Should I use old tires in excellent condition

The tire rubber still breaks down, no matter what. Even as good as Michelins are, it's not worth the risk.
How Old - and Dangerous - Are Your Tires? | Edmunds

 

Tread depth is only one factor in tire condition.

The compound loses grip with age. Fast or slow depends on environmental conditions.

Tires rated for high mileage are fine IF you drive enough miles to have them worn out (tread wise) in about 5 years. After that the compound is degraded and you are continually losing grip as time goes by.

 

I would not risk it. tires from 2003?! lets use a bit of common sense here. You put your life and the life of others on the road at risk. Speaking from experience, it is not worth it. I will never use a set of used/old tires ever again UNLESS it was for emergency purposes only.

 

agreed. thats WAY past anything i would mount

 

These tires were stored in a basement for about 20 years they haven't seen sunlight in 2 decades and still hold air well, I do like the rims. I didn't see any cracks anywhere on the tires, but I do appreciate the opinions you all gave me.Thanks guys for your input

 

If you try to ever have them balanced, patched or put on different rims you will have problems. None of the reputable shops or tire places will touch them. The shady shops will still take your money though.

 

Not sure where you live, but it's my understanding that tires that are more than 10 years old (according to the date code) regardless of the tread/sidewall condition will not pass inspection in New York. Got this info from my mechanic which came to him along with a fist full of other new regulations from the DMV for the mandatory yearly safety inspection.

 

Some states

 

I think this will be your biggest problem. I actually had Discount Tire tell me they wouldn't rotate my tires once when they were past 6-7 years after the production date.

 

22 years old? WTF? That’s a no brainer, get new tires. It doesn’t matter how good they look, 22 YEAR OLD TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. Driving on those old tires you risk death or injury to you, your passengers and other drivers.

 

No.

 

YES! May pops are a great source of entertainment.
Can we move on now

 

The problem raises it's head when the tires get heated up to operating temperature. No cracks, hold air just fine. When they're 'hot' is when bad shit starts happening to way out dated tires. You've been repeatedly warned. Shit-can 'em & move on!

 

I will look for a new set of tires. Maybe some bigger rims too.

 

Depending on your area, 5 gen 4runner wheels and tires may still be available in 17”. I scored new wheels and tires a couple times off of newer Tacomas and 4Runners. They changed 4th gen Tacomas wheel specs but anything up to 3rd and 5th gen 4runner will work.

 

I got an original '95 spare laying around if you need a 5th for the set!

 

Make sure the rims aren't cracked

 

That's a bit too long for my taste.

I've used a 7 year old set of Yokohama take-offs for a car. They were stored in a barn.
The tread wore down fast.