Michelin Defender LTX 285/60 R18 on 2021 HE

[yknot123]

Defending the defender by Michelin. Have run the this Michelin tire for twenty years on 80 LC a T100 4x4 and Highlander. Even before this in other vehicles.
This is the old LTX M/S tire. this is a wonderful tire for many reasons.
True 4x4 not at all Capable you bet. Quiet yes, handle well yes, save your life yes.
With Family, lots of road trips in all conditions. Thunderstorms, flash floods, sandy road, gravel, snowstorm, black ice, blizzards, whiteouts, bumper to bumper crawl, snow squall crawl, flooded ponds on interstate, this tire works.

MAIN REASON IS ITS ABILITY TO WORK IN HYDROPLANING SITIUATIONS.

Cruiser notes.
First set went 5Ok
Did not like the soft ness of the ride for comfort or the softness in a turn on snow,
Changed to a 10 PLY sidewall Defender. This made a great difference but does let you know about the bad roads. The Cruiser are heavy plus gear and the side wall squashes with the standard tire.
Cost more but in the end, safer and lasted 100,00K
On our third set now with cruiser at 300,OOOk good till 380K

 

[Madtiger]

I should mention I went from the stock Dunlops, to Ridge Grapplers, then to Defenders.

Toyota literally had weights stacked on tops of weights to attempt to balance the Ridge Grapplers. They finally took them back and replaced with Defenders.

Perhaps I had a bad run of the Ridge Grapplers but, from my experience they were the worst tires I’ve ever had.

I am brand bias. For me, i am only sticking to BIG brand names when it comes to tires. BFG, Michelin, Yokohama, Bridgestones, etc.. I avoid the smaller brands.

For my minivan, i recently got burned by General Altimax RT43…#1 rated by Consumer Reports. What a big mistake. Within 10k miles, the tires howl on the highway. At 30k miles, a bulge develop in sidewall. Went to Yokohama.

 

[luke27617]

I have put defenders on my HE as well but decided to go bigger size 275/65. OEM size looks a little too small

 

[goodnightnyc]

I have put defenders on my HE as well but decided to go bigger size 275/65. OEM size looks a little too small

Any pics of this setup?

 

[MRego]

Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. The wheels look good.

When you say you lost 1-2 points in mpg, what’s your average mpg now with the KO2s?

I’d say it went from 15/14mpg to 13ish. Mixed driving highway/city. Haven’t gone in a long highway trip yet. I will now in the memorial weekend so will report back.

 

[luke27617]

Any pics of this setup?

Here are couple pics

 

[BrownDog09]

Here are couple pics

View attachment 2681690

View attachment 2681691

View attachment 2681692

Looks really clean. It is so refreshing to see more restrained tires on these vehicles. Just seems to fit and not looking like you’re trying too hard to be extreme and ‘overlanding’.

 

[BrownDog09]

Here are couple pics

View attachment 2681690

View attachment 2681691

View attachment 2681692

I just noticed you put the OEM running boards on your HE. Looks good. I use mine all the time. Did you pick those up off of the forum?

 

[luke27617]

I just noticed you put the OEM running boards on your HE. Looks good. I use mine all the time. Did you pick those up off of the forum?

Yes got some help on the forum for those running boards. My wife and daughter had problems getting in/out. Adding coil spacers didn’t help either

 

[nautiquelover]

Has anyone thought about the Michelin LTX A/T2? A little more aggressive than the defenders but still are refined.

 

[Madtiger]

Has anyone thought about the Michelin LTX A/T2? A little more aggressive than the defenders but still are refined.

Really old tire. Not tougher than Defender. Nosier. Less rain traction.

 

[Madtiger]

For those who want 275 Defender, take a look at this: Michelin Agilis CrossClimate 275/65/18 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/michelin-agilis-crossclimate-275-65-18.1164913/#post-12657806

 

[goodnightnyc]

Update. I sold my stock Dunlops (set of 4 with 300 miles) for $450. The Defenders cost me $942 for the set of 4 including tax and installation. So the net cost for the swap was just under $500.

 

[MRego]

Update. I sold my stock Dunlops (set of 4 with 300 miles) for $450. The Defenders cost me $942 for the set of 4 including tax and installation. So the net cost for the swap was just under $500.

Great deal. Post pics later.

 

[Ktaylor]

Great deal. Post pics later.

I am running 275/70/18 with a front end leveling kit. I am very happy with them.

 

[Reckless]

I have LTX MS/2 on my 100 and KO2 DTs on my 200. I went KO2 mostly for looks and have been through 3 sets. Thinking to go back to defenders even though I love the look of KO2. The DTs (harder rubber) have lasted 100k miles and look and drive like new. I can drive my 100 alot faster than my 200 due to tire difference. I stay around 80mph on highway with KO2 and 120 with michelins when Im not looking at speedo. My michelins are 12 years old. Have been toying with idea of putting 35s on LX470 with my extra RW set.

 

[Madtiger]

I have LTX MS/2 on my 100 and KO2 DTs on my 200. I went KO2 mostly for looks and have been through 3 sets. Thinking to go back to defenders even though I love the look of KO2. The DTs (harder rubber) have lasted 100k miles and look and drive like new. I can drive my 100 alot faster than my 200 due to tire difference. I stay around 80mph on highway with KO2 and 120 with michelins when Im not looking at speedo. My michelins are 12 years old. Have been toying with idea of putting 35s on LX470 with my extra RW set.

Wait…you went 120 mph and didn’t know it?! What was your MPG? 1mpg?!

 

[Reckless]

Wait…you went 120 mph and didn’t know it?! What was your MPG? 1mpg?!

MPG is higher than my 200. I think I get 14mph on LX470. It happens all the time as the ride is soo smooth and I live next to 3 freeways. I blamed it on ARB sport suspension on 100 vs stock spring/icon coilovers on 200 but thinking about it its probably the difference in tires.

 

[nautiquelover]

I am running 275/70/18 with a front end leveling kit. I am very happy with them. View attachment 2683778

Why did you decide to go with the AT2s?

 

[CharlieS]

Wait…you went 120 mph and didn’t know it?! What was your MPG? 1mpg?!

120 mph on 12 year old Michelins. Sounds super safe…