So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us)

[TeCKis300]

I just had Michelin Defender M/S 2 285/65/R18 116T (XL rating) tires installed on my stock 200, and oh boy is this a treat. The 200 rides like a Cadillac now, and that’s coming from somebody who had Michelin Defender M/S in 275/65/R18 previously on.

Not sure what magic Michelin did, but these new tires absorb most of the small undulations in the road, and they are perfectly balanced with no weird vibrations at high speeds.

I would definitely recommend the 285/65/R18 tire size, but make sure to get the 116T rating for a much more plush ride (assuming you’re not doing a ton of off-roading of course, as there are better options than the defenders for that).

Do you know what load index your previous 275/65R18s were?

Besides the noted difference M/S and M/S2s.

As a size, 275/65R18s have continued to prove as a poor riding tire due to the increased pressure requirements and square sidewall geometry reducing compliance. I find it strange why so many still gravitate to fitting 275s...

Granted size options in 18s are minimal but to your point 285 and even 295s are better options IMO.

 

[Zill]

Do you know what load index your previous 275/65R18s were?

Besides the noted difference M/S and M/S2s.

As a size, 275/65R18s have continued to prove as a poor riding tire due to the increased pressure requirements and square sidewall geometry reducing compliance. I find it strange why so many still gravitate to fitting 275s...

Granted size options in 18s are minimal but to your point 285 and even 295s are better options IMO.

The 275/65/R18 Defender tires were also a 116T load index, but what’s interesting is the 275/65/R18’s (41 lbs) are about 3 lbs heavier than the 285/65/R18 (38 lbs), which doesn’t make much sense because the 285’s are a slightly taller and wider tire.

I bet most of that weight is simply a stiffer sidewall design, which is why the ride is not nearly as good. (For a highway based tire)

 

[Zill]

“Better options”?!?!?!?

Hah - life is all about compromises. Tires included

 

[uod]

Searched through this thread. I see that the LTX M/S 2 285/65R18/XL 116T has a RCTIP of 38psi for a LC200. Is the RCTIP the same on a 2017 LX 570? I know there is a small weight difference between the two, and I wasn't sure if that changes the RCTIP. My shop aired these up at 38 psi yesterday when they installed them, and they feel great.

 

[gaijin]

Searched through this thread. I see that the LTX M/S 2 285/65R18/XL 116T has a RCTIP of 38psi for a LC200. Is the RCTIP the same on a 2017 LX 570? I know there is a small weight difference between the two, and I wasn't sure if that changes the RCTIP. My shop aired these up at 38 psi yesterday when they installed them, and they feel great.

You can find out yourself by using the Tire Pressure Calculator here:

Online Tire Pressure Calculator

Just be sure you enter your information correctly.

And don't forget to initialize your TPMS.

HTH

 

[uod]

You can find out yourself by using the Tire Pressure Calculator here:

Online Tire Pressure Calculator

Just be sure you enter your information correctly.

And don't forget to initialize your TPMS.

HTH

Either I'm too stupid to use this tool, or it doesn't appear to have the correct options available to choose from.

The original tires on this LX 570 were 275/50R21 113V. I do not recall the tire having an XL designation. The door placard matches (275/50R21) and the tire pressure from the door placard is 33psi. The tool only has an option for these being XL.

The new tires are 286/65R18 XL 116T. The tool doesn't have an XL option for this tire --- only SL.

 

[gaijin]

Either I'm too stupid to use this tool, or it doesn't appear to have the correct options available to choose from.

The original tires on this LX 570 were 275/50R21 113V. I do not recall the tire having an XL designation. The door placard matches (275/50R21) and the tire pressure from the door placard is 33psi. The tool only has an option for these being XL.

The new tires are 286/65R18 XL 116T. The tool doesn't have an XL option for this tire --- only SL.

View attachment 4030957

Then I would refer you to the excelent monograph on aftermarket tire pressure calculation published by Toyo Tires, found here:

Guidelines for the Application of Load and Inflation Tables

HTH

 

[uod]

Then I would refer you to the excelent monograph on aftermarket tire pressure calculation published by Toyo Tires, found here:

Guidelines for the Application of Load and Inflation Tables

HTH

I was actually reading through that same doc as you posted it. Very informative read.

For anyone else wondering, if you take a look at the original OEM tires on these LX 570s (Dunlop PT3As), they were a 275/50R21 XL 113V (as can be found on Dunlop's page here: Original Equipment | Dunlop Tires - https://www.dunloptires.com/original-equipment)

The placard on the vehicle states 33psi, which corresponds to a load of 2105lb according to the ETRTO Reinforced Load Inflation Table (113 load at 33psi).

