Tire Recommendations

[blackjoker]

Well, I have just recently made some replacements/upgrades to my pretty much stock 1999 Explorer 5.0 AWD . I put in new Bilstein shocks all around (which feel great), Raybestos brakes, and Raybestos upper control arms and lower ball joints. Right now it's at the shop for an alignment. My next project is new (much needed) tires. I don't want full time, super aggressive mud/off-road tires, but I do want a pretty agressive looking on/off-road all terrain. Without having much off-road tire knowledge I have been considering BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO, Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor, or Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. These are my initial choices, and not completely sure if the last tire would work. So my question:

Can canyone give a recommendation for a nice tire that I'm looking for? Again, it'll be for on/off-road use, and I would like it to have an agressive looking tread pattern similar to a mud/off-road tire. Any and all input would be appreciated. Thanks.



By the way, I will eventually be selling new Raybestos, professional grade (part #5001090), passenger side upper control arm, and professional grade bushings (part #5601061). This is half of the 2 piece design control arm. I bought the bushings new for the old half of the control arm from rockauto, then realized it was almost impossible to replace the bushings on my own at home. I learned I could simply convert it to a one piece control arm, and bought and installed it instead. I've had everything longer than 30 days, so I don't think it can be returned. If interested let me know.

 

[Blueraven]

Well in my opinion the BFG TAs are the best, however they come at a price. I decided on Firestone Destination ATs for my Son's EX. They are medium aggressive, ride down the road fairly smoothly and aren't too loud. I'm happy with my choice.

 

[mayhem1605]

I have a set of kuhmo road venture at kl78 on my ex and I absolutely love them, i can hardly hear them and they ride quite smooth.

 

[SoNic67]

I saw lots of people that ignore the warnings posted on every tire site and install "All Season" tires on the Explorer. The only "approved" tires (especially for AWD) are All Terrain ones. Look on tire manufacturers sites for examples of that warning (BFGoodrich, Michelin, Bridgestone).
Internal construction is different, have improved layers, stronger sidewalls.

PS: Goodyear's Wrangler SilentArmor have a 160$/80$ rebate going on now.

 

[chapsdeva]

I have had good luck with BFG Long Trails. Got almost 70K out of my last set. Have them on both my 00 and 08. Michelin LTX or MTXs (can't remember the ones I had..LTX I think) are great, but pricey...got almost 90K out of last set.

One tire I would not recommend are Goodyear Forteras. I was only able to get 34K on them on our 08...never had a tire wear out so quicky. They were kept properly inflated/rotated and they didn't wear unevenly.


Edit...sorry blackjoker..didn't read your entire post...looks like you are looking for a little more aggressive tire patten than what I listed. Mine were for mainly on-road daily driving.

 

[POS Camaro]

I'm using General Grabber AT2 tires on my 99 AWD. It was a night and day difference from what was on it when I got it. I also have a set on my 03 Suburban and plan on getting a set for my 01 Sierra before winter hits.

 

[blackjoker]

Thanks for the replies. I found a local tire kingdom that hooked me up. I got a set of the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO's. It'll be right around $800 for the tires, alignment, and taxes/fees (mounting/disposal/etc.) That price wasn't too bad, and I've been hearing good things from my research.

 

[Kinga]

all weather tires

I am confused. I just tried to find this "warning" that someone spoke of about all season tires for the explorer being bad. I cannot find it anywhere. I have the Cooper ATF's 245/75/16 on mine, from 5 YEARS ago...and they are awesome. Never had any problems, rode great, quiet.
I am looking to buy new tires (obviously it's time), and I travel a canyon road 47 miles one way, several times a week. I live in a ski resort town, so all season is preferable.
I was looking at the new Cooper AT/3's.
Anyone have suggestions/comments about these? Or anyone know why the warning for not using all weather tires on the explorer????

Kind regards,
Kinga

 

[5.0L V8]

Go to your local Les Schwab (if ya got one), or go online and order some Toyo M/T's. Got em' on my Jeep TJ (33") and they are BY FAR the smoothest riding mud terrain tire on the pavement. Excellent offroad even at full psi, and if you get them siped ; they ROCK on the ice covered blacktop. Plus, they look BADASS!!

 

[Drg racr]

I like my Goodyear Wrangler RT/S's.

 

[PowerFiend]

I have a set of kuhmo road venture at kl78 on my ex and I absolutely love them, i can hardly hear them and they ride quite smooth.

I'm running KL61's on my F150 (Which eats tires on the mountain roads I drive) and getting better mileage out of them than most others I have run.