New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum so go gentle on me please

I currently have a 2002 VX Prado that has done 85,000kms on the factory Dunlop Grand Treks (265/70/R16). They are starting to misbehave though with losing grip and squealing round corners so I think it's time for new tyres.

Most of my driving is on the black stuff so my local tyre store suggested either Bridgestone D694s, Pirelli Scorpion STRs, or Michelin Lattitude Cross boots. The D694s were stated as having better life, the STRs as being quieter (although with a softer compound), and the Crosses as having a bit of both. I was all set with going with the Crosses but now after doing more research I'm not so sure.

I would like at least moderate off-road ability from the Prado but am not into mud wrestling so nothing too messy. Would the D694s be a better weapon of choice? I can get those for $265 each fitted on special at Jax. The tyre guy also mentioned Maxxis which were the cheapest at $199 a tyre but I'm not sure which model and he didn't seem too keen on them.

So confused :? right now, please help!

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Well I'm leaning towards the Bridgestone A/T D694 LTs now for a few of reasons:-

* More suited to both on & off road use than the Michelin Lattitude Cross tyres, from all reports they run reasonably quiet too
* Tread pattern on the D694s is closer to my existing Dunlop Grand Treks should I ever need to use the spare (which is still in as new condition under a hard cover) for any length of time
* Price is a bit cheaper than the Michelins at $265 each fitted (this isn't a major factor though, if it was I'd get the Maxxis at $199 each)

Does anyone care to disagree?

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Hi fido. Have the Bridgestones on mine at present. Done 43k and all good. Nice to drive on and quiet. Just swapped back to front and balanced. Look like they will be good for another 40k or more. Am going to use them again next change although will be going up to 275's. Same O.D. but wider and all good on 8" aftermarket rims. Cheers, Derb.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Thanks for the input Derb . It's good to hear they run reasonably quiet but do they handle a bit of rough stuff OK?

I see you are from NZ. I have just returned from a trip there; missed the earthquake in Christchurch by 2 days :shock: . I was a bit worried about you guys after the quake in Japan with the tsunami warning as I have family in the Hawke's Bay region.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Have been advised to take a look at Maxxis AT-771s on another non-4WD forum. They appear to have a similar tread pattern as the Bridgestone D694s but I don't know where they are made. I've had my current Dunlops on the Prado since I bought it near new back in 2002; I'm keen to get similar longevity from my new boots and not sure I'll get this from a Taiwanese brand.

Does anyone have the AT-771s on their Prado and can share any advice or pics? I'm wondering if these are the ones Jax had for $199 each?

[spamwell Member Find all posts View Profile Close spamwell]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

4 Rib mickey thompson atz, wear well, quiet, handle well onroad and in wet, still tough and pretty good traction offroad.

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

4 Rib mickey thompson atz, wear well, quiet, handle well onroad and in wet, still tough and pretty good traction offroad.

5-rib ATZ's may be a better choice considering the OP says most of his driving on road and the people I've spoken to who have 4-rib ATZ's say they like slip on round-a-bouts in the rain. But that's not personal experience on my part, so take from it what you will.

Of the tyres the OP mentioned, the 694s would get my vote.

Cheers,
Declan.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

I'm going with the Bridgestone D694LTs, should be getting them fitted tomorrow. The Maxxis they had were the 751s and I wasn't so keen on their tread pattern.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Is it worth keeping any of my old tyres as spares? I will of course be keeping the current spare as it's unused.

This is what the fronts are like, I'd say they're pretty well shot with the inner scrubbing :-





And here's the rears, I was told they had some life left in them :-

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Yeah the front driver's side tyre has pretty uneven wear. The rear tyres could be okay for field spares, if you like using tyres levers and bead breakers.

But being a Full-time 4WD, its really best to keep all the tyres the same size and ideally of the same type.

Cheers,
Declan.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Yeah the front driver's side tyre has pretty uneven wear.

Which is strange considering it supposedly had a wheel alignment after my recent accident. I guess it could have been worn beforehand but the dealer who services it never suggested it needed attention.

The rear tyres could be okay for field spares, if you like using tyres levers and bead breakers.

TBH I wouldn't know how, have only ever swapped over tyres on a bicycle rim. Do you think there's enough tread left for them to be remotely useful? I don't have much storage space so if they're too worn out it's probably best to let the tyre place dispose of them.

But being a Full-time 4WD, its really best to keep all the tyres the same size and ideally of the same type.

They'll be the same size but if I keep the current unused spare it will have a different tread pattern. I figure as a spare for occasional use it should be OK surely?

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Hey devil (666) get rid of those Grandtreks, their crap.

I am getting rid of them, just wondered if those back ones were useful as spares. I've had those GrandTreks on for 8 years so in terms of longevity they have seen me through OK. I'm getting Bridgestone D694LTs as replacements.

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Hey Fido. Are those 694 LT's a road tyre? All good if thats all you are doing but even if you only go off seal occasionally, the 694 Dueler A/T 265/70R16 112S is a better bet. (or 275/70R16) They are still quiet and drive well on seal (dry or wet). Wear is good and even front or back. My 2000 '95 series had Goodyear road LT's on when I brought it and I wouldn't consider the A/T's any worse on the seal. Still - all good if only for sealed road work. I don't know if there are any cost or wear savings one way or the other. Cheers, Derb.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Hey Fido. Are those 694 LT's a road tyre?

No they are an A/T LT spec tyre. From my understanding if you want a road pattern in the Bridgestones you choose the D683 or D684. I am aware however that the D694 ATs come in both a standard and an LT version; it's the LT I have ordered.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: New tyres for my Prado - What to choose?

Hey Fido. Are those 694 LT's a road tyre? All good if thats all you are doing but even if you only go off seal occasionally, the 694 Dueler A/T 265/70R16 112S is a better bet. (or 275/70R16) They are still quiet and drive well on seal (dry or wet). Wear is good and even front or back. My 2000 '95 series had Goodyear road LT's on when I brought it and I wouldn't consider the A/T's any worse on the seal. Still - all good if only for sealed road work. I don't know if there are any cost or wear savings one way or the other. Cheers, Derb.

The 694 LT is a better tyre than what u have Derb, same tyre but in light truck (LT)construction.