Nitto 420s - Really that good?

[08HoeCD]

I've been dragging my feet on buying new tires because I just don't look forward to dropping that amount of money. Tires aren't bald but I don't have long before they become a little too worn to be safe. Had been eyeing the Nitto Trail Grappler G2 because they get good reviews and, well, I just dig their look even though I don't go off-road more than a few times a year, and that's mostly just wet grass or hard-packed sand.

Looked again at Nitto 420s because I've heard good things on this forum and they're very sharply priced right now---only around $140 per tire (!). They're not AT tires but, again, I don't really need AT tires. But I do need a decent all-season tire.

Are these Nitto 420s really good to go through four seasons including moderate winters?

 

[08HoeCD]

Nobody wants to chime-in, huh?

 

[gat0r]

not sure, but i just ordered a set. they should be here friday.

 

[16blkltz]

Which size tires did you order? And where did you order from?

 

[992dr]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
I had Nitto 420s and I really liked them, they handled great in all weather especially dry. They didn't last long, 17k miles for the rear and 20k miles for the front. BUT, that was from my neglect and not rotating them. Though I still think that's very short miles for such a tire.

 

[gat0r]

Which size tires did you order? And where did you order from?

305/45r22
discount tire

 

[sumo]

I run these tires in 22. They are amazing even in the rain. They hold very well on turns and I would not hesitate to get them again. Plus the tread design looks great. Lastly the best part about them is that they are not directional. I cross rotate every oil change. Been running the same set for over 6 years now (swap them out during winter) No dry rot or cracking

 

[08HoeCD]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
I had Nitto 420s and I really liked them, they handled great in all weather especially dry. They didn't last long, 17k miles for the rear and 20k miles for the front. BUT, that was from my neglect and not rotating them. Though I still think that's very short miles for such a tire.

Either you beat the ever loving shit out of the tires or they suck ass.

Which is it?

 

[992dr]

Either you beat the ever loving shit out of the tires or they suck ass.

Which is it?

I wish I could say I beat the ever loving shit out of them but, this was all regular daily driving. Roughly 45 miles per day and about 4 trips to the beach which was 2 hours each way. The backs were completely bald and the fronts weren't too far behind.

 

[08HoeCD]

Wow.

I'll pass on these.

Thanks

 

[992dr]

Not sure if it matters but, they were 275/60/17

 

[Drok]

I had some 285 50 20 and they were great for the first 2k miles then got noisy and cupped out quick, which ive never had that issue with any other tire ive used.

Since we dont get moderate winters here(me) haha i swapped out the wheel for snow sets. I wasnt to impressed with them overall. But my 1 negative shouldn't stop you from getting them. I may have just had bad luck with the set i got..

I run the oe 15+ tahoe 20" tires (goodyear sra 275 55 20) now and they have been great even in deep snow. Few k on them and they still look new.

 

[992dr]

That was something I forgot about, cupping. They did that with mine also and like Drok, I've never experienced that before with any other tires I've owned.

 

[08HoeCD]

Interesting.

Cupping is often associated with bad shocks or other worn suspension components. Any chance this was a probable factor?

Generally speaking, though, the tires don't seem like something I'll go for.

 

[16blkltz]

305/45r22
discount tire

Nice. When I was shopping for 295/35R24 tires, I came across Nitto NT420S, but they were/are approx. $290/each.

 

[Drok]

Could very well have been..

i did change them to the 5100s the next summer and got a level with bigger tires anyways.

 

[07Burb]

I've been dragging my feet on buying new tires because I just don't look forward to dropping that amount of money. Tires aren't bald but I don't have long before they become a little too worn to be safe. Had been eyeing the Nitto Trail Grappler G2 because they get good reviews and, well, I just dig their look even though I don't go off-road more than a few times a year, and that's mostly just wet grass or hard-packed sand.

Looked again at Nitto 420s because I've heard good things on this forum and they're very sharply priced right now---only around $140 per tire (!). They're not AT tires but, again, I don't really need AT tires. But I do need a decent all-season tire.

Are these Nitto 420s really good to go through four seasons including moderate winters?

I haven't read any replies yet but I had Nitto 420s for a few years and loved them in all weather. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again. I had them on for roughly 40k miles before I went up to 22's so no longer needed them and had a ton of tread left.

 

[08HoeCD]

I haven't read any replies yet but I had Nitto 420s for a few years and loved them in all weather. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again. I had them on for roughly 40k miles before I went up to 22's so no longer needed them and had a ton of tread left.

I've read a ton of reviews over the past few days. From at least 50-60 reviews I've read, people who run this tire either rave about it or absolutely hate it. My best guess is that either the production quality varies quite a bit or their manufacturing quality has eroded over time----older reviews are very positive, whereas more recent reviews are decidedly negative. I believe that they are being discontinued.

All in all, I will keep looking.

 

[07Burb]

seems logical to me. I, too, have heard some having issues with them. Luckily, I never experienced the negative side

 

[MajorJakkov]

not 420s like the OP requested, but i had the nitto 421q (285/45/22) for about 2 years. Got over 55,000 miles out of them with regular rotations before I had to get new tires due to wear. the outside tread had cupping issues (every other 'pad' was worn heavily around the whole tire?) and still had decent tread depth but the centers were past the wear bar (tire pressure always around 35). traction in all conditions was pretty good but they were REALLY noisy for highway driving. i ended up getting a price match on some bridgestone dueler alenzas and went that route.

huge fan of getting 55k out of tires but i hated the noise and was disappointed by the wear pattern. I think most reviews of nitto tires are similar, youll get high miles out of them but they end up wearing weird and are really noisy. i probably wouldnt buy nitto again.