18"?? Smaller?? Tires/Wheels (I searched first)

[ebod]

I tried a couple of searches on the topic below and I was flooded with too many not directly on point results. Sorry for yet another tire size post.

I got my wife a new car and now I get her 2004 LC (currently completely stock). I'd like to put some bigger tires (with aggressive AT or MT tread pattern) on it, and I'm wondering what my options are under the following situations.

Option 1 (18" Wheels). If I keep the stock 18" wheels, what bigger sizes are good for an unlifted 100 series (I would do the T-bar)? What brand/pattern tires do you recommend (I'm on the street 95% of the time so they have to be streetable)? Any photos would be appreciated.

Option 2 (Smaller Wheels): If I try to find some smaller wheels (for less wheel, more sidewall), how small can I go with a 2004. Can I go to 16"? 17"? (or am I for some reason stuck with the 18s?). I remember reading (probably on this forum) that at some point factory changes to the traction control or the brakes made bigger wheels necessary.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[calamaridog]

I suggest keeping the 18" wheels if you run the tires on the street mostly. For the same reason, I'd stick with an AT style tire too.


Some good AT tires:

BFG AT
Nitto Terra Grappler
Yokohama AT/S
Bridgestone REVO AT

You certainly could run 16" wheels if you really wanted to.

 

[ebod]

Thanks calamaridog. I had the REVOs on my suburban and I generally liked them (except that they don't look that tough). I like the look of the BFGs better.

What size options are there for the 18" wheels? I looked on the tire rack site and the only tires I could find are BFG 285/65/18. I was hoping to find some with a bit higher profile (even if I had to go to 275 or 265).

Does anyone know any other sizes (in AT) for the 18" wheels?

Thanks again.

 

[hoser]

285/65-18 is a 33" tire. Toyo OC AT comes in a 275/70-18 that's 33.2" and a 325/60-18 that is 33.6" though that might be pushing it, width wise. But people have done it. There is an equivalent sized Nitto TG for cheaper.

 

[ycookmd]

I posted pics of the 275/70/18s here.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=94421&page=2