New Member First LC

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M

macontrax

Joined
Oct 27, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
17
Location
Georgia
Hi everyone, As the title states I just purchased my first LC and a few days before that I discovered this very informative forum. I bought a brand new 2019 from my local dealer here in GA.
Right now I plan on keeping the upgrades pretty minimal until I get some milage on it but I would like to upgrade the tires to a more aggressive AT tire. From the database you all have been so diligent to post and maintain it looks like the KO2 and the Trail Grappler seem to be a very popular tire for the no lift stock 18" wheel guys like myself. What I did notice is it seems like there are 2 different sizes that tend to be used. 275/70 and 285/65. This is a daily driver for me that will also spend a lot of time in North GA on dirt /gravel switchbacks. Just wanting to make sure I'm getting started in the right direction here... If you have a stocker with said tires or anything you feel is another good option I'd love to see a picture if you're willing to share. Look forward to learning more from everyone! Thanks in advance!
 
See my signature. I just got last week BFG KO2 in STOCK size (285/60/18). I did NOT want to upsize it because:

1. I would have to replace the spare too....and that would add $$...instead of replacing 4 tires, i would have to spend on 5.

2. Larger diameter tires (even with just +1) in my past vehicles have not been pleasant on the highway when using cruising control and having to go up bridges/overpass. In addition, since i love Colorado and the mountain passes, bigger tires mean more work for my powertrain.

3. Larger = more unsprung weight. And BFG KO2 are porky enough (some 13-15 lbs more PER tire over stock)! I don't need to strap 2-8 more lbs on top of that per upsized tire to the powertrain.

3.5 Because i still have my stock spare tire (Grandtrek), i am saving 13-15 lbs on my LC's rear end by keeping stock tire vs. upsizing.

4. And there is a slight chance of rubbing...which easy to cure...but i don't want to modify anything on my LC just to fit tires.

But there are PLENTY of good reasons to get bigger tires...so, don't let my reasons above dissuade you.

Good luck with your new tires.
 
Welcome! One day I might end up in a 16+.. it definitely won’t be new though.

In your research make sure you look into what load ratings your options are available in. Most 285/65/18s are e-rated LT tires and will have a big impact on ride quality due to increased weight and higher required pressure. Also your mileage will suffer.

275/70 is available in more load ratings but still not many p-metric so it’ll have similar drawbacks.

Oh and there are tons of pictures here already. Google “site:Ih8mud.com 285/65” and go to images for a lot of results. Same for your other size/model options.

Enjoy that shiny new rig!
 
I got the K02s in the next size up, 285/65/18 and I love them. It's my wife's daily driver and she thinks they're awesome as well. Same amount of noise than stock. Completely change the look of the truck.
 
Welcome to the forum! Those sizes are both good choices. The 275/70R18 are about half an inch taller as well as narrower than the 285/65R18. It's all up to your preference, but either should work fine on a stock setup.

Besides the BFG KO2, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and General Grabber ATX are also nice tires to look into. For an even more aggressive tire (almost a mud terrain but not quite), the Nitto Ridge Grappler and Cooper STT Pro are nice too.
 
Congrats on your truck, I have a 2016 and love it. Regarding tires, I think your first decision is whether you want or need LT rated tires, which will have more unsprung weight, will require higher tire pressure and will impact ride and MPG. If you need the tougher sidewall of an LT rated tire then you will have lots of choices in 275/70/18 and 285/65/18 as well as the stock 285/60/18.

If you don’t need an LT rated tire and want to keep the soft ride and mpg of stock (and also the better braking, shorter stopping distance and better acceleration) that comes with a P rated tire, then your choices for AT tires are dependent on tire size. P rated AT tires are available in stock size, and lots of P rated AT’s in 275/65/18, but no P rated choices in 285/65/18. There is one P rated AT tire in 275/70/18: the General Grabber APT.

If you’re just on gravel and dirt, you may be happier with a P rated tire. If you’re doing hard core off-road then an LT tire will be worth it. Note that all KO2’s are LT rated, regardless of tire size.
 
