Tyre time
Submitted: Friday, May 06, 2005 at 09:49
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22711
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Capt. Wrongway
G'Day all,
I'm after some advice on tyres for my 120 Prado. I mainly bought the Prado to tow my van, so it does spend most of it's time on road either towing or as day to day transport. Recently I've caught up with some old mates who are getting into more off road stuff, not mountain climbing, but fire
trails and the like. I'd like to factor in this use when it comes to making a choise on new tyres.
Question : Would I be better off sticking another set of Grandtreks on, or something a bit more agressive? If so, which brand and type? The only thing that would concern me is excessive road noise.
Any advise?
Regards,
Bazza.
Reply By: Member - Paul P (Bris) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:10
Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:10
Bazza
I would suggest going to a Light Truck spec tyre (LT) They will give you stronger side walls/construction. As stated you will go from a 65 aspect to a 70 aspect ratio with the 17 inch wheels. How aggressive the tread pattern is a matter of choice/use.
I use BFG AT's on my Nissan and have used them on a v6 four runner. These tyres perform
well on road with tread pattern suitable for fire trails/state
forrest tracks and dirt roads. Downside a little more road noise and harshness due to stiffer side walls and more aggressive tread pattern.
My thoughts
Regards
Paul
AnswerID:
110009
Follow Up By: Member - Stan (VIC) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:16
Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:16
Coopers ATR come in LT construction as
well and they
are quiter compared to BFT AT.
FollowupID:
366585
Reply By: Trev88 - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:58
Friday, May 06, 2005 at 12:58
Gday Capt
Im just going through the process myself and my findings so far are.
Coopers are releasing / realeased some at's in 17in that are around high $300's each.
BFG have a good tyre in the AT but not light truck but still good side wall strength.
The alturnative is to go down to 16in rims and put a tyre on with the same rolling diamiter as the Grand trek. That way you also end up with a much wider choice of tyre. But to do this you need to grind back the manufacture lugs on the brakes (toyota can do this for you) Toyota rims or AM ROH. (run a search on the threads and there is a link to the site for instructions on how to grind them back if you are a DIY type.)
Goodyear have a more agreesive pattern in the grand trek range in 17in but it is still a sillicon base and soft (only 40,000km on a set) and still $370 odd a tyre.
I am about 30k km off replacing
mine so I would be interested in what you decide on and any feed back after a trip or two under your belt.
AnswerID:
110016
Follow Up By: Capt. Wrongway - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:25
Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:25
G'Day Trev88,
Thanks for your responce. I really do'nt want to change rim sizes as I've already fitted Prado 17" steel rims and Grantreks to my van and trailer, plus two spares, with the aim of keeping all the same. It is a big dission, as I do'nt want to end up with something I'm not happy with, especially if there is increased road noise, as
well as the cost. I've just clicked over 65,000km on the Grantreks and they've just about had it, so I'm going to have to make my mind up very soon. I'm not overly impressed with Coopers, only from a few problems that friends have had with them.
( balancing & side wall cracking at 35,000km ) I am swaying towards the Goodyears and am looking for advise on the new GT Radials brand.
Maybe I'm just being too hard to please. I did'nt find buying the bloody 4by this hard.
Regards,
Bazza.
FollowupID:
366608
Follow Up By: Member - Stan (VIC) - Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:35
Friday, May 06, 2005 at 13:35
The GoodYear ATR is good tire as
well and got the same
strong sidewall as MTRs, althought I am not sure
if it is available in 17" size yet...
FollowupID:
366611