Replacing Stock Sized Tire

[drmwvr]

I'm looking to change my stock tires with all-terrain tires and have narrowed my choices to either the BFG KO2 or Nitto Terra Grappler G2. I will stick with the stock 285/60R18 size. I use my 200 mainly for daily commute, long distance trip with my "off-roading" limited to dirt/rock ranch roads. I do want more puncture resistance as we have some thorns at our place and I'm also in real estate development so I drive to project sites frequently. In addition, I tow a boat that weighs around 3-3.5k with trailer etc. so take that into consideration.

In addition to my 200, I have a '99 100 that I keep at our ranch for hard duty that is built with BFG KOs which have been good tires. However, I want to maintain my stock ride to the extent I can with all-terrains and I have heard good review of both tires presented in the poll. I'm leaning towards the BFG but want to keep an open mind as there seems to be a lot of great options nowadays. Also, let me know if I should be looking at another tire (selections look limited though).

TIA!

 

[SWUtah]

I studied the crap out of this decision and came to the 285/55/20 BFG KO2 decision. Which is good for everything but rock crawling in my size

 

[TeCKis300]

Interesting two tires you landed on. Other than being AT's, in my mind, they are not quite direct competitors.

The K02 is on the aggressive end of the AT tire spectrum. Whereas the NTG G2 is on the mild end. Toyo owns Nitto, with Nitto on the more budget end. Toyo's product line that competes more directly with the K02 would be their Open Country AT II. Note the "II", as it relates to "G2", as both tires went to the longer life II/G2 rubber compound about the same time as they share technology and are related.

If you're looking for a milder AT tire with better on road manners, the NTGs will serve you well. As great as the K02 is, it's on the more aggressive end with likely slightly more NVH and mpg loss.

If you want an aggressive AT tire, the BFG K02s are the default go to premium AT tires. Can't got wrong. They also charge a premium for their position in the market. I believe there are comparable products based on anecdotal comments from a tire engineer in my research. Look at the Falken AT3Ws. I've been more than pleased with my set.

 

[SQRRRL]

Don’t get E rated tires if you want to keep factory ride.

 

[Chocolate]

I would upsize. I say if you're going to upgrade and buy new tires anyway, really upgrade. I regret going with 285/70/17 and will be going with 285/75/17 (34s) next time.
You will be cheating the odometer 4.5-8% (depending on size) too.

I will be going with Falken Wildpeak A/T3W in 285/75/17.

 

[jsuthey]

It's all about replacing stock tires! I'm looking now alsur 2014 LC has 32k miles and stock tires 285/60/18 have decent tread left.I am looking at BFG AT KO2's in stock size price is around 220 ea.So I always like to upsize,285/65/18s are next size up but price jumps to 288 ea.!! And they are E rated. That's just looking on tire rack and tires online.I think we will play it safe and go with stock size KO2's! Will post up pics soon.Good luck with your decision

 

[NMNORSSE]

Sam's Club carries BFG & puts them on sale occasionally. When Costco still had BFG they'd often do a $70 off set of 4 plus free mount/balance, and Discount Tire couldn't beat it.

 

[luke27617]

Order from discount tire direct and have them shipped and installed locally. You will not have to pay tax on tires and they will price match. Often I catch sales on ebay where discount tire offers $100 off when you spend $400. Place couple orders this way.

 

[TonyP]

Pro Tip: If you see one of those eBay deals where you get $100 off $400 or whatever. One can place an order, make another ebay account and place another order to double dip on the savings. Not that I did that with my Coopers and saved a few hundred. Also, my vote goes for Coopers though everyone rides the KO2/Nitto/Falken hype train

 

[RS6tofj80]

Cooper StMaxx's impressed me for their ride quality and look, but for handling the TG2's I had on my 100 were smooth and really balanced out well. The BFG's are a nice mid point tire but will be a bit louder and I'm not sure you cna get them in less then E rating....

E

 

[drmwvr]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

 

[SWUtah]

It's all about replacing stock tires! I'm looking now alsur 2014 LC has 32k miles and stock tires 285/60/18 have decent tread left.I am looking at BFG AT KO2's in stock size price is around 220 ea.So I always like to upsize,285/65/18s are next size up but price jumps to 288 ea.!! And they are E rated. That's just looking on tire rack and tires online.I think we will play it safe and go with stock size KO2's! Will post up pics soon.Good luck with your decision

Went with BFG AT/KO2’s 285/55/20 versus 275/55/20 and they cost like $340 each versus $250 for the 275’s. I paid more for an extra inch of tread width I got the best deal at discount tire

 

[drmwvr]

Cooper StMaxx's impressed me for their ride quality and look, but for handling the TG2's I had on my 100 were smooth and really balanced out well. The BFG's are a nice mid point tire but will be a bit louder and I'm not sure you cna get them in less then E rating....

E

The KO2 in the stock size are load range D. I'm assuming that will ride a little better that E right?

