295/70/18 is a tire size that you should consider*

[tbisaacs]

* for your LX

After nearly 15k miles running 275/70/18 Cooper STT Pros — I've concluded that I'm not a mud terrain kind of person. But that's another story. Today I installed (5) 295/70/18 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's on my LX and they fit like a glove.

Seriously, I don't know why this size isn't more popular. There are so many brands at this size vs 285/70/18.

Mounted the Falken's measure right at 33 3/4" tall and just over 11.5" wide. I have zero rubbing and they are oh-so-quiet compared to the mud terrains.

It took some work - but this size will fit underneath with millimeters to spare:

 

[tbisaacs]

I have zero rubbing

Just kidding. I’m kissing my rocker panel

Easy fix.

 

[sdnative]

This size in the Toyo AT3 is a full inch taller and 10 lbs heavier than the 275/70R18. And I already have rubbing. Maybe not an issue without the KDSS bar?

Looks nice though just not for me.

 

[grinchy]

This size in the Toyo AT3 is a full inch taller and 10 lbs heavier than the 275/70R18. And I already have rubbing. Maybe not an issue without the KDSS bar?

Looks nice though just not for me.

Yes, fitment on an LX is easier up front. No KDSS and user adjustable 1" or so of AHC lift.

 

[bloc]

Pretty sure with KDSS this would be a different story, but I’m glad it works on LX. Have you had a chance to flex it up yet?

 

[mcgaskins]

I tried this size for a test fit on the 16 LC, and it rubbed so badly on the KDSS I immediately went down to 285/70/18. The LX is definitely more tolerant of the larger sizes for sure!

 

[grinchy]

Hmm. km3 is available in this size.

 

[tbisaacs]

Pretty sure with KDSS this would be a different story, but I’m glad it works on LX. Have you had a chance to flex it up yet?

I thought I could run it up on a ramp but realized how inadequate my ramp was. So much travel.

I had plenty of clearance between the edge of the tire and the fender. Don’t anticipate any issues in back at least. There is a spot close to home where I can flex it out this weekend.

 

[Idaho Savage]

Nothing against them for most uses but wide tires are the suck on snow and ice covered roads. Just ordered some 34x10.5 KO2s . Actual is 33.5 x ~10 which should be about perfect for rocky mountain winters here.

 

[Woodland Realm]

That size looks perfect on our platform. I just wish it fit more easily on LC’s specifically.

 

[TeCKis300]

Nicely done! Been waiting to see them fitted up. They look absolutely fantastic!

Can't tell for sure but I think you're running 1" spacers for an effective offset of +35?

You may need to do some plastic cutting at the inner rocker. You'll find that on hard braking with some steering dialed in, that it'll want to get deeper into that rocker. You won't have to do as much as I did here but should be the general idea.

 

[TeCKis300]

I tried this size for a test fit on the 16 LC, and it rubbed so badly on the KDSS I immediately went down to 285/70/18. The LX is definitely more tolerant of the larger sizes for sure!

Curious if when you fit the 295/70/18s, if you already had aftermarket UCAs with alignment tweaks to pull the tire forward? Or was the alignment fully stock?

Seems that the KDSS relocation kit could allow LCs to get into this size tire?

 

[tbisaacs]

Nicely done! Been waiting to see them fitted up. They look absolutely fantastic!

Can't tell for sure but I think you're running 1" spacers for an effective offset of +35?

You may need to do some plastic cutting at the inner rocker. You'll find that on hard braking with some steering dialed in, that it'll want to get deeper into that rocker. You won't have to do as much as I did here but should be the general idea.

View attachment 2602657

Yep—35mm.

I was just chatting with @radman about this. I used a multi-tool to zip the plastic back but need to take care of the bracket next.

 

[bloc]

Curious if when you fit the 295/70/18s, if you already had aftermarket UCAs with alignment tweaks to pull the tire forward? Or was the alignment fully stock?

Seems that the KDSS relocation kit could allow LCs to get into this size tire?

KDSS relo kits introduce their own problems though, most notably really bad angles for the sway bar links. Some people even bolt them to the front of the bracket on the LCA to keep the bushings happy.

For all the trouble they introduce, I'm leaning toward sticking with ET50 rock warriors or maybe ET40 dakarzeros and 285/70R17 and having practically zero clearance issues. Taller tires have their advantages, but KDSS rub or the compromises needed to mitigate it seems not worth the hassle among the people I've learned to watch closely on here.

 

[TeCKis300]

KDSS relo kits introduce their own problems though, most notably really bad angles for the sway bar links. Some people even bolt them to the front of the bracket on the LCA to keep the bushings happy.

For all the trouble they introduce, I'm leaning toward sticking with ET50 rock warriors or maybe ET40 dakarzeros and 285/70R17 and having practically zero clearance issues. Taller tires have their advantages, but KDSS rub or the compromises needed to mitigate it seems not worth the hassle among the people I've learned to watch closely on here.

I agree but just want to see the option open up for more LC owners that are interested in it. The bad angles from what I've seen are mostly resolved by relocating the end link to the front of the LCA bracket as you mentioned. So with a readily identified solution, it really makes it a non-constraint for those that really want to go big.

From my perspective, the KDSS issue isn't even the largest item to solve. BMC, upper UCA clearance, re-gear, BBK. Whether it's worth it is up to the individual. Done right, the platform is certainly able to handle it and works beautifully with 35s. There's no doubt that 34s aren't also incredible. Just opening more options to further explore and expand the possible.

 

[bloc]

I agree but just want to see the option open up for more LC owners that are interested in it. The bad angles from what I've seen are mostly resolved by relocating the end link to the front of the LCA bracket as you mentioned. So with a readily identified solution, it really makes it a non-constraint for those that really want to go big.

From my perspective, the KDSS issue isn't even the largest item to solve. BMC, upper UCA clearance, re-gear, BBK. Whether it's worth it is up to the individual. Done right, the platform is certainly able to handle it and works beautifully with 35s. There's no doubt that 34s aren't also incredible. Just opening more options to further explore and expand the possible.

I’d like to see the hole left behind by the link sleeved, and maybe a bracket added in the front to return it to double shear. Not sure how you’d do that and keep factory levels of stiffness and strength though. These bars are stiff and I don’t trust a bolt in the usual front-side configuration to work for the long haul, personally.

 

[TeCKis300]

It's a good point on the extension and double sheer. I know the whole BMC and welding brackets may seem a step too far. With enough want, the services to weld a bracket are readily available. 35s and the LC are attainable.

 

[dubaicruiser]

I so wanted to have this size and before getting 275/70, I tried em both - 295/70 and then 285/70 on stock lc200 18 wheels. but both rubbed kdss arm and I don't want to get into the relocation now, so went towards 275/70R18 which fitted without any issues while getting me my desired ride height.

 

[bloc]

@tbisaacs is it possible to get a picture of how close the tire is to the UCA?

 

[tbisaacs]

@tbisaacs is it possible to get a picture of how close the tire is to the UCA?

Yep I'll grab one later today but in my case there is plenty of room. The shoulder on the Wildpeak is pretty rounded over and I'm running 25mm wheel spacers. Im way closer to the body mount than the UCA.