Do larger tires make your 100 series handle more slugishly

[chuckscap]

Hi, I have 265/75/16s BFG KOs on my LX470. I've got plenty of wear left on them, but when their time comes I was thinking of going with 285/75/16s. I did that on my 2001 Excursion and while they have tons of room the handling was really different, not terrible, but a lot less nimble. Do you folks notice the same thing? If so, I'm going to stay with 265s.

 

[Spike555]

Short answer yes.
A taller sidewall allows more flex to the sidewall.
A fatter footprint will make them "float" more.

Tires are part of the suspension, change any part of that equation and you'll get a different outcome.
How much different depends. If all you're going for is looks, I wouldn't do it. If you need larger tires to fill the void left by a lift, then go for it.

 

[ETXLX450F]

It will depend on the tire.

If you get an E rated tire it will handle well on road but be less pliable off road.

 

[Greenbean]

Don't forget the added weight also plays a role in what differences you feel.

 

[BEG]

It depends on the tire. A "pizza cutter" tire will be lighter, more aerodynamic and easier on steering components than a wider tire of the same diameter. I run a 255/85R16 on stock wheels and didn't notice much difference in steering/handling, but I did notice a slight drop in acceleration with stock gears.

 

[Manhattan]

Yes - is the short answer.

When I first put 35s on 15" wheels (on a CJ), I was disappointed with the sluggish, dead feel. I mean, EVERY suspension and steering component was new - bushings, tie-rods, knuckles... everything. With the Jeep parked, I turned the steering wheel slowly back and forth from about 11:00 to 1:00 and watched the wheel and tire. The wheel (a 10x15) was moving as it should with the steering wheel input. But that huge sidewall was "absorbing" all of the input. The tread end of the tire was still. The wheel was turning in the tire.

33s on 18s is low-profile compared to ^that^, but the dynamic is the same. Every time you increase sidewall - even heavy/multi ply - you're going to lose a bit of that steering precision. There's a reason sports cars/sedans are riding on 20 and 30 series tires.

Is it bad? Nope. I think my lifted 100 on 33s drives great.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I absolutely love the way our LX470 drives and handles with 275/70-18 combined with AHC

 

[WillW]

Yes.

 

[Drogon]

I agree

Yes.

 

[Simplespirit]

I have 275/70-18 E rated KO2s on my 03 100 and didn't notice any discernable difference, but there has to be some given the increased height, weight, and aggressiveness.

 

[chuckscap]

I was thinking 255/85-16s might be an option, but they only make the BFG MTs in that size, not the KO2s.

 

[bucfl]

Si

I don't have a heavy foot anyway.

 

[Riviera]

I'm running 275/70R18 but eliminated my AHC and am satisfied with the acceleration. Love this rig.

 

[Couvi]

I have 275/70-18 E rated KO2s on my 03 100 and didn't notice any discernable difference, but there has to be some given the increased height, weight, and aggressiveness.

Did you loose a few mpg with that tire? I like those on the 100 series.

 

[SHREDwagon]

285/75 r17 Load E handle have handled great for the last 15k on-road. I'm sure the 16's will handle even better. Make sure your brakes, CV's and TRE's are all in good condition as the added weight will make any failing components more obvious.

 

[Tareq]

you have a 2000, so it has the 4-Speed auto,
so guys with that gearbox will be more helpful to you.

I have 2003 with 5-Speed.
275-70-18, 33.2" ,,,,, came of the car, and I think it pulls great

 

[DuckLN]

I changed from a michelin ltx at to bfg ko2. Factory size on both.

Yes the vehicle is more sluggish and i lost about 1 mpg. Heavier tire with more rolling resistance is fundamentally going to create a reduction in some performance areas.

My .02

 

[Simplespirit]

Did you loose a few mpg with that tire? I like those on the 100 series.

I didn't notice any loss. Part of why I was ok with going from a Tacoma to a 100. With the Tacoma you get slightly better mpg off the lot but mod it or tow with it and you wind up around the same mpg as a 100. With the 100 most mods and towing don't really cause a loss in mpg.