The Age Old Tire Debate - 2011 LX570 on 18's

[Zarchery]

Alright, i've bitten the bullet and made an account to get my own debate thread going on tires for my LX570. I've read tons of threads on here and still feel conflicted on what tire to run with. I'm dropping down from the stock 20's to an 18'' wheel and plan on running 285/65/18 tires on the new setup. I have a company car that I daily and my LX is used for trips to the lake, deer woods, etc. When I'm down in the deer woods i do some mild wheeling and that entails some easy trails with decent mud. Our dirt roads are more on the clay side, so when it rains, it's nasty and thick. I'm looking to throw an AT tire on and am torn between the trade and true KO2 or the Toyo ATIII. Love to hear some input from someone who has run both tires for similar amounts of time. I would run the Goodyear duratrac's but don't want to fork over the money for them and they seem to be low on stock.

Also, brand new to the forum and just created my account. Owned my LX for a little over a year and feel like I'm about to fall into the modding rabbit hole. Don't want to take away from the tire argument but while i have the wheels off im considering painting my calipers. Throwing bronze wheels on a black LX. Any thoughts? Matte silver? Forest Green? Dark Dark Blue?

Cheers!

 

[hickuptruck]

No need for 18s in your use. 20s on 33 ATs is plenty sufficient unless you're really are in situations where you need sliders.

Toyo AT3. Period. I just tried getting some in 275/60/20, 285/60/20 and 275/65/20. Huge backorder with no eta from Toyo.

 

[Zarchery]

No need for 18s in your use. 20s on 33 ATs is plenty sufficient unless you're really are in situations where you need sliders.

Toyo AT3. Period. I just tried getting some in 275/60/20, 285/60/20 and 275/65/20. Huge backorder with no eta from Toyo.

I don't disagree. Could easily throw an AT on my 20's and be just fine. I don't like large wheels on SUV's. Personally think a smaller wheel looks a lot better. Already have 18's ordered, not turning back!

 

[TeCKis300]

I'd maybe put Nitto Ridge Grappler on your list as you mention mud. It's a hybrid MT and AT tire, with great NVH manners from those that have commented. I haven't run them myself but ATs will only take you so far when it comes to mud.

 

[panerai7]

18s look small on 200. Yeah it’s better if you’re rock crawling and all that, But they look small and out of place. 20 with KO2 is perfect

 

[grinchy]

Seems like a good wrangler duratrac use case as well, another hybrid to consider is the kenda r/t.

there is a general model which has 275/70r18 in an xl load too.
Of these the Toyo has the newest compound, then the kenda. The others mentioned have a 5 or more year old design.

 

[lx200inAR]

Not helping you any now, since you already ordered, but maybe other people. If you are downgrading from 20s, to me it’s a no brainer to go to 17s (unless getting a great deal on Tundra takeoffs). 285 17s are generally about 15-20% cheaper across the board. After a couple tire changes that will just about pay for the wheels compared to 18s/20s. I’m not sure why the market works this way, with most factory tires being 18+ these days, don’t know why 17 tires are so much cheaper.

 

[TomEf]

18s look small on 200. Yeah it’s better if you’re rock crawling and all that, But they look small and out of place. 20 with KO2 is perfect

Funny, I think 18s look correct and 20s look goofy - at least with stock size tires on the 20s.

Seems like a good wrangler duratrac use case as well, another hybrid to consider is the kenda r/t.

there is a general model which has 275/70r18 in an xl load too.
Of these the Toyo has the newest compound, then the kenda. The others mentioned have a 5 or more year old design.

275/70/18 is a great size for saving money since it's so common. I like a wider tire (went 305/70/16 on my 100) but went with the 275/70/18s on my 200 this time since I couldn't justify the expense at the time.

 

[Madtiger]

The problem with what you’re asking is that you‘re throwing in mud/clay capability. Not many ATs (if any) are good at that.

Another good one that may be same or slightly better in mud is Yokohama X-AT: GEOLANDAR X-AT® - https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/geolandar-x-at

The ONLY negative against this tire is its weight. It is about 5 lbs heavier than other ATs...probably because it is bomb-proof??

For me, i trust tires from big companies. I rank Yokohama, Michelin, BFG, and Bridgestones at top. But that’s just me. YMMV.

 

[Zarchery]

Funny, I think 18s look correct and 20s look goofy - at least with stock size tires on the 20s.



275/70/18 is a great size for saving money since it's so common. I like a wider tire (went 305/70/16 on my 100) but went with the 275/70/18s on my 200 this time since I couldn't justify the expense at the time.

I agree! 20's on the LX give it the ultimate mall cruiser vibe. Dropping down tire size definitely toughens the truck up in regards to looks. Again, just my opinion!

 

[TeCKis300]

Sweet, ultimate mall cruiser status! Just poking fun really and to each their own.

I am an advocate of increasing tire size to get more rubber as the 200-series handles them well. Sure you can pair that with smaller wheel sizes, but there some advantages to keeping large wheels too.

 

[Zarchery]

The problem with what you’re asking is that you‘re throwing in mud/clay capability. Not many ATs (if any) are good at that.

Another good one that may be same or slightly better in mud is Yokohama X-AT: GEOLANDAR X-AT® - https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/geolandar-x-at

The ONLY negative against this tire is its weight. It is about 5 lbs heavier than other ATs...probably because it is bomb-proof??

