Choices, choices ...

J-rod · January 15, 2004

As I quickly approach 2 years and 30k miles on my truck, the tread on the stock tires is wearing thin. By summer it looks like I'll probably be due for my second set and I want to make some changes. Here's what I'm looking for in my next set:

Since I'm not going to have the extra cash to put on wheels at this time, they will be mounted on the stock aluminum 16x7.5 (I think) wheels. I want a larger tire, but not one that will require a lift or even a *major* turning of the t-bars, so I'm thinking 285/75-16 is the way to go. I want an aggressive *looking* tire ... in other words, a mud-terrain preferably with some tread wrapping over the edge of the sidewall. While I certainly want a more aggressive tire than my current Firestone Wilderness (how in the ^$#@ did these things get into the All-Terrain category anyway?), I don't need a set of boggers by any means! My off-roading is mostly brief stints through the woods and my truck is primarily a daily-driver. So road noise (or lack of) is another major selling point for me. I certainly don't expect to not hear them, but if they're loud enough to completely drown out the Flowmaster (40 series) ... they might be too loud.

So, with those 'specs' in mind, I've been looking and reading about several 'light' mud-terrain tires. So far, the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's have been the most impressive. I love the looks and most ppl say they are pretty quiet for a mud-terrain. I have, however, seen mixed reviews on tread life (which probably has more to do with driving style than anything else). There is another tire though ... this tire has higher marks than any other mud-terrain (in the size I'm looking for) sold by tirerack.com. I'm talking about the Firestone Destination MT/R. This tire was mentioned in a handful of posts on here, but no one seems to know much about em. Do any of you have this tire, and if so, what are your impressions? I'm especially interested in these since there doesn't appear to have been any prior discussion about them here.

There are two other tires that I'm kinda lookin at and they are the BFG MT's and the Bridgestone Dueler MT's. I know lots of you have the BFG's and most seem to like em. Not sure about the Bridgestones though. Anyway, if you have one of these 4 tires or another suggestion (and *especially* if you've had more than one of these so you can compare), I would certainly appreciate your feedback on road noise, tread life, price, and anything else that sticks out in your mind (either positive or negative) like having to frequently re-balance, etc. Thanks in advance to all who reply!

PS - My apologies for the long post, but thanks for readin it!

99silveradoz71 · January 16, 2004

I have Dueler Revo's and love them, not sure on the MT's though.

Cool Zr2 · January 16, 2004

BFG AT/KO'S MAN

atomoverride · January 16, 2004

Dont buy new tires only....get a whole set of wheels and tires for helllaaa cheaper.

J-rod · January 16, 2004

I have Dueler Revo's and love them, not sure on the MT's though.

I've seen several ppl mention those on here ... I assume they're AT's huh?

BFG AT/KO'S MAN

Actually, I've owned a few sets of those and really had no complaints, so they're on the list of possibles too. I just didn't mention em since I've already had personal experiece w/ them.

Dont buy new tires only....get a whole set of wheels and tires for helllaaa cheaper.

If I can get them for only slightly more *and* they won't be too big for stock ride height (with a little t-bar turning), then I'd love to. Any suggestions on who has good 'package' deals on sets??? (I'm kinda leanin toward the Mickey-T Classic II's )

Thanks for the replies fellas!

atomoverride · January 16, 2004

I was talking new set of OEM wheels and tires.

J-rod · January 16, 2004

I was talking new set of OEM wheels and tires.

Oh, hehe. Well, I like the OEM wheels just fine (though if money were no object I'd certainly buy aftermarket), but I def don't want any more of these street tires they call all-terrains that come on the trucks now. And I just don't know if I can justify the extra set since the "look" is one of the things I'm lookin for ... I don't just want it lookin good in the winter when I mount the MT's.

And btw, very nice truck! (I just peeped at some of your pics)

99silveradoz71 · January 17, 2004

The Revo's are slightly more aggressive than the Wilderness AT's. Not a mud tire, but good for a daily driver and if you've got snow or rain to contend with. I haven't really had them off-road here, so I can't give a review on that, but happy so far.