Decision Time...

[linuxgod]

His reasoning was that if I have a tire problem or two out in the sticks, the likelihood that a rural tire shop can get its hands on a 275/70/18 quickly is exponentially higher than than trying to track down a 285/70/18. His point was that in a pinch I could probably be back on the road in hours vs days if they had to order something. Considering I have an Alaska and some Mexico trips on the table for this year, it made good sense to me.

Yeah I hadn't thought much about finding a replacement in the boonies as much as what I'll run the next time I need new tires (or if I'll have any options)

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Well folks the new tires are on. They are Nitto Ridge Grappler 275/70/18 and while I don't notice a huge visual difference coming from the 275/65/18 Duratracs, let me just say this: HOLY F-ING S--T do these tires run quieter, smoother and with a better planted feel!!!! Its like going from an F150 to an Escalade. I finally have my luxury feel again. DID NOT expect that, in fact I expected the opposite. I guess maybe my Duratracs were just that beat up.

I do wish I was more visually wowed by the difference, but I love this upgrade. Thanks again for all of the input.

-EDIT-: The more I look at them the more I see the difference.

Old Tires:

New Tires:

 

[rusty87]

Much better

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Hey @gaijin I did some searching around but I haven't been able to find the RCTIP for these LT275/70/18 E Ridge Grapplers can you advise? I had them fill to 43psi at the shop. They had them at 38psi.

 

[linuxgod]

I found they got quieter after 1000 miles or so, though @Markuson told me his were always very quiet so maybe I'm just hypersensitive. So if you like them now you'll likely be even happier after they break in a bit.

 

[M1911]

Tires first, then rock sliders. I have 285-65-18 K02s. I won't use wheel spacers. Upgrading skid plates is further down the list.

 

[BigMF]

I think you will. I wouldn't sweat the width (it might even marginally help your gas mileage as there will be less rolling resistance).

FWIW that's actually why I went to 17s. 285/75R17 is a very common size by many tire manufacturers. At the time when I bought there were only 2 or 3 options for 285/70R18 tires (IIRC Nitto didn't have an RG in that size yet) and at least one if not both MT tires.

@linuxgod did you have any issues with rubbing after installing the 275/75R17? I have a 2011 LX and looking to get some new tires. I've looked at the Tire and Wheel database and the three models of tires that I can find in that size say no rubbing but would like verification from someone with "real world" experience.

 

[BAY2MTN]

Well folks the new tires are on. They are Nitto Ridge Grappler 275/70/18 and while I don't notice a huge visual difference coming from the 275/65/18 Duratracs, let me just say this: HOLY F-ING S--T do these tires run quieter, smoother and with a better planted feel!!!! Its like going from an F150 to an Escalade. I finally have my luxury feel again. DID NOT expect that, in fact I expected the opposite. I guess maybe my Duratracs were just that beat up.

I do wish I was more visually wowed by the difference, but I love this upgrade. Thanks again for all of the input.

-EDIT-: The more I look at them the more I see the difference.

Old Tires:

View attachment 2227922


New Tires:

View attachment 2227923

View attachment 2227929

View attachment 2227930

View attachment 2227931

It looks like you’re still running spacers. 1”? I’m digging the look. Convinced me to stick with 275/70r18. Wildpeaks on order

 

[TheGrrrrr]

It looks like you’re still running spacers. 1”? I’m digging the look. Convinced me to stick with 275/70r18. Wildpeaks on order

I am still running the spacers. They are the SpiderTraxx 1.25" and I definitely like the look, but also the feel. I know there are a lot of opinions on spacers, but mine is simply that a good quality spacer in an appropriate size is not something to fret over.

 

[linuxgod]

@linuxgod did you have any issues with rubbing after installing the 275/75R17? I have a 2011 LX and looking to get some new tires. I've looked at the Tire and Wheel database and the three models of tires that I can find in that size say no rubbing but would like verification from someone with "real world" experience.

I can’t exactly say. I have 285/75R17 on +25 offset wheels on an LC. You’re talking about 275/75R17 on an LX, probably with differe wheels.

I can say that my tires on my truck required some effort, though nothing insane.

I can also speculate that although your tire is slightly narrower and you don’t have the KDSS arm to deal with you will still need to at least remove the mud flaps and the little aero-tab under the front bumper (easy). You may need to also re-shape the bracket that holds the mud flaps by pulling back the plastic liner and hitting it with a hammer as that tends to be the next contact area. After that it’s just a matter of using a heat gun to reshape the plastic liner anywhere you run.

FYI - The higher offset the wheel (like +50 Rock Warriors) the less effort it will be to fit as lower offset wheels have a wider arc for the outer edge and that combined with being physical further out means you’re more likely to contact bits of the fender liner closest to the fender.

one last thing - your alignment can have an impact on whether or not you rub. So you may need to add caster in particular if you find yourself making contact in the back of the wheel well only (or remove some if you’re only hitting the front). Might not be an issue on your size but it is once you get to 34s on a KDSS vehicle.

 

[gaijin]

Hey @gaijin I did some searching around but I haven't been able to find the RCTIP for these LT275/70/18 E Ridge Grapplers can you advise? I had them fill to 43psi at the shop. They had them at 38psi.

The RCTIP for those LT275/70R18 E tires on your 2013 LC200 is 41psi F/R.

HTH

 

[lmud]

I’m on my second set of terra grapplers but I think I’m switching to the ridge grapplers next set. Can anyone explain the difference to me?

 

[BigMF]

I can’t exactly say. I have 285/75R17 on +25 offset wheels on an LC. You’re talking about 275/75R17 on an LX, probably with differe wheels.

