1996 4Runner SR5 4x4
- 3.4L V6/auto/3.90 gears
- stock 15x7 alloys
- 32/11.5-15 Bridgestone Dueler ATs (not the Revos)
- OME HD shocks and coils front and rear
Background:
When the 225s that came on my truck wore out, I decided to upgrade to something larger and more aggressive. My truck is a daily driver that spends 90% of its time on pavement. I wanted a tire that looked good, performed well on road in all conditions (I live in the northeast, so that means rain, snow, slush, ice, etc.), performed well off-road, and would get good tread wear. I did a lot of research, and after reading a terrific review on off-road.com I decided to go with Bridgestone Dueler ATs. All I had left to do was decide on a size. I talked with a few people, and found out that an 11.5" wide tire is the widest I could fit without serious rubbing. I ended up using Wild Bill's rig as a model and went with 32/11.5-15 on my stock 15x7 alloys.
Fit and Rubbing
The tires fit great. They don't rub at all in the front, and only slightly in the back at full compression (definitely not enough to worry about). The tires fit well on the stock 15x7 alloys, and even aired down to 15PSI, I don't worry about their width or losing a bead.
Tire Performance - On Pavement
I couldn't be happier with these tires. They easily the best tires I've driven. Dry grip is very good, though I don't drive my truck like it's a race car. In the rain and slush, the tread design keeps rubber on the road - even in standing water I've never hydroplaned or lost traction. In the snow the tread is aggressive enough to maintian good traction. Obviously, I still drive carefully, but these tires make it much easier to get around. I've only ever gotten my truck stuck once, and it was in the snow. I was in about 15" of unpacked powder, and the tread tended to fill up with snow. I didn't know the snow was that deep, but once I got in there, I didn't expect to get it - it was that kind of snow. No tire without studs is going to do much in the ice, but these aren't bad. With a light foot and some caution, I can get around just fine, even in 2WD.
Tire Performance - On the Trail
I was am very impressed with these tires off-road as well. They even impressed a couple of guides at Paragon Adventure Park. If aired down properly they offer great traction on the rocks, wet or dry. In the mud, they do surprisingly well. I didn't think an AT would fare well in the mud, but these do all right. I've never been held back by my tires - to me, that's a sign of a good tire.
Conclusion
These tires may never win any off-road competitions, nor will they last longer than your truck. But, if you're looking for a good, all around tire that can handle lots of terrain and conditions, I cannot say enough about the Dueler ATs. I'm expecting to get between 55 and 60k miles out of my set, and they have seen a wide variety of terrain and driving condition. They are yet to disappoint me. I'd buy another set in a heartbeat, and I'd recommend them to friends and family without a second thought.
You can see pictures of the tires in action on my website, at http://128.226.93.56.
Edited by jacksonpt (02/16/04 08:20 AM)
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