Thread: Aggressive AT vs mt vs 15" vs 17"

From a 4WD club point of view there is a big difference in performance capability between an AT and an MT. We don't allow ATs on many trips - simply not good enough traction. If you're driving a 4x4 and do some offroading then I'd go with the MTs. There is nothing more frustrating than a 4x4 that won't!! These days there are MT brands that perform well on road - a little more hum than an AT - but handling quite well and giving very good mileage. For just occasional an dry condition hunting/fishing trip then its an open choice.

You can spend heavily on name brands like Cooper or BFG for MTs, but you may not get better performance on or of road for the considerable extra cost. There are some less expensive makes that will give very good service. Have tried many sets of muds over decades with 4wds and club offroading. One surprising MT is the Korean Nankang N889 Mudstar - I sold one of my 4x4s with these muds at 66,000ks and they still had 7mm tread left = 100k plus run out. That's good - half the price of some brands and good offroad. Running them again on my present truck. Mudstar have introduced a new upgraded MT - the MT1 Conqueror. This has 3 ply sidewall, side lugs for added grip/protection, and is said to be improved for on road driving. I'll certainly try them when next MT tyres needed - well worth a try and good prices:

https://www.yhiautomotive.co.nz/View...N/MT1?Id=13341

Re rim size - 17" tyres will cost more and there will be less selection than 15s. A set of replacement 15" white/black spoke (get your offset right) steel rims will cost about $100-120 each. Be good to check your running tyre diameter now with your 17s, see what size rubber you'd have to run to replicate that with 15s - then do the $$ sums. 15 or 17 ok but if you have to run very big 15s to match rolling diameter and retain gearing, you might find you need to fit flares to truck as the big 15s could end up wider than say a stock 265x70x17.

For just occasional offroading but in varied conditions a set of 17" MTs at stock size will be fine..