No idea why automaker would put 21” wheels on a truck. Get some 18” wheels and XL rated 285/65r18 Defenders, your ride will improve dramatically and your vehicle will be much better in sand. I would be very nervous about lowering pressure on a 21” wheel.
So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (9 Viewers)
- Thread starter chriscosta416
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Agree completely.. I haven’t taken it in the sand yet for that reason, don’t want to be “that guy” in a flash looking car, bogged to the rails, with the locals all rolling their eyes hahaha!
bloc
SILVER Star
Form over function.
My LX came with the 21" wheels. I put on 18" wheels with Defender tires. I have to admit that I didn't notice a significant difference in the ride (which surprised me). But I do agree that 18" will air down much better on sand.
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I just wanted to update this thread with some LCDC data.
I have the Defender LTX MS2 XL tires in 275/65/18 with about 6K miles on them.
Just got back from LCDC10
Tire pressure was lowered to about 15 PSI for the week. Aired down Monday morning and back up Thursday evening. Ran 50 to 60 mph on the highway back to camp
Ran Mineral, Poughkeepsie (not the wall), Corkscrew, Engineer Pass, Last Dollar Road, Black Bear Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Imogene Pass and Ophir Pass. Many of these trails are made of sharp shale rocks.
After 4 days of off-roading, NO flats, NO cuts and very little abrasion to the side walls. (my wheels did not fare so well)
I have to say, these tires really impressed me. While they did lack a bit of traction in areas where there was a lot of loose dirt on the rocks, I was able to make it over every obstacle that I attempted. Great tire.
I have the Defender LTX MS2 XL tires in 275/65/18 with about 6K miles on them.
Just got back from LCDC10
Tire pressure was lowered to about 15 PSI for the week. Aired down Monday morning and back up Thursday evening. Ran 50 to 60 mph on the highway back to camp
Ran Mineral, Poughkeepsie (not the wall), Corkscrew, Engineer Pass, Last Dollar Road, Black Bear Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Imogene Pass and Ophir Pass. Many of these trails are made of sharp shale rocks.
After 4 days of off-roading, NO flats, NO cuts and very little abrasion to the side walls. (my wheels did not fare so well)
I have to say, these tires really impressed me. While they did lack a bit of traction in areas where there was a lot of loose dirt on the rocks, I was able to make it over every obstacle that I attempted. Great tire.
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How is the ride quality vs. the Toyos? I take it you have the open country? I’m leaning to get the Open country but worried my wife will hate them if she can hear the tires on road trips.
steffen
HELC
Ok, after reading, searching, spending way too much effort on this I’ve decided on these tires versus my tried and true falken wildpeaks. I currently have 285/60s in the LTX on my new to me Heritage. I have OEM spacers to install. I have three questions, that I’ve had a hard time finding an answer to.
1) will the 275/70/18 fit under stock suspension and an strut spacer?
2) if I were to bump up to the 295/70, would this work on my setup if I were to add a 1.25” spacer for more offset? If so, can anyone recommend a good spacer?
3) with mild off-road use (fire trails, light exploring) is there a issue running double spacers (wheel and strut).
Thanks everyone!
1) will the 275/70/18 fit under stock suspension and an strut spacer?
2) if I were to bump up to the 295/70, would this work on my setup if I were to add a 1.25” spacer for more offset? If so, can anyone recommend a good spacer?
3) with mild off-road use (fire trails, light exploring) is there a issue running double spacers (wheel and strut).
Thanks everyone!
I'm way more concerned than you about riding at high speed on low tire pressure. I won't go above 20 mph when I'm aired down to 15 psi.
yes the 275/70 should work with the stock set up. Despite my better judgment, I just purchased the A/T4W 285/70/18's. Was between this and the 295/70 defenders but assume there will be minor rubbing. I'm on Tundra BBS with 1.25" spacers.
Understandable. I keep a close eye on the tire pressure screen when driving watching for heat/pressure buildup. But have driven many miles on all types of roads at lower pressure with no issues so far. I rarely drive more than 10 or 15 miles deflated. There were several others there that were doing the same thing.
Rather than guess, it's easy enough to keep a non-contact thermometer on hand to check sidewall temps. Something like 160-180F max would be reasonable and still allow some margin.
I don't know that specific pressures are useful to trade notes on. Our rigs are all setup differently, with different weights, tire sizes, etc. I do think there is more margin to running at higher speeds in bursts than most are comfortable with. Ambient temp plays a big part in this too.
I don't know that specific pressures are useful to trade notes on. Our rigs are all setup differently, with different weights, tire sizes, etc. I do think there is more margin to running at higher speeds in bursts than most are comfortable with. Ambient temp plays a big part in this too.
bloc
SILVER Star
This. Even pavement color can have a huge impact on road surface temperature and therefore internal tire temp.
That said one of the bigger issues with running 15psi at speed would be sidewall integrity if an emergency maneuver is required…
Nice! I'm about to go with the exact wheel (black), tire, and tire size on my '18. I saw you said no rubbing with this setup. Is your LC fully stock as in no factory leveling kit, etc?Posted this in the wheel and tires thread as well... joined the Defender club after reading this thread. 285/65/18 116T XL. Interestingly the discount tire website show these as SL but they had the same part number as the XL which is what I wanted. Discount Tire had a promotion which is why I took the chance. They were installed today and are confirmed XL.
Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person
www.discounttire.com
View attachment 3647023
View attachment 3647021
Completely stock
(100 owner cautiously posting in the 200 thread...)
Was running P-rated Yoko G015s (tremendous tire), and then went to Grabber ATx in LT - and immediately switched back due to the bone-shuddering ride quality. Will the Defender LTX in the XL ride as harsh as an LT? I'm looking for that just-right-porridge of a stiffer sidewall for towing, but nice, comfy ride for my middle-aged body.
Thanks in advance!
Was running P-rated Yoko G015s (tremendous tire), and then went to Grabber ATx in LT - and immediately switched back due to the bone-shuddering ride quality. Will the Defender LTX in the XL ride as harsh as an LT? I'm looking for that just-right-porridge of a stiffer sidewall for towing, but nice, comfy ride for my middle-aged body.
Thanks in advance!
It is my experience that XL rated tires ride the same as P rated tires. If you are looking for a soft smooth ride, an XL rated Defender LTX M/S will deliver. If you’re looking for a stiffer sidewall than your P rated GO15’s, you may be disappointed as I would expect the sidewall to be similar.
bloc
SILVER Star
Agreed, stay away from the LT flavors and most of the sidewall differences will be pretty inconsequential to ride quality.
Thanks! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear!
CactusHopper
aka PapaCruiser
We are happy with our XL set. Had a Geolander LT and you can feel the difference, granted it is a different tire altogether but still. We've put 10,000 or so on them and they are great. Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 285/65 R18 XL. Correct PSI matters a lot of ride comfort too. Discount always screws up PSI massively, so I have to air them down and re air them after rotations to 34/35.