JohnPW is on point. I actually went down to a 17" rock warrior wheel in large part to be able to run a P-metric 285/70R17 toyo ATII. Between the very light wheel and slightly heavier than stock tire, this combination is still slightly taller than 285/65/18, but roughly the same weight and pressure as stock so it handles really well. This decision also came from acknowledging that the vast majority of my miles were on the road, so getting a tire better suited to those conditions made sense. And they still perform well off-road, though I'm more careful with the sidewalls than I would be with a KO2.

I had 285/65/18 KO2s and frankly hated the ride.. though as posted lots of others really like them. I think a big part of it is the stock suspension has trouble dealing with an extra 15# of tire in the worst possible place, plus 10 extra PSI. Plans to go with a better suspension setup? It'll likely shrug off the weight and pressure difference just fine.

That said, within LT rated tires there are C, D and E loads. E is the heaviest duty, and what most 285/65 variants will be. Other sizes might have a C-load tire and while it would still require more pressure, it would weigh in closely to a p-metric and be something of a middle ground.
 
Tires are the most important part of any vehicle and it will define the character by which she drives and performs.

Sounds like reasonably mild usage, which the stockers are capable of. It's a good opportunity to upgrade though. I'd highly recommend 285/65r18.

Notes:
1) I would never downsize any dimension of a stock tire, from 285 to 275. If one thinks about "upgrading" why would one willingly give up facets of performance - namely dynamic performance in stopping and cornering, i.e. safety? AT tire tread and compound aren't known for tarmac performance, so doubly giving up by going ATs and a narrower tire, you can see why I'm critical of this one.
2) A 285/65r18 diameter tire is very similar to an OEM approved 285/70r17 fitment on Rock Warrior wheels. You'll find this has benefits to drivability on account of the 5.7L torque and the 8-speeds very low gearing. By going up a size, it can mitigate some of the sidewall stiffness of LT tires.
3) Tire lift - this is the only opportunity for real lift, that actually lifts the rear axle for more ground clearance. Suspension lifts won't change that critical dimension. I'm a firm believer in larger tires and minimal to no suspension lift for the best handling performance.
 
Last edited:
TeCKis300 said:
Tires are the most important part of any vehicle and it will define the character by which she drives and performs.

Sounds like reasonably mild usage, which the stockers are capable of. It's a good opportunity to upgrade though. I'd highly recommend a 285/65r18.

Notes:
1) I would never downsize any dimension of a stock tire, from 285 to 275. If one thinks about "upgrading" why would one willingly give up facets of performance - namely dynamic performance in stopping and cornering, i.e. safety? AT tire tread and compound aren't known for tarmac performance, so doubly giving up by going ATs and a narrower tire, you can see why I'm critical of this one.
2) A 285/65r18 diameter tire is very similar to an OEM approved 285/70r17 fitment on Rock Warrior wheels. You'll find this has benefits to drivability on account of the 5.7L torque and the 8-speeds very low gearing. By going up a size, it can mitigate some of the sidewall stiffness of LT tires.
3) Tire lift - this is the only opportunity for real lift, that actually lifts the rear axle for more ground clearance. Suspension lifts won't change that critical dimension. I'm a firm believer in larger tires for minimal to no suspension lift for the best handling performance.
Click to expand...
Interesting perspective from someone with more experience than me. But I have to question item 1 in your post. I have to believe that the difference between P rated versus LT-E rated tires will have a bigger impact on braking, and probably cornering as well, than the difference between a 275 and 285 aspect ratio. If you need the stiff sidewall and deep tread of LT-E tires, great. But intuitively I would be shocked if braking performance was better with LT-E rated 285/65r18’s, versus P rated 275/65r18’s.
 
JohnPW said:
Interesting perspective from someone with more experience than me. But I have to question item 1 in your post. I have to believe that the difference between P rated versus LT-E rated tires will have a bigger impact on braking, and probably cornering as well, than the difference between a 275 and 285 aspect ratio. If you need the stiff sidewall and deep tread of LT-E tires, great. But intuitively I would be shocked if braking performance was better with LT-E rated 285/65r18’s, versus P rated 275/65r18’s.
Click to expand...

Not completely incorrect, but LT-E vs P isn't the significant variable, which is really concerned about internal sidewall construction for load handing vs outward characteristics. It's going to come down to tread design, compound, and most importantly contact patch.

A 285/65r18 is going to have a larger contact patch by virtue of both overall diameter and width.
 
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