Wheel/tire options: 18,17,16

[EsioTrot]

Hello, I am the proud but guilty (thats a lot of Denero! ) new owner of a used 03 100 series LC. I have been lurking on this site, and it certainly helped me make a decision to buy a TLC! I have a gaggle of questions, but first, before the snow flies I have to figure out tires. I have the 275/60/18 HTs, worthless for snow. I prefer to run dedicated snow tires (like Blizzaks) in the winter, and an AT in the summer, usually on seperate rims.

1) Will 98-02 16" rims work on my truck?
2) Will larger tires sap some power?
3) Can I get the spedo reprogrammed for the larger size?

I could run 265/75/16 Blizzaks on the 16s, and ATs on the 18s...one of the only ones I could find was the Nitto Terra Grappler in a 285/60/18 (11.54 wide, 31.38 tall). I'd prefer to run Revos.

What do you think?

Thanks for your help! Great site!

-EsioTrot

 

[hoser]

1) Yes
2) Yes there will be a little power loss and gearing change but running 33's should be no problem.
3) Yes, using a truspeed speed calibrator you can correct your speedometer but if you run 33's, the difference is hardly noticable, maybe 5-6%.

There are few AT tires in that size right now but I believe more will come out as time goes on. There is a Dunlop Grandtrek AT but I say give the Nitto's a try.

 

[Augie]

I heard the 16" wheel would not fit on 03 and up LC because of larger brake system. I have no direct experience with it so I might be wrong.

 

[Tonym]

I heard the 16" wheel would not fit on 03 and up LC because of larger brake system. I have no direct experience with it so I might be wrong.

here in Australia all 2004 LC100s come with 16" steel wheels and 16"alloys are a option. the exeption is the Sahara and the limited edition Kakadu models which both have 17" alloys. The brakes are the same on all models and 18" are not available thru Toyota.

regards Tonym

 

[hoser]

03' models received a new Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system but I don't know of any larger brakes. Can anybody confirm?

 

[EsioTrot]

Well I bought 265/60/18 Blizzaks, the only 18" studdless snow tire I could find, and very close to OEM size. I am still curious about the 16" rims for my summer tire...anybody know for sure if they will fit an 03?

 

[e9999]

I also had the impression that the 16s would not fit, but that could have just been from knowing that they had increased the size to 17s for standard wheel...
E

 

[tabraha]

03' models received a new Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system but I don't know of any larger brakes. Can anybody confirm?

Yeah, I think there was some new gadgetry to enhance performance but mechanicaly it is unchanged.

T

 

[jjbodean1970]

the 18" dunlops suck ass - we have seen them wearing out as quickly as 20k miles, you should be getting at least 40k miles out of a set of A/T tires for these SUVs. go either bridgestone or michelin

 

[Auggies'Blu]

Just a few points on some of the tires mentioned above:

I currently have Michelins on my Cruiser, we had a slight freeze a few weeks ago and my wife experienced a "fishtail" for the first time! She says she was going about 45mph due to the weather when she felt the rear slide out. (She drove a 93 4Runner on BFG A/Ts last winter with no problems whatsoever.)

I went from the Michelins to BFG on the 4Runner a few years ago and I really liked them, a heck-of-alot more than the Michelins! I was always losing traction on relatively wet roads, never mind snow/ice, considering they have "Mud/Snow" stamped on the sidewall, they sucked!

From what I've read on this forum, I kinda get the feeling BFG ATs aren't really well liked for the heavier Cruiser/LX...? Any particular reason?

One more thing, I drive a Ford Expedition for work, and I gotta say the Bridgestones on it suck! The sidewalls seem like they flex a lot! Very squishy feel to them when you turn/maneuver, granted it's a P.O.S. vehicle, but those tires don't help it much!

My (lengthy) .02

 

[jjbodean1970]

i believe from opinions (not my experience) is that the BFGs produce a significant amount of road noise, as well as a shorter tread life. i'm sure someone with first-hand knowledge of the BFGs is sure to chime in

 

[tabraha]

I don't know how it could be construed that folks on here don't like the BFG AT but that is not the case. Most folks on this board are very positive on the BFG AT's; and have the same feeling for the Bridgestone Revo A/T's as well. The general consensus is that the BFG's may give a slight edge off-road and the Revo's are slightly better mannered, a little better longevity and quieter on-road. It's a very close draw though in all categories and that is agreed on by most here. Again for the umpteenth time, the M/S stamping on the Michelin LTX is MULTI-SEASONAL, not mud/snow. It is purely a street tire.

 

[phatairman]

And I was to think (from my experience) that the BFGs tires were the better for mileage.....

 

[MoJ]

i believe from opinions (not my experience) is that the BFGs produce a significant amount of road noise, as well as a shorter tread life. i'm sure someone with first-hand knowledge of the BFGs is sure to chime in

As far as tread life, pretty much just the opposite of what you said. They're famous for LONG tread life.

As far as road noise, louder than Michelins, that's for sure. Loud enough to be bothersome? Not in my opinion.

 

[MoJ]

And I was to think (from my experience) that the BFGs tires were the better for mileage.....

If you were thinking that you'd be correct.

 

[phatairman]

I was thinking that.......

 

[e9999]

yea, sure seems like people are raving about the longevity of the BFG AT.
A great compromise tire it appears.
I went the opposite direction, got 2 sets, one at each end of spectrum (LTX and MT/R). (never mind the swamper kinda weird stuff...)
E

 

[jjbodean1970]

i seem to stand corrected!

 

[cary]

One thing people often forget is the BFG A/T also meets the Severe Snow Rating (the snowflake symbol on the side) that Snow tires are required to meet. The only other non snow tire that I have seen that has that approval is the (crummy) Procomp A/T.

 

[Jim_Chow]

One thing people often forget is the BFG A/T also meets the Severe Snow Rating (the snowflake symbol on the side) that Snow tires are required to meet. The only other non snow tire that I have seen that has that approval is the (crummy) Procomp A/T.

I've heard guys on 4runner forum on 4x4wire say the BFG AT KO's are great until the tread starts wearing. Once about half way, traction sucks. I have the Procomp AT's right now. Tread longevity is excellent (50K mi so far and lots of tread left, tires cross rotated every 6-8K mi), but traction on wet streets sucks now. Next time, I plan to try the Bridgestone dueller revo's...I've heard only good things about them. Back when I lived in Upstate NY and owned a 2wd 4-cyl extracab, I used Goodyear Wrangler M/S's. They were pretty good (only got stuck once...a winch would have gotten me out off the icy shoulder ). Trick was to stop inflating my tires when winter rolled around...just let the pressure drop. One time, it dropped so low I blew a bead.