I didn't see mention of Toyos....I've been running the 40" Open country M/Ts on my '78 Bronco for a few years now and very pleased with balance and noise level. Far better than the 37" Pro Comps I had on it before.
I'm right in the middle of mounting a set of 315/75r16 Toyo Open Country R/Ts on my F-250...can't say there is a lot of obvious difference in the tread appearance compared to the M/Ts on my Bronco. Replacing a set of Goodyear Wranglers that stil have 90% tread but failing due to dry rot (13 years old). The Wranglers were pretty noisy.
Didn't see your post or I wouldn't have been quite so hard on the Toyo's!
I am looking for different things in tires than many.
They don't roll either tho. On Toyo's web page a few yrs ago they rated rolling resistance of all Toyo's tires. The M/Ts were rated a 1 of 5.
I wouldn't have thought a thing but I have lived in the same house I built in '86 and drive down the same hill towards town every day.
So I tried pushing in the clutch on our 2% grade on the 3 mile long down hill grade starting at 50mph. I came to a stop. No joke. I know I'm in a billboard shaped Bronco but...
I will try it why my MThompson Baja Boss MTs when I get home next weekend. Off kayaking for a break this week.. Even set to remind me on my calendar because I forgot to do the db test on my tires like I said I would. :O. lol