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New to this forum but have posted for some time on the 4runner forum when I was considering a TEP.
I went with a 2016 GX 460 black on black, Premium package that I bought in October.
It's time to get rid of the stock wheels and Bridgestone tires and I've been researching tires to death the last couple of weeks, looking for a good AT tire that has good on road manners and is excellent on wet roads.
I've systematically ruled out every AT tire and am down to the Cooper AT3, which overall gets very good reviews for wet driving and on road performance, and the new Falken AT3W's, which is a hybrid AT-MT tire that drives more like an AT tire with great road manners.
Anyone have experience with either of these tires on their GX, or any other AT tires they recommend?
As an aside I don't want a LT tire, which is why the BFG KO2 is out (my initial favorite). I'm looking for a P rated tire only, for better ride quality and lighter weight.
It's time to get rid of the stock wheels and Bridgestone tires and I've been researching tires to death the last couple of weeks, looking for a good AT tire that has good on road manners and is excellent on wet roads.
What sized wheel are you considering? Moving down to a 17" will give you many more tire options.
What sized wheel are you considering? Moving down to a 17" will give you many more tire options.
What do you recommend on a 17" wheel?
I was going to stay with a 18" wheel, mostly out of concerns with going to a smaller wheel on that GX platform. Perhaps this fear is unsubstantiated?
Was going to get after market 18 x9 wheels and 275/65/18's.
I wanted to get 285/60/18's, but this will likely result in some wheel rub w/o mods. The reason I wanted that tire is b/c I can get the KO2's in a D rated/8 ply tire.
I was going to stay with a 18" wheel, mostly out of concerns with going to a smaller wheel on that GX platform. Perhaps this fear is unsubstantiated?
Was going to get after market 18 x9 wheels and 275/65/18's.
I wanted to get 285/60/18's, but this will likely result in some wheel rub w/o mods. The reason I wanted that tire is b/c I can get the KO2's in a D rated/8 ply tire.
Suggestions??
The stock 7.5" rim is the limiting factor for tires. Going to a 8" or more will open up 275 and 285 options, 17 or 18". 4-4.5" backspacing. The 285/60/18 D KO2 should be great on the 18x9 with 4.5" backspacing.
The stock 7.5" rim is the limiting factor for tires. Going to a 8" or more will open up 275 and 285 options, 17 or 18". 4-4.5" backspacing. The 285/60/18 D KO2 should be great on the 18x9 with 4.5" backspacing.
I'm getting after market 18 x9 wheels.
So you think 285/60/18's are the way to go or should I stick with 275/65/18? The latter will fill the wheel well up better, with about 0.6" additional diameter, and will have less risk of rub I'm guessing.
It sounds like the former can be done only with mods (spacers) as you mentioned, which I'm trying to avoid if possible. Do I have this correct?
So you think 285/60/18's are the way to go or should I stick with 275/65/18? The latter will fill the wheel well up better, with about 0.6" additional diameter, and will have less risk of rub I'm guessing.
It sounds like the former can be done only with mods (spacers) as you mentioned, which I'm trying to avoid if possible. Do I have this correct?
Sounds right, slightly taller and narrower should be safer. But the different backspacing (offset) on the aftermarket wheels help prevent rubbing and give a wider stance.
Sounds right, slightly taller and narrower should be safer. But the different backspacing (offset) on the aftermarket wheels help prevent rubbing and give a wider stance.
You might want to search those sizes on 4Runner forums, 5th gen. I think owners run 285/60/18 on after market wheels with no issues, no spacers.
I spoke to the people at rimz one, and didn't get an altogether clear answer, but it seems that 285/60/18 may work with an offset of +18 for the wheels, which is what I'm going with. They basically gave me the generic answer of "adding height (275) or width (285) may give wheel rub and we can't say the 285's will do so more than the 275". They recommended just removing the flap on the inside wheel well, and that I would likely not need any spacers or other mods.
I've got the AT3s on my 2013 and I really like them. Haven't gotten them dirty yet but they do have great on road manners. I am running a 275/65/18 and the myths about not rubbing are false, at least in my experience. I was able to eliminate it by removing one screw on the liner in the back of the wheel well and then by reshaping the remaining rub points w/ a heat gun. Has taken me a few tries to get it all worked out. A different offset aftermarket wheel will probably give you rubbing in different spots.
I am currently looking at Method Roosts in 18x9 et18 which should widen the stance by about 1.5" on each side. The roost is less than 27 lbs. per wheel which is a couple pounds lighter than the OEM wheels and hopefully will make up for some of the weight of the larger tires.
I'm hoping GX owners running AT tires with 15-20k miles on them would report back on noise and balancing. From my previous experiences, AT can get loud after wearing down and got out of balance. But I hope the GX is sound proof enough to make it not a huge factor.
04-22-16, 05:45 PM
Advice on Cooper AT3's vs the new Falken AT3W
