I really didn't think I was going to have to do this yet but due to a broken belt in one of my Falken ST/Z-01 tires, I went for the new BF Goodrich G-Force TA KDW tire for my DC Tundra. The size is 295/45/20 and is the same size as the Falkens were.
First off, the story of the Falkens. I bought them new, had them mounted on the Enkei Deep Six that is only available from Toyota dealers here in South East Toyota District. The package looked great. The Falkens have a nice aggressive directional tread and a nice looking sidewall. From day one these tires caused vibration problems. Finally after a lot of aggravation and three different trips for balancing, MOST of the vibration was gone. There was still a slight shake at about 55mph that was worse some days and gone others. The tires were a little rough going over bumps and breaks in the road, but I kept being told this was normal for a 20" tire. I lived with it because of the great look and they were fine at real highway speeds of 65-75mph.
Then last week I noticed a low speed hitch in my git-a-long and took a close look at them. I found the driver's rear tire looked funky with a noticeable dip toward the center of the tread. Yup, broken belt. I went right down to my buddy Mike at our local Toyota dealer. After a few minutes of bowed heads and unhappy moments, he called our local tire guy Sean. I worked directly with Sean from Tire Kingdom and he was awesome. He worked hard with Falken to get this resolved. At first Falken was only going to adjust the one tire with the broken belt but after a call from yours truly, they changed their tune. I got them to agree to adjust all four but due to wear they would only give me 56% of initial cost. I didn't agree with this because the tires only had 10,000 miles on them, they have a 50,000 mile tread wear warranty and one of the had catastrophic failure. Oh well, you can get everything sometimes.
Now for the BF Goodrich tires. I decided on these because of all the good things I have heard about them. There are tons of reviews on tire rack and they are rated very high. They are more money that the average tire to be sure. Retail they are $100 more per tire than the Falkens are. That ALMOST slowed me down, but I held fast after all of the problems I have had. These are a great looking tire with a CAD designed directional tread. The sidewall is nice and smooth with a minimum of design and lettering making them a nice clean look.
Yesterday I had them mounted up. I was right there with the tech when he mounted and balance them. This was done the right way on a Hunter 9700 machine that will road force the tire and get the weights in the right spots. It uses conventional weights on the inside lip, but for a true static balance, it also can be programmed to line up stick on weights behind the spokes for the outer weights. Let me tell you, the tires I received are very round and true. The first tire had a road force of FOUR! That is unheard of in a big wide 20" tire. Not only that but after balance was checked it need 3/4 ounce on the inner lip and NOTHING else. This is incredible guys. The other three were also very good as well although the first one was the best but all four were better than my best Falken was.
Now for the first ride. I purposely took the long way home and was simply amazed at the difference. These tires are quiet, handle bumps and road breaks with ease and best of all, they are GLASS smooth. Unbelievable difference to say the least. Again this morning I took the fast highway to work. Even though it is a short run, I already know these tires are well worth the price difference. Again, much smoother, quieter and I think a better look to boot.
To wrap it up, the BF Goodrich is a superior tire. With all of the problems had by members with the 20" rims and tire vibration issues, this may just be the cure. Just be sure you find a shop with the Hunter machine and a tech that knows how to use it.
Phil
__________________ 05 White TRD D-Cab, SR5, Limited slip, 20" TRD Enkei's with BFGoodrich G-Force TA NT, All weather guard package, factory rear privacy glass with matching front door tint, Toyota bedliner plus bed mat, Toyota/A.R.E. color keyed tonneau cover, overhead console with temp, compass and Homelink, Toyota/Gentex electrochromatic mirror, keyless, mats, TRD aluminum front skidplate, Toyota/Bazooka VSE 100 watt self-powered subwoofer, TRD stainless exhaust tip, door sill guards, Custom TRD matched pin striping with Toyota logos, painted calipers with TRD letters, TRD billet aluminum third brake light cover with true TRD letters, Pioneer AVIC D-3 GPS head unit with IP Buss controlled Pioneer XM radio tuner and iPod interface, Pac remote(maintains steering wheel controls) Polk Audio speakers DB675 two way in rear, Polk DB6750 components in front powered by a Polk C400.4 4 channel amp, seperate amped Aura Pro Bass Shakers under each front seat, Bazooka EL series 8" 100 watt self-powered subwoofer with Polk Momo driver with quick disconnect, Memphis tweeters in rear, back-up sensors (very handy), foglight mod, Sylvania Silverstars in both head and fog lights, added rear halogen back-up lighting, BellTech 6700 1" lowering shackles, Hellwig anti-sway bar, Magnaflow 14586 Stainless muffler, Wheelskins two-tone leather steering wheel cover, Ventvisors for side and rear windows, custom lower grill insert, Hoppy tailgate spring. More to come!