For me, i trust tires from big companies. I rank Yokohama, Michelin, BFG, and Bridgestones at top. But that’s just me. YMMV.

Yeah I'm slowly finding that most AT's really do terrible in mud.

Sweet, ultimate mall cruiser status! Just poking fun really and to each their own.

View attachment 2655726

Nice setup! What tires are you running?

 

[TeCKis300]

Yeah I'm slowly finding that most AT's really do terrible in mud.

Nice setup! What tires are you running?

Currently running Toyo AT3s in 35x12.5R20. Have also run Falken AT3Ws in 305/55R20s on the stock 20" wheels. Have nothing but great things to say about both sets and sizes.

More info in my sig.

 

[slipkid13]

Go to 18", much better ride, way more tire options and you will save some $$ in tire costs. First thing I did with my LX was ditch the 20s, bought some LC18s, painted them and they look great on the truck. I like Yokohama Geolanders but I have very little experience in mud. The couple of times I dealt with serious mud I just used to Crawl Control and I was good.

 

[04UZJ100]

Currently running Toyo AT3s in 35x12.5R20. Have also run Falken AT3Ws in 305/55R20s on the stock 20" wheels. Have nothing but great things to say about both sets and sizes.

More info in my sig.

Did you ever run the 305s without spacers? Any fitment/rubbing issues?

 

[TeCKis300]

Did you ever run the 305s without spacers? Any fitment/rubbing issues?

Good question and I'm not sure that you can run 305s without any spacers as I haven't tried. I added spacers when I the fitted 305s to correct for scrub radius with the larger diameter tire.

With that setup, it wasn't too bad to resolve fitment and rub issues. Mostly plastic trimming and contouring. More info here

LX570 Slammed on 33's

Cause I know how much you guys love the Sport in SUV. Time to go hunting for some AMGs.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Zarchery]

I'd maybe put Nitto Ridge Grappler on your list as you mention mud. It's a hybrid MT and AT tire, with great NVH manners from those that have commented. I haven't run them myself but e ATs will only take you so far when it comes to mud.

Well, when you made this comment i decided to do some research on the Ridge Grappler. After some digging i ended up having the Toyo OC AT3 and Ridge Grappler at the top of my list. The more and more i researched it seemed like the Ridge Grappler was the best tire for my application. Most AT tires seem to cake up in mud and the Ridge Grappler was about the closest thing to a M/T i could get without actually getting an M/T. It came down to the warranty on the toyo after that. The Nitto has 0 warranty and you get a warranty on the AT3. After careful consideration i decided the Nitto Ridge Grappler was the right tire for me. I ordered them today

I probably spent over 15 hours of solid research trying to pick the right tire for my application. Glad to have finally pulled the trigger.

Anywho, thank you for the recommendation on the Ridge Grappler!

 

[Madtiger]

Well, when you made this comment i decided to do some research on the Ridge Grappler. After some digging i ended up having the Toyo OC AT3 and Ridge Grappler at the top of my list. The more and more i researched it seemed like the Ridge Grappler was the best tire for my application. Most AT tires seem to cake up in mud and the Ridge Grappler was about the closest thing to a M/T i could get without actually getting an M/T. It came down to the warranty on the toyo after that. The Nitto has 0 warranty and you get a warranty on the AT3. After careful consideration i decided the Nitto Ridge Grappler was the right tire for me. I ordered them today

I probably spent over 15 hours of solid research trying to pick the right tire for my application. Glad to have finally pulled the trigger.

Anywho, thank you for the recommendation on the Ridge Grappler!

According to this user…Nitto RG is quite noisy: Yokohama G003 M/T feedback on 200? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/yokohama-g003-m-t-feedback-on-200.1245344/page-2#post-13811152

It acts like a MT on the highway. If true, then might as well get a true MT!

 

[Zarchery]

According to this user…Nitto RG is quite noisy: Yokohama G003 M/T feedback on 200? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/yokohama-g003-m-t-feedback-on-200.1245344/page-2#post-13811152

It acts like a MT on the highway. If true, then might as well get a true MT!

Well coming from an enthusiast that started their journey in the car scene, i will definitely report back with my opinion on them! I already bought the KO2, cancelled the order, and did more research. I'm not turning back again!

 

[lx200inAR]

Well, when you made this comment i decided to do some research on the Ridge Grappler. After some digging i ended up having the Toyo OC AT3 and Ridge Grappler at the top of my list. The more and more i researched it seemed like the Ridge Grappler was the best tire for my application. Most AT tires seem to cake up in mud and the Ridge Grappler was about the closest thing to a M/T i could get without actually getting an M/T. It came down to the warranty on the toyo after that. The Nitto has 0 warranty and you get a warranty on the AT3. After careful consideration i decided the Nitto Ridge Grappler was the right tire for me. I ordered them today

I probably spent over 15 hours of solid research trying to pick the right tire for my application. Glad to have finally pulled the trigger.

Anywho, thank you for the recommendation on the Ridge Grappler!

Ha.. only 15 hours, seems like you got off easy... Hope they fit your needs. I narrowed down to same 2 tires and went with Toyo since I am hoping for better NVH and am not too worried about mud.