Passenger or Light Truck Tyres ?

Hi Jezz,
Have a look here at bridgestones site:
D694 comparison chart
D694 comes in a number of configurations and loadings in the 265/R17 without having to go to the 270 size (also in different cofigs). Can get confusing, I tell you.
I am in the same position as you and have to replace 6 tyres soon.
regards

Jezz
I run Yokohama's , they are really good , They are available in your size too,

Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S

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As you can see they are LT

.

For your stated use the passenger tyres will be fine. The LT's really come into their own on dirt roads and corrugations. If you decide to tow on dirt roads like the Birdsville track for example then LT would be the way to go.

I am a Coopers person from way back (no, don't bother!) and I wanted to go to LTs, but I could get the right size (mine is a 95 Series Prado with 16in wheels) so I went to a slightly narrower tyre with a higher ration (in your case, going from 265/65R17 to 245/70R17) which gives you a rolling radius of 777 mm compared to the original 776 mm. The reduced width is 20 mm, which may or may not worry you.
The width reduction has not presented any problems that I am aware of (handled the soft Simpson last year just fine).
I would not be surprised if other brands offer a similar option
Just a thought. Hope it helps.

BFG now make an 265/65R 17 AT.

Have a look at this site.

If you need to buy new tyres I'd recommend you go with AT construction.

Changing to a different size, typically 265/70R is an option, depending upon where you live. This size is legal in Victoria (and some other States), but not in NSW or Qld.

George

On both my prados I went A/T's. Firstly ours does go off road, but secondly is the handling difference and you will also get a lot more klms from the tyres. We live in an area where there isnt a straight road in the joint and found the original tyres chewing out on the outer edges due to the side movement of the tyres when cornering left to right. We put Bf's A/T's on the first prado and we did roughly for memory 50 thou on them and still looked like they would have got at least another 30 easily. We also had them on our hilux. Im not saying here go for Bf's but I would go A/T's. I didnt get LT's (75's) this time on current prado as I found them way too strong in the side walls (may sound silly) but I want them to bag well on the sand and for rocks which I found the BF's in 75 series didnt, I could drop them to 18psi and you would think I hadnt let any air from them.. I had no insurance issues with NRMA with the bigger tyres and it was noted on my policy that they were 75's instead of the factory fitted 70's. And yes been an all wheel drive if you decide to go the bigger size you will need to get the 5th one just incase. Also if going bigger size will your wheel cover (genuine Toyota) fit back over the bigger tyre ?? ours wouldnt on the old prado with the fibroglass/plastic what ever there made from, but we had an exploroz cover on it anyway so got a bigger size to suit. Regards steve M

Jezz

Here you go

I don't think you will have "a potential legal / insurance issues with larger tyres".

You've been listening to the wrong people for to long.

Why not ask a tyre place?

HI Jez
I had to go through the same problem and finished up with 265/65/r17 Bridgestone 694 not light truck.
The reason were because mainly road use and towing, I have covered over 6000 ks towing since having them fitted.
So far better handling when I droped the pressure down to 35 psi instead of the 40 psi from the tyre dealer (can't read the specs on the door like all Toyota dealers after a service).
I have checked the speedo with a GPS and it is spot on up to 110 ks so it's better than the Grand craps that were originally fitted.
50,000 ks out of the Grand Craps with about 10,000 maybe left but changed before hand due to the current trip.
Cost $254 fitted balanced all up at KMart matched the price quoted by Bridgestone with rotation and Ballancing each 10,000 ks.
Didn't consider the LT for the extra $50 ea as I don't do heavy off road.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Ted

I fitted Bridgestone AT 694, LT 265/65/R17 to my Pajero 10 000km ago, too soon to say how they are going other than no problems towing a CT around 3000km of Central Oz dirt roads.
There was minimal difference in price between the LT and passenger construction and all my research said the LT tyres provide significantly better puncture resistance, superior wear, with only slightly worse ride (I can't tell the difference).

They don't have them listed on their web site though, I found out about them on this forum
I preferred them over the Cooper LT purely as I would of had to have gone up as you said to the 70s, which would mean replacing my good spare as well.
The LTs are made in Japan, Vs passenger in Australia. Some people claim the local product is superior, I can't comment.
Not getting into the tyre brand argument, went Bridgestone purely to keep the tyre diameter as per OME and been happy so far.

Don't know which state you're in. Just got the racq mag in the post and Bridgestone centres have a 'spring' sale on. Your size isn't listed, but my 16" tyres appear to be about $100 ea under normal retail. Diff in price between 694 and 694 LT only appears to be $25 odd dollars. Might be worth a ring.