Did you have the Ziex stz04? I am having some difficulty in getting them to balance well and the tire joint just told me that Falken has had some problems with the belts in their tires!
Did you have the Ziex stz04? I am having some difficulty in getting them to balance well and the tire joint just told me that Falken has had some problems with the belts in their tires!
No, I had the Falken S/TZ01 but it is the same animal you have. I liked the Falkens I had on my Supra, so I bought them for my Tundra. Big mistake, get the BFG.
Let me echo the BFG's...only had my 06 Tundra for little over a month now and the ride is just as smooth with my 20" Enkei Deep Six wheels as were the stock 17" wheels. Would like to go with a little higher profile next time if I can but the BFG's are definitely the way to go. Had my local Toyota Dealership mount the Tires and there have been absolutely no vibration problems.
I have had these tires on my truck for a couple of weeks now and they are awesome! Smooth, quiet and they have made my Tundra ride soooo much better. I have really started to notice that even the little small harmonic vibrations that would appear with the Falkens are gone. Sometimes it feels so smooth it's like you are sitting still.
I also wanted to add in my first post that my Falken were only to be adjusted 56%. I hadn't got the final bill yet because the Falkens had to be returned, the adjustment made, the new tires billed, etc. Friday I called to find out how much I owed but it wasn't all figured out yet. Yesterday I get the call from our parts manager (he had been working with Tire Kingdom) and he told me I owed NOTHING!! WOO HOO!! It seems Sean at Tire Kingdom knew a guy that knew a guy that had some real leverage and they all came through. They decided to give me 100% replacement!! Maybe the fact that I was there a couple of weeks ago and schmoozed the Tire Kingdom district rep about how great there store is didn't hurt, but I don't know if that's what did it or not. Falken may have actually made the call and if so, thanks to them, too. In any case, I highly recommend Tire Kingdom in general, and especially here in Sebring, FL. Sean, if you're reading this, thanks again, YOU'RE THE MAN!!
Phil
__________________ 05 White TRD D-Cab, SR5, Limited slip, 20" TRD Enkei's with BFGoodrich G-Force TA NT, All weather guard package, factory rear privacy glass with matching front door tint, Toyota bedliner plus bed mat, Toyota/A.R.E. color keyed tonneau cover, overhead console with temp, compass and Homelink, Toyota/Gentex electrochromatic mirror, keyless, mats, TRD aluminum front skidplate, Toyota/Bazooka VSE 100 watt self-powered subwoofer, TRD stainless exhaust tip, door sill guards, Custom TRD matched pin striping with Toyota logos, painted calipers with TRD letters, TRD billet aluminum third brake light cover with true TRD letters, Pioneer AVIC D-3 GPS head unit with IP Buss controlled Pioneer XM radio tuner and iPod interface, Pac remote(maintains steering wheel controls) Polk Audio speakers DB675 two way in rear, Polk DB6750 components in front powered by a Polk C400.4 4 channel amp, seperate amped Aura Pro Bass Shakers under each front seat, Bazooka EL series 8" 100 watt self-powered subwoofer with Polk Momo driver with quick disconnect, Memphis tweeters in rear, back-up sensors (very handy), foglight mod, Sylvania Silverstars in both head and fog lights, added rear halogen back-up lighting, BellTech 6700 1" lowering shackles, Hellwig anti-sway bar, Magnaflow 14586 Stainless muffler, Wheelskins two-tone leather steering wheel cover, Ventvisors for side and rear windows, custom lower grill insert, Hoppy tailgate spring. More to come!
One more update. These tires made all of my vibration headaches go away and they haven't come back. I highly recommend the BFGoodrich tire for Tundras with 20" wheels.
You guys need to stop trying to get your Falken/Toyo/Continental/Pirelli/etc. There's an old saying that applies here: You can polish a turd all you want, but you still just end up with a shiny turd.
I know the Michelin also makes a very good tire that is extremely well balance and round. Many of you might not know this, but BFGoodrich and Michelin are sister companies and the BFGoodrich comes in the RIGHT size for the 20's on a Tundra. 295/45/20.
