I have driven LCs since 1975 and I, like many, have changed my share of tires to achieve durability, capability, image, longevity or comfort. Almost all tire talk focuses on rubbing or lifts and the assumption is usually that bigger is better. I am considering the new Nitto EXO AWT because some of my upcoming trips will be in the mountains with sharp rock and I want tougher sidewalls. BUT the Nittos may run about 65 lbs per corner. The OEM P-series Michelins are about 40. I am not talking about fuel consumption nor about ride comfort. Those are worn topics. I come from sports car racing and we always fuss with unsprung weight. The LC corners seem pretty happy with 40lb tires. I know my Tundra was not particularly good controlling heavy tires. They seems to "flop" around and you immediately felt the shock/spring setup was not controlling the inertia. So my question for those that are sensitive to corner loads and have gone to heavier tires---how did the LC suspension cope? I have been down the King custom shock road and I don't plan to move away from the stock suspension willingly. That is not a hit on King just my thinking on this truck. Also, I don't know if the factory suspension setup has changed significantly between 2007 and 2013. If it did, then I need to keep that in mind to evaluate thoughts any of you might have. I keep another set of winter only wheels and tires. I may be stuck with a third set biased as I described above. Or maybe I am not giving the LC suspension engineers enough credit. Any thoughts appreciated.
When Bigger May Not Be Better
- Thread starter chilibit
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bjowett
Supporting Vendor
For those that are sensitive to these things, the 200 does not like more, but there are a couple issues at work here. As you already know, unsprung weight is bad... and unfortunately, the 200 has quite a bit of it. Worse yet is the somewhat flexible chassis and suspension pick up points... good shocks really do go far in helping control it all. However, braces and other things will show here, too. I have much work to catch up on.
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Brian: No joy in Mudville. I came to the same conclusions. I tried to end-run with the 17" Rock Warrior wheels, but it is really futile. Better combo but within 4 lbs in the end. On the track you can trade money for lightness. Not so here. I thought the frame on the LC might have fared better with all the cross members. What you describe is disappointing and changing the shocks/springs only highlights the next weakest point in the chain. I looked at the winter Blizzacks in the barn and remembered that they ran pretty well. I looked up the weight. Within a pound or two of the OEMs. Perhaps my answer is to brute force the trips. I will just carry three spares and press on. I appreciate your time and input. It is always rational and I respect that.
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
The additional unsprung weight factored into my choice for replacement tires. I ended up with Toyo ATIIs in P275/65R18. They are 7 pounds heavier than the OE Bridgestones but a world different in grip on dirt and other non-asphalt surfaces. On washboard roads, the additional unsprung weight is noticeable and improving shock dampening will be a future priority. On other surfaces, not so much ...
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
Vince . Just adding my $0.02 .... Which is about 5x my net worth 
So is the 200 suspension weaker then the 100? I have OME 2" lift and went from 40lb. OE tires to 58lb. BFG AT/KO's on my 100 and it rides and feels great. Someday I want to get a 200, what do you have to do to beef up the 200 to handle bigger tires.
gaijin
GOLD Star
