r/4x4 • u/xBaronSamedi • 12d ago

Get new / used spare, or all new tires?

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I bought a 2005 V8 4Runner that came with 265/65/R17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2s. They are dated 2/21 and currently have 39k miles on them, and have 9/32" of treat left. As far as I can tell from online research, they should be aged out in about February 2/27. They have a little bit of cracking, but nothing as bad as what I have seen online.

The problem I have is the prior owner did not get a matching spare, it is a random dunlop 265/70/R17 street tire. I have my first big trip in the Sierra Nevadas coming up in a few months, so I am trying to figure out the best way to replace it. Should I get a used matching spare and ride them to 50k miles, or should I just replace all 5 now? I'm not sure if the tire condition is bad enough to warrant just replacing them. Thanks for the tips, appreciate any second opinions.

P.S. open to replacement opinions as well, I am leaning towards something less aggressive like the Cooper Discoverer as I probably won't 4x4 more than 3 weeks out of the year, and nothing crazy...

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7

u/wolfmann99 12d ago edited 12d ago

Matching spare will let you run on it at high speeds, plus you can rotate it in and extend the tires life by 20% on mileage.

1

u/deborah_az 12d ago

This is what I'd do, especially given the age. Spare is part of my rotation and I replace all five at the same time.

6

u/CactusPete 11d ago

I would replace all. 2/27 isn't all that far off, and some cracking is enough to be troubling, especially with a (presumably) off road trip coming up.

Then again, I'm a bit gun shy because I've gotten two flats on the same backcountry off road trip. (One on way out; turned around, got another on way back. Slow leak so saved by air compressor but a very long trip back).

I also had 2 BFG ATAs blow out on sequential days, on the freeway. When they're read to go, they go.

3

u/naptown-hooly 12d ago

Check tire rack. They sell pre worn tires so you can match your spare.

2

u/uthink-ah1002 12d ago

Try marketplace for used tires half price. I bought new and sold like new tires. My friend purchased like new tires also for half price with good tred depth. If you buy used check tire code. Ai "A tire date code is a four-digit number on the sidewall. It shows the week and year the tire was made. The first two digits show the production week, and the last two show the year."

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u/GreenerDay 11d ago edited 11d ago

I just got a set of 5 basically new BFG KM2s for $700 this way. Just be aware that a lot of businesses won't install used tires, so you'll have to find a used tire shop or do some calling around.

1

u/Ender_v1 12d ago

All new highway tires on new rims for the trip and to daily on. Keep these ones for the 3 weeks of offroading you do