Tires.......

[mpl1978]

So bought my '04 LX470 A couple weeks ago and I am ready to make some mods. Currently it is stock and unfortunately it has almost new tires the old buyer bought - michelin defender ltx m/s 275/60/r18. I live in Florida and do not plan on rock crawling; i plan to take the family off road and camp.

Questions:
1. Should i just stick the defenders?;
2. Would it be a far improvement to get yokohama geolander a/t g015 275/65r/18 - the tires are currently 153.00 dollars and are so much cheaper than jumping up to 285's.

thx

 

[saucebox]

Any A/T tire will perform better off-road than the Michelins in terms of traction and puncture resistance. That's still a $700 spend though—maybe recoup some of the cost by selling the new Defenders?

Or...just go try it out, with the tires you have. Take a friend to pull you out of a stuck if you think it's a possibility. Chances are you can just go and enjoy it first, learn how it works for you, and adjust/upgrade as the need arises.

I mean, $700 buys a lot of camping trips.

 

[boobird]

I sold my 4 old Michelin tires for $150.

Bought these on sale for $100 each! Maybe the sale will return for black friday. I had them road force balanced; it took 3 tries before I asked the manager to perform the balancing.

Continental Terrain Contact A/T 275/65R18 116 T Tire - Walmart.com

Buy Continental Terrain Contact A/T 275/65R18 116 T Tire at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

I almost wanted to sell my newly aquired lx470 because of a bad ride; after new tires, sway bushings, AHC tune up, i feel that this is the best vehicle i've ever owned.

 

[mpl1978]

I figured that if i get new ones, I have a better shot at selling the Defenders since they are practically new

 

[suprarx7nut]

I've bought and sold many tires sets on craigslist. My last set of Michelins (LTX I think?) sold for $400. They were brand new.

Sell those tires, get what you want. Tires help a lot of these rigs. Make the investment.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Keep the Michelins.

 

[tacoduck]

[

Any A/T tire will perform better off-road than the Michelins in terms of traction and puncture resistance. That's still a $700 spend though—maybe recoup some of the cost by selling the new Defenders?

Or...just go try it out, with the tires you have. Take a friend to pull you out of a stuck if you think it's a possibility. Chances are you can just go and enjoy it first, learn how it works for you, and adjust/upgrade as the need arises.

I mean, $700 buys a lot of camping trips.

IDK about that. those michelin defender tires are wonderful. quiet, tons of sipes, and wear like iron. this is coming from a guy that runs BFG KO's on all my rigs. Wife's truck has defenders and I really really really like em. I run BFG's because I like the look of an AT tire.

 

[Chewbacca]

IDK about that. those michelin defender tires are wonderful. quiet, tons of sipes, and wear like iron. this is coming from a guy that runs BFG KO's on all my rigs. Wife's truck has defenders and I really really really like em. I run BFG's because I like the look of an AT tire.

Yeah, if it weren't for the way they look, I'd have the LTX M/S on my LC as well. Great tires.

 

[mpl1978]

Since I have plenty of other things to purchase, such as a roof rack, springbar tent, land shark outfitter reat storage, fridge, wet okole seat covers, fridge, I might as well keep the tires on! Thanks

 

[saucebox]

Since I have plenty of other things to purchase, such as a roof rack, springbar tent, land shark outfitter reat storage, fridge, wet okole seat covers, fridge, I might as well keep the tires on! Thanks

2 fridges?!

Counterpoint:

Michelins don't stick to rocks worth s***. Not my rig, so I blacked out his plate. (Reality: just missed his line backing up, and the hillside gave out.)

Good time to get into a fridge (look at REI, 20% off right now) or Wet Okole covers. Both on sale for Black Friday. Find the Black Friday thread for the deets on Wet Okole covers.

 

[mpl1978]

oops, my mistake on the fridge. One down though - just bit the bullet and ordered the Springbar Family Camper. From what I hear, my grandchildren will be using it! Thanks for the sales info

 

[planomateo]

Yikes that picture.

 

[saucebox]

Springbars are fine tents. I'll buy one as quick as I have an excuse.

Pic—we thought he was going over for sure. We had to bury a tire at the top of the hill to winch him sideways until his tires were back on track (via hi-lift, not recommended).

Anyways, where's your pics? Let's see it!

 

[flintknapper]

So bought my '04 LX470 A couple weeks ago and I am ready to make some mods. Currently it is stock and unfortunately it has almost new tires the old buyer bought - michelin defender ltx m/s 275/60/r18. I live in Florida and do not plan on rock crawling; i plan to take the family off road and camp.

Questions:
1. Should i just stick the defenders?;
2. Would it be a far improvement to get yokohama geolander a/t g015 275/65r/18 - the tires are currently 153.00 dollars and are so much cheaper than jumping up to 285's.

thx

IF you spend most of your time on pavement and need a tire that will last a long time...then the Michelin's are going to be hard to beat.

I pulled the Michelin's off of my LX470 first thing and put Geolandar G015's on it. They have about 15,000 miles on them now and have held up great. Happy with them.

 

[Squashola]

IF you spend most of your time on pavement and need a tire that will last a long time...then the Michelin's are going to be hard to beat.

I pulled the Michelin's off of my LX470 first thing and put Geolandar G015's on it. They have about 15,000 miles on them now and have held up great. Happy with them. View attachment 2136596View attachment 2136597

I am looking at the Continental Terrain Contacts and the Geo G015's. How do you like them? Are they smooth on the highway ? How about gas mileage, any impact?

 

[Cetus]

I am looking at the Continental Terrain Contacts and the Geo G015's. How do you like them? Are they smooth on the highway ? How about gas mileage, any impact?

I'm running the Continental Terrain Contacts and they've been great so far. No noise at all and don't notice much of a change in gas mileage. It's a light AT tire that is rated pretty good in wet and snow so that's why I went with them, and I spend about 90% on pavement. I plan to overland and hit trails but no rock crawling.

 

[Mike NXP]

Other than traction / puncture resistance something else to consider is that you are loading your rig up with more weight than a standard load. Your list will grow and before you know it the cruiser will be getting heavier. You should consider a more heavy duty tire just based on weight ratings.
>> That being said maybe just run those tires you have on rather than pay someone to dismount and hope they sell.

 

[Pucker5]

Wildpeak at3w’s are a super solid budget And great performing at. I’ve seen them closer to 600 a set vs the 850-900 that a set of ko2’s commands. I think I got my 275/70/18’s in Cali for 770$ installed through that eBay America’s tire coupon back when it was frequently available.

 

[94FOURBY]

Keep the Michelins!

 

[biggulps]

If ride quality is your goal, keep the Michelin’s for sure. I have the defenders on my wife’s car and they are sweet. They last a long time and do really well in the snow. They are a good tire.

I have 285/75r16 Nitto terra grapplers. While they look cool, and might perform better in rough terrain or difficult conditions, they are louder, and make for a much tougher ride than the Michelin’s.