Nitto Terra Grapplers 295/75R16 with OME 2.5" ... pics

Hayes · 01-04-06, 07:17 PM

Yesterday I had a set of 295/75R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers installed on my 80.

I was previously running some 285/75R16 Sport King ATs. They were old, had several slow leaks, and I really wanted to get some new (slightly bigger) rubber on my recently 2.5" lifted truck.

I purchased them at my local Discount Tire. After a wee bit of haggling, they agreed to match thier www.discounttiredirect price of $143 per tire rather than their advertised price of $183 (!).

The final bill ended up about like this:

5 x tires 5 x $143 = $715
5 x certs 5 x $22 = $110
Env. fees, etc. = $14
Install = $55
Valves, balance, etc. = $0
Sales Tax = $58

Total = $951

The tires balanced very nicely--especially compared to the old Sport Kings that always retained a little vibration at freeway speeds. The Grapplers are very quiet on the higway too. I don't really notice them at all--but my "manly" after-market muffler may be providing a bit of a distraction from other road noise.

The extra diameter is slightly noticeable. I may be a little slower out of the gate, but I don't really feel that it's anything significant. I still look forward to 4.56 gears someday.

The extra diameter turned out to be very noticeable when pulling into my garage, however. Where my ski racks barely cleared before, the rear one now bumps the raised door. Luckily, there's enough flex in the rack and the door that I think I can get away without really dealing with it.

Haven't had them off road yet. I'll get them in some snow this weekend (bachelor party / ski weekend in Bozeman). I'll report back as soon they see some action.

Here are some pics, along with some "before" pics with the 285 Sport Kings. Please excuse the crappy looking recent photos--my (film) SLR is having some issues, and it looks like it's time to invest in something other than the Cruiser.

BEFORE with 285/75R16 Sport Kings:

AFTER with 295/75R16 Nittos:

BEFORE with 285/75R16 Sport Kings:

AFTER with 295/75R16 Nittos:

A Terra Grappler:

More Grappler:

Yes, the 295/75R16 spare fits in the stock location. Note: I have done the spare tire mod thingy.

Hayes

shocker · 01-04-06, 07:53 PM

Certs = ?

Looks good.

cabron · 01-04-06, 08:24 PM

That setup looks good. Much better suited with the lift.

slick621 · 01-04-06, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shocker

Certs = ?

Looks good.

I think he is talking about the certificates for free replacement at Discount Tire if they fail?

shocker · 01-04-06, 08:44 PM

Ahh yes. No Discount Tire in the area, so I'm not used to those.

Hayes · 01-04-06, 09:07 PM

Yes. Certs = Certificates for Free Repair or Replacement.

Hayes

4x4CPOSEADOG · 01-04-06, 09:17 PM

Those tires really match the HD OME lift and your rig sits level. Very nice.

Hayes · 01-04-06, 09:23 PM

"Rig sits level."

That's an illusion. The driveway is not quite level. I've got a slight rake, but I've decided that I like it--except when my rear ski rack hits the garage door.

Hayes

sonoranfun · 01-04-06, 09:28 PM

I love my Grapplers and went with the 285s, they were just WAY less money and I couldn't see paying the extra funds for the 295s although I wish I had them as they do look better... I paid $670 for 4 out the door with certs as well..

Excellent tires and I would get them over the TA KOs but those things smell for a long time! You notice, if you're within 20 feet of your rig you can smell the tires! Looks great though for sure, can't wait to get my lift on!

Tools R Us · 01-04-06, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonoranfun

...but those things smell for a long time! You notice, if you're within 20 feet of your rig you can smell the tires! ...

What did you run over?

I picked up a new one last month, been in the back of my rig, doesn't smell at all?

Hayes · 01-05-06, 07:25 AM

I agree. Smelly.
My whole garage smells like a tire store.

Hayes

Hayes · 01-14-06, 07:33 AM

Drove the 80 from SLC to Bozeman, MT last weekend. Also got them in some significant snow.

