What stock size tires would you buy.

[SWUtah]

Looks like my new to me LC has the wrong size tires on it 265/70/16. I will be putting stock size tires on it in a couple of weeks, don't want oversized tires on it. What brand type do you guys recommend? Anyone run Michelin AT's? I've had Michelin MS on my 1995 LC and they did not seem to have very good traction. I then put BFG AT/KO's on it and they had good traction but a real rough ride. I'm looking for good on road traction for snow and rain and light off road, but still a good on road ride. Any advise would be great.

Thanks

 

[e9999]

Looks like my new to me LC has the wrong size tires on it 265/70/16. I will be putting stock size tires on it in a couple of weeks, don't want oversized tires on it. What brand type do you guys recommend? Anyone run Michelin AT's? I've had Michelin MS on my 1995 LC and they did not seem to have very good traction. I then put BFG AT/KO's on it and they had good traction but a real rough ride. I'm looking for good on road traction for snow and rain and light off road, but still a good on road ride. Any advise would be great.

Thanks

why don't you want to go 285? A tad more expensive but absolutely no techn drawback, only improvements in all respects, and no additional work needed at all!

added: well, OK, mileage could decrease a tad with 285s, but I didn't see any difference

 

[SWUtah]

"Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO with UNI-T AQ II" anyone running these on their LC?

 

[macneill]

33s dude...

 

[NMuzj100]

"Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO with UNI-T AQ II" anyone running these on their LC?

Yes in 285/75R16 (33"). Great tire. Perfect for your use as you described it. Should be fine even in the small size.

On this board 285/75 is stock.

added: well, OK, mileage could decrease a tad with 285s, but I didn't see any difference

My highway milage improved when corrected for odometer-shift.

 

[rzpapp]

I have the 18" OEM alloys and will be putting on BFG AT/KO 285/65R18

 

[ABM]

Stock Size Michelin Cross Terrain

Recently picked up a set of Cross Terrains at Costco at a decent price with rebate. Had tried them on a rental Ford Exploder this summer and thought they were quiet and competent . My experience on the LC is that they don't feel quite as sure-footed on the LC as the Exploder, but a decent all round all terrain tire. I am curious, has anyone tried the GY Forteras? GY is hyping them all over the NorthEast. Who thinks up these names anyway?

 

[SWUtah]

Yes in 285/75R16 (33"). Great tire. Perfect for your use as you described it. Should be fine even in the small size.

On this board 285/75 is stock.



My highway milage improved when corrected for odometer-shift.

I would think the 33's would effect performance negatively? Lowering your gear ratio and the increase in unsprung weight would also be a negative (hard on suspension parts). The only help I could see they would give is a little more off road clearence. The 275/70/16's are almost 32's so the ground clearence increase with the 285/75's would be 1/2". Let me know if I am mistaken? Since I am going to buy these tires Monday I want all of the information I can get/understand

 

[spressomon]

Going to 285/75/16 would give you better selection of off-road tread type tires; higher load rating; more ground clearance; better highway mpg (based on my actual experiences); tougher casing construction; etc. However if none of the above are on your goal list I think staying with the stock size for street/highway use probably is the best...IMO. I think, like others here, it really depends how much and what type of "off-roading" you really are going to do...

 

[norcal '99]

"Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO with UNI-T AQ II" anyone running these on their LC?

These were on my 100 when I bought it (stock size). They are nice on the road and probably ok for dirt roads or very mild trails, but I had a lot of sidewall issues. One thing to note is that the stock size is "P" rated and the larger ones are "LT" rated. I'm not sure if it make much difference, but the comments from people running the LT285's seem better than my experience.

I tore one sidewall in Death Valley. Replaced that one. Then I torn another on the White Rim trail in the Canyonlands NP. Just as I was going to replace that one I noticed a third one had damage as well. It wasn't leaking air but a small part of the sidewall had pealed away from the ply.

Instead of replacing two more I just decided to go to 285's. I went for the new Goodgear Wrangler SilentArmor's. These are new to the market and I couldn't find any real world comments anywhere, but I decided to risk it and try them out anyway. What drew me to them was they advertize a strong sidewall (the same one as on the MT/R), a quiet ride (due to a layer of kevlar belt), and they are rated for "severe snow" (indicated by a mountain and snowflake symbol and better than the M+S rating).

I've only had them on since Friday, so I can't really recommend them one way or the other yet. I plan to post a mini-review once I drive on them some more. So far all I can say is that they seem about as quiet as the Revos. I also have to note that they seem to have taken more weights to balance then I've ever seen on a wheel, and there is still a vibration at about 60MPH. I'm taking them back this week to have them rebalance them.

As others have mentioned, since your replacing all the tires, I'd go bump up to 285's.

 

[calamaridog]

275 70r16 offers no choice in LT tires (that I know of). Off roading and snow = all terrain style tire in my book.

The tire selection goes WAY up with 285 75r16's.

And the 275 70r16 tire is a 31" tire. It measures out to around 31.2" whereas my 285 75r16's measure 33".

My ride quality is still great with the AT tires, as a matter of preferance, I much prefer them.

 

[hoser]

I am also recommending the Revos. It's just a matter of which size you want.

Here's the specs. Notice there are 3 different 265's in a 31.X diameter in different load capacities. Generally, the higher the capacity the rougher the ride and the heavier the tire. Also notice that some of the 265's have the same tread width as the 275.

