I will be needing a set of tires for my 05 4x4 before winter and am looking for a fairly aggressive tire that can chew through some mud and snow but I also spend enough time on the highway that I would like something that wont drone too terribly. I realise I will have to comprimise one way or another, but incase I am unaware of something on the market that might have the best of both worlds I would like to check it out, any suggestions?

Tires I have been looking at and had real world opportunity to experience their noise levels and performance are (in an ..ahem, z71 and 2 f150s)

General Grabber AT2 (affordable tire and does grab but a little noisy)
GoodYear Wrangler DuraTrac (Great tire, but noisier than the Grabber at2)
BF Goodrich All Terrain (decent tire, not too noisy, pricey)

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

Maybe check Bridgestone Revo II's.

 

Also check the Toyo open country A/T. I've heard good things about them.

 

The less aggressive, the less noise.

I like my BFGs as far as noise. Nothing a radio can't cover up, adn they're about shot.

I did NOT like the mileage I got out of them (~40K), and will be looking at either a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers (too big honestly and will kill my gearing too much for my liking) and the Goodyear Duratracs (cheaper than the BFGs and only .5" smaller).

I know it probably won't help ya much, but the BFGs are awesome in the mud... and I hear nothing but great things about the Duratracs in the mud and snow - but that they're a bit too squishy. As a matter of fact, that's why I wasn't set 100% on 'em completely. Hmm now I'm back to the drawing board.. thanks haha.

-rockstate

 

i run hankook atm on my lincoln navigator. i have been very pleased. they have 20k on them and look like new. they have very minimal noise and ride very smooth and, i think they were only like $140ea
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/934669...RF10_tires.jpg

 

I have had three sets of Good Year Wrangler Silent Armours, one on my 98 Expedition (60,000 miles and still had good tread when sold) one on my wife's Jeep (20,000 miles and still 3/4 tread remaining) and one on my current 02 Excursion (45,000 miles and about half tread still to go). I live in MN and these are without doubt THE best tire I've ever used in snow, and they are one of the quietest tires also. It would be hard for me to even TRY another tire after using these!

 

+1 on the Toyo's. Also, Firestone Destination A/T's get great reviews (see Tire Rack reviews), are quiet on the road, and are reasonably priced (much cheaper than Bridgestones, which is their sister brand).

George

 

I never found the Toyos agressive enough. I also owned a couple sets of the GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armors. I would agree they are the best AT tire I ever owned, long lasting, awesome snow performance, and good off road.

I decided to go even more extreme this time. I have done three sets of MT's, 2 on daily drivers, one on a toy truck. My current set the Dunlop Maxx Traction is turning out to be an impressive tire. It is snow rated, and proved itself last winter. The tire noise tends to manifest itself at lower speeds, around town, at 25-45 mph. Beyond that the tire noise has never been an issue for me. I have about 20k miles on the tires now, very hard miles by any standard and they should go 50k safely.

 

I replaced the original BFG Rugged Terrains with Toyo Open Country tires on my 04 FX4 last year. So far the Toyo's have been excellent, and I think the tread is more aggessive than the BFG's, but not as loud.

I looked at the BFG All terrains but they are on my friend's Expedition and they are loud.

Take a look at the Toyo's again...you won't be disappointed.

 

I have been running the goodyear Duratrac for almost a year now. They are the best tire I have ever run. They won't replace a superswamper for off road king, but they do everything well. Noise is not that bad. On road traction is great (even in standing water). On ice covered roads it was as sure footed as any non-studded tire would have been do to the great sipping from the factory. It eats through snow or mud. And as far as price they are not out of control. You will not go wrong with these tires.

 

gyear duratracs FTW

 

I have Firestone Destination AT's and they are great in the snow and just all around. I'm not sure if they are aggressive enough for what you're looking for though.

 

How many miles do you guys think you'll see out of the Gyear D'tracs?

Also, are they too squishy on a truck like this (a half ton)?

I should add that I"m used to the 3 ply sidewall of my BFGs that hold excellent lateral stability (given the tires and such).

I had a set of Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors on an Expedition and they were fantastic in the snow as stated earlier, but it dawned on me when I was originally looking at and reading about the Duratrac sidewall stiffness that I realized that the 3" body lift may or may not have been the weak leak on driving on the highway. I don't know to be honest, but they were GREAT snow tires and I could get around in probably 6" snow in 2wd in that thing even with a 285mm width.

-rockstate

 

I 2nd the Bridgestone Dueller AT Revos, put them on my Explorer and they worked great. I drove throughsome deep snow, little bit of mud and would take out onto some beaches and had no problems. Also, a few would comment how quiet they were for for being as agressive as they were. I would say they were on par for wear. ..Just my 2 cents.

 

I had a set of Dueler Revos on before my first set of Silent Armours. The Revos were worn out (cords showing on 2 of four tires) after 37000 miles, with the Silent Armours on the same truck I had 60,000 miles when I sold the truck and thay still had a decent ammount of tread left. Both were excellent in snow but the Goodyear nearly doubled the mileage of the Revos in my experiences.