Anyone using Bridgestone Dueler M/T 674 tyres on their Defender?

[Dan]

My BFG ATs have been amazing on my TD5 Defender but they've done a massive 210,000km :) and they're totally munted. So it's time for five new ones.
Then I saw Bridgestone Dueler M/T 674s on special, which would save me more than $500. And I fancy trying mud tyres.
There are a couple of good threads on AULRO and a few excellent reviews on the 'net and the 674s seem to get the nod for road noise levels and capability on rock, gravel and mud. They're a light truck sidewall construction with a 123 load rating so hopefully will resist staking OK.
But I've only seen a couple of reviews about 674s in the sand, both quite favourable. And there are virtually no comments by Defender owners using this tyre. They seem popular among Disco pilots.
So, does anyone use this tyre on their Defender? And have you used it in thick sand with tyres let right down?
Overall, would you recommend them for a Deefer? I've got wider steel rims than standard and run 265/75/R16 tyres but I'd love to hear from anyone using any size 674s on their Defender. Cheers, Dan.

[Wicks89]

HeyDan,

I saw in unsealed4x4 magazine the other day one of the editors drives a td5130. He did a review of these tyres through the simpson and gave them the thumb.

Go the muddies! One life. Live it! And all that

[n plus one]

Yeah, old mate ran them across the Madigan in the 130 without issue - seems like a reasonable test to me.

They may well be my next tyre (replacing KM2s). Also worth noting that the 130 was actually a fuel mule for that trip - was carrying almost 400 litres of diesel...

[Dan]

That's a good read, thanks. Interesting article on outback insurance.
Sam's review of the Bridgestone 674s says they did very well in the thick sandy parts of the Simpson so I reckon they should get me down the beach and back!
Guess the best way to find out is buy a set and go for it. I'll post some feedback after a few thousand kms.

[AlecW]

Just as an alternative worth considering:

FUN COUNTRY | DICK CEPEK TIRES AND WHEELS (http://www.dickcepek.com/tires/fun-country/)

I have heard from a few people that these are great tires and can be sourced from Bob Janes and the like for a decent price. Cepek was one of the first off-road enthusiast tire maker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y01-N3iwqj0

They also do a Mud Country aswell for something more aggressive

[Dan]

Thanks Alec. I took your advice and had a look at the Cepak's Fun Country ($342) and their much more aggressive muddie ($351). The Bridgestone D674 is $235 so they'll save me over $500 for 5 donuts. The price and the excellent reviews makes them worth a try I reckon.

[AlecW]

Thanks Alec. I took your advice and had a look at the Cepak's Fun Country ($342) and their much more aggressive muddie ($351). The Bridgestone D674 is $235 so they'll save me over $500 for 5 donuts. The price and the excellent reviews makes them worth a try I reckon.

Yeah I think I'm going to go for it and give em a go. Very aggressive A/T so would be a decent middle ground between going the muds.

Looking forward to it!

[Dan]

Well it's been over a year so thought I'd post some feedback on the Dueler M/T 674 tyres, as promised.
Overall, they are excellent. Never used M/Ts before and was very worried about them in thick sand.
They don't balloon out as much as the A/Ts when you let down the pressure. In the pic they got bogged at 18PSI when the A/Ts would have sailed through. Took the M/Ts down to 10psi and drove her out.
Where they shine (surprise, surprise) is in the mud. Helping out on a friend's farm in winter I hit a seriously boggy patch and only just got through. The Cruiser on A/Ts behind me got bogged. In fairness, I could not tow him out and even the tractor had to find hard ground before dragging him out. But the Landy got through. Not sure my old A/Ts would have done that.
The Dueler M/Ts are great on gravel and rock. On the bitumen they have got a bit noisier as they've got older. But hey, it means I can't hear all the other Landy noises!
Would I buy them again? Yes.