Need new tires

[cmassa]

I have a completely stock 2003 LC which is mostly driven on the highway but I have taken it off-highway in the Sierras and in Moab last year.

It currently has a set of Bridgestone Dueller tires. Size is P275/60 R18. They are worn out and I need new ones.

I can get the same tires easily enough or a set of Toyo's in the same size for about $40 more. Michelins seem to be way overpriced for the small additional life. Bridgestone or Dunlops will be about $850 and the Toyo's about $890 here in Northern California.

I was thinking of going to a larger size but I really don't want to hurt the highway ride or what small mileage I get too much. I suppose that would also make the speedometer wrong.

I am planning to take the stock running boards off soon. They really took a beating in Moab!


Any ideas or recommendations? Should I just stay with the original size or increase?


Thanks,
Chris

[1loudLX]

If your looking at Toyos, I would recommend the Open Country A/Ts in a 33", should work well and preserve highway ride quality.

[cmassa]

I guess I should ask, what is the size of the stock tire in inches?

[Trunk Monkey]

275/18 is about 30". You can look on your manufacturer's site and get the exact number.

[TXLX470]

Nitto are good choice too...cheaper than BFG and looks nice on the truck too

[SWUtah]

Go to tire rack and compare all the tires. I would recommend Michelins, you should also look at 275/65/18's it will give you a larger selection and better pricing.

Originally Posted by cmassa

I have a completely stock 2003 LC which is mostly driven on the highway but I have taken it off-highway in the Sierras and in Moab last year.

It currently has a set of Bridgestone Dueller tires. Size is P275/60 R18. They are worn out and I need new ones.

I can get the same tires easily enough or a set of Toyo's in the same size for about $40 more. Michelins seem to be way overpriced for the small additional life. Bridgestone or Dunlops will be about $850 and the Toyo's about $890 here in Northern California.

I was thinking of going to a larger size but I really don't want to hurt the highway ride or what small mileage I get too much. I suppose that would also make the speedometer wrong.

I am planning to take the stock running boards off soon. They really took a beating in Moab!


Any ideas or recommendations? Should I just stay with the original size or increase?


Thanks,
Chris

[rondoggnuts]

Originally Posted by SWUtah

Go to tire rack and compare all the tires. I would recommend Michelins, you should also look at 275/65/18's it will give you a larger selection and better pricing.

In addition to Tire Rack as an online option, onlinetires.com has great prices. And shipping is fast and very reasonable (mine was ~$44 for all four). I got a set of four 20 inch Hankook Ventus ST RH06 (great street tires, IMO) shipped for ~$470 total. And I found a shop that installed them for $70 total. Which is reasonable since they are 20 inch rims and aren't stock, so places like Walmart won't touch them. Of course, I don't have a road hazard warranty or lifetime balance/rotation, but all in all I'm pleased with what I got for $540 with 20 inch wheels.

[macneill]

If you're not wheeling much, I'd stick with an AT tire for sure.

IMHO, I love the BF Goodrich ATs. Long wearing, relatively quiet and great off road.

That being said, I have those on my 60 and had them on my pickup, I love them.

However, I put a set of BFG MTs on my 100. They rule off-road, but suck big time on road. Noise etc.

I swapped them out for a set of the Toyo ATs. Really, really nice road manners.

Decent in snow, but honestly in northeast mud, they blow. I mean really blow.

I miss my MTs wheeling, but love the Toyos on road.

It's all about compromise I suppose.

Good luck!

[macneill]

FWIW, some shots of the MTs and ATs.

Apples to Oranges: Mud and Rocks, but I think it gets the point across.

Toyo ATs:

[macneill]

And with BFG MTs: Not stuck!