Need help with new tire options

Hello! currently looking to replace my old tires ,since I’m not off-roading as much and commute a lot more for my new job , but I’m stuck on a small factor. Really could use some input from someone who has possibly ran the new tires I’m planning on getting .

-Im currently running discover at3 xlt 285/75/16 .Super great tire ,but the ride quality isn’t the best and the mpg I get isn’t great either ( that being obvious since it’s a E rated tire ,each weighing about 54.8).I have two options in mind at the moment , but what’s stopping me from pulling the trigger is the weight of the tires,ply and how that can affect the ride quality/mpg.

-first option is the falken wild peak a/t4w 265/75/16 (116T ,SL). According to discount tire this tire weighs 45.1. Amazing! It’s a lighter tire and not a E rated like the at3 . So I’m assuming that would greatly help the mpg and ride quality.

-second option was getting a whole new wheel and tire combo just because my original wheels are a bit more on rough side . I was thinking about getting a 17x9 wheel with a falken a/t4w 285/70/16 (116T , SL) . This tire weighing a whooping 54 lbs .

I really like option 2 ,but this is were I’m stuck . I’ve been digging around and I’ve seen pages say load rating and weight of the tire will determine ride quality . So my question would be , is option two going to ride about the same as my current at3s since both tires weigh literally the same 54 lbs only difference of course being the tire rating (at3s being rated E and the falkes being rated SL ) or will there be a difference in ride quality and mpg since the second option is a softer SL rated tire .

 

Have you considered Rubitreks? I don't know what % you spend off road vs on road, and what type of offroading you do, but those are a bit more towards the road side of all-terrains than the A/T4W, and from what I hear (take this with a giant grain of salt), they're pretty decent on the highway.

All that said, this is a Tacoma. I've got pure highway tires on mine right now, and I get 18 mpg on a good day.

MPG champ, it ain't.