17" RW vs 18" stock opinions

[Reckless]

When I first bought my LC, my first upgrade I had planned was to get bigger rubber on the tires by putting 17" wheels. But after driving 4 months on my LC with brand new cooper tires I am unable to get myself to buy bigger tires (I already own 6 17" RW wheels). Next week Costco is going to run a deal on Michelin tires (happens twice a year). I had planned on buying Michelins as 98% of my driving is on road in Chicago.

I am looking for opinions on overall feel/impressions for those who have made the upgrade. I am worried about losing the perfect balance and alignment vehicle currently has. Also, even though it's not a sports car, the current 18s make it feel somewhat nimble and easy to roll. Not sure if that will go away with the 17s. One of the reasons I like big tires is that I usually like to run over potholes, speed bumps, etc with speed. I currently don't do that as fast but have my 100 with 16" wheels that I ride hard with.

 

[kreiten]

Mathematically there is no question that 17's will give you more sidewall and thus "better offroad" in theory! I'm not going to get into a debate on how much an inch matters I can tell you this, field testing (Ouray, Moab) has not shown the rigs with 17's to have any advantage that I've seen offroad. We all hit high speed offroad(and I do mean high speed!) with no probs, we all climbed rock faces in Moab, we all ran high and low air pressures etc! One of the rigs I saw time and time again perform outstanding is @Canyonero and he is rolling 18's(part of that is def his driving skills). Long story short I don't think you will notice a ton of difference whether you roll 17's or 18's. Rock the wheels you like, put some good tires on them, drop the air pressure down offroad and crank up the tunes! just my 2 cents man..

 

[Chocolate]

20s to 17s, no regrets.
The terrible Dunlop Grandtrek tires (second set from original, with only 7k miles) have a hard compound, needed to last longer with the shallower tread that 20" tires come with. The replacement Michelins drive much better. The upgrade from P-rated tires to LT-rated tires will show an improvement even within the same size.
As an example, the Dunlops would spin briefly during full acceleration in the wet from a stop whereas the newer 17" tires will connect instantly.
You already have the RWs also so easy decision.

 

[gaijin]

When I faced your same dilemma, my solution was easy - keep the 18" wheels mounted with P285/60-18 highway tires and use them for long road trips, mount LT285/70-17 BFG KO's on the 17" Rock Warriors and use those for everything else.

But, to be honest, I am disinclined to put the 18's on because I experience very smooth and quiet highway driving with the 17's. Only if it's a long trip where gas mileage might be a critical factor will I mount the 18's.

HTH

 

[Markuson]

When I first bought my LC, my first upgrade I had planned was to get bigger rubber on the tires by putting 17" wheels. But after driving 4 months on my LC with brand new cooper tires I am unable to get myself to buy bigger tires (I already own 6 17" RW wheels). Next week Costco is going to run a deal on Michelin tires (happens twice a year). I had planned on buying Michelins as 98% of my driving is on road in Chicago.

I am looking for opinions on overall feel/impressions for those who have made the upgrade. I am worried about losing the perfect balance and alignment vehicle currently has. Also, even though it's not a sports car, the current 18s make it feel somewhat nimble and easy to roll. Not sure if that will go away with the 17s. One of the reasons I like big tires is that I usually like to run over potholes, speed bumps, etc with speed. I currently don't do that as fast but have my 100 with 16" wheels that I ride hard with.

285/70/17 BFG KO2s and don't look back. You will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Canyonero]

When I first bought my LC, my first upgrade I had planned was to get bigger rubber on the tires by putting 17" wheels. But after driving 4 months on my LC with brand new cooper tires I am unable to get myself to buy bigger tires (I already own 6 17" RW wheels). Next week Costco is going to run a deal on Michelin tires (happens twice a year). I had planned on buying Michelins as 98% of my driving is on road in Chicago.