My driver's seat speedo error calculations equal about a -5% speedo error.

My highway fuel economy appears to be unchanged, possilbly a wee bit worse.

The Terra Grapplers are very smooth and quiet.

I drove about 40 miles of hard packed snow and ice through Island Park, ID. The Terra Grapplers did so well, I had to stop and get out of the truck to verify that I WAS actually driving on solid ice. Did about 50-60 mph in the middle of the night in these conditions and felt good about it (no turns and no other cars, although one big-a$$ moose could have put the Slee bumper to the test).
I hope the Grapplers keep this ice traction as they wear.

Drove about 10 miles up a heavily and freshly snowed road to access some backcountry. A couple feet of snow, packed but soft, traversed by lots of snow machines. Deep snowy ruts (6 to 20 inches) to follow.
Followed a late model lifted Chevy pickup up this road. He did fine, but was all over the place spinning tires and generally looking hyperactive. The 80 calmly motored up without any of the spazms.
On they way down (in the dark, snowing inches per minute) I had to yank out a high-centered Kia (Sportage?). No problem.

The Grapplers appear to have excellent loose snow performance as well.

I'm very happy with them so far.

Hayes

P.S., BTW, I reduced the pressure to 35 psi for day to day driving.

Hayes

Texus · 01-14-06, 09:50 AM

Dude...got any snowing pics from this trip??...sounds so sweet... Got blue balls out here in PA... 60 degress & raining...

Lockd97 · 01-14-06, 10:35 AM

I love my 295 Grapplers! My speedo error is around 5% as well. Your snow perf is just what I have experienced as well. Ive got 20k on mine and they are wearing like iron. No snow test yet at 20k this year due to three months of no moisture in most of NM. I haven't made one turn with the new snowboard

.

Now to show your pics to the misses and convincer her of the 2.5 lift!

Tools R Us · 01-14-06, 10:39 AM

Right on, the first Nitto snow report, sounds like fun!

I would like to try mine in the snow, but IH8COLD!

Hayes · 01-14-06, 01:28 PM

1LUV5N0

I'll get some pics up (Grapplers and skis) soon.

Hayes

spartan · 01-14-06, 06:33 PM

The only thing about the Nittos is - how long will they last? They are awesome on wet pavement and many conditions, but I don't know that they are going to give good long term service.

I have a set of 295 75 16's on a 8,000# vehicle and as it stands now I really don't expect to get more than 30K out of them. I got 48K out of a set of BFG AT KO's on the same vehicle with tread left to spare. They did not perform as well on wet pavement, but 48K vs. 30K is a big difference....

Hmmmm??????

tucker74 · 01-14-06, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartan

The only thing about the Nittos is - how long will they last? They are awesome on wet pavement and many conditions, but I don't know that they are going to give good long term service.

I have a set of 295 75 16's on a 8,000# vehicle and as it stands now I really don't expect to get more than 30K out of them. I got 48K out of a set of BFG AT KO's on the same vehicle with tread left to spare. They did not perform as well on wet pavement, but 48K vs. 30K is a big difference....

Hmmmm??????

Buddy of mine had a set of 305/70R16 Nittos on an LX450 for 50k when he sold the truck - still had decent tread. Those are big heavy tires ...

Tucker

2ndGenToyotaFan · 01-14-06, 09:51 PM

Nice looking tires, and a good rig to tire ratio. And some pretty sweet slippers as well

Hayes · 01-14-06, 11:22 PM

That's the second comment I've received on the "slippers."

http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp/br_H...4/sbstl_202022

Aint slippers. Shoes. Comfy. Sort of hippy, sort of old man.

Hayes

tech_dog · 02-25-06, 08:50 PM

Hayes,

Now that you've been driving this for a couple months, how satisfied are you? Would you do anything differently?

I'm on the brink of doing almost exactly the same mods and would love some validation.

