Keep 20s w/ 33s or go to 18s w/ 33s?

prez1967 · Apr 19, 2026

2017 LX570.

Upgraded from my original 21” wheels to OEM 20s and installed 275/60/20 BFG KO2s

Im very happy with the setup. My only reservation is the weight of the wheel/tire combo

Id love to drop some weight per corner and handle bumps in the road a bit better.

Truck received fresh AHC globes last summer and the ride is vastly better but you can still feel the harshness over road imperfections.

No complaints about tire performance off road.

What 17s or 18s offer less weight but are also top quality?

Sandroad · Apr 19, 2026

If weight per corner is the concern, consider that tire weight may be more important than wheel weight. For example, the stock size LT BFG KO2 for your Lexus is 55 lbs, whereas the same size XL Michelin Defender LTX MS2 is only 41 lbs. So be sure to look at both wheel and tire weight when changing size just to get lighter. I wonder if your best combo could be the 18” LC OEM wheel with the Defender tires?

TeCKis300 · Apr 20, 2026

Wheel/tires are a conflation of so many factors. Several things are working against ride quality and it's not really weight. Ko2s are known to ride more firmly with less ride quality than many competing ATs. 275s as a tire size also ride poorly as they create straight and stiff sidewall geometry while also needing more inflation pressure.

Sure, 18s can help, but there's many things you can do to get fantastic ride quality on 20s, just as the factory did.

Get 285/55R20s. Or even better 295/55R20s. Get ATs that are ride quality focused including BFG NTG G3s, Yokohama, Micheline LTX, Yoko Geolander G015, or Toyo AT3s.

urinalcake · Apr 20, 2026

If you're wanting to stay with an off-road all-terrain tire, consider a lighter standard load (SL) tire such as the General Grabber AT/X in size 275/70R18 at 46 lbs. 78 lbs including Land Cruiser wheels.
Compared to the same size BFG KO3 in size LT275/70R18 at 59lbs per tire.

The Generals have served me well for my off road excursions, including Grand Canyon north rim and Imogen Pass. I've towed numerous trailers from little 5'x8' utility, to 4-wheel car hauler with 1st gen Tundra in tow, up to a 30' enclosed tandem axle box trailer. Road noise is appropriate for the segment - meaning a slight bit of hum comparable tot eh BFG K02. Rain/wet traction is no issue, contrary to the numerous reports of the BFG K02 (I haven't heard much feedback if the K03 have improved wet traction. Treadwear has been remarkably good - about 60k miles and still have approx 20% tread remaining - will replace this fall. I run dedicated winter tires, so I have no feedback on winter traction, but they are 3-peak mountain snowflake rated if that means anything to you.