Moving back to AZ and needs some recommendations

Hey everyone,
I'm retiring from the Army and moving back to Arizona this summer from DC. I sold my Jeep and bought a used 2017 TRD Pro this past year. My Jeep was setup for the east coast. Big mud tires, no skid or rock protection so to speak, etc.

My truck is bone stock. What I'm looking for recommendations on is what you all recommend for tires and rock protection. I know this stuff is pretty subjective but there's something to be said for things like tires that become popular. They tend to be popular for a reason. My father in law is a die hard KO2 user on his jeeps. He spends a lot of time on dirt roads in the southern part of the state but nothing too hard core. I never really liked that tire personally since I spent so much time in the mud out here in DELMARVA going to hunting and fishing spots. Also, my truck came with the predator steps and I'm pretty sure those wouldn't last long in the rocks, plus all they're good for so far is banging my shins on getting in and out of the truck

So, what is a good all around tire that can handle the Arizona rocks, and what is a good option to replace the steps that will give some protection (bolt on preferably)? I'm not planning on doing any suspension mods so I'll only be going where a stock TRD Pro can go.

I'm looking forward to getting back to AZ and maybe meeting up with anyone who may be south of Tucson some time.

 

I run 10 ply rated Big O 265/75R16s on mine. I have had no problems with them--several sets over several years. The next tires will probably be load range C.

Those steps will not last in the places I have gone. I use no extra protection there and have had no problems.

I would suggest a front mounted camera if you go on very primitive roads. When topping a small rise you can't see the road for a bit. That will probably be my next mod.

 

I hadn't considered Big O tires. I had some of their brand tires for my Diesel when I lived in Colorado and had no complaints. We don't have Big O on the East coast so I had kind of forgotten about them to be honest.
I have zero emotional attachment to those steps. The only reason they are still on the truck now is that I don't know if anyone would buy them and they could maybe protect from door dings in the tight parking spots out here. Besides, I feel like they make my truck look like it sits lower than every other Tacoma I see. Maybe it's just me.
Never considered a front camera honestly. Most of my experience around there is when my father-in-law and I go banging around those canyons on our dirtbikes looking for camping spots. I'll do some research.

Thanks for the tips.

 

I'm personally a fan of Toyo Open Country tires. I've only ran the A/Ts, A/T2 on my 1st gen Tacoma I had and running A/T3 on my 4th gen 4Runner. Also put a set of A/T3 on my daughter's 2013 Tacoma and she loves them. Great on the street, 50k mile tread wear. They have had zero issues offroad in rocks, dirt or mud and snow and I've seen it all since moving out here 2 years ago.

 

Good move to AZ. I did the move two years ago. I have been running for the last 23K Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx. I still get 20+ MPG, I take them all all the back trails of SE Arizona.

They are still holding up well.

 

Falken wildpeak at3w. I have it in 10 ply but don’t really think 10 ply is necessary. The tire is phenomenal in all terrains, snow included.

 

For sliders look at avid offroad they are in Phoenix save on the shipping. Second on the toyo at3 so far have had no issues with anything I have encountered

 

I appreciate the info. I like the idea of purchasing local so I'll give those guys in PHX a look when I get out there.

 

Big agreement here. My AT3W's have been phenomenal.

 

No help from me, just want to say thank you for your service

 

I've had those at the top of my list based on what I have been reading on here. I had 37" Cooper STT Pros on my Wrangler. Fantastic tire but not what I want for the Tacoma.

 

Thank you sir. It just so happened that I needed a job and they were hiring, win win

 

Whenever I get around to making enough money on my YOLO trading account (almost there C'mon $NIO), I'm gonna go to AVID like others have mentioned an get some bolt on sliders whenever I feel like it.

 

I use the RCI skid plates and found them very helpful while the rest of my truck was stock. Haven’t banged them as much since I got the new suspension though.

Another cool addition I have is the Hondo Garage phone mount. Very durable, never shakes loose, keeps the phone stable while offroad. They have some sweet replacement knobs for radio, as I think the OEM j‘17 were still the short stubby knobs.

Meso Customs has some cool stuff too. I replaced my interior map and dome light with his LED lights. Very nice to have the extra light.

 

So a small change of plans for r my move back to AZ. I'm not going to the southern part like originally planned. I accepted a job up near Mesa so it looks like that's where we'll be settling, at least for a time. I will depart DC on May 10th and give myself about a week to get there.

 

I made a similar trek years ago...I was Navy, stationed at Oceana in VA. AZ is my home state, and I couldn't get back here fast enough!

I have full RCI skids and Avid sliders. I was running Falken AT3Ws, and had the same good experience as the others, but recently moved to Yokohama MTs.

Me and a few others go wheeling pretty regularly...day trips, overnights, or longer...happy to have a FNG join us.

Safe travels during your move!

 

Where are you headed? I'm in prescott and up to my armpits in dumbass boomers from Socal, shopping centers and new suburban planned communities. I gotta get out of here for someplace smaller. Any laid back towns down by tucson?

Trail wise I'm mostly stock and would prefer more lift and larger tires + some sort of skids and rock sliders. Eibach shocks aren't quite enough either so ADS or Kings are on the menu unless I just give up and buy a razr like everybody else has.

 

Thanks for the invite. I will be riding my motorcycle out there initially then coming back to get the truck around September, just in time to get back for hunting season. Most of the stuff I do offroad is geared at getting to hunting spots or scouting for hunting spots. But I would love to get out and see some of the state as time permits.

Your FNG comment reminds me of a joke. What kind of bees don't sting? Newbies. Get it.

 

Loved my Toyo Open Country AT2's. Wore them out at about 60k miles before they started getting bad in the wet, but they still had tread. Waited as long as I could for the AT3's, but had to get tires. Trying out the Nitto Terra Grapplers G2. They seem fine, but feel slick in the rain compared to the AT2's. Anecdotal and not back to back, but I'll probably use it as an excuse to change wheels and get new tires.

 

i've got the General Grabber ATx's on my truck and they've held up really well for me.