 6.75 (171.5) -0.03 (-0.75) -0.4%
Revolutions per mile (km)
659.89 (410.03) 661.16 (410.83) 1.28 (0.79) 0.2%

 

Just for looks? Absolutely not.

 

this is TW, where "just for looks" is a hard YES!!!!

 

mostly for looks......but also for better traction in the wet and if I ever go to the mountains (snow) and if I ever hit a fire road (very mild off road).....

 

For looks.....sure a good way to throw away $$$.

To my knowledge neither Bridgestone nor Pirelli are "good" skids.

Suggest to save your $$ for a set of Michelin LTX A/T2

 

the Bridgestone are good "street" tires in dry pavement but are weak on wet pavement and are a "no go" in the snow or mild off roading.....I like the "aggressive" look of the Pirelli's but there are not too aggressive and are meant as a 95% on road and 5% mild off road according to the video on Tire Rack.......and Tire Rack rates them #2 out of all of the A/T tires.......I just want something a bit more "rugged" looking and better in the rain......and I have some $$$ on a pre-paid debit card that was earned by my company so the cost to me is nothing.....

check out the ratings on Tire Rack...

Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus (tirerack.com)

 

Ok...you have a concern about wet traction.

Read the tire sidewall for the Traction Rating. AA is the best. Then in order...A, B, C.
The traction rating is based on a wet surface.

At $198/tire.......I'd take a hard look at the Michelins

 

thanks for the insight......and I was already looking at that.......but I'm not convinced they're the best choice for ME.......
the Bridgestone ($214.96 each on tire rack) = UTQG: 800 A B....
the Pirelli ($176 each on tire rack) = UTQG: 640 A B and are severe snow rated.......
and the Michelin LTX a/t 2 ($230.44 on tire rack) (Only available in a 265/65/17 which are really meant for a 7.5" rim and not a 7" TRD Pro rim ) = UTQG: 500 A A.......

So it SEEMS like they all have the same wet traction rating....BUT.....the Bridgestone's slip easy in the wet from my experience.....it's been raining here and I have to drive (real) cautiously.....I have a shell and a folding ladder and roofing samples in the bed at all times for added weight which should help with traction but it's not really helping......the existing tires have LOTS of tread left......it just seems that they work best in the dry and will last a looooong time........the LTX A/T 2 look like mine and not really aggressive and have the lowest useful life rating......with that in mind I would be better to just keep what I have.......I was hoping for a more aggressive look and hopefully better wet traction......and peace of mind if I'm headed to the snow is always nice.......

I'm not sold on anything yet........leaning towards just keeping what I have.....for now.......we'll see I guess

 

Perhaps an A/T tire is not the right tire for the So Cal area.

I suspect you don't get much snow. So, really no need for a "snow rated" tire.

Suggest you look at a different type of tire. Something more like a street tire. Michelin Defender LTX M/S (800 A A) or similar may be a better choice for your situation.

 

I have great "street" tires already......the Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus with lots of tread left......they just look "wimpy".....and they kinda suck in the rain even though they claim to be good in the wet.......I'm trying to get a more aggressive looking tire but still have good on road manners.....and yes, the mountains are only 1.5 hour drive and it is snowing like crazy right now so a fun mountain trip is in order soon......I'm just trying to see if I'd be "happy" with the Pirelli's as I drive 98% on road but want the peace of mind knowing I "could" go to the mountains or on a fire trail if needed with the A/T tires compared to the street tires I have now......and yes, I want my truck to look more bad a$$ instead of a "wimpy" looking truck........the problem is that no one seems to have the Pirelli's in person for me to look at them......

 

Ok....well. You're hunting for appearance.

Buy the Pirelli's

 

so I have the exact same tires and i'm Definitely gonna keep my Bridgestone Alenza Plus' ! Mine perform amazing in the rain/wet conditions and for an 80,000 mi warranty u better believe i'm gonna get at least a Majority of the miles out of them (only 12,000 on them currently) and i'm about to upgrade wheels to a 17 x 8 option that's slightly wider than the stock sport wheels and the TRD pro wheels... I went with them after reading so many threads that hte TRD pro wheels are actually not as wide as even the TRD sport stock wheels.. that was shocking to me! and apparently the 17 x 8 will sit out a little wider for me giving me that badass stance as a 2WD mall princess while also allowing for more tire options! too bad u didn't check out FN Wheels as they are in orange county. And the wait is a mother for sure... i reserved my order on Dec 9, and still waiting as they're having some shipping issues with covid, but I got a feeling they're gonna be badass... not sure which tires i'll go with ultimately when it's time, but likely Nitto Ridge Grapplers or Falken Wildpeaks. I hear the KO2's are shit in the rain. who knows.. maybe i'll check out the Michelin's that @Knute mentioned as I have some time! looking forward to the transformation (God willing they will ever come in stock). and I don't spend all this stimulus money before then ! Pic below of the sick wheels.. (on a 3rd gen but still u can get the point) many options with center cap too (i'm going with the color matched so I can get a murda look) but u can get like the stainless ones too and mix up. wheels are also a dark gunmetal gloss so they will be easier to clean than the matte finish i'm told and look stunning and not too shiny in person.

