I recently replaced the wheels and tires on my 2013 with Fuel Tactic 18X9 wheels and Nitto Terra Grappler G2 285/60R18's from the stock wheels and Michelin Defender M/S 285/60R18. Everything was a stock size replacement with the exception of the offset of the Fuel wheels. Their offset was 20mm and factory is 60. Scrubbed a little so I trimmed the mudflap. The issue is the ride. I know it's not going to ride as good as the Michelin road tire that was on it. However, it rides worse than my F350 CCLWB truck on 37" Ridge Grapplers and my lifted '99 LC on 35" BFG's. The shop swore they had balanced the tires but from 35mph on there is a vibration you can feel in the wheel, actually you can feel a bit of vibration at slow speeds too. At 70mph it's a hand full. I had the G2's on a 2013 RAM 2500 CTD and they were a very smooth ride for a 35" AT tire, they wore out pretty fast but that was a heavy truck with a ton of torque. I've taken it back to the shop and told them to rebalance it but wanted to get feedback here to see if anyone else had experienced a massive ride difference on the 200 when swapping to a mildly aggressive AT tire.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2?
- Thread starter Mark Smith
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Sounds like your have a balance or tire defect issue? A road force balancing machine may help them troubleshoot this and I wouldn't accept the tires with a vibration issue.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the NTG G2s. Yet they are a really dated design almost a decade old now. Are these terra grapplers or some other grappler in Nitto's line-up as it's easy to mix up.
I would consider one of the more modern tires that has much higher levels of performance all around. Toyo AT3s, having been released last year would be a great option.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the NTG G2s. Yet they are a really dated design almost a decade old now. Are these terra grapplers or some other grappler in Nitto's line-up as it's easy to mix up.
I would consider one of the more modern tires that has much higher levels of performance all around. Toyo AT3s, having been released last year would be a great option.
I suggest taking them back due to the issues you're experiencing and swapping to something more modern. The G2 design is truly ancient compared with just about everything else on the market, and I think you'd be happier with almost anything else from Nitto, Toyo, Falken, Cooper, BFG, etc. There are a ton of great tires that have been released in the last 3 years with better compounds, better performance, better in all conditions including snow (some are even rated as "snow tires"), better looks, lower noise, and more. The G2 isn't worth trouble shooting, and Nitto has released several tires that are better in every way since the G2 came out.
I had a set of those on a 4Runner I had several years ago. Same issues as you. Sorry to say, they are crap tires and I could never quite get them balanced. Same issues with Ridge Grapplers - I’ve never quite developed a taste for the Nitto kool aid.
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The shop road tested the vehicle and was in full agreement something wasn't right. They rebalanced them and it is much better but not perfect. I'm going to take them to a shop that can force balance them and see if that improves it any if this next day trip doesn't show me anything different. I've got about 6hrs behind the wheel tomorrow on better roads that I have been driving on. It's difficult to get a real good indication with the condition of our roads in coastal SC.
285/65R18 is just about the defacto upsized tire for an 18" wheel. It's a safe and great all around size.
Personally, I much prefer wider tires as the big bodied 200-series sits better on them aesthetically. With all the weight, it does benefit with the added rubber for cornering and braking, as going to AT tires does trade traction.
These sizes may be harder to find, but I'd recommend a 33x12.5R18 or 305/60R18.
More to the point, since you're willing to go more aggressive on tire type, look into a Nitto Ridge Grappler in 306/60R18. Perhaps pair with a .75" spacer.
Personally, I much prefer wider tires as the big bodied 200-series sits better on them aesthetically. With all the weight, it does benefit with the added rubber for cornering and braking, as going to AT tires does trade traction.
These sizes may be harder to find, but I'd recommend a 33x12.5R18 or 305/60R18.
More to the point, since you're willing to go more aggressive on tire type, look into a Nitto Ridge Grappler in 306/60R18. Perhaps pair with a .75" spacer.
I have ran a couple of sets of these and loved them. As others have said, if you are getting this kind of performance there is an issue. Take them back in and get them balanced correctly and make sure the pressure is not maxed out (as many shops due when they really don't know)
I have these on my new to me 2013 LX570, tires were brand new with the vehicle. I was excited to try out a new tire that wasn't necessarily on my radar.
I have had the alignment redone twice and they are definitely a handful above 70MPH. (My previous 2008 LX570 on stock Dunlops as well as 34" Falken Wildpeak AT3W's was dead stable right up to the speed limiter) Ride is terrible, noise is not great. Wet and snow performance is frankly the worst I have experienced with any modern tire. One sidewall failed on our first (very mild) offroad excursion, discount tire replaced under warranty.
Just my experience with these but can't say I'll be considering them in the future.
I have had the alignment redone twice and they are definitely a handful above 70MPH. (My previous 2008 LX570 on stock Dunlops as well as 34" Falken Wildpeak AT3W's was dead stable right up to the speed limiter) Ride is terrible, noise is not great. Wet and snow performance is frankly the worst I have experienced with any modern tire. One sidewall failed on our first (very mild) offroad excursion, discount tire replaced under warranty.
Just my experience with these but can't say I'll be considering them in the future.
