Tire rabbit hole - 285/70r18 | 285/75/r17 need some details confirmed (1 Viewer)

[themanwithnoname]

I honestly haven’t heard of any recent negatives or issues with methods. Icon has seen a recent rash of cracks. Methods are made in China, disappointing, so I guess the opportunity for a bad batch is more probable than with others like the Evo Corse or Rock Warriors.
The challenges of getting the tire bead to seat can be a real issue for shops as the wheels lip is massive and has grooves, that make it hard to get the tire installed.
I have the MR701 (18x9 25mm offset)

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Yeah, I guess no matter what, somebody will have a bad experience with any product. I'd have to go with the 18" Methods to get +25 offset, was hoping to go 17", but, maybe I'm navel-gazing this one. (probably)

 

[TLC2013]

There should be either a 25mm or a 35mm offfset Method with the bead grip in the 17" flavor. If you are not going with the bead grip i don't see any beneifit of choosing Method over Icon, kmc, alpha equipt,...etc.

 

[themanwithnoname]

I was using the ARB deflator, it’s good but the Apex are on another level in a different universe. Seriously, it’s 10 seconds per tire and none of the brass rubbing off on your hands like the ARB deflator… you’ll want some earplugs tho.

I also use the MORRFlate tire octopus inflator thing. Utah in the summer I’ll run it, especially if I’m airing up my camper as well. This last trip to Big Bend I was fine going tire to tire as it was pretty quick thanks to the Apex valves. They have a special high flow chuck you can buy and, while skeptical at first, I was surprised by its performance.

I am not paid for my opinion, those valves are just that good. Go through that thread tho as you’ll need new TPMS sensors.

The rebound pro’s weigh a little more so if you’re concerned about inspiring weight keep that in mind. I think their weight limit is higher and that was one of the reasons I went with them, my Cruiser is a little on the husky side and I tow off road a lot so I wanted something that could take more abuse.

Good to know! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. My understanding is the LC200 can only have one set of wheels with TPMS, so, if I want to run a set of Blizzaks on stock rims for skiing, do I still need TPMS sensors in the other set of wheels?

 

[themanwithnoname]

There should be either a 25mm or a 35mm offfset Method with the bead grip in the 17" flavor. If you are not going with the bead grip i don't see any beneifit of choosing Method over Icon, kmc, alpha equipt,...etc.

From spending some time on their site, looks like the 17" wheels that are 5x150 are all +35. I could go 18" and sacrifice the extra sidewall. Hmmm.

 

[Artie]

Good to know! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. My understanding is the LC200 can only have one set of wheels with TPMS, so, if I want to run a set of Blizzaks on stock rims for skiing, do I still need TPMS sensors in the other set of wheels?

Yes, your Cruiser can have only one set of TPMS at a time. Since you are going to be switching between sets of wheels and will need a set of sensors anyway, I would recommend spending a little more and buying this TPMS programming tool and sensors. My discount tire wanted $62 for each sensor, at 5 sensors you’re looking at $310. That tool and 10 sensors is $385 and you can program any schrader sensor.

Again, just something to consider. I have a weakness for tools and hate paying someone to do something I can learn and do myself… 2 really costly but handy traits. Anyway, if yiure going to be switching wheel sets around you may want to consider the tool. This will allow you to make the switch at home. If you’re not the wrenching type and prefer a shop to do this than go that route.

 

[themanwithnoname]

Yes, your Cruiser can have only one set of TPMS at a time. Since you are going to be switching between sets of wheels and will need a set of sensors anyway, I would recommend spending a little more and buying this TPMS programming tool and sensors. My discount tire wanted $62 for each sensor, at 5 sensors you’re looking at $310. That tool and 10 sensors is $385 and you can program any schrader sensor.

Again, just something to consider. I have a weakness for tools and hate paying someone to do something I can learn and do myself… 2 really costly but handy traits. Anyway, if yiure going to be switching wheel sets around you may want to consider the tool. This will allow you to make the switch at home. If you’re not the wrenching type and prefer a shop to do this than go that route.

I love tools, so, I'm right there with doing it myself when I can. I can do a wheel/tire swap at home, so having the tpms programmer makes total sense.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[100kiwi]

Nice! I've only ever done it in a Jeep. Have you ever taken a 200 on Lippincott road? Over the past few decades that road has deteriorated dramatically, not sure what it looks like now.

Yes, last time was March of 2021. Back then it was pretty tame.

 

[themanwithnoname]

Yes, last time was March of 2021. Back then it was pretty tame.

Oh nice, they must have gone through and graded the road. Last time I was on it was 2014, and we drove it out of the Racetrack in the Rubicon, it was barely a road!

 

[tbisaacs]

You can see how pronounced the lip and grooves are. They really hold onto the bead when aired down.

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Just to confirm, I've gone down to like 6-psi with my methods. The bead grip holds really well.

 

[themanwithnoname]

Just to confirm, I've gone down to like 6-psi with my methods. The bead grip holds really well.

That's awesome. Still navel gazing over the wheel choice.

 

[MRego]

This last trip to Big Bend I was fine going tire to tire as it was pretty quick thanks to the Apex valves

How much did you air down to? I am going to Big Bend this Thursday for the extended weekend. I am running 285/65/18 E rated KO3s. Any tips or tricks around in terms of must do trails? Thanks

 

[Artie]

How much did you air down to? I am going to Big Bend this Thursday for the extended weekend. I am running 285/65/18 E rated KO3s. Any tips or tricks around in terms of must do trails? Thanks

I went down to 18-20psi.

We did River road which has Mariscal mines, the mine is definitely worth the stop and that road runs close to the border and river and is a good drive. We did encounter some “new arrivals” on this road but boarder patrol was there right after us, this was Christmas so I’m assuming things are different as far as that goes.

We also did Old Ore Road and it was a great one as well, a little more difficult than River road.

Definitely do Santa Elena Canyon trail if you can handle a 1 mile hike. You can explore all around in there and my kids loved it.

Dog canyon hike was cool once you get into the canyon but the hike across the exposed area was kinda hot during Christmas, I’m sure it’s hotter now. Saw lots of Mountian lion tracks back in there.

We went up into the Basin but did not hike, there were too many people for us.

There is one gas station in the park, get gas before you need it because they run out often. The park is remote and there’s no other gas around there so fill up before you head in as well.

We camped in 2 spots as well. Night sky’s are legit there, we brought our 8 inch SCT as our luxury item… the darkness did not disappoint.

 

[MRego]

We did encounter some “new arrivals” on this road but boarder patrol was there right after us, this was Christmas so I’m assuming things are different as far as that goes.

Thanks for the tips. I think 18-20 psi is a little too aggressive for my 65 profile ko3s. Don't want to pop a tire. Will stick to 22-25psi. Interesting to know about the border patrol. Did you take your passport with you? Did they stop you? I am assuming you did not try black gap road?

 

[Artie]

Thanks for the tips. I think 18-20 psi is a little too aggressive for my 65 profile ko3s. Don't want to pop a tire. Will stick to 22-25psi. Interesting to know about the border patrol. Did you take your passport with you? Did they stop you? I am assuming you did not try black gap road?

22-25 will be good. I’m running 75/17’s so I have a little more sidewall.

We did not carry passports as we had zero plans on crossing into Mexico. We did encounter a well established boarder patrol checkpoint north of Elephant mountain WMA, it’s a mandatory stop and not a problem going through. We did not have to deal with any other boarder patrol.

We did not do Black Gap road but it does intersect with River Road. It’s ranked the same so I’m assuming it’s not much different than River Road or Old Ore road. You’re running E rated tires so air down and you’ll be fine.