Best 18" Tire

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OregonLC said:
So here's yet another 18" tire debate. Pretty much have it narrowed down to either:

305/65R18 BFG T/A KO which is a 33.6" tire
-or-
295/70R18 Nitto Terra Grappler which is a 34.2" tire.

I like the MT's, but with a 75/25 highway/offroad mission I'm not sure I want the noise of a MT.

Leaning toward the TG for price looks and review, but a little concerned about the 34's on a yet-to-be-lifted truck.

Any other recommendations or thoughts?
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My good friend Jack, aka locrwln, has had great success with the TG (315/75 16") on his 80. No flats, no sidewall issues, very good performance on and off-road (having said that its as good as any other AT in mud) and very very good tread wear. I'd be running that tire but Nitto, despite Toyo their parent company offering 285/75 18" tires, doesn't offer "my" size.
 
4Peanut said:
There's a used set of Toyo MT's in the classifieds—50% tread remaining approximately. I mention that because I'd be concerned about the Toyo MT's on-road handling as they wear. Loud has the Toyo AT's on his LX and loves them.
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of brand new (well 300 mile) Tundy rims off of a guy yesterday who had them as OEM on his 2010 truck. He was selling because he'd upgraded to 33x12.5 Toyo MT's and said they're pretty noisy. So while they look fantastic, I don't think they'll fit my mission.
 
So right now I'm leaning toward the 275/70R18 BFG's

- Low price ($220/tire less two rebates, total $770 for 4!)
- 275/70R18 seems like a good all-around size compromise for mileage, height, and contact patch.
- Haven't read a single bad post about the BFG's. Might not be the ultimate tire, but doesn't seem like it's let anyone down either.
- Snowflake!
- True 33" size.
- Long tread life.
- Good offroad traction.
 
I'm not a fan of BFG AT tires. I'm definitely in the minority though. There was a recent discussion about this tire over on EP and the BFG AT folks are definitely polarized about liking/not liking this tire. Don't know if they have a QC issue or maybe they have different factories churning out these tires that have different construction/QC?? Strange how, as I said, polarized the actual user opinions are about this particular tire.

My specific issue: They're just not durable enough from a casing and sidewall perspective to be reliable on most of the mining type gravel roads around here (read: Sharp rocks get brought to the surface of these types of roads from the constant heavy equipment use along with regular grading).

I'm tired of changing BFG AT's on my buddies rigs.
 
OregonLC said:
So Dan in your build thread it looks like you went with Tundra 18's also. Are you running the MT/R Kev's in a 275/70R18 in this picture?

How does the noise compare to other MT's?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/169441-featured-100-spressomon-6.html#post5399558
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I'm running 285/75 18 MT/R Kevlars on Tundra 18" wheels (basically a nominal 11" wide tire, at the casing, on 35" diameter). I am 100% pleased with the wheel and tire size along with the tire choice. The Tundra wheels I have IMO are butt ugly. But considering I got them for $200 delivered I can't really complain!

I have friends that are running the Toyo MT tires. They're too wide for my application but otherwise a great and super tough tire (although very heavy). They do get noisier as they get more worn: Typical of MT/high void tread.

The GY MT/R Kevlar, at least mine in my preferred size, were very quiet for an MT type tire right from the get go. Yes you do feel the larger void area/knobs when rolling to a stop on pavement. That has lessened with wear. They are NOT however AT quiet nor AT smooth. But compared to the Toyo MT and the former GY MT/R that I ran in both 285/75-16 and 315/75-16 are significantly less noisy and better, especially compared to the former MT/R model, performing on all surfaces especially snow and ice.

I will also add: I am hard on tires. Between almost 4-tons of rolling weight, pulling a 2,500lb/325lb tongue weight trailer and my more assertive (:lol:) driving style I just don't get the life out of my tires as others can. Currently I have about 18,500 miles on my MT/R Kevlar tires with 9mm total tread depth remaining (measured in the center of the tire) from the original new tread depth of 15mm. Originally I wasn't sure about how they were wearing but I'm fine with these numbers especially given my rig and driving style.
Hope that helps.
 
Last edited:
That helps a lot, thanks. I just wish the GY MT/R's came in an intermediate size. It's either 275/70 (33.16) or your 285/75's (34.83). Really would like to find someone with a 285/70 but it's not made! 305/65 would be another good size, but only available in the BFG.

I like your setup, but I'm not ready to go with (small) 35's!
 
OregonLC said:
That helps a lot, thanks. I just wish the GY MT/R's came in an intermediate size. It's either 275/70 (33.16) or your 285/75's (34.83). Really would like to find someone with a 285/70 but it's not made! 305/65 would be another good size, but only available in the BFG.

I like your setup, but I'm not ready to go with (small) 35's!
Click to expand...


You don't like the 285/75 R16 size? That's a great size with plenty of tire choices...
 
spressomon said:
You don't like the 285/75 R16 size? That's a great size with plenty of tire choices...
Click to expand...

Ya, but you're running a 285/75 R18 aren't you? I'd love to be able to run that size, but 35's aren't practical for me. I'm going with the 18" Tundy wheels (I known, I know 16 vs 18... ;))
 
OregonLC said:
Ya, but you're running a 285/75 R18 aren't you? I'd love to be able to run that size, but 35's aren't practical for me. I'm going with the 18" Tundy wheels (I known, I know 16 vs 18... ;))
Click to expand...

