Land Cruiser Tire Upgrades?

[Skidaddl]

I had SL rate tires on my tacoma and just put them on my Land Cruiser. I did a number of light off-roading trips in my tacoma and never had a problem with SL rate tires. I went to Ouray for 5 days, windrock in TN for a weekend, Badlands in IN, and a few different trips to Northern Wisconsin without issue. The only time I would look at e-rated is if I was loading up really heavily with overloading stuff, hard rock crawling, or heavy towing. I really believe E-rated tires are overkill for most people. I had a friend who used e-rated KO2 and all he did was complain about the noise and rough ride.

Agreed. I have e-rated Wildpeak AT's on my Tundra, and every fall when I switch over to my Toyo winters in SL, I'm amazed at how much quieter, smoother and more comfortable they are by comparison.

 

[fftfk]

I have SL 285/70r17 Nitto Terra Grappler g3. Not much noticeable noise, but when at highway speeds, I feel a very slight vibration through the steering wheel. It’s not shaking or intense at all, but I notice it. Is this just normal for all terrain tires or could the tire balancing be off? Contemplating whether or not to take them back to the tire shop to have them look at the balance.

I have the same tires with no vibrations noticed. I would get them balanced again or else perhaps a warranty replacement.

 

[ultane]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice and support. I have a 2017 LC76 V6 here in Ethiopia for touring. It has just over 105,000 kilometers on the clock. My main question is about widening the rear axle. As many of you know, the rear track on the 76 Series is narrower than the front, and I'd like to make it equal for better stability and handling. Any suggestions on how to achieve this?

Welcome to the asylum zgr8One.

 

[uraniumrich]

I'm going from the stock 245/70r18 rated by Toyota for 33PSI to 285/70r17. I put this info into the tiresize.com calculator and it suggested 28 psi which is what I'm currently running: Tire Pressure Calculator

I did find some charts on Nitto's website: https://www.nittotires.ca/sites/default/files/2017_load_and_inflation_tables.pdf

According to them, the SL 116 load index can support 1830 lbs per tire even at the lowest pressure listed of 22 psi. 28 psi would get at 2216 lbs per tire which seems plenty for this weight vehicle. When they installed the tires, they had them inflated to around 33 psi, and I noticed the bumps in the road were a bit more pronounced. Lowering to 28 psi seems to have softened the ride. Also, since I'm using a narrower 7 inch wide wheel on a wider tire I'm erring on less PSI to get more even tread wear.

Decided to look at the table again and with the new information about the load index on your tires (110 load index) compared to the OEM 20" tires (112 load index). I'm including a screen shot of the table from Falken. I think I accidently misquoted some of the values.

110 at 33 psi is 2182 lbs. (245/70R18 tires)
112 at 33 psi is 2315 lbs. (265/60R20 tires)

Since you're going from the 110 to a 116, here are the relevant values and psi that make sense based on the 110 at 33 psi:

116 at 27 psi is 2166 lbs (pretty close to the load for the 110 index)
116 at 28 psi is 2216 lbs
116 at 29 psi is 2304 lbs (pretty close to the load for the 112 index)

I double checked the load index on the 20" tires and the load index is 112. I think it's curious that Toyota would specify an inflation pressure to match two different loads. The conclusion remains the same - looks like 27-29 lbs is a good range of psi on your tires.

On my truck, I went from a 112 index on an SL tire to a 123 index on an E-load tire. That actually complicates things because the SL tires include an extra 10% load capacity that is not needed for the E-load tires. And, you use a different table for E-Load tires.

 

[arash]

Decided to look at the table again and with the new information about the load index on your tires (110 load index) compared to the OEM 20" tires (112 load index). I'm including a screen shot of the table from Falken. I think I accidently misquoted some of the values.

110 at 33 psi is 2182 lbs. (245/70R18 tires)
112 at 33 psi is 2315 lbs. (265/60R20 tires)

Since you're going from the 110 to a 116, here are the relevant values and psi that make sense based on the 110 at 33 psi:

116 at 27 psi is 2166 lbs (pretty close to the load for the 110 index)
116 at 28 psi is 2216 lbs
116 at 29 psi is 2304 lbs (pretty close to the load for the 112 index)

I double checked the load index on the 20" tires and the load index is 112. I think it's curious that Toyota would specify an inflation pressure to match two different loads. The conclusion remains the same - looks like 27-29 lbs is a good range of psi on your tires.

