I searched the forum first before posting, and I could not find an answer, so here goes. Getting ready to replace tires on my 04. Have had 275/65/18 Nittos for the last 40-50k, and it's time. I'm thinking about 275/70/18, but am concerned about tire weight. How big of a factor is this as it relates to stress on other parts of the suspension, etc? I see that the 70s weigh in the vicinity of 55-60 lbs each depending on brand, and manufacturer spec size tires weigh around 40 lbs each (based on crude research of the Discount Tire website). And my 65s apparently weigh right around 50 lbs each. Would be grateful for any advice. It probably matters that I have about 250k on the vehicle, and I am about to replace shocks and springs also.
275/70/18 Question about tire weight
- Thread starter NashvilleLandCruiser
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
BullElk
SILVER Star
I have three hundys with the 275 70 18s. If there is a problem with stress on other parts, I don't know about it. I never plan to have any tires smaller than these.
Couvi
SILVER Star
That seems to be the most popular tire size for these vehicles for sure. I had the same thoughts when getting new tires for my 2004 last year. Because I’m on the road so much I didn’t want the extra weight but still wanted larger tires so I went with a 265/70//18 P metric tire — Toyo Open Country AT3s. I’ve had them on trail, ice and snow and they’ve been great. Fuel economy stayed the same as stock. These are about a 32.5 in tire I believe.
I have run that tire size since I replaced the first set of tires that the truck came with from the factory. That was about 120,000 miles ago. So far, all is well.
You'll get better winter and wet traction if you stay with P tires either 265/70/18 or 275/65/18. But at the cost of less plys and carcass strength and puncture resistance
The weight is less an issue for reliability (thank you Toyota for making a beast of a vehicle) and more a problem for acceleration and braking. I am generally not a sensative person when it comes to the "butt dyno", but on my two 100's I swear it just felt more lumbery in all aspects with the bigger tires (33-34 vs factory 31).
I am very pro 33-34 tire on a 100, but I accept that it makes a large vehicle feel even slower. Worth it.
I am very pro 33-34 tire on a 100, but I accept that it makes a large vehicle feel even slower. Worth it.
Or a slow vehicle even slower. Agree, 33.5” is the sweet spot on these things especially if you’re staying at stock height. On the street they’re compliant enough, but once you hit dirt it performs just right.
Who buys these things for speed, right?
If you want to caddilac at 80 I suggest you not buy heavy tires.
You won't overstress anything on a land cruiser with the larger tires. Look at the suspension parts and then go look at lesser vehicles running similar sizes. Cruisers are just overbuilt. Some brands / types of tires may be 10-15 pounds lighter but that comes directly out of carcass strength. Not a problem if you are running highways only. On the off roading trails, I wouldn't use anything that is lighter (personally, BFG KO2 are all I will use but I know others are successful with other choices)
