Couvi
SILVER Star
Both good options – tough decision, I'd agree!
275/70/18 tire dilema (1 Viewer)
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Just to be clear, are you saying that your son put on E rated tires on his LC and they ride like butter? I want the 275/70r18 pretty bad, but the idea of E rated tires on my LX with AHC make me groan. I am pretty close to just going with 285/65r18 to retain ride quality, but the extra side wall is very tempting. This is my daily driver in the DC area btw, not an off-roading vehicle. Analysis paralysis is the worst.
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yeah, I don't see too many people who went with E rated tires loving the ride. Looks like SL rated was what came OEM. I'm curious if the E rated LTX M/S2 tires ride considerably better than KO3s of the same size.
Everything I see in 285/65-18 seems to have the same issue as 270/75-18 in that they're either SL or E rated, no XL or C rated tires.
There's a C rated FalkenWildpeak A/T4WLT285 /70 R18 117S C1 BSW that would be nice, albeit costly. Haven't seen much feedback of these fitting w/o any mods though. Would I want to go up 2" in tire size though? Not sure I want to.
There's a D rated GoodyearWrangler DuratracLT275 /70 R18 121R D1 SBL CM , haven't really checked out that tire.
There's this C rated Wrangler Territory MTLT275 /70 R18 115Q C1 SBL GM that's 2/3rd the price of most tires...
There's Open Country A/T III and Wildpeak A/T3W A in C rated tires in 275/65-18, and a bunch more that size that are XL rated. Like I said before, I already roll on Michelin LTX M/S2 in this size that are XL. DO I really need the extra 1/2" of ground clearance that going up to 275/70/18 delivers? I dunno...haven't taken this thing offroad yet, only my '04 slightly built 4th gen on 265/70/17 C rated KO2s, which I have zero problems with except for the hum. I am starting to feel like the choice is going to come down to one of these two in 275/65-18 and I'll buy Slee's step sliders as an extra layer of precaution.
The actual Michelin website shows a 285/65r18 in XL (49085), which is what I have been viewing as the best all around option for a DD.
a great budget option: Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person - https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/rocky-mountain-all-terrain/p/120816
I love my set
I love my set
Couvi
SILVER Star
Yes. I was very surprised how smooth the KO3s ride on road, granted, they are new with tons of tread, but the compound seems very pliable/soft. They are quieter and smoother than my Nokian nAT's in the lighter weight (both of our LC's have stock suspension). I've had 275/65 18s and wanted a slightly taller tire, that's why I got the 265/70s, just a little taller. Next time, I'm going KO3s in the size my son has. I also had the Open Country AT3s. and thought they were fairly loud right out the gate.
I'll throw in my 2 cents here. The last set of tires on my '99 LC were KO2s E rated.
Great tires for the first 45K or so. But pretty heavy in 285/75/16s.
I got a new set of Tundra 18 inch wheels, did a fair amount of research and ended up with Bridgestone's Dueler AT Ascent in 275/70/18.
I definitely wanted something lighter (52.8 lbs) in an AT, had better snow/wet traction, and didn't ride like an E rated tire.
IMO they fit all three categories. Plus, they're E rated but ride like a C! I looked at the KO3s and Nokian A/Ts.
I just wasn't sold on the KO3s improved snow/wet traction and they were still relatively "heavy." (But absolutely love the look!)
And if the Nokians were available in this size when I needed a new set, I probably would have gone with them.
Ultimately though, no regrets. The Bridgestone's have met or exceeded every expectation so far (10 mos).
Great tires for the first 45K or so. But pretty heavy in 285/75/16s.
I got a new set of Tundra 18 inch wheels, did a fair amount of research and ended up with Bridgestone's Dueler AT Ascent in 275/70/18.
I definitely wanted something lighter (52.8 lbs) in an AT, had better snow/wet traction, and didn't ride like an E rated tire.
IMO they fit all three categories. Plus, they're E rated but ride like a C! I looked at the KO3s and Nokian A/Ts.
I just wasn't sold on the KO3s improved snow/wet traction and they were still relatively "heavy." (But absolutely love the look!)
And if the Nokians were available in this size when I needed a new set, I probably would have gone with them.
Ultimately though, no regrets. The Bridgestone's have met or exceeded every expectation so far (10 mos).
I am also shocked to hear this. I just replaced a set of 275/70/18 KO2s (e rated) that were super harsh on road.
For this reason I splurged on new 17” method wheels so I could run 285 70 17 KO2s in a C rating. They are 9 lbs lighter per corner and my acceleration has definitely improved. The ride quality is better for sure, but not dramatically on these rough LA streets.
Wondering if I should have just kept my OEM 18” wheels and went with an E rated KO3.
I was in the same boat as you for 2 years. trying to find something to replace my aging KO2's.
Ended up with the Nitto Terra Grappler G3's and i love them. Much lighter than the ko2 and much much smoother on the road and bumps, plus they still look aggressive enough to fit the look of the truck.
i believe these are SL rated, which is enough for me as it doesn't see much if any offroading these days.
Ended up with the Nitto Terra Grappler G3's and i love them. Much lighter than the ko2 and much much smoother on the road and bumps, plus they still look aggressive enough to fit the look of the truck.
i believe these are SL rated, which is enough for me as it doesn't see much if any offroading these days.
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Couvi
SILVER Star
What size?
275/70/18. i think there's about 3 A/T tires in this size that aren't E load and this is one of them. the newest actually.
it's very tempting. I'm just a bit worried about my sidewalls here in the CA mountains and deserts. Might stick with the C rated.
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- #54
Yeah, I just put on new KO3s on my 4th gen 4Runner today, my third set of KO series tires over the past 20 yrs. C-rated like the rest. Never had an issue in the deserts and mountains here rolling on them. And as it'll likely be just me in the LX on solo trips I really don't want to risk being a liability out int he middle of nowhere, at least that's my intent, I feel like it's more prudent for me to get nothing less than a C rated tire, which means it'll likely be the E-rated KO3 in the size I want. At least that's my thought at this current moment in time
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- #55
Here's the choices I have in XL, C and D rated tires | Tires | Discount Tire - https://www.americastire.com/fitmentresult/tires/size/265-70-18?q=%3AbestSeller-asc%3AloadRange%3AC1%3AloadRange%3AXL%3AloadRange%3AD1&sort=bestSeller-asc&page=0#product-code-157573
Looks like there's a Generat Grabber in C, and a new BFG KO3 coming out in February 2026 in a D rating. Hmmm...I'll have to compare that size w/ 275/70-18.
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Would you mind sharing a few more photos of the vehicle with those tires on?
I've also got a built 100 so trying to see if they will fit the look
i was worried about that then i realized i bought 5 of them with discount tires road hazard warranty and these days my off roading consists of the occasional going over a curb or driving through Houston flood waters so i went to SL tires. I actually enjoy driving it now.
i'll snap some and upload them. keep in mind, i had KO2's and i don't think these look any softer cosmetically.Would you mind sharing a few more photos of the vehicle with those tires on?
I've also got a built 100 so trying to see if they will fit the look
Now if you're going after the mud terrain look, may god help you cause it'll drive like poo.
What's your opinion on ride quality of that size KO2 in E-Rated?
I'll chime in and say that my 275/70/18 e rated ko2s road heavy and jarring.