On my truck, I went from a 112 index on an SL tire to a 123 index on an E-load tire. That actually complicates things because the SL tires include an extra 10% load capacity that is not needed for the E-load tires. And, you use a different table for E-Load tires.

View attachment 32864

Yes, I’m realizing now that these load indexes and weight capacities are standardized and apply across brands. The calculator I used matched up exactly with the conclusions we came to from the charts and would work across tire load ratings as well.

Tire Pressure Calculator

Easy to use tire pressure calculator. Use our tire pressure calculator to calculate the new tire pressure needed when changing tire sizes.

tiresize.com

 

[uraniumrich]

Yes, I’m realizing now that these load indexes and weight capacities are standardized and apply across brands. The calculator I used matched up exactly with the conclusions we came to from the charts and would work across tire load ratings as well.

Tire Pressure Calculator

Easy to use tire pressure calculator. Use our tire pressure calculator to calculate the new tire pressure needed when changing tire sizes.

tiresize.com

Yes, the Load Index must be standardized or we wouldn't be able to compare the ratings between brands. The difficulty comes when you change from one type of Load Index (SL) to a different one (E-Load for example). Manufacturers increase the load value on the SL tire for an SUV like a Land Cruiser when you use SL tires. As a result, the E-load tires I'm using on my LC have a lower rated load than the OEM SL tires.

BTW - You may know this already, but the tire you mounted is not approved by the manufacturer for a 7" rim. The range specified for the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 is 7.5" - 9.5".

 

[arash]

Yes, the Load Index must be standardized or we wouldn't be able to compare the ratings between brands. The difficulty comes when you change from one type of Load Index (SL) to a different one (E-Load for example). Manufacturers increase the load value on the SL tire for an SUV like a Land Cruiser when you use SL tires. As a result, the E-load tires I'm using on my LC have a lower rated load than the OEM SL tires.

BTW - You may know this already, but the tire you mounted is not approved by the manufacturer for a 7" rim. The range specified for the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 is 7.5" - 9.5".

Yeah, I knew this going in and the reason I ended up going for it is because there have been many people running 285s on 7 inch rims without real issues. A lot of people with 4runners and 7in wide stock wheels with positive data points.

I wanted an SL or C load tire around 33 inches on a 17 inch rim and the 285s offered the best selection. I liked the great wet weather performance of the terra grappler G3s and that they're pretty light for the size at 48 lbs.

If I moved down to ~32 inches, there were a couple other options I considered.

1. Toyo Open Country R/T Trail - 275/70R17 XL: This is only 42 lbs, but I ruled it out because the wet weather performance is likely relatively bad and it's not 3 peak rated.
2. Open Country A/T III LT255/75R17 C load: Same weight as the 285 terra grappler G3 at 48 lbs while being significantly smaller in height and width. Seems to be decent in wet weather but has some mixed reviews with some saying they get very slippery over time.

The closest runner up was Toyo Open Country AT III 34X10.50R17LT which is 33.5 inch in height, but it's D load and 55 lbs. A positive for these is that they're approved for my wheel width and offer increased ground clearance at almost an inch taller while possibly being similar in fuel economy with the decreased width that could offset the weight difference. I was mainly concerned that a D load would be too harsh of a ride for the vehicle weight compared to SL/C, and I don't think a full size spare would fit.

 

[Bird]

Man... I've been looking at these. I had the AT3s on my 4Runner and enjoyed them, but would love to try them as an SL.

They're just a bit more expensive than the normal non-EVs, and reviews for them are basically only for the Rivian.

About these Toyo Open Country A/T III EV 275/70R18 (116) - 43lbs - 33.2'' according to their website.

I bought them on a Canadian online dealer and they where the same price as the LT E-rated (125) non-EV ones.
They look great and I am very happy with them. The ride is a bit firmer than the 265/70r18 oem. I'm currently at 35psi, I will try to drop them 1 or 2 psi to see the difference. I have to say they are very slightly noisier than the original Michelin but really not by much.
The great thing is that I barely notice a difference on the fuel consumption. Probably less than 0.5l/100km or 1mpg, witch is what I was looking for when I went with these EV tires.