I am looking for opinions on overall feel/impressions for those who have made the upgrade. I am worried about losing the perfect balance and alignment vehicle currently has. Also, even though it's not a sports car, the current 18s make it feel somewhat nimble and easy to roll. Not sure if that will go away with the 17s. One of the reasons I like big tires is that I usually like to run over potholes, speed bumps, etc with speed. I currently don't do that as fast but have my 100 with 16" wheels that I ride hard with.

Sell me your 17" RW's and you'll have money to throw some taller sidewall on your OEM 18's! Stock rubber is what, like 32"? I threw Nittos on my truck's stock wheels and went up to I think 32.6" tires (sorry I don't remember the exact size, basically 33" tires)- not a huge difference, obviously, but in my view it looks better, performs better off-road and still has that great alignment and balance you are interested in maintaining.

Good luck with your decision!

Thanks @kreiten for ze compliment!

 

[Reckless]

285/70/17 BFG KO2s and don't look back. You will be pleasantly surprised.

With the heavier tire, did you notice any drag/difference? The Costco guy was like its the heaviest tire and has problems with mounting and alignment sometimes.

 

[Reckless]

When I faced your same dilemma, my solution was easy - keep the 18" wheels mounted with P285/60-18 highway tires and use them for long road trips, mount LT285/70-17 BFG KO's on the 17" Rock Warriors and use those for everything else.

But, to be honest, I am disinclined to put the 18's on because I experience very smooth and quiet highway driving with the 17's. Only if it's a long trip where gas mileage might be a critical factor will I mount the 18's.

HTH

I am thinking to do the same thing and may end up with same results.

 

[Reckless]

Mathematically there is no question that 17's will give you more sidewall and thus "better offroad" in theory! I'm not going to get into a debate on how much an inch matters I can tell you this, field testing (Ouray, Moab) has not shown the rigs with 17's to have any advantage that I've seen offroad. We all hit high speed offroad(and I do mean high speed!) with no probs, we all climbed rock faces in Moab, we all ran high and low air pressures etc! One of the rigs I saw time and time again perform outstanding is @Canyonero and he is rolling 18's(part of that is def his driving skills). Long story short I don't think you will notice a ton of difference whether you roll 17's or 18's. Rock the wheels you like, put some good tires on them, drop the air pressure down offroad and crank up the tunes! just my 2 cents man..

Thanks, thats another issue the stock wheels look soo nice and stock on the car. I don't want to violate her, she seems soo virgin!

 

[Markuson]

With the heavier tire, did you notice any drag/difference? The Costco guy was like its the heaviest tire and has problems with mounting and alignment sometimes.

Costco guy is wrong. Sure, they are heavier than street tires, but KO2's are among the LIGHTEST all terrains. Much lighter than Toyo, Nitto and others.

About price:
I buy street tires from Costco, but Discount Tire was actually a LOT cheaper for KO2s.

 

[kevinfoutch]

+1 for the KO2s. I'm running 18s still, but know several guys with 17s & RW and all are happy with road & trail performance.

FYI - 4WheelParts Black Friday deals are very competitive - bought mine at $210 each vs the $260 regular.

 

[Reckless]

Mark: Ok, I am currently planning on the KO2s. Thanks for the advice!

Kevin: thanks for the info. I will wait for black friday to order them. They currently have a special going that makes it $207/wheel with $70 mail in rebate and $70 instant discount.

I am planning on following Toyoda's advice and making them a second set. I will order extra TPMS sensors.

Anyone who has done this upgrade was it a day and night difference in terms of road feel/softer ride? Or just 10%? How many mpg's will I lose? 3? I am currently averaging 15mpg.

 

[Markuson]

Mark: Ok, I am currently planning on the KO2s. Thanks for the advice!

Kevin: thanks for the info. I will wait for black friday to order them. They currently have a special going that makes it $207/wheel with $70 mail in rebate and $70 instant discount.

I am planning on following Toyoda's advice and making them a second set. I will order extra TPMS sensors.

Anyone who has done this upgrade was it a day and night difference in terms of road feel/softer ride? Or just 10%? How many mpg's will I lose? 3? I am currently averaging 15mpg.