 

[littlegreenmonster]

I have 275/70/18 K02's. Only available in e load in this size. truck feels more planted and not so mushy in turns or when going over small objects. Definite improvement in that regard. K02's will crush your MPG's though. You will lose 1-3 mpg depending on city/hwy and driving habits. I put a set on my 2014 silverado and it crushed it as well. I put Duratraks on my FZJ80 and saw no change from the dunlops that were on it as far as mpg.

 

[RussBow6]

I would upsize. I say if you're going to upgrade and buy new tires anyway, really upgrade. I regret going with 285/70/17 and will be going with 285/75/17 (34s) next time.
You will be cheating the odometer 4.5-8% (depending on size) too.

I will be going with Falken Wildpeak A/T3W in 285/75/17.

can you fit 34s on stock suspension? I thought the limit was 33" on stock 200s but now that I wanted to verify of course I cant find it quickly when i search the 200 series forum...

also for OP, i had the G2s on my 06 LX and they were phenomenal, additional road noise wasnt noticeable even with the E rating and I liked having the 10ply driving around

 

[Chocolate]

can you fit 34s on stock suspension? I thought the limit was 33" on stock 200s but now that I wanted to verify of course I cant find it quickly when i search the 200 series forum...

also for OP, i had the G2s on my 06 LX and they were phenomenal, additional road noise wasnt noticeable even with the E rating and I liked having the 10ply driving around

Check out the photos in this thread where 2 members are running 275/65/20. McGaskins and Ranma are running KO2s in this size which is 34.1 compared to the 285/75/17 which is 33.9. (285/70/17 is 32.7). These are on LXs.

Does anyone actually go 4 wheeling on their stock 20s?

 

[LALC]

@gaijin Would all tires of the same size numbers have the same PSI rating? So 285/60/18 is 33 PSI regardless of what vendor? Or do they differ?

 

[gaijin]

@gaijin Would all tires of the same size numbers have the same PSI rating? So 285/60/18 is 33 PSI regardless of what vendor? Or do they differ?

Good question - and an easy answer.

ALL P285/60R18 tires on a LC200 have a recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure of 33psi F/R.

ALL LT285/60R18 tires on a LC200 have a recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure of 46psi F/R.

Vendor and Load Rating have no effect on the recommended pressure. For LT tires specifically, it makes no difference if the tire is C-Rated, D-Rated or E-Rated - if they are the same size, they require the same pressure.

Recommended pressures are different for LX570's.

HTH

 

[Dan Higgins]

Good question - and an easy answer.

ALL P285/60R18 tires on a LC200 have a recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure of 33psi F/R.

ALL LT285/60R18 tires on a LC200 have a recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure of 46psi F/R.

Vendor and Load Rating have no effect on the recommended pressure. For LT tires specifically, it makes no difference if the tire is C-Rated, D-Rated or E-Rated - if they are the same size, they require the same pressure.

Recommended pressures are different for LX570's.

HTH

Now I’m confused. (Or maybe I have always been confused!). All LTs of the same size require the same pressures? Is it all about sidewall stiffness and volume? Load rating doesn’t matter? Actual load (eg with vs without trailer) doesn’t matter?

 

[gaijin]

Now I’m confused. (Or maybe I have always been confused!). All LTs of the same size require the same pressures? Is it all about sidewall stiffness and volume? Load rating doesn’t matter? Actual load (eg with vs without trailer) doesn’t matter?

Yes. All LT-metric tires of the same size require the same pressure. For example, ALL LT285/70R17 tires on a LC200 require 40psi F/R. It doesn't matter who made the tire - BFG, Nitto, Falken, Cooper, etc. - if the tire is LT285/70R17 it requires 40psi F/R on a LC200.

It's all about the fact that tire manufacturers build tires to a standard set of specifications.

Load Rating - e.g. C, D or E - does not matter. At any given pressure, LT-metric tires of the same size will have the exact same Load Limit whether they are C-Rated, D-Rated or E-Rated. For example, ALL LT285/70R17 tires have a Load Limit of 2,315 pounds when inflated to 40psi. This is the same whether the tire is C-Rated, D-Rated or E-Rated. What changes is the Load Index for the differently rated tires.

Actual load always "matters," the question is what is the effect of a change in actual load. Put the same tire on a different vehicle and the actual load changes as does the recommended pressure. As far as Toyota is concerned, the recommended cold tire inflation pressure is correct for all vehicle loads up to the GVWR/GAWR numbers for that vehicle. In our case, for the LC200 the recommended cold tire inflation pressure is the same with or without a trailer, lightly loaded or fully loaded, as long as the specified loads (e.g. GVWR(7385lb), GAWR(3595lb Front, 4300lb Rear), GTW(8100lb), GCWR(14400lb), etc.) are not exceeded. Of course, we are free to increase tire pressure as a matter of personal preference up to the maximum indicated on the tire.

HTH