Just looking for a little tire advice, pics included

[p100ki]

First off here is my dd '93 Explorer XLT.

I bought it sight unseen for $300 and swapped a set of '01 wheels on it since the factory aluminum was plain and my '94 and '95 already had that style wheel. I bought it to cut up and modify but it was too nice for that and i've put 10,000 miles on it in four months. It's getting to be snow season in Northeast Ohio and i need new tires before major snow hits.

I would like to keep the 16" wheels because they look good on the square shape and i get compliments on them all the time but that's where the problem starts.

I want one of these two tires.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R

31X10.50/15 $180
265X75/16 $240
Mickey Thompson Baja Radial MTZ Tires

31X10.50/15 $150
265X75/16 $190

I have 15" teardrop wheels.

But seriously i'd rather stick to the 16's without spending more than $200 a tire. I could save a good chunk of change going with the 15's though. I think the MTZ's would be better for the snow and ice we get here and i only offroad on the weekends mainly. We own some property that we use for offroad purposes and it's mainly mud and wide open swamp so that needs to be taken into consideration.

No matter which tire and size i go with my 3" body lift goes on this weekend so clearance won't be an issue. Which would you choose?

 

[Redtrac01]

What about the Firstone Destination M/T? Highest rated M/T type tire on Tirerack.com, and $158 for 265/75R16 size.

 

[The exploder]

Umm i have no experience with eaither tire,butt i did just buy some bfg all terains. They are the best tire i have ever owned for a street and dirt tire! Plus i only paid 111 a tire so that dosent hurt eathier( black friday)

 

[p100ki]

What about the Firstone Destination M/T? Highest rated M/T type tire on Tirerack.com, and $158 for 265/75R16 size.

I can get those in off brand for half that and i still wouldn't buy them, no offense. I used them on my 4wd F350 Dually and they were loud and unpredictable on the highway. Loud doesn't bother me, 4000 watt stereo, but the wear and unpredictability along with the cartoon looking font they label the tire with is unacceptable. They were utterly horrible on the freeway in the rain.

I currently drive this Explorer 60 miles per day seven days a week on the freeway and maybe 50 miles a week in thick mud so i need a decent compromise of treadwear and not getting stuck along with winter traction.

 

[Redtrac01]

All off-road mud terrain tires are going to be horrible on the freeway. Sounds like you're looking for an all-terrain tire. The Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos were really good on my truck. They are a decent compromise of smooth ride, good treadwear, off-road traction and snow traction.

 

[p100ki]

I ran Wrangler MTR's on my 2wd dually and they were more than acceptable for a mud tire. Not too loud and very good in the rain. I got almost 60,000 miles out of them. I am looking for a preference between the two tires i listed. I will probably go with the MTZ's because they are pretty unique among the guys i know, everyone i know has BFG's and MTR's.