I think you'll find KO2's provide just as comfortable a ride as stock if not better...but soft/hard feel of the ride is really going to be more about suspension and air pressure, IMHO.

 

[gearguywb]

I am surprised by the K02 love. I guess surprised is not the right word....

I tried the original Ko's on my FJ, then 80 series, and did not like them at all. Too square, wanted to wander, and in W. CO, not worth a darn in any wet conditions.

Did they really make them that much better with the update?

 

[Markuson]

I am surprised by the K02 love. I guess surprised is not the right word....

I tried the original Ko's on my FJ, then 80 series, and did not like them at all. Too square, wanted to wander, and in W. CO, not worth a darn in any wet conditions.

Did they really make them that much better with the update?

I never had wandering problems in the many years I drove the originals (in two different widths) all over tarnation and through just about every condition except deep mud on my 100 series. The only rumors I remember hearing had more to do with difficulty balancing. But they were fantastic in snow and they never felt unsure to me in the wet. Did you mean ice?

With the KO2s, I've heard none of the balancing complaints... and have never had any wandering issues at all. Maybe it's time you gave the new ones a try. But then I have no axe to grind. I may try a more aggressive tire next go round, but that's a different conversation.

 

[kevinfoutch]

I am surprised by the K02 love. I guess surprised is not the right word....

I tried the original Ko's on my FJ, then 80 series, and did not like them at all. Too square, wanted to wander, and in W. CO, not worth a darn in any wet conditions.

Did they really make them that much better with the update?

(a bit off topic of 17 vs 18 but I'll be brief)

I've had good luck with the KO2s in snow. Last spring around Woodland Park, you'll see some photos from Rule Ridge where @Canyonero and I were plowing through fresh 10" of snow - pics about halfway down - 200 series picture thread and more on next page 200 series picture thread

Granted, I did get stuck, but that was driver error. I didn't air down, don't have a rear locker, didn't use my center locker, and the snow chains stayed clean and dry in the cargo area. Won't make that mistake again

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=NlVHT2ktcnRaUzZUa3U4NUpOYUd2My1WSHFGUXN3

 

[Reckless]

Ordered the KO2's today. Discount tire is running a $100 mail in rebate during black friday. So price came out same as online at 4wheelparts. I only bought 4 tires currently. I want to make sure I love the KO2's before ordering the spare. Being a Michelin Man my whole life I usually expect a very comfortable ride. I ordered second set of TPMS sensors for $45/ea. Discount tire claims they will reprogram TPMS and put the wheels on for free as many times as I like.

He did say that the coopers I have are marketed as a sporty tire. I do feel that they are pretty nimble and they have grown on me.

 

[sleak]

When I faced your same dilemma, my solution was easy - keep the 18" wheels mounted with P285/60-18 highway tires and use them for long road trips, mount LT285/70-17 BFG KO's on the 17" Rock Warriors and use those for everything else.

But, to be honest, I am disinclined to put the 18's on because I experience very smooth and quiet highway driving with the 17's. Only if it's a long trip where gas mileage might be a critical factor will I mount the 18's.

HTH

My burning question: Does the spare KO on 17" wheel fit up in the spare well under the car? I know it's barely an inch larger than the stock tire.

 

[ikeb]

My burning question: Does the spare KO on 17" wheel fit up in the spare well under the car? I know it's barely an inch larger than the stock tire.

if you're talking about the 285/70/17, then yes.

**EDIT - apparently on 200s prior to 2016, you need to make a modification to the spare tire hanger to get it to fit through the center hole. the space for the tire is no problem though. on MY 2016, i didn't need to make this modification.

 

[kevinfoutch]

I believe the outer circumference is not the issue with RW's (unless you're talking 35s+?), but rather the spare tire 'holding bracket' which slips through the center of the wheel when raising/lowering the spare. There are other threads somewhere describing a simple mod for this, but I couldn't find it easily...

edit: another thread with RW spare mod references: 2013 LX 570 Rock Warrior Install