Taking a stock 4x4 off-road? Just need tires?

I am thinking the only thing my 09 4cyl 4x4 would need to go off-roading would be some new tires. I doubt the stock Dunlop Grand Trek's would get me very far (maybe on easy, dry trails.) They aren't the greatest in the snow so I am guessing they wouldn't be great in dirt either, but maybe they could manage.

I want to stay with the stock tire size so I don't affect gas mileage. Stock tire size says it's 245/75-16. Would there be any advantage to switching to 265/70-16's? I would be keeping the stock rims.I was thinking about trying the General Grabber AT2's. Reviews look good.

My driving is about 99% paved road/snow covered road and probably 1% off-road so I wouldn't want to go with anything that would affect my daily driving. Just want something that would do well in snow/occasional off-roading.

This is my first vehicle that is capable of off-roading so it's all new to me.

 

You might make out OK going off road- even with the stock tires. I've got some Dueler HT's on mine and it was fine. It's mostly about the driver and how you use the truck.

You'll get a bit more clearance from the 265's but a 245 AT will do you just fine if you are worried about MPGs.

Good luck finding the right tires!!

 

Cool. A local club is having a 4x4 101 day in May and I was thinking of going to it. It is for newbies who have never gone off-roading. I doubt it will be on a very tough trail since it is for beginners but I wasn't sure if I needed new tires just to attend or not.

 

If you are going with a club- I'm sure they will have the right gear to pull you thru anything. and it will give you a good idea of what you'll need to do to make your truck better for your purposes.

 

Definately go to the wheelin 101 trip. You'll have a blast!! Your stock tires will be FINE - no worries.

My club down here in PA has a Wheelin 101 trip on April 4th to Rausch Creek. You're more than welcome to join us - space is limited though. My husband and I will be there staffing the event.

YOu'll discover soon enough after going offroad the first time - what types of modifications you'll wanna do next. Save your money....don't buy tires just yet.

Just get out there and wheel as the truck is.... Have fun!

 

I am going tomorrow morning to get my hitch from Uhaul and will be picking up a receiver hitch shackle.

Just out of curiosity... the fire extinguisher... are fires commonplace while off-roading? Wasn't really the first thing that came to mind when I thought of problems you would run into, but I guess it could happen. It was on the list of stuff to bring for the club trail run as well.

 

Not commonplace..... but not unlikely. For a first-time outting, I wouldn't worry about the fire extinguisher. Your trail guides & support staff should have one on their rigs.

I would say, the most important thing for you to have on a first-time outting is make sure your spare tire is full of air, is removable, and holds air. Make sure you have atleast one towpoint, and your vehicle is in good working condition.

Wear proper clothing (dress like you're going hiking), bring along lunch/water to keep you hydrated, and if you have any serious medical concerns that could be triggered while on the trails - make sure you have the necessary meds with you and inform your group leaders of the concern.

 

That sounds like fun

 

All great advice above.
Try it out with the Dunslops, at least there are people to pull you out. Mine would hardly drive up a gravel ditch without spinning, at least they don't throw a lot of rocks and they slid all over in soft sand. The trails you go on will probably be fine, but consider a better tire when you can afford it and you will enjoy it much more. Nitto Terra Grapplers are nice and cheaper than BFG's and other popular tires, check into the wheels/tires threads when you are ready. Enjoy your experience, I'm sure your truck will do fine take some pics!

 

Go for it! You'll enjoy the experience.

I had 1993 Jeep Wrangler. Jeep sent me an invitation to Jeep 101 a year after I purchased it new. I went. Got some instruction and watched a video. Then they let you drive your choice of brand new bone stock Jeep to drive on their trail which consisted of steep inclines, declines, 45 degree banks, logs, mud, sand, rocks, water you name it. It was to demonstrate what a 4X4 is capable of and how to use it properly.

Let us know if you go and what it was like.

 

Hey!! I only drive fast on the Old Spanish Trail to Dumont

Yes, airing down will help. I just never aired down in the sand cause I have a 4x4. But I was leaving the dry lake bed out in Boulder City and coming out of the gravel ditch onto the highway in 2wd with dunlops was a disappointment. Love my Nitto TG's they are great in rain, gravel, soft sand, desert. Those dunslops slid all over the place.

 

Well I don't air down if I plan to stay in the flats ie sandy desert, which is where I have stayed so far . If I had to drive out into the dunes for any reason I'd air down for sure.
But I drove on the 'finger dune' without airing down

I'm taking my Taco out again this weekend, so maybe I'll get it into the dunes a little more.

 

I just took my stock 09 double cab off roading last weekend. I was thinking it was going to be packed snow but it had all metled, completly muddy. My whole white truck was brown. Didnt even come close to getting stuck, only had to put it in 4H once. I was really impressed. I was doing a before and after run becuase my new lift wheels and tires all get here tomorrow