Phil
__________________ 05 White TRD D-Cab, SR5, Limited slip, 20" TRD Enkei's with BFGoodrich G-Force TA NT, All weather guard package, factory rear privacy glass with matching front door tint, Toyota bedliner plus bed mat, Toyota/A.R.E. color keyed tonneau cover, overhead console with temp, compass and Homelink, Toyota/Gentex electrochromatic mirror, keyless, mats, TRD aluminum front skidplate, Toyota/Bazooka VSE 100 watt self-powered subwoofer, TRD stainless exhaust tip, door sill guards, Custom TRD matched pin striping with Toyota logos, painted calipers with TRD letters, TRD billet aluminum third brake light cover with true TRD letters, Pioneer AVIC D-3 GPS head unit with IP Buss controlled Pioneer XM radio tuner and iPod interface, Pac remote(maintains steering wheel controls) Polk Audio speakers DB675 two way in rear, Polk DB6750 components in front powered by a Polk C400.4 4 channel amp, seperate amped Aura Pro Bass Shakers under each front seat, Bazooka EL series 8" 100 watt self-powered subwoofer with Polk Momo driver with quick disconnect, Memphis tweeters in rear, back-up sensors (very handy), foglight mod, Sylvania Silverstars in both head and fog lights, added rear halogen back-up lighting, BellTech 6700 1" lowering shackles, Hellwig anti-sway bar, Magnaflow 14586 Stainless muffler, Wheelskins two-tone leather steering wheel cover, Ventvisors for side and rear windows, custom lower grill insert, Hoppy tailgate spring. More to come!
I was searching for an off-road agressive tire for my 20" Enkei Deep 6 wheels. I found these tires from a more recent photo posted on "I miss my Tundra" I think those tires would look sweet but I don't think they will fit w/o rubbing or w/o a lift; size is 285/55/20. Anyone know for sure?
Anyway to stay on topic, I would have to agree that the BF Goodrich G-Force TA's are super smooth on the pavement. There is no vibration or road noise and it feels like you are floating. The tire tread is very cool looking. I will stick with them since they are expensive; and who knows how the off-road BFG AT 20" wheels will handle; they may rub, and are also expensive. I just thought the white lettering on a 20" wheel would look cool.
Alright, another update. I have had these tires on for over a year now and I am very impressed all around. Still not a hint of vibration and they are wearing dead even across the tread with no feathering at all. Traction is excellent both dry and wet and they seem to be wearing very well. I am not sure how long they will last simply because I am a low mileage driver. I have put on just about 8,000 miles total since putting them on and they show very little wear so far.
I will say this again, the BFGoodrich G-Force TA is the best tire you can put on your Tundra in a 20" sized street tire. They are well worth the money.
Phil
__________________ 05 White TRD D-Cab, SR5, Limited slip, 20" TRD Enkei's with BFGoodrich G-Force TA NT, All weather guard package, factory rear privacy glass with matching front door tint, Toyota bedliner plus bed mat, Toyota/A.R.E. color keyed tonneau cover, overhead console with temp, compass and Homelink, Toyota/Gentex electrochromatic mirror, keyless, mats, TRD aluminum front skidplate, Toyota/Bazooka VSE 100 watt self-powered subwoofer, TRD stainless exhaust tip, door sill guards, Custom TRD matched pin striping with Toyota logos, painted calipers with TRD letters, TRD billet aluminum third brake light cover with true TRD letters, Pioneer AVIC D-3 GPS head unit with IP Buss controlled Pioneer XM radio tuner and iPod interface, Pac remote(maintains steering wheel controls) Polk Audio speakers DB675 two way in rear, Polk DB6750 components in front powered by a Polk C400.4 4 channel amp, seperate amped Aura Pro Bass Shakers under each front seat, Bazooka EL series 8" 100 watt self-powered subwoofer with Polk Momo driver with quick disconnect, Memphis tweeters in rear, back-up sensors (very handy), foglight mod, Sylvania Silverstars in both head and fog lights, added rear halogen back-up lighting, BellTech 6700 1" lowering shackles, Hellwig anti-sway bar, Magnaflow 14586 Stainless muffler, Wheelskins two-tone leather steering wheel cover, Ventvisors for side and rear windows, custom lower grill insert, Hoppy tailgate spring. More to come!
Thats good to hear I just received my deep six wheels thanks to captainbluechip thanks big time thats the tires I had the shop order for me should be here Monday or Tuesday.Will keep you guys posted.
Okay I got the tires and wheels mounted and let's just hope the tread last longer than the stock tires because they sure are expensive but worth it in my opinion.Super sooth ride.Heck I was looking for ride to be rough since jumping from 16 to 20 inch, but they actually ride better than the 16's that were from the factory.
I put BFG KDWs on my Tundra DC immediately after buying it, with Centerline Tomcat 20 inch wheels. I've run them for three years now and definitely love them. They are great tires but pricey like has been said here already. The best part is they look awesome, I get compliments all the time. Highly recommend them.
New 20" BF Goodrich G-Force TA's on Deep Six
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