tire size?

[1meancruiser]

I did a quick search, couldn't fine much so i thought i'd post my own thread.

I recently bought a 2006 LC. Looking at replacing the tires with BFG A/T's. I had these tires on my rover and really like them and liked the 70k mile+ life.

I'm looking at two different sizes and i thought i'd get some input:
275/65/18 slightly higher than the 60 stock height but stock otherwise. Overall size is 32" versus the stock 31".
275/70/18 a good 2"'s taller in tire size for an overall size of 33", I like the idea but I am concerned about two things. How much it'll effect the gearing and hence the torque and power of the LC both on street and hwy? Also, will it fit? I have AHC for whatever difference that may make.

thanks in advance...

 

[arbetrader]

I have 275/70/18's on my LX. Drives great, I can hardly feel any power difference (it's a lot more noticeable on the 80 series) but it is very slight. The size is about 33.2" so go for it, they look and fit perfect!

 

[1meancruiser]

I have 275/70/18's on my LX. Drives great, I can hardly feel any power difference (it's a lot more noticeable on the 80 series) but it is very slight. The size is about 33.2" so go for it, they look and fit perfect!

Nice, that's what i was hoping to hear...

you wouldn't happened to have noticed how much of an rpm drop you had on the hwy from the old tire to the new ones?

 

[4Peanut]

I have 275/70-18 BFG AT KO's on my 2003 Land Cruiser. Measured them at 33.25" at 45 PSI. Love everything about them. And, a matching spare will fit in the stock location.

 

[1meancruiser]

I have 275/70-18 BFG AT KO's on my 2003 Land Cruiser. Measured them at 33.25" at 45 PSI. Love everything about them. And, a matching spare will fit in the stock location.

Looks like a score of 2-0 for the 70 series...

 

[4Peanut]

You won't be disappointed. On a stock height truck they will look beefy. On trucks with 1.5" - 2" of lift they're the perfect proportion (i.e. they do not look too small). I drive my truck like an old lady, so I didn't really notice a difference moving from the stock Michelins in terms of performance. IIRC, 62-63 MPH (indicated not actual due to the circumference difference of the larger tire) is right at 2000 RPM.

 

[Manhattan]

On my 2006, I replaced stock Michelin Latitude HPs with E-rated 275/70/18s. Plenty of room. Fits in the spare location fine. The first thing I noticed was how much better they felt, drove, rode - much better than those supposed "luxury SUV tires." The 100 is slightly - very slightly - slower off the line, but it's about as noticeable as when the 3rd row is in - that extra weight.

I didn't compare stock to current RPM at X speed. But the speedo is off a bit - just simple math on that one. MPG dropped a bit. But I also added a 4-bike Yakima roof rack. That didn't help.

Overall, I love the tires. My only regret... not getting 285s

 

[elkaholic]

I have a week of running Cooper S/T Maxx's in 275/70R18 on my '06 and so far I am quite pleased with the tire size. I do notice a slight difference in acceleration, but with the VVTI engine and the 5 speed, it is hardly notable.

I did not buy a spare in that size yet, but may. I am waiting to decide if I am going to buy a swing out for my Slee bumper first. It is nice to hear that others have squeezed a spare in the stock location.

Based upon my calculations, my speedo should be off by 10% and testing with GPS bears that out.

 

[Manhattan]

Based upon my calculations, my speedo should be off by 10% and testing with GPS bears that out.

^Same^ here.

On the spare... I rationalized it this was - I paid 20% more (5 tires) when I bought the tires, but it'll be 20% longer (miles/time) that I need tires - doing a 5-tire rotation. Discount tire does the free rotation for life deal - and I've been maximizing that. I'm 15,000+ in to my BFGs and have had them rotated 3 times. Each time, the tech measures the tread on all 5 tires and we determine the optimal location based on how they compare. I asked the guy "Are all your customers this anal?" He said "God no." But laughed and said "Makes a lot of sense though - 5 minutes thinking about = a few thousand miles of extended wear."

 

[1meancruiser]

On my 2006, I replaced stock Michelin Latitude HPs with E-rated 275/70/18s. Plenty of room. Fits in the spare location fine. The first thing I noticed was how much better they felt, drove, rode - much better than those supposed "luxury SUV tires." The 100 is slightly - very slightly - slower off the line, but it's about as noticeable as when the 3rd row is in - that extra weight.

I didn't compare stock to current RPM at X speed. But the speedo is off a bit - just simple math on that one. MPG dropped a bit. But I also added a 4-bike Yakima roof rack. That didn't help.

Overall, I love the tires. My only regret... not getting 285s

Great feedback. 285's...got it. i'd like to stay with the stock 275 for mpg and everyday driveability. Down the road i might just make the switch.

 

[1meancruiser]

i thought i'd post this site, it's a great site for comparing tire sizes, speedo calibration, overall diameter, etc...

Tire Dimensions Made Simple - Discount Tire

 

[1meancruiser]

Does anyone have pics of their 100 with 275/70/16 which you can post?

 

[mtnracer]

I moved from Bridgestone Dueler P275-65-18s to Cooper Zeon LTZ 275-70-18 and thought the performance difference was significant. I think this is mainly because of the massive weight increase going from a "P(assenger)" rated to an E (10 Ply Steel Belt) tire. I would say gas mileage dropped by 1-2 mpg.

I would love to find a tire in 275-70-18 with an XL load rating but I don't think they exist.

Anyway, I am due for new tires and not sure what I will do yet. Actually thinking about 20s in 305-55R20. That's a 33" tire in load range XL.

Tough call but performance and mileage will suffer with E rated tires.

 

[elkaholic]

Does anyone have pics of their 100 with 275/70/16 which you can post?

Assuming you meant 275/70/18 since that is what you started the thread with ... if so, link here (post 4962)

 

[Manhattan]

Does anyone have pics of their 100 with 275/70/18 which you can post?

 

[arbetrader]

you wouldn't happened to have noticed how much of an rpm drop you had on the hwy from the old tire to the new ones?

Yep, it's not very much, I don't know exactly, but I seem to recall something like about 200rpm or so at 60mph.

Please note that I have a 99 with taller gearing. You may notice a more significant difference as your gearing is shorter with the 2006 model.

Also, I find that the mpg difference is almost a complete wash, due to the extra 6% distance traveled. At MOST my mileage dropped by less than 0.5mpg over the last 18000 miles I've had them on.

 

[4Peanut]

i thought i'd post this site, it's a great site for comparing tire sizes, speedo calibration, overall diameter, etc...

Tire Dimensions Made Simple - Discount Tire

That calculator is helpful in terms of comparing nominal tire sizes relative to each other, but as we all know the same nominal size tire from two different manufacturers, or even among models by the same manufacturer, can have different real world dimensions. YMMV

 

[elkaholic]

That calculator is helpful in terms of comparing nominal tire sizes relative to each other, but as we all know the same nominal size tire from two different manufacturers, or even among models by the same manufacturer, can have different real world dimensions. YMMV

^ x2. A better measure is the revs/mile that many manufacturers print in their detailed spec sheets. This will account for different rolling radii of different tires.

 

[1meancruiser]

The fender to tire gap is just perfect. I thought the 70's would be much bigger.

 

[1meancruiser]

Assuming you meant 275/70/18 since that is what you started the thread with ... if so, link here (post 4962)

I did...thanks for the pics. How do you like the metal tech sliders, is there enough of a "step" on them? is the step wide enough for day to day use?