Funny thing, this tire with the same product code 357280, has a different speed rating in US (on the .com website) than in Canada (on the .ca website).
In US they are rated 116T (118mph)
In Canada they are rated 116H (130mph)
???

 

[LcAz]

Yeah, I knew this going in and the reason I ended up going for it is because there have been many people running 285s on 7 inch rims without real issues. A lot of people with 4runners and 7in wide stock wheels with positive data points.

I wanted an SL or C load tire around 33 inches on a 17 inch rim and the 285s offered the best selection. I liked the great wet weather performance of the terra grappler G3s and that they're pretty light for the size at 48 lbs.

If I moved down to ~32 inches, there were a couple other options I considered.

1. Toyo Open Country R/T Trail - 275/70R17 XL: This is only 42 lbs, but I ruled it out because the wet weather performance is likely relatively bad and it's not 3 peak rated.
2. Open Country A/T III LT255/75R17 C load: Same weight as the 285 terra grappler G3 at 48 lbs while being significantly smaller in height and width. Seems to be decent in wet weather but has some mixed reviews with some saying they get very slippery over time.

The closest runner up was Toyo Open Country AT III 34X10.50R17LT which is 33.5 inch in height, but it's D load and 55 lbs. A positive for these is that they're approved for my wheel width and offer increased ground clearance at almost an inch taller while possibly being similar in fuel economy with the decreased width that could offset the weight difference. I was mainly concerned that a D load would be too harsh of a ride for the vehicle weight compared to SL/C, and I don't think a full size spare would fit.

I can confirm three positive things about the 34 10.5 17 D rated toyo OC at3

1. It rides better than the stock size SL Toyo OC AT3’s I was running on the 18 inch rims

2. I get exactly the same gas mileage as before

3. The spare fits easily and tucks up in just as far as the OEM. (Nearly the same width as the 265.

I settled for n it after much research and After trying 4 different tires I am extremely happy with them.

 

[arash]

I can confirm three positive things about the 34 10.5 17 D rated toyo OC at3

1. It rides better than the stock size SL Toyo OC AT3’s I was running on the 18 inch rims

2. I get exactly the same gas mileage as before

3. The spare fits easily and tucks up in just as far as the OEM. (Nearly the same width as the 265.

I settled for n it after much research and After trying 4 different tires I am extremely happy with them.

You know, you might've sold me on these. So they're similar over bumps and road imperfections compared to the SL? That's the main complaint I've heard for D and E load tires. What pressure are you running for them?

Instead of rebalancing the terra grappler G3s I have I may just be better off switching over to these. With my stock 245/70r18 tires I was typicallly getting around 21.5 mpg on the highway, and with these 285/70r17s I'm getting about 18.5. They're not properly balanced which probably doesn't help, but I guess going from a much smaller highway tire to a wider/taller all terrain could warrant that change.

edit: after rebalancing and using 32 psi, I’m now getting highway mpg up to 23-24mpg with the 285 nittos, which is pretty close to the stock

 

[LcAz]

You know, you might've sold me on these. So they're similar over bumps and road imperfections compared to the SL? That's the main complaint I've heard for D and E load tires. What pressure are you running for them?

Instead of rebalancing the terra grappler G3s I have I may just be better off switching over to these. With my stock 245/70r18 tires I was typicallly getting around 21.5 mpg on the highway, and with these 285/70r17s I'm getting about 18.5. They're not properly balanced which probably doesn't help, but I guess going from a much smaller highway tire to a wider/taller all terrain could warrant that change.

I don’t perceive any ride difference from the SL 265 AT3. I am currently running 35 PSI. MPG with both the 265 and 34 10.5 is 18.7. I ran the 265’s for about 3.5k miles, and have had the 34’s for about 1.2kmiles. I’m not a contentious gas saving driver.

 

[LC250 Costa Rica]

18x9, ET40 (ICON)
33/12.5/18 (SAILUN TERRAMAX RT)
O'Reilly 14M 1.5 Black Lug Nuts
Great fitment, still plenty of room everywhere. More evaluation being done, stay tune.

ENJOY!


View attachment 1999

On stock suspension, or lifted ??

 

[mkg]

Yokohama At4 G018s in 275/70/18 on 18x8.5 Bradley V, 20 et. (And Westcott lift)
Few hundred km, and the tires have been great. Very very little noise and no difference in driving.