Calling all Truck Bros
 

DTD is having their $100 off $400 sale again. Of course, i've put it off to the last day (because i wasn't sure if i was keeping the truck), so now i'm scrambling. Was going to order 35x12.50r15 Dynapro RT03s, but now they're gone. Of course.

SO, it's a 98 Montero. I will eventually be moving to 17" wheels and 35" tires, but my tires right now are trashed, and the money i'd spend on new tires AND wheels would be better spent giving the rest of the truck some attention right now. Which leaves me to decide between moving to 35s on my current 15s, which allows me to set the entire truck up save for brakes for the larger tire size, then do 17s at my leisure later, or just continuing with the 33x12.50r15 i run now, and deal with it looking a little goofy when the suspension is done, and the gearing maybe being a bit wonky when i move to 4.90s or 5.29s.

So, i need input on whether to stick with 33s, or move to 35s because it aligns with end game. (I'm leaning towards 35s, but it would be nice to have some support and people telling me i'm special, this is my first real not-car build.)

THEN, i need input on these tires, because i dont' know anything about truck tires. Only Miata tires. Prices are shipped/all in. I'm not super concerned about road manners. I currently have some super trashed chinese mud tires, so the bar is really low in terms of noise/handling/comfort. Basically i want something "name brand" that "looks cool" and will do well in mud/trails/whatever, road manners are secondary. Not because they won't be driven on road, but because i'm an NVH size queen, but the opposite of M.net.

35s
1) Falken Wildpeak MT01 - $688
2) Hoodrich KO2 - $796
3) Wrangler MT/R Kevlar - $860
4) Maxxis Bighorn MT-762 - $888
5) Cooper S/T Maxx - $748

33s
1) Hankook Dynapro RT03 - $576
2) Kumho MT KL71 - $592
3) Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 - $652
4) General Grabber X3 - $652
5) Cooper STT Pro - $668
6) Goodyear Duratrac - $688
7) Maxxis Bighorn MT-762 - $804


Open to suggestions, but trying to toe that line of cheap-but-not-awful because i'm not running 15s long term on this truck. Danke!

I have 32 Bighorns on the Jeep. And 35 Wrangler MT/Rs on the truck.

Both are loud AF.

Bighorns were the cheapest option at the time for the Jeep. But we like them. They look good, perform decent, but haven't really been tested. In the snow they were "ok". I aired them down and they did a lot better.

Wrangler MT/Rs are dope. But they are heavy AF. Broke a 9" axle shaft when they wheelhopped, and overall just a very heavy tire. Did decent in the mud, never got stuck at the mudfest I went to, and the sidewalls are cool.

You put so little time on the street with this truck that I wouldn't mess around with 33s. If you actually plan on getting suspension done in the next few years you wont be able to wear the 33s down in that time.

I used to work at les schwab in ht PNW so have a lot of experience with different truck rubber.

35s
1) Falken Wildpeak MT01 - $688-Slick in rain good dry
2) Hoodrich KO2 - $796- Awesome and last forever
3) Wrangler MT/R Kevlar - $860-loud noisy and really only good in mud/snow
4) Maxxis Bighorn MT-762 - $888-just dont

33s
6) Goodyear Duratrac - $688-These are probably the best tires ive ever drove on but didnt come in 37's But since you want 35s theses a few that are close

My personal favorites are the Toyo RT, and the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx which is an amazing tire for the money and is what i would go with in your case.

Also if you go up to 18s there are a lot more tire choices for trucks

I have Duratracs on wife's Montero and hate them with a passion, but i suspect some of my complaints come from the stupid size that PO used. (235/85-16 E rated) Would be willing to try them again in a sensible size, but on the flip side... there's enough choices that why bother? But if they're that good....

Looks like i can get 35x12.50r15 S/T Maxx for $748. Does that become your official recommendation for both scenarios?

18s not on the cards. This is a 98 Montero lol.

A lesson I learned- dont buy tires first, unless you are really close to or can already drive the vehicle. Otherwise, watching your sweet new tires rot in place really sucks.

I loved my cooper S/T maxx they are my official recommendation in either a 315/70r17 (LR D) or the 35x15.5r15 (LR C).

the load range E are way way to stiff for anything other than a fullsize >2500

This is my DD. ;)

Warning: Just because it's my DD does not mean that i'm open to suggestions of "Probably shouldn't look at MTs, then."

The stiffness isn't what i have a problem with. It has ~1000lb springs in the back anyways and it weighs about 5000lbs. It's the pizza cutter size. Feels really weird. :( Would like to move to 285/65-16 on that truck if we keep it. (Trying to sell it)

Thanks for the help!

Another vote for Duratracs...

Had them in stock dually sizes on our '04 Dodge crew cab cummins, and have them on our '92 Bronco... Bronco is a metric 16" don't recall the exact size, but roughly 11.50 x 32. I went to 16" because of availability issues in 15's.

I wouldn't repeat for a mostly highway vehicle (like our dually), as they did get a little noisy after ~10k miles, but nowhere near as bad as some of the mud tires I hear on trucks. Love them on the Bronco, great at everything, so far. Would buy again, though they aren't cheap.

Apologies to end up askholing, but i ended up ordering 35x12.50r15 Cooper STT Pros. DTD had them listed a little weird so nobody was finding them. $724 shipped, $25.34 in various cash backs. I have a place that will mount for $60. Figure should be a decent setup to run for a couple years. :)

I don't suppose there are any used tire places near you? Here in VaBch, we have a couple areas with 3-4 used tire places each. I've bought several sets of brand new take-offs for the 4Runner and a buddies Expedition that has just come off a brand new factory vehicle. Literally, some airman or corporal will drive their brand new F150 2wd directly from the dealer lot to the tire place and have bigger rubber put on and I reap the rewards. Each time, It's been $250 set of 4 installed that had maybe 5 miles on them.

There are, but new vehicles don't come with 15s. :P

looks like you made a sound choice

I credit you with the S/T Maxx recommendation. Looked more into them, and the STT Pro appears to be just as durable, and at minimal hit to road manners, but better at shedding mud. Maxx may honestly be a better fit for what i do, but the Pro probably not much of a hit, and looks super cool. :bigtu:

Should be fine.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4469/...58125cc9_b.jpg
20171101_094118 by concealer404, on Flickr

Nice! Sidewalls look gnarly! good choice

I jest. The Duratracs are staying on that truck for the moment. :giggle:

This is more like it.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4456/...2bfc2611_b.jpg
20171101_094208 by concealer404, on Flickr

Don't need a truck. Got me a Pajero.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4507/...f92e252b_b.jpg
20171101_094633 by concealer404, on Flickr

Hey Truck Bros:

Can one of you quantify to me the noise difference between Cooper STT Pros and ST Maxx?

Got an FZJ80 Land Cruiser, and it needs tires pretty badly. Looking at probably moving to a 285/75-16 for 33" mallparking. I don't really have any complaints with the STT Pros on the Monty, but they're a bit aggressive for something that will be kept nice and not bounced off trees and rocks.

Cruiser doing Cruiser things:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4546/...d1ab7712_b.jpg
IMG_20171206_073848279 by concealer404, on Flickr

Monty on the STT Pros.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4471/...f6b2569c_b.jpg
20171104_115829 by concealer404, on Flickr

ST MAXX for the win. Super quiet and great grip. I think I said it earlier but those are what I wanted to get but they didn't have my size

Also drove multiple customer trucks with them for first hand impression