 

thanks for the feedback.....I bought the TRD PRO rims as I've had them before on my previous turd gen (yes I sold my 2019 TRD OR 4x4 because the motor/trans combo sucked....bad!)..and I got them on sale for $175 each and picked them up locally (Tustin Toyota)...and I also had the BFG KO'2's and yes they sucked in the rain!....they looked cool but not worth the $$$......I like the Bridgestone Alenza Plus for the most part because they ride well and will last a loooong time and handle great on road.......just was looking for something a bit "beefier".....but no over the top. I watched the video on Tire Rack about the Pirelli's and that they were really designed for 95% on road and the occasional mild off road and /or snow......they put a lot of thought into the tire and watching it had my sold on buying them......I just hate to pull the trigger and find out they suck on road......here's the convincing video with Ian Coke, Chief Technical Officer at Pirelli......

Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus (tirerack.com)

here's my previous Taco......looked cool and motor/trans sucked (IMO) and the tires looked cool but sucked in the wet.....

I guess I'm torn.....I love my current tires on dry pavement.......and they still have tons of life left.......but they just make my truck look "wimpy"......and I wouldn't even consider heading up to the mountains with these tires or even a muddy trail as I have a 2wd and the tires can't handle it.......even though they "claim" to be good in the wet and in light snow, they are not (IMO) and the reviews echo my same comments.....

 

and yes the BFG KO'2 looked cool on my TRD PRO but again, sucked in the wet and in the snow.......but the truck was bad a$$!!......and yes I've owned a lot (12) of different Tacos......some from all 3 gens......loved my 1st gen and still miss that one!!

 

No I totally get it and I’m so glad I found a thread where someone else was rocking these awesome street tires like I have. But with awesome wheels. Everyone else I see seems to be automatically upgrading or getting badass tires whenever they upgrade their wheels. And I’m like damn hopefully the pre-existing tires were worn out or are they just saying hell with these lol I totally get the aggressive look thing tho. And I fully intend on upgrading and spending the cheese when it comes that time, but until then I feel like I can get the aesthetic look I’m going for (wheel change) and save the bennies for another day when the tires are really needed. Bc if I buy new awesome aggressive tires now. As soon as I start driving on them their life is starting to deplete too.

 

This is actually funny from a viewpoint.

Great, the truck looks "badass", but if it can't go........

 

Trying to understand the full extent of where ur going with this .... r u meaning if u don’t have aggressive tires u can’t go off-roading ? Yeah I agree but I’m a mall crawler anyways. Im just trying to look good (hence new wheel upgrade)- and will get the A/T tire look when my awesome 80,000 mile warranty (non A/T) tires need it.

 

If you can't go or lose control on wet or snow.......then what good is the "badass" look??????

Do you only drive on dry surfaces???

 

I agree with @FlamingTacoBro that the truck looks better with more aggressive tires than it does with lesser aggressive tires. When it comes time to upgrade my tires I’ll go with the more aggressive look (which will likely be the same or lesser price). I wasn’t in the badass looking mindset when I bought my last set. I was just needing some quickly in a jam and had to get on the road and Firestone had a great promotion -

 

yep, you're 100% right.....no sense having a truck look "bada$$ if it can't go off road or drive worth a crap in the rain.......that's why I haven't bought the BFG KO'2's......they look cool but don't suit my needs for 95% on road driving......they're too heavy, too beefy and too costly for a 95% on road daily driver.......that's why I was looking at the Pirellis......they are specially designed for 95% on road and occasional off road with a "beefier" look.......designed just for the aftermarket consumer like me.......

but here's the update......I called America's Tire and asked about the Pirelli's and the guy answering the phone actually put them on his 2wd Ford expedition........he's like me, 95% on road with an occasional fire trail or weekend trip to the snow......he loves them and says they ride very well on road with just a little drone and look "cool" on his rig.......he highly recommended the 265/70/17 size for that "beefy" look (They don't make a 265/65/17 size in this tire) and said that the 245/70/17 would look just as "wimpy" because it's a narrower tire........BUT......the 265/70/17 Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tire is SOLD OUT & BACK ORDERED FOR 3 months......and Tire Rack shows a shipping date from Sparks NV of March 06, 2021.......so I guess the answer has already been made for me.....they don't have them in the "right size (265/70/17) for that "beefy" look so I'll keep my Bridgestone Alenza Plus and wait to see what happens over the next few months.......and by then it'll be spring and no more rain or snow so I'll probably just run these tires until they wear out.........