Tire Recommendations for Stock 18" wheels

[Tonydavid]

Hi. We are picking up our Land Cruiser next week. So excited!
Question - What tires would you recommend for stock 18" wheels that are a little more off-road worthy than the stock tires?
Background/Context - We will mostly use the vehicle as mall crawler and everyday ride on paved roads and freeways. Occasionally we go camping and will go on forest service roads, or moderate dirt roads. We won't be rock crawling. Therefore we want to maximize ride quality for everyday driving, minimize road noise and maximize mileage. We do understand that slightly more aggressive tire will increase noise, ride comfort and decrease mileage. We would like to keep the stock 18" wheels for cost reasons and don't plan to lift vehicle (because of my wife's back issues).
Thank you. I appreciate your advice and expertise!

 

[flynncruiser]

I’m getting 22 mpg going 65mph everywhere on the stock setup

 

[Cabot1968]

After much research, I ended up getting a set of Toyo Open Country AT3 on OEM 18 wheels. Like yourself, I don't intend to off-road much. If anything, I will occasionally drive it up to my cabin. I put emphasis on overall effectiveness, not just for ruggedness/offroadness. Where I live, it rains alot and when it snows, it's a real wet snow and so far, it been great. Minimal hit on mileage, only slightly more noisy and great under heavy rain and near freezing temperature. I also didn't want to spend $$$ on them and KO3, Wildpeak series are much more expensive locally. About the only other choice I considered were the Nokian Outpost NAT. Lastly, these Toyos are optional tires for the venerable GX550 when you opt for the Overtrail package. I figured a conservative automaker such as Lexus would do prosper research before opting to choose a set of optional AT tires (middle of the road, great all around AT tires they were probably aiming at). Hope this helps!

 

[LC_DFW]

After much research, I ended up getting a set of Toyo Open Country AT3 on OEM 18 wheels. Like yourself, I don't intend to off-road much. If anything, I will occasionally drive it up to my cabin. I put emphasis on overall effectiveness, not just for ruggedness/offroadness. Where I live, it rains alot and when it snows, it's a real wet snow and so far, it been great. Minimal hit on mileage, only slightly more noisy and great under heavy rain and near freezing temperature. I also didn't want to spend $$$ on them and KO3, Wildpeak series are much more expensive locally. About the only other choice I considered were the Nokian Outpost NAT. Lastly, these Toyos are optional tires for the venerable GX550 when you opt for the Overtrail package. I figured a conservative automaker such as Lexus would do prosper research before opting to choose a set of optional AT tires (middle of the road, great all around AT tires they were probably aiming at). Hope this helps!

Did you go with 265 or 275 on your 18” factory wheels?

 

[MikeX]

I ordered to replace 247/70/8
Nitto

Terra Grappler G3

265 /70 R18 116T SL BSW

 

[Cabot1968]

Did you go with 265 or 275 on your 18” factory wheels?

265 so stock

 

[monikersupreme]

What's the largest tire that can be still fit as a spare in the well beneath the vehicle?

 

[Markarian421]

There are some pretty good extensive threads on tires:

Tire Upgrade ?

Tire (and a few wheel) options spreadsheet

You probably want an SL load off-road tire.
275/70R18 is the largest that easily fits n the spare location, there are only a few off road tires that come in that size in SL. The Nitto G3 might be good for your purposes? In the stock 265/70R18 size there are a few more options. I’m personally leaning toward the Nokian nAT or Duratrac RT in that size, but the 275 G3 is tempting.

 

[No15]

Hi. We are picking up our Land Cruiser next week. So excited!
Question - What tires would you recommend for stock 18" wheels that are a little more off-road worthy than the stock tires?
Background/Context - We will mostly use the vehicle as mall crawler and everyday ride on paved roads and freeways. Occasionally we go camping and will go on forest service roads, or moderate dirt roads. We won't be rock crawling. Therefore we want to maximize ride quality for everyday driving, minimize road noise and maximize mileage. We do understand that slightly more aggressive tire will increase noise, ride comfort and decrease mileage. We would like to keep the stock 18" wheels for cost reasons and don't plan to lift vehicle (because of my wife's back issues).
Thank you. I appreciate your advice and expertise!

Similar requirements, I do lots of fire roads and gravel. I went with Continental terraincontact at. Don't get mentioned much on this forum. They have great road manners, good in the rain, quiet and never had an issue "off road".

 

[Thx_1158]

Hi. We are picking up our Land Cruiser next week. So excited!
Question - What tires would you recommend for stock 18" wheels that are a little more off-road worthy than the stock tires?
Background/Context - We will mostly use the vehicle as mall crawler and everyday ride on paved roads and freeways. Occasionally we go camping and will go on forest service roads, or moderate dirt roads. We won't be rock crawling. Therefore we want to maximize ride quality for everyday driving, minimize road noise and maximize mileage. We do understand that slightly more aggressive tire will increase noise, ride comfort and decrease mileage. We would like to keep the stock 18" wheels for cost reasons and don't plan to lift vehicle (because of my wife's back issues).
Thank you. I appreciate your advice and expertise!