Thanks,

Tom

Bat Masterson · 04-10-07, 07:35 AM

Hayes--I just purchased a set of 285 nitto grapplers and was curious about how you are doing over 1 year later.

I went from a street tire to the A/T's and was curious if you adjusted your tire pressure to reduce the noise level at all. I saw one comment about 35psi for road use. I know they are A/T's so I am not whining--love the look of the tires over 275s big time.

Also just installed OME low lift--I was amazed at how much higher the tires and low lift made the truck feel. About has high as i can go now with my wife and new baby on the way.

Thanks!

Dave

Hayes · 04-10-07, 07:58 AM

They have been great tires.
Even with my 6,000 pound beast, I still run them at about 35-38 psi on the highway. the ride is better, the fuel economy loss is insignificant, and I think it keeps the tire wear more even. Mine are the D-rated tires, the C-load ones would probably behave differently.

I don't know if the road noise has changed. I don't notice the noise mostly, but I have a Flowmaster muffler that kind-of dominates the audio picture. Regardless, I think they're a very smooth and quiet tire.

Tire wear has been good. I stopped using my 80 as a daily-driver about 6 months ago, so it's mileage accumulation has dropped off dramatically.

The tires have performed well off road too. Good grip on Moab rocks. Awesome snow performance.

Enjoy.

Bat Masterson · 04-10-07, 08:03 AM

Great to hear. I just checked my 285 pressure and they are all at 28-29psi

I think I'll bump em' up to 35psi. Just curious if the tire pressure would differ from 285 to 295 size grapplers.

Thanks for the info and good to hear you still love em'.

Dave

concretejungle · 04-10-07, 01:33 PM

i'll post pics when i get home. I just purchased a set of 315s from a local mudder. I have j front springs with a bull bar and medium rear springs. The tires fit awesome.

Discount tire quoted me $150 to mount and balance the tires. That was without lifetime balance. They also didn't have the equal tire balance stuff and refused to order it for me. So i went on down the road, got them mounted/balanced for $45 plus $25 for the equal tire balance. Now i have no weights on the wheels.

smokethedog · 04-10-07, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartan

The only thing about the Nittos is - how long will they last? They are awesome on wet pavement and many conditions, but I don't know that they are going to give good long term service.

I have a set of 295 75 16's on a 8,000# vehicle and as it stands now I really don't expect to get more than 30K out of them. I got 48K out of a set of BFG AT KO's on the same vehicle with tread left to spare. They did not perform as well on wet pavement, but 48K vs. 30K is a big difference....

Hmmmm??????

I've been running the Nitto 295's on mine for about 40k miles, still have plenty of tread left on them. Of course they are made in japan like my cruiser, so i expected longevity out fo them...

jditom · 04-10-07, 01:47 PM

You can get the Slee speedo correction gear for cheep and it will make a 5% correction down to less than 2%.

Cheep and easy!

FL80ADDICT · 04-10-07, 02:05 PM

[quote=concretejungle

Discount tire quoted me $150 to mount and balance the tires. That was without lifetime balance. They also didn't have the equal tire balance stuff and refused to order it for me. So i went on down the road, got them mounted/balanced for $45 plus $25 for the equal tire balance. Now i have no weights on the wheels.[/quote]

discount tire

Glad you got what you wanted and cheaper! I also will not deal with chains or others that dont want to give great service

I will walk out in a heart beat rather than just take what I can get!!!

Cant wait to see the pics.

Ting · 04-10-07, 03:28 PM

I have nothing but good things about discounttires in my town.

They even do free rotation for tires that I bought from tireracks.com

FL80ADDICT · 04-10-07, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ting

I have nothing but good things about discounttires in my town.

They even do free rotation for tires that I bought from tireracks.com

Yeah, well it all has to do with the yah hoo behind the desk...

I always get the newbie/Jacka** that says "we dont or cant do that" , so I say "OK see ya"!!! I will get what I want generally, it just take a little time to find it

Some people will settle and others will search until they get what they require