275/70/18 tire dilema

[Coin]

Unless you are offroading on rocks, there is no reason for e rated tires on a 100 series. My entire suspension has been replaced by me, and the ahc is tuned just about perfect. E rated tires are certainly noticeable.

Now if you’re fine with the harsher ride, then go for it. My suspension is all new, and I want the best ride I can get and still have decent offroad tires. I will not put e rated tires on ever again.

The difference is in rough pavement and smaller, sharp bumps in the road. The tires just don’t flex much, and it’s like driving on solid rubber tires.

 

[Manhattan]

E-rated tires are bricks. The 275/70/18s are perfectly sized bricks for our 100s, but they are bricks. I've put about 160,000 miles on 275/70/18 BFG KO_s and love everything about them... except that they ride like bricks. If you don't think they ride like bricks, you should drive a similar truck on new C or SL rated tires.

I just bought a 2020 4Runner and immediately replaced the street tires with 265/70/17 BFG KO2s... C-rated. They are BUTTER smooth. The next time I drove the 100, it hurt... knowing the 100 may be on its last set of 275/70/18s. I have got to find something that works as well as the BFGs but in a C or SL... but I just don't think it exists.

I think it's a myth that E-rated tires are better suited for rocks/rockcrawing. E-rated tires are purpose built/constructed for heavy loads - with a max PSI of 80+ so as not to deform when loaded, e.g., payload or towing. For us, those crazy stiff sidewalls mean having to air way down to get decent sidewall flex on the trail.

It's definitely strange that one of the tire companies hasn't figured out that there is a huge market for C or SL rated 17" and 18" 33s. This thread is in full swing on other boards - 4Runner, Wrangler, Tacoma, 250...

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

E-rated tires are bricks. The 275/70/18s are perfectly sized bricks for our 100s, but they are bricks. I've put about 160,000 miles on 275/70/18 BFG KO_s and love everything about them... except that they ride like bricks. If you don't think they ride like bricks, you should drive a similar truck on new C or SL rated tires.

I just bought a 2020 4Runner and immediately replaced the street tires with 265/70/17 BFG KO2s... C-rated. They are BUTTER smooth. The next time I drove the 100, it hurt... knowing the 100 may be on its last set of 275/70/18s. I have got to find something that works as well as the BFGs but in a C or SL... but I just don't think it exists.

I think it's a myth that E-rated tires are better suited for rocks/rockcrawing. E-rated tires are purpose built/constructed for heavy loads - with a max PSI of 80+ so as not to deform when loaded, e.g., payload or towing. For us, those crazy stiff sidewalls mean having to air way down to get decent sidewall flex on the trail.

It's definitely strange that one of the tire companies hasn't figured out that there is a huge market for C or SL rated 17" and 18" 33s. This thread is in full swing on other boards - 4Runner, Wrangler, Tacoma, 250...

I always run C rated but went with some E rated on a 3rd gen Tacoma and absolutely hated it. My 100 is on C rated and has been all over the west coast including Moab 3 times. No issues and much more comfortable ride than other Cruisers I have been in with E rated tires. I don't do any rock crawling (If I did I wouldnt have a LC) so take that how you will I guess lol

 

[FxFormat]

I have installed KO3, so far it's been great! I will replaced KM3 on my 200 to KO3 in the future.

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That looks sweet brother, can't wait to put my TRD Pro wheels on. You running 1.25" spacers?

 

[FxFormat]

E-rated tires are bricks. The 275/70/18s are perfectly sized bricks for our 100s, but they are bricks. I've put about 160,000 miles on 275/70/18 BFG KO_s and love everything about them... except that they ride like bricks. If you don't think they ride like bricks, you should drive a similar truck on new C or SL rated tires.

I just bought a 2020 4Runner and immediately replaced the street tires with 265/70/17 BFG KO2s... C-rated. They are BUTTER smooth. The next time I drove the 100, it hurt... knowing the 100 may be on its last set of 275/70/18s. I have got to find something that works as well as the BFGs but in a C or SL... but I just don't think it exists.

I think it's a myth that E-rated tires are better suited for rocks/rockcrawing. E-rated tires are purpose built/constructed for heavy loads - with a max PSI of 80+ so as not to deform when loaded, e.g., payload or towing. For us, those crazy stiff sidewalls mean having to air way down to get decent sidewall flex on the trail.

It's definitely strange that one of the tire companies hasn't figured out that there is a huge market for C or SL rated 17" and 18" 33s. This thread is in full swing on other boards - 4Runner, Wrangler, Tacoma, 250...

I'm going to try 275/70/18 General Grabber ATX in SL load, they are 33" and weighs 46lbs. That should bring some comfort back if you're looking for. It's a good looking tire too and on youtube ive seen positive reviews.

 

[Couvi]

I'm going to try 275/70/18 General Grabber ATX in SL load, they are 33" and weighs 46lbs. That should bring some comfort back if you're looking for. It's a good looking tire too and on youtube ive seen positive reviews.

I seriously considered this tire specifically because it’s one of the only 33” P-rated tires I could find.

 

[hankk]

I wish I had seen this thread before purchasing new tires. I bought a 2000 LC a few months back and have been looking forward to upgrading to larger tires since purchasing it. I ended up getting a set of Tundra 18s and went with 275/70/R18 Falken WildPeak AT/4s. The tires look perfect but unfortunately with them being load range E the comfort factor isn’t ideal. I wouldn’t say they are horrible by any stretch but coming from factory size WildPeak H/Ts they definitely ride rougher. I don’t go off road enough to justify the harsher ride so if I could do it over again I would buy 275/65/R18 WildPeak AT/4s in load range SL.

 

[TJ96TLC]

I’ve been running the 265/70/18s for a few sets now and like the size, look and ride quality. My 2 cents.

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Stock height?

 

[Couvi]

Stock height?

No lift, but I did adjust the torsion bars to bring the front up about .75” — the 265/70/18s are about a 32.5” tire, stock tires are around 31ish.

 

[FxFormat]

I've been running the 275/70/18 Grabber ATX SL load for a couple weeks. So far i love them, very smooth compared to E and i'm getting 17mpg on the highway while on a road trip. They look good too, flexing on my son's stroller with his tiny ass 5" tires.

 

[riffman12]

I think it's a myth that E-rated tires are better suited for rocks/rockcrawing. E-rated tires are purpose built/constructed for heavy loads - with a max PSI of 80+ so as not to deform when loaded, e.g., payload or towing. For us, those crazy stiff sidewalls mean having to air way down to get decent sidewall flex on the trail.

I'm not sure it's a myth. The sidewall is stiffer but it's also thicker material and less prone to side cuts from rocks etc. But I do 100% agree they ride a lot worse. If it was my DD I probably wouldn't be running E's, but I've had my Coopers sliding against sharp volcanic rock and they just brush it off.

If weight is a concern, consider skinnier tires at the same height. I recently got 17x8 wheels and went with a 255 width 33" (255/80/17) and saved roughly 8 lbs per corner vs my old 285s.