To reach that same load with a 116T XL, you would only need 30psi according to the table.

That sounds very underinflated. What is interesting is that these same 116T XLs for a LC200 have been recommended to be inflated to 38psi, which gives a load carrying capacity of 2524.

I think I am going to keep these at 38psi. Perhaps a chalk test is in order.

 

[bloc]

I was actually reading through that same doc as you posted it. Very informative read.

For anyone else wondering, if you take a look at the original OEM tires on these LX 570s (Dunlop PT3As), they were a 275/50R21 XL 113V (as can be found on Dunlop's page here: Original Equipment | Dunlop Tires - https://www.dunloptires.com/original-equipment)

The placard on the vehicle states 33psi, which corresponds to a load of 2105lb according to the ETRTO Reinforced Load Inflation Table (113 load at 33psi).

To reach that same load with a 116T XL, you would only need 30psi according to the table.

That sounds very underinflated. What is interesting is that these same 116T XLs for a LC200 have been recommended to be inflated to 38psi, which gives a load carrying capacity of 2524.

I think I am going to keep these at 38psi. Perhaps a chalk test is in order.

Yeah that shows a deficiency in the "industry standard" method of doing the calculation. That technically matches the load carrying capability of stock, but it wouldn't necessarily match other aspects of tire performance like sidewall support during cornering, just to pick one.

Your new tires are very close to the 285/60R18s that came stock on the 200-series landcruiser in the US, which also called for 33 psi. Your 38 could probably drop a couple psi to get close to the behavior of those slightly shorter sidewalls.. but as you suggested some experimentation could yield great results.

 

[Sandroad]

I just had Michelin Defender M/S 2 285/65/R18 116T (XL rating) tires installed on my stock 200, and oh boy is this a treat. The 200 rides like a Cadillac now, and that’s coming from somebody who had Michelin Defender M/S in 275/65/R18 previously on.

Not sure what magic Michelin did, but these new tires absorb most of the small undulations in the road, and they are perfectly balanced with no weird vibrations at high speeds.

I would definitely recommend the 285/65/R18 tire size, but make sure to get the 116T rating for a much more plush ride (assuming you’re not doing a ton of off-roading of course, as there are better options than the defenders for that).

I appreciate that report. I’m going to do the same thing and happy to know about the improvement.

 

[hokiehigh]

I'm getting ready to ditch the stock 21in wheels on my newly acquired 17' LX570, and got a set of used 18in takeoffs from a 08' LC200, decided to go with Defender LTX M/S2 in the size of 265/70R18 116T XL. Since the new LX700h OT comes stock with this size and it's heavier than LX570, so I feel comfortable going with a slightly narrower tire. My planned driving will be long trips mostly paved road, maybe 5-10% easy to moderate trail so comfort and mpg are more important.

What's the recommended tire pressure for this setup? TIA

 

[willstroo]

I'm getting ready to ditch the stock 21in wheels on my newly acquired 17' LX570, and got a set of used 18in takeoffs from a 08' LC200, decided to go with Defender LTX M/S2 in the size of 265/70R18 116T XL. Since the new LX700h OT comes stock with this size and it's heavier than LX570, so I feel comfortable going with a slightly narrower tire. My planned driving will be long trips mostly paved road, maybe 5-10% easy to moderate trail so comfort and mpg are more important.

What's the recommended tire pressure for this setup? TIA

Please report on this setup when you have a few miles on them

 

[M1911]

Having put Defenders on 18" wheels on my 570, I will say that one downside is that the truck has poor on-center feel and wanders noticeably in crosswinds. I don't know if the 21" wheels tracked better.

 

[doru]

They're perfect on my LX 20".

 

[Sandroad]

Having put Defenders on 18" wheels on my 570, I will say that one downside is that the truck has poor on-center feel and wanders noticeably in crosswinds. I don't know if the 21" wheels tracked better.

Hmmm.......how is the alignment?

 

[M1911]

Hmmm.......how is the alignment?

It's spot on. I had it aligned at a very good shop. My old 2013 Land Cruiser also didn't have good on-center feel on the highway.