275/70 SR16
114S SL 500 A B
2601 lbs.
44 psi
13/32" Tread Depth
43 lbs. 7-9"
8" Measuring Rim Width
10.8" Section Width
8.1" Tread Width
31.2" Diameter

265/75 SR16
112/109S C
2470 lbs.
50 psi
15/32"
48 lbs. 7-8"
7.5"
10.6"
8.1"
31.8"

265/75 SR16
114S SL 500 A B
2601 lbs.
44 psi
13/32"
45 lbs. 7-9"
7.5"
10.6"
7.8"
31.9"

265/75 RR16
123/120R E
3415 lbs.
80 psi
16/32"
54 lbs. 7-8"
7.5"
10.6"
8.1"
31.8"

285/75 RR16
122/119R D
3305 lbs.
65 psi
17/32"
54 lbs. 7.5-9"
8"
11.5"
8.7"
33"

 

[SWUtah]

Thanks for the comparison. If I go to the 285/75/16 there is no rubbing on a stock LC? How will that work with my stock spare 275/70/16? If I also have to change the spare will a 285/75/16 fit in the spare lacation?

I am also recommending the Revos. It's just a matter of which size you want.

Here's the specs. Notice there are 3 different 265's in a 31.X diameter in different load capacities. Generally, the higher the capacity the rougher the ride and the heavier the tire. Also notice that some of the 265's have the same tread width as the 275.

275/70 SR16
114S SL 500 A B
2601 lbs.
44 psi
13/32" Tread Depth
43 lbs. 7-9"
8" Measuring Rim Width
10.8" Section Width
8.1" Tread Width
31.2" Diameter

265/75 SR16
112/109S C
2470 lbs.
50 psi
15/32"
48 lbs. 7-8"
7.5"
10.6"
8.1"
31.8"

265/75 SR16
114S SL 500 A B
2601 lbs.
44 psi
13/32"
45 lbs. 7-9"
7.5"
10.6"
7.8"
31.9"

265/75 RR16
123/120R E
3415 lbs.
80 psi
16/32"
54 lbs. 7-8"
7.5"
10.6"
8.1"
31.8"

285/75 RR16
122/119R D
3305 lbs.
65 psi
17/32"
54 lbs. 7.5-9"
8"
11.5"
8.7"
33"

 

[e9999]

I'd get a same size spare and rotate them all regularly.

 

[NMuzj100]

I would think the 33's would effect performance negatively? Lowering your gear ratio and the increase in unsprung weight would also be a negative (hard on suspension parts). The only help I could see they would give is a little more off road clearence. The 275/70/16's are almost 32's so the ground clearence increase with the 285/75's would be 1/2". Let me know if I am mistaken? Since I am going to buy these tires Monday I want all of the information I can get/understand

You are right that there are tradeoffs going with the bigger tire but so far I haven't found them to be a problem. There is only a ~6% change in gearing (negative at the low end and positive at highway speeds. I don't notice it with the 4.7 ). Nothing wrong with staying stock size on the LC other than that you will have fewer choices.

Probably the most important thing to do is buy your tires from a shop with a road-force balance machine. These machines can identify tires with internal flaws that are otherwise indetectable and are diffficult to fix. In my opinion you are better off paying a little more for the tires in order to use a shop with the best equipment.

Hunter GSP9700 - Road-force Balancer

Added: You need to get the same sized spare no matter what you go with.

 

[e9999]

one of the main issues for me is to get *strong* tires as in not getting a flat when you go offroad on sharp rocks and such, which can happen even during "light" wheeling. So I want a strong tire (good sidewalls etc) and 33s are the ticket for that over stock sizes.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I would think the 33's would effect performance negatively? Lowering your gear ratio and the increase in unsprung weight would also be a negative (hard on suspension parts).

No, hasn't been the case from others who have run larger tires. I have 100K miles, most with 35's, some early miles on 33's, and all is well, strong, and like new front components. Don't worry about suspension. Equipped like that and wheeled heavily the 100's are holding up.

Oh, and 295's won't rub and so 285's will not.

 

[macneill]

True dat. I have Equal in mine and I have to pull the stems every time I air down. PITA.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Probably the most important thing to do is buy your tires from a shop with a road-force balance machine. These machines can identify tires with internal flaws that are otherwise indetectable and are diffficult to fix. In my opinion you are better off paying a little more for the tires in order to use a shop with the best equipment.

Hunter GSP9700 - Road-force Balancer

 

[Greg B]

True dat. I have Equal in mine and I have to pull the stems every time I air down. PITA.

I know a guy that used Equal in his tires and he was having the same problem. He found a pretty easy solution. He took his Powertank and added just a little air to blow the equal out of the stem back into the tire. Then when he deflated, there was no Equal to clog the stems up. You might give it a try if someone around you has an on-board air source.

 

[macneill]

What I like to do is put on my Wilderness Trail Head Deflators a couple of miles before getting on the beach, and then Voila! 12PSI as I roll in, but noooo... instead I have to deal with the sounds of a horrible bag-pipe player as the air tries to get by the valves.

I know a guy that used Equal in his tires and he was having the same problem. He found a pretty easy solution. He took his Powertank and added just a little air to blow the equal out of the stem back into the tire. Then when he deflated, there was no Equal to clog the stems up. You might give it a try if someone around you has an on-board air source.