I can say that my tires on my truck required some effort, though nothing insane.

I can also speculate that although your tire is slightly narrower and you don’t have the KDSS arm to deal with you will still need to at least remove the mud flaps and the little aero-tab under the front bumper (easy). You may need to also re-shape the bracket that holds the mud flaps by pulling back the plastic liner and hitting it with a hammer as that tends to be the next contact area. After that it’s just a matter of using a heat gun to reshape the plastic liner anywhere you run.

FYI - The higher offset the wheel (like +50 Rock Warriors) the less effort it will be to fit as lower offset wheels have a wider arc for the outer edge and that combined with being physical further out means you’re more likely to contact bits of the fender liner closest to the fender.

one last thing - your alignment can have an impact on whether or not you rub. So you may need to add caster in particular if you find yourself making contact in the back of the wheel well only (or remove some if you’re only hitting the front). Might not be an issue on your size but it is once you get to 34s on a KDSS vehicle.

Thanks for all that info! I have to confess that I made two misakes in my post. First, I meant 285/75R17 (the same size you have). My only excuse is that I was typing hurriedly because the wife was calling me to dinner and getting impatient. Second, I should have include all the info: I'm planning on running Icon Sixspeeds which are a +25 offset.

I'm 100% fine removing the mud flaps and aero-thingy. I'm about 90% sure about hitting things with a hammer and/or melting things with a heat gun. Don't get me wrong, I'm generally very handy and can swing a mean hammer and love melting things, it's just not on my vehicle usually. I may stick with the 285/70R17.

Thanks again!

 

[TheGrrrrr]

I’m on my second set of terra grapplers but I think I’m switching to the ridge grapplers next set. Can anyone explain the difference to me?

The difference as I understand it is that the Ridge Grapplers are a "Hybrid" between a standard all-terrain (Terra Grappler) and Mud Terrain (Trail Grappler) designed to merge the pavement characteristics of the Terra Grappler with the Off-pavement characteristics of the Trail Grappler. Many manufacturers are offering these types of hybrids now. A few links that explain the approach:

Ridge Grappler | Hybrid Terrain Light Truck Tire | Nitto Tire

The Ridge Grappler features a revolutionary dynamic hybrid tread pattern and provides a quiet and comfortable with off-road performance capabilities.

www.nittotire.com

Nitto Ridge Grappler – Hybrid Theory

A look at Nitto’s new Ridge Grappler hybrid off-road tire.

www.trucktrend.com

 

[linuxgod]

Thanks for all that info! I have to confess that I made two misakes in my post. First, I meant 285/75R17 (the same size you have). My only excuse is that I was typing hurriedly because the wife was calling me to dinner and getting impatient. Second, I should have include all the info: I'm planning on running Icon Sixspeeds which are a +25 offset.

I'm 100% fine removing the mud flaps and aero-thingy. I'm about 90% sure about hitting things with a hammer and/or melting things with a heat gun. Don't get me wrong, I'm generally very handy and can swing a mean hammer and love melting things, it's just not on my vehicle usually. I may stick with the 285/70R17.

Thanks again!

Ah ok, then it's a more similar setup than I initially thought. Start of by reading this:

34's on stock setup - it's done, now some advice...

This week I swapped out the stock tires and wheels with 34s (Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 285/75R17) and Icon Six Speed 17" wheels with +25 offset. I also added the 3/8" Toyota front spring spacers, which gave me a small boost in front, but not quite as much as I expected (or maybe it did, but with...

forum.ih8mud.com

I don't have an LX, so I had to be careful about KDSS interference, but the LX is to your benefit here. With 34s you may want spacers on the front shocks if you have a lot of rake (difference in front-to-rear height) since 34s will be pretty stuffed into the wheel wells. Not required, just a suggestion/preference.

FWIW I'm very happy with 34s. The plastic massaging/mud flap removal/etc is not a huge deal, though if you just hack/smash the mud flap bracket like I did it's pretty much a one-way operation

One thing to note is that just because your tires clear everything when you're parked in your driveway and turning the wheels does NOT mean they'll clear when you're going 20 mph and make a left turn and the body leans. Your suspension geometry is fixed to the frame, but the body will flex and roll. I was able to get my 34s to fit fine, but the places that looked like they should clear sometimes rubbed when I was turning. Along the same lines note that if it "only rubs in reverse" it does actually rub when going forward it's just that the angle of your tire lugs is such that you're not hearing it because it's sliding across the tire, not dragging against it...

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Rob and I have been in contact. He is a solid dude and I know they will make every effort to get them out. I shouldn't have waited so long to order them, that's on me. No matter what I'm going to have a great time, so I'm not sweating it... too much.

I spent till 4 am last night cutting and bending for your sliders. Came off of Will’s bench this morning, still too hot to touch in this picture. They still have the milscale all over them. Once Chip wire wheels those to a polished finish, and inspects every mm of weld for porosity, they will go to powder (Monday). Looks like we’ll have you ready for Cruise Moab, even with the compressed timeline. I’m gonna take a nap now.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

DUDE. That is absolutely incredible. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm speechless.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Straight dumbfounded.

 

[Markuson]

I spent till 4 am last night cutting and bending for your sliders. Came off of Will’s bench this morning, still too hot to touch in this picture. They still have the milscale all over them. Once Chip wire wheels those to a polished finish, and inspects every mm of weld for porosity, they will go to powder (Monday). Looks like we’ll have you ready for Cruise Moab, even with the compressed timeline. I’m gonna take a nap now.
View attachment 2230106

Above and beyond, @Taco2Cruiser .