 

[Dunbar]

Which load range do I get? SL XL or E?
I have run Cooper Discoverer LTX AT3 and Nitto Ridge Grappler both in load range E in 285 65 18. The 200 see's dirt roads and ranch roads in Texas and some fire roads in the Rockies. I have the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 on my Excursion and plan to get them for the 200 series as well. The 200 is about to mount an ARB bull bar, Slee Sliders, Slee rear bumper and 12.5 aux tank. We load the truck down with 5 people a fridge and one or two Yakima 21cuft roof boxes. We tow an 8000lb Tritoon or a 8.5x16 enclosed or a small 4x8 enclosed trailer. We just made a trip with the winter tires, Blizzak P275/65R 18 and they ride very nice. We towed the small trailer and filled the truck and it did fine. Normally I would automatically go with E range but am considering the SL and XL for better ride. Usually I will pull the heavier trailers with the 7.3 Excursion but want to be able to use the 200 as well. What load range would you get in my situation? BTW, I still run BFG AT KO2's on my FJ62.

 

[Ratchey]

Which load range do I get? SL XL or E?
I have run Cooper Discoverer LTX AT3 and Nitto Ridge Grappler both in load range E in 285 65 18. The 200 see's dirt roads and ranch roads in Texas and some fire roads in the Rockies. I have the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 on my Excursion and plan to get them for the 200 series as well. The 200 is about to mount an ARB bull bar, Slee Sliders, Slee rear bumper and 12.5 aux tank. We load the truck down with 5 people a fridge and one or two Yakima 21cuft roof boxes. We tow an 8000lb Tritoon or a 8.5x16 enclosed or a small 4x8 enclosed trailer. We just made a trip with the winter tires, Blizzak P275/65R 18 and they ride very nice. We towed the small trailer and filled the truck and it did fine. Normally I would automatically go with E range but am considering the SL and XL for better ride. Usually I will pull the heavier trailers with the 7.3 Excursion but want to be able to use the 200 as well. What load range would you get in my situation? BTW, I still run BFG AT KO2's on my FJ62.

I run the XLs. I think the SL would be too light especially for what you would use them for.

 

[Trusty Rusty]

Which load range do I get? SL XL or E?
I have run Cooper Discoverer LTX AT3 and Nitto Ridge Grappler both in load range E in 285 65 18. The 200 see's dirt roads and ranch roads in Texas and some fire roads in the Rockies. I have the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 on my Excursion and plan to get them for the 200 series as well. The 200 is about to mount an ARB bull bar, Slee Sliders, Slee rear bumper and 12.5 aux tank. We load the truck down with 5 people a fridge and one or two Yakima 21cuft roof boxes. We tow an 8000lb Tritoon or a 8.5x16 enclosed or a small 4x8 enclosed trailer. We just made a trip with the winter tires, Blizzak P275/65R 18 and they ride very nice. We towed the small trailer and filled the truck and it did fine. Normally I would automatically go with E range but am considering the SL and XL for better ride. Usually I will pull the heavier trailers with the 7.3 Excursion but want to be able to use the 200 as well. What load range would you get in my situation? BTW, I still run BFG AT KO2's on my FJ62.

38lbs/tire vs. 53lbs/tire (at least what the spec sheets say)...given your use case, and how little the 200 seems to "complain" with a slightly heavier tire (AND how dang smooth/compliant the LTX's are), I'd vote for the heavier E rated offering. Might notice a slightly stiffer/rougher ride, but probably trivial difference compared to any other AT options on the road.

I run Cooper AT3 XLT's (37's on the 80, 34's on my 2G Tundra) and it's a similar effect....E rated, but such a good highway-oriented AT tire. Otherwise always hunting for the "perfect" AT tire that doesn't hum like crazy and can get some mileage on the highway, has some off-road capabilities, all while being offered in lighter load ratings for a somewhat more pleasant ride. Running the new Cooper Stronghold AT in E rating on our 200 mounted on RW's, and they're not nearly as quiet as the AT3 XLT's...which was to be expected, but still disappointed in Goodyear's stupid decision-making killing off some of Cooper's offerings.

I wish Michelin had slightly larger/broader sizing offerings in the LTX - all around great tire, and they should be given the price!

 

[novamarc]

I run the XLs. I think the SL would be too light especially for what you would use them for.

I think I discovered this recently, but XL and SL get used interchangeably depending on the manufacture and website. Michelin has the MS2 listed as an XL on their site depending on the size, but Discount Tire Co has the same tire listed as an SL (285/65r18), both product codes show a 116T load index though, and after calling Discount Tire Co to inquire on the issue, XL and SL are the same, it’s just marketing, and depending on what website you’re looking at it will read one way or another.