Best A/T tires? Also, 16" or 17" wheels? (5 lug 1st gen)

Ok, so the only A/T tires I've ever ran were Goodyear Wranglers, and I really didn't like them.
Braking in wet (or dry) weather sucked, and at least one of them seemed to always be leaking air from a mysterious place, had one patched and one replaced both within 15k miles.
Running Michelin Defenders for right now, at least they get good traction and don't leak.

Also, anyone have issues with 16" or 17" wheels rubbing the calipers?
Putting a lift on and I'll be getting new wheels soon, I'd rather stick with 15" than have to use wheel spacers.
Thanks!

 

I've been searching for a set of A/T tires for a while now and it looks like its all about what you are willing to pay. KO2s are by far the most popular, but are pricy and rather heavy. The durratracs and STT MAXX are also popular but are pretty expensive as well. My friend is running a set of General Grabber AT2s and he is loving them(about $150 a tire). Also heard good things about the Cooper Discovery A/T but it doesn't have a very aggressive look. Personally I think ill be going with a set of Hankook dynapro ATMs, seem to be a good balance of weight/price/aesthetics.

As far as wheels rubbing the calipers I've recently been told that most 16" won't work on a second gen taco but I'm not sure about the first gen. Good luck

 

Thanks for the info, I'm really leaning towards Cooper tires, I don't NEED the aggressive tread pattern, and they're a little easier on the wallet.

I've seen guys run bigger rims on 1st gens, but I'm not 100% sure what backspacing/offset I'd have to look for to avoid wheel spacers.
I've heard too many horror stories. Lol