Scott Mcgill

Hi
Have an 1987 4runner, DLX( automatic 4sp. w/ overdrive) PS, 22RE, PB, tilt, Altimeter, AC....
Been using Firestone A/T 225 75R 15 tires for years. Can't get any replacement that isn't old stock (DOT #4 yr + older or worse)

Q: Firestone store suggests newer Firestone Destination XT 31-10.5 15 as a replacement, circa DOT 2019 mfg.
Salesman said they work great on his F250, ok, but thats a ford(fix or repair daily)

I'm concerned about the automatic transmission running larger tires, especially in 4WD in snow on highway, and in low range off road.
Will larger size tires foul up the transmission or front wheel drive?

Had them 31's on my '89 SR5, they seemed good, but that was a stick tranny....

Dealer salesmen said they were similar 225 x75 vs. the 31x 10.5 they are not according to the size chart online. Worried about effort to spin larger
tires during revolution. and of course I gotta get another spare as mine will be smaller

any advise really appreciated from those who actually know..
thanks

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

10.5" just barely fit on mine, mine has a drop bracket and spacers, ymmv based on you torsion spring sag/wear and where you have it adjusted. You will maybe want to adjust your turn stops so they don't contact the frame, and I don't recall about the pinchweld clearances.

rattlewagon

31x10.5 is a stock size on some. You will notice some loss of power, but thats to be expected with a small 4cly engine. You could always re gear($$) the diffs to match the new tire size. But no, it should not mess anything up, unless you components are already failing.

And you can keep you stock spare for emergency use, its perfectly fine for short/emergency drives.

Why stuck on firestone? A million different tire options out these days...

joege

10.5 fits good on mine

RAD4Runner

31x10.5 Coopers on mine, too. No noticeable power loss.
Discount Tire Direct on Ebay saved me $100 on my set of 4.

Scott Mcgill

OK thanks, to all repliers, much appreciated--
apparently 31's should work, though my power train (auto trans/Front wheel drive and Diff have been
running on 225x75x15's for past 13 years that I owned it (2007) So far so good.
My application is probably 80/20 road vs. off road. But, as you all know this SUV is capable of going up ATV trails
(dont look at the altimeter) anywhere it can fit thru trees and other impediments despite its 22RE.
Thus the A/T tread is probably best for much highway driving in just 2 wheel drive BUT>>

Q: where can somebody buy "new" tires that actually were mfg. in past two years?
All the replies I get from vendors, Simple Tires admits their sales are 3-4 year old. Goodyear same thing from a vendor phone call.
sales are for the good model but its old stock. Other Ebay sellers , reply DOT number no available; tires are in the warehouse
and we just middle man them out for sale. Spent several days inquiring; Probably because I'm old(72) and set in my ways
prefer something that worked before. Can't seem to yet locate same Firestone Destination A/T in 225x75x15 other than 4 years old
anywhere in the country with internet search. I live outside Albany NY area, (1/12hr) in Vermont, not much nearby.
Problem is all the sales or "deals" with free shipping are all old stock or unidentified (DOT#) stock.
Other walking into the 3 local tire dealers and actually inspecting the units for DOT date mfg., at full retail price, thats it.
No fun in shopping around for a "deal" when mfg. date isn't readily obtainable. Svveral of vendors actually admitted this.
Any recommendations for online purchase?
thanks

5 Fists

Is there something wrong with tires that have been manufactured two years ago? Obviously you don't want to put like 20 year old tires on, but does sitting for 2 to 4 years really affect them that much?

Asking because I'm honestly curious. Most people are only concerned with the tread left on them, but if there's more to pay attention to I want to learn!

Scott Mcgill

Fist: yeah , after doing extensive search on internet, learned after 4 years of mfg. date,, tires can not be sold as new.
It is advised after six they shouldn't be sold . Reasoning is components, rubber degrades over years, and belts
can, and often do slip. In hot, sunny weather, sidewalls, "check" crack and deteriorate. Type in tire life , "DOT marking,
advised life expectancy of new tires" in Yahoo and see results I did. Informative. I had one blow out on my station wagon,
sounded like a 12 gauge inside -- car swerved, curbed, and came to rest near a 15 foot dropoff side of road.
Jack didn't work. Good Samaritan helped me put spare on. blowout was sidewall let go, belts protruding like a slinky.
Tire tread was excellent; Goodyear, probably 7-8 year old from the DOT elliptical marking on sidewall. Used tire slaesman
claimed they were used. I declined to sue them, avoiding them in the future like the plague
Tread is only a visual measure of worth. DOT marking are never mentioned in ads. inquires results : tires are stored in
a warehouse and DOT info not available. Kinda dampens online shopping in my mind

Robert m

iTrader: (2)

What about a 235/75-15? That's a much more common size and it only 10mm wider and like a 29" tire so it wont really effect your gearing at all.

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

A quick poke around says Destination a/t were discontinued. Have you looked at the a/t 2 yet?

If I remember I'll see what we can order from Firestone tomorrow at work, I don't recall seeing anything off hand.

I was in the same boat with my winterforce tires being replaced with a 2 version..

swampedout

https://www.roundforge.com/articles/.../Tundra_Gears_
235.75.15 s are a good size for a small stock truck.

I have the At2, like them. I probably wouldnt buy them again but my commute has changed since i got them. If your 75% pavement, great tire. If youre looking for an offroad tire, theyre just good enough. If they were cheaper, thatd be something else. I dont like the sidewall on them, no prot3ction from rocks

Scott Mcgill

probably gonna stay with the 225 75Rx15 profile, don't want to risk the AT/FWD gearing possible issue, especially with 265K and being 33 y.o.
and probably buy off Ebay (CA) Goodyear Trailrunner AT @ $434.xx , free ship to my door. Installation by local tech somewhere, probably another buck.
Had wranglers on my '89 SR5 and they were decent. Being doing crawlers since '97; they rock. my real car is 68 stock cougar.
thanks to all for your expertise.

Jimkola

I ordered mine off eBay. Great price and the date stamp on all four tires matched, and only 3months old. I tried local, but the31” on 15” rims was pretty limiting in what they had to offer, and pricey.