Tire size info please

[ALW]

HI - just bought an '05 LX470 with 18" wheels. AHC is working properly so I'd rather not replace yet (112,000 miles). I live in AZ and do some off roading but nothing too hairy. I spend a ton of time on rough Forest Service and BLM roads and I pull a trailer (16' 2,500lbs) several times a year. The car has 275/60R18 street tires that are shot so I'm looking to upgrade. I've been looking at 285/75 and 275/60 but would love some advice from this forum. I put 285s on my '97 with a medium OME lift and no spacers but this 05 I don't want to put a lot in just yet. Any and all thoughts and advice greatly appreciate.

 

[Otter]

285/65/18 BFG All terrains

 

[ALW]

thanks much - love those tires but a bit noisy too - interesting you went with 65's. I was thinking 70's or maybe even 75's. From what I've read on the forum here the 75's won't rub at full wheel articulation with stock suspension. True or False? thanks

 

[Otter]

That's the recommended size for 18" wheels.

I've run multiple sets on different trucks. I don't think they're noisy at all. That's just my opinion, which is what you requested.

Go with what you want.

 

[s2kutah]

275/70 r18
5th tire fits under car

 

[Brandon Ryder]

285/75/18 is a 35" tire.

285/75/16 is a 33" tire. Since you have 18s and you aren't looking to lift, you need what @Otter recommends.

The problem with all these tire threads is that people
A. don't understand metric sizes and
B. Use short hand to refer to a tire size that leaves out critical information.

Which is why you probably read many threads referring to "285/75's" being ok. 16s were the stock wheel size on earlier models.
When talking about metric sizes, to eliminate confusion, always refer to them with included rim size. It affects the overall size.
Here's mine on 285/75/18s(35")

 

[Armed in Utah]

I prefer more tire sidewall than wheel......

went with 17's......yep 5.......

LT 265-70x17's

 

[Otter]

I prefer more tire sidewall than wheel......

went with 17's......yep 5.......

LT 265-70x17's

Same here. Which is why I swapped to 16"wheels.

 

[ALW]

285/75/18 is a 35" tire.

285/75/16 is a 33" tire. Since you have 18s and you aren't looking to lift, you need what @Otter recommends.

The problem with all these tire threads is that people
A. don't understand metric sizes and
B. Use short hand to refer to a tire size that leaves out critical information.

Which is why you probably read many threads referring to "285/75's" being ok. 16s were the stock wheel size on earlier models.
When talking about metric sizes, to eliminate confusion, always refer to them with included rim size. It affects the overall size.
Here's mine on 285/75/18s(35")View attachment 2342310

Thanks much. It’s all quite complicated. If I may ask another question, isthere a reason beyond cosmetics they went to 18s? At first I considered swapping the 18s for 16s but decided not to 2nd guess the Toyota engineers. There are 16s for sale on Craigslist near me. Is there a thread that considers the pros and cons on 16v18? Thanks again for the help.

 

[Otter]

Thanks much. It’s all quite complicated. If I may ask another question, isthere a reason beyond cosmetics they went to 18s? At first I considered swapping the 18s for 16s but decided not to 2nd guess the Toyota engineers. There are 16s for sale on Craigslist near me. Is there a thread that considers the pros and cons on 16v18? Thanks again for the help.

Main benefits to 16s is taller sidewall so you can air down more and less unsprung weight.

 

[Brandon Ryder]

Thanks much. It’s all quite complicated. If I may ask another question, isthere a reason beyond cosmetics they went to 18s? At first I considered swapping the 18s for 16s but decided not to 2nd guess the Toyota engineers. There are 16s for sale on Craigslist near me. Is there a thread that considers the pros and cons on 16v18? Thanks again for the help.

Im sure there is more to it, but a 16 will provide more protection to the rim off road, and 18s will be more stable on road while cornering or high speed maneuvers. I like the look of the 18s better but with 33s the 16s may look meatier

 

[ALW]

That's the recommended size for 18" wheels.

I've run multiple sets on different trucks. I don't think they're noisy at all. That's just my opinion, which is what you requested.

Go with what you want.

Thank-you.

 

[ALW]

Im sure there is more to it, but a 16 will provide more protection to the rim off road, and 18s will be more stable on road while cornering or high speed maneuvers. I like the look of the 18s better but with 33s the 16s may look meatier

Thanks much. Very helpful

 

[suprarx7nut]

Thanks much. It’s all quite complicated. If I may ask another question, isthere a reason beyond cosmetics they went to 18s? At first I considered swapping the 18s for 16s but decided not to 2nd guess the Toyota engineers. There are 16s for sale on Craigslist near me. Is there a thread that considers the pros and cons on 16v18? Thanks again for the help.

275/70/18 is a safe size for perfectly stock AHC. It's what I have on my 06LX right now. It's just a hair over 33".

The 18" wheels provide better aesthetics (to most people) and the smaller sidewall means road handling is improved. On the trail, the more sidewall, the better - hence some preferring the 16" wheels. I think the 275/70/18 have plenty of sidewall to air down to ~20 psi and tackle some of the tougher "moderate" trails.

For my long term plans, I'm looking at 17" wheels with a 295/70/17 or 285/70/17 tire and a wheel offset around 35-40mm (basically non-existent so I'll likely order custom wheels).

If you're not airing down and doing some more difficult trails, 18 wheels are fine.

 

[ALW]

275/70/18 is a safe size for perfectly stock AHC. It's what I have on my 06LX right now. It's just a hair over 33".

The 18" wheels provide better aesthetics (to most people) and the smaller sidewall means road handling is improved. On the trail, the more sidewall, the better - hence some preferring the 16" wheels. I think the 275/70/18 have plenty of sidewall to air down to ~20 psi and tackle some of the tougher "moderate" trails.

For my long term plans, I'm looking at 17" wheels with a 295/70/17 or 285/70/17 tire and a wheel offset around 35-40mm (basically non-existent so I'll likely order custom wheels).

If you're not airing down and doing some more difficult trails, 18 wheels are fine.

ok great - I'll stick with 18s - sounds like me - no rub with AHC on the 70s - got it

 

[medtro]

I prefer more tire sidewall than wheel......

went with 17's......yep 5.......

LT 265-70x17's

Wrong model and wheel, or just wrong forum.