I originally ran the 285/75 16" (GY MT/R) for the first couple years. Although 33's are certainly less troublesome from several different perspectives...and this size offers greater tire choice selection and less $$ than my current size...I found myself dragging more than I wanted; this was the only reason I moved up to the 35's. If I someone made a tire with 275-285 width on 35" diameter and 16" rim I wouldn't have moved up to the 18" wheels...but, of course, no choice. But overall I do like the 18" wheels...I don't get stones caught between the wheel and brake rotor anymore and I have to believe the 18's promote better caliper and rotor cooling than 16's.
 
So contrary to my previous post, I've swayed toward the Nitto Terra G's in a 295/70 R18. That should give me just over a 34" tire. Enough to scare small children, but (hopefully) not enough to give me fits until I can get a lift under it. America's tires didn't have them in stock so we'll get them bolted on next weekend.

The guy at the store told me they did a similar wheel/tire upgrade on an LC an in that case they were able to get the LC caps to fit on the front with a little bit of dremmel work. I'm doubtful, but maybe it'll work.
 
spressomon said:
I'm not a fan of BFG AT tires. I'm definitely in the minority though. There was a recent discussion about this tire over on EP and the BFG AT folks are definitely polarized about liking/not liking this tire. Don't know if they have a QC issue or maybe they have different factories churning out these tires that have different construction/QC?? Strange how, as I said, polarized the actual user opinions are about this particular tire.

My specific issue: They're just not durable enough from a casing and sidewall perspective to be reliable on most of the mining type gravel roads around here (read: Sharp rocks get brought to the surface of these types of roads from the constant heavy equipment use along with regular grading).

I'm tired of changing BFG AT's on my buddies rigs.
Click to expand...


I agree...I ran BFG AT for nearly 20 years....and finally gave up on them in 90s... sidewalls that would puncture from a brush staub on trail or forest road....terrible performance in mud or snow. Were good on highway and sand but any mud packed them tight.

I lost three tires same year to brush cutting or puncturing my sidewalls....I had enough.

Next set was bridgestone REVO AT....good tires. Then tried Dunlop MT....sucked. Then went back to Bridgestone REVO with the tread that increased traction as tire wore...loved them.

Then Nitto Terra Grapplers and I found my favorite AT tire of all time....still. Tough as nails, great on trail, not even a chip or cut on sidewalls after 45000 miles and a trip to Ouray in FJC to run the passes and trails like Black bear, Engineer, Poughkeepsie, etc.

Nittos have proven to be very durable...good on highway or off no matter if AT or MT design....decent wth noise....though are heavier than most due to the sidewall reinforcements.

Only other tire I have thought was worth it as both DD and Trail Rig...were the BFG KM2 I had on my FJ60....they were tough and great tires as well.

The AT version just lost my trust after many tire changes and times being left on trail with a cut tire. :(
 
Here are the results! Nitto Terra Grappler 295/70R18. Very happy with the upgrade! Spedo is now way off (55 indicated is 62 on GPS!) I have a very slight rub on the front PS when that corner is loaded in tight turns (it rubs on a protrusion of the plastic well liner right at the elevation of the rocker). I plan to lift it over TG weekend (thinking 866's), if this doesn't cure the rub I'll trim about a 1/2" of the plastic.

At the tire store before swapping the LC caps back on the Tundy wheels:

IMG00250-20101029-0904.jpg


Size comparison against my buddy's 3/4T Chevy. 34.26" is a sizable wheel!

SizeCompare.jpg
 
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: 295s look awesome on a stock hundy

OregonLC said:
Here are the results! Nitto Terra Grappler 295/70R18. Very happy with the upgrade! Spedo is now way off (55 indicated is 62 on GPS!) I have a very slight rub on the front PS when that corner is loaded in tight turns (it rubs on a protrusion of the plastic well liner right at the elevation of the rocker). I plan to lift it over TG weekend (thinking 866's), if this doesn't cure the rub I'll trim about a 1/2" of the plastic.

At the tire store before swapping the LC caps back on the Tundy wheels:

IMG00250-20101029-0904.jpg


Size comparison against my buddy's 3/4T Chevy. 34.26" is a sizable wheel!

SizeCompare.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Thanks LJ!

I was a little worried about both the size and the offset, but it worked out perfect. The 295's are wide enough that it no longer looks like a 'rail car' from the front/rear. I really didn't want to add spacers and I'm happy with this look.
 
OregonLC said:
Thanks LJ!

I was a little worried about both the size and the offset, but it worked out perfect. The 295's are wide enough that it no longer looks like a 'rail car' from the front/rear. I really didn't want to add spacers and I'm happy with this look.
Click to expand...

Makes me wish I went with 295s:mad:

so your going with 866's?
 
I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the 866's with the OME t-bars. A little concerned about the 866 stiffness, but if all goes as planned I'll eventually have some weight (bumper) back there.
 
OregonLC said:
I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the 866's with the OME t-bars. A little concerned about the 866 stiffness, but if all goes as planned I'll eventually have some weight (bumper) back there.
Click to expand...

you'll be fine with the 866, I have them and they are fine, all I have is a 25lb subwoofer box lol
 
Does anyone here have experience with the 285/75R18 Toyo Open Country A/T tires? How do they compare to the Nitto Terra Grapplers?

I know a bunch of folks are running the M/T version, but haven't seen much about running the OC A/T version (especially at this size) off road, and would love to hear some input (I blew another sidewall on the BFG AT/KO and was thinking about potentially alternatives...)
 
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