"Pacing myself" build

How long did the PR heater core last?

How long have you had the 4-Seasons core? What AC Evap do you have?

The PR core lasted 8 months. The 4-Seasons core has been in there for 6 months. The Evap core is a PR. I replaced them both at the same time. No issues yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMT
The PR core lasted 8 months. The 4-Seasons core has been in there for 6 months. The Evap core is a PR. I replaced them both at the same time. No issues yet.

Do you have reasons for why the 4-Seasons brand is better choice (I ordered the AC Evap from them)? My heater core is a different brand I got through Rock Auto. I’m all good with your recommendation and waiting till Tuesday for it to arrive. Just curious.

Thanks for arresting me and getting me on a better track. I really don’t want to go back in there.
 
Last edited:
Do you have reasons for why the 4-Seasons brand is better choice (I ordered the AC Evap from them)? My heater core is a different brand I got through Rock Auto. I’m all good with your recommendation and waiting till Tuesday for it to arrive. Just curious.

Thanks for arresting me and getting me on a better track. I really don’t want to go back in there.

There really isn't a bunch of choices out there. Four Seasons used to be a notable brand back in my auto parts days as a counter man. I'm sure they are all built in China now, so I really don't have a good reason for you, other than not using PR again after such a sudden major failure of their product.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMT
There really isn't a bunch of choices out there. Four Seasons used to be a notable brand back in my auto parts days as a counter man. I'm sure they are all built in China now, so I really don't have a good reason for you, other than not using PR again after such a sudden major failure of their product.

Ok, that’s all I could find. Looked like they’d been around a long time. At one time they were partially made in Mexico, US, and some parts from China.

I tried to find a Denso thinking they make good stuff. That was a no go.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: bobthetj03
I think I have it down to 2 tire choices,

Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/R17, C load.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Nitto&tireModel=Ridge+Grappler&sidewall=Blackwall Aggressive Block&partnum=87QR7RIG&tab=Specs
or

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail.
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/toyo-285-70r17-tire-open-country-r-t-trail-354320/_/R-DJSM-354320


The Nittos are 2lbs. heavier per tire, but other than that, pretty much same specs.

I'm still torn on which wheels to get. I'm trying to warm up to the idea of a bronze/black wheel, but I'm just not sure how that color combo will look against my black/white theme. If I paint my flares body color and give it a Sahara'ish look and a dark tan soft top, I think that would look pretty good. I have time. I had to put tires on my wife's Compass, so the money tree needs to grow back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alex01
If those were my two choices I would be struggling as well. I've always like Nitto over Toyo and know that the Ridge Grappler is a solid tire. But, I like the look of that new RT more. Though I've never cared for any Toyos that I've had experience with. In the end, I think my vote would go to the Ridge Grappler. It's a proven tire that looks great. I think you'll be happy either way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobthetj03
I think I have it down to 2 tire choices,

Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/R17, C load.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Nitto&tireModel=Ridge+Grappler&sidewall=Blackwall Aggressive Block&partnum=87QR7RIG&tab=Specs
or

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail.
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/toyo-285-70r17-tire-open-country-r-t-trail-354320/_/R-DJSM-354320


The Nittos are 2lbs. heavier per tire, but other than that, pretty much same specs.

I'm still torn on which wheels to get. I'm trying to warm up to the idea of a bronze/black wheel, but I'm just not sure how that color combo will look against my black/white theme. If I paint my flares body color and give it a Sahara'ish look and a dark tan soft top, I think that would look pretty good. I have time. I had to put tires on my wife's Compass, so the money tree needs to grow back.

That Sahara’ish would look good. But even with black flares I think it would look good with bronze or bronze/black wheels.

R/T FTW! The other is a good tire but you’re tired of AT’s. I passed the link on to my son who might like them too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMT
I think I have it down to 2 tire choices,

Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/R17, C load.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Nitto&tireModel=Ridge+Grappler&sidewall=Blackwall Aggressive Block&partnum=87QR7RIG&tab=Specs
or

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail.
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/toyo-285-70r17-tire-open-country-r-t-trail-354320/_/R-DJSM-354320


The Nittos are 2lbs. heavier per tire, but other than that, pretty much same specs.

I'm still torn on which wheels to get. I'm trying to warm up to the idea of a bronze/black wheel, but I'm just not sure how that color combo will look against my black/white theme. If I paint my flares body color and give it a Sahara'ish look and a dark tan soft top, I think that would look pretty good. I have time. I had to put tires on my wife's Compass, so the money tree needs to grow back.

I really like the RT Trail, and have been considering them as the next tire for my daily driver 4R. However, if it matters to you, I've read that Toyo positions them as more street or less off-road oriented than the standard RT. I'm trying to find where I read that now, but the Toyo website lists the standard RT as a "Hybrid MT" and the RT Trail as a "Hybrid AT", whatever those distinctions mean.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobthetj03
Both of those tires are light, which seems to indicate they're a two ply sidewall. Does that matter to you?
 
Both of those tires are light, which seems to indicate they're a two ply sidewall. Does that matter to you?

Not really. I don't do much rock crawling anymore, so a lighter tire is welcome, as I DD mine most days. I originally was going to go back to a MT and run General's X3 tire, but I'd like more sipping than that tire provides.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Irun
Not really. I don't do much rock crawling anymore, so a lighter tire is welcome, as I DD mine most days. I originally was going to go back to a MT and run General's X3 tire, but I'd like more sipping than that tire provides.

Good choice. I’m not super happy with my X3’s. They are heavy, been a real bugger to balance, and don’t have very good traction on the rocks here. On the plus side, they aren’t annoyingly loud and they have about as good of mud and snow traction as anything I’ve tried. So, they aren’t so bad that I’m going to run out and replace them, but if I were to find a good deal on a Baja boss or something…
 
  • Like
Reactions: Irun
Good choice. I’m not super happy with my X3’s. They are heavy, been a real bugger to balance, and don’t have very good traction on the rocks here. On the plus side, they aren’t annoyingly loud and they have about as good of mud and snow traction as anything I’ve tried. So, they aren’t so bad that I’m going to run out and replace them, but if I were to find a good deal on a Baja boss or something…

Is the Baja Boss 3 ply? That tire was one of my choices as well.
 
Is the Baja Boss 3 ply? That tire was one of my choices as well.

We have the Baja Boss ATs on my wife's Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (in extra load rating) and I love them. If they made them in a 33 for a 15, it would be a no brainier for me. It's her daily driver and never sees anything more than a little sand, some forest service roads, and a little snow, but we get a lot of rain and they've been great. They're slightly louder than the Goodyear's that came on it, but honestly they're in a completely different class so you can't compare them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobthetj03
Tread depth on my KO2's are at 7/32. I need these tires to last until May, but I'm a little worried about some surface cracking inside the tread lugs. They will be 6 years old as of May, so I'm pushing my luck.
20240221_105110.jpg

20240221_105148.jpg
 
Not really. I don't do much rock crawling anymore, so a lighter tire is welcome, as I DD mine most days. I originally was going to go back to a MT and run General's X3 tire, but I'd like more sipping than that tire provides.

I've daily driven on three sets of MTs, KM2s, Mickey Thompson, and Firestone Destination, and I'll never do it again. Going from them to ATs was night and day difference for me.