I did 275 Toyo OC 3’s and love them. I was going with KO3’s but didn’t want to drag an extra 100 pounds with me. Spare fits just fine.

 

[PDPete]

Are the wheels that come with the 1958 (with stock 245/70R18) the same that come with the standard LC trim (with stock 265/70R18)?

I guess my question is are both wheels same width, and thus would have the same tire size recommendations?

(While it's not something I mentioned in my intro thread the other day, I do find the stock tires on the 1958 an odd choice for a vehicle touted with such off-road capability, including the unusual 245 size)

 

[Thx_1158]

Are the wheels that come with the 1958 (with stock 245/70R18) the same that come with the standard LC trim (with stock 265/70R18)?

I guess my question is are both wheels same width, and thus would have the same tire size recommendations?

(While it's not something I mentioned in my intro thread the other day, I do find the stock tires on the 1958 an odd choice for a vehicle touted with such off-road capability, including the unusual 245 size)

Most of the LC that come thru the southeast distribution network are “upgraded” to 20” rims at additional cost

 

[TheMightyGoose]

There are some pretty good extensive threads on tires:

Tire Upgrade ?

Tire (and a few wheel) options spreadsheet

You probably want an SL load off-road tire.
275/70R18 is the largest that easily fits n the spare location, there are only a few off road tires that come in that size in SL. The Nitto G3 might be good for your purposes? In the stock 265/70R18 size there are a few more options. I’m personally leaning toward the Nokian nAT or Duratrac RT in that size, but the 275 G3 is tempting.

I agree 100% about staying SL load. The majority of all terrains are E Load. But I would also stay with 265/70r18. They are 33” and you won’t need more than that for forest service roads. The unnecessary weight of a heavier tire probably won’t do you any favors. Our old Cooper AT3’s would have been perfect for you but they are discontinued. So if I had your needs right now, I’d probably also go with the Toyo Open country. They are offered in stock size and SL load rating, but have a nice aggressive look and good road manners. Just make sure the tire shop knows you want SL, because I believe they are offered in both. It’s what they spec on the GX Overtrail. I believe they are also 3-peak mountain snowflake certified.

I just installed the Yokohama AT4 (stock size) and am very happy with them. Dan Grec is driving all over the globe on them right now. But they are E Load so a bit harsher on the road. Not bad at all, but noticeable over the stock Michelins.

 

[PDPete]

Most of the LC that come thru the southeast distribution network are “upgraded” to 20” rims at additional cost

Yeah, I know there's an option for 20" rims, I was more specifically trying to determine if the 18" rims are the same specifications on both the 1958 and the standard LC trim (with the 265/70R18 on 18" rims) ...

 

[NoMe cruiser]

I’d just keep the stock tires until you wear them out. On this forum I’ve seen pictures of many new lc’s with bigger more aggressive tires but I’ve yet to see a picture of someone stuck with or a sliced up stock tire. These aren’t 70’s 4wd’s, they’re much more capable.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Yeah, I know there's an option for 20" rims, I was more specifically trying to determine if the 18" rims are the same specifications on both the 1958 and the standard LC trim (with the 265/70R18 on 18" rims) ...

No they are not, 1958 are 1/2 inch narrower.

 

[PDPete]

I’d just keep the stock tires until you wear them out. On this forum I’ve seen pictures of many new lc’s with bigger more aggressive tires but I’ve yet to see a picture of someone stuck with or a sliced up stock tire. These aren’t 70’s 4wd’s, they’re much more capable.

My main motivation for even looking at replacement tires is mostly for better handling in snow and ice, not necessarily off-roading.

I’ll wait until I least get a chance to test out the stock tires in winter conditions, but having confidence in adverse winter weather is a priority for me.

 

[Stalactically Gupid]

I’d just keep the stock tires until you wear them out. On this forum I’ve seen pictures of many new lc’s with bigger more aggressive tires but I’ve yet to see a picture of someone stuck with or a sliced up stock tire. These aren’t 70’s 4wd’s, they’re much more capable.

700 miles in the new LC. Had to replace a stock tire this past spring. Picked up a ‘utility knife blade’ on the highway. Long slice on shoulder of tire. Pulled the blade out and used several plugs but could not stop leaking. 3 garages wouldn’t patch. Said too dangerous. Bit the bullet and bought a new tire at dealer. $400.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

My main motivation for even looking at replacement tires is mostly for better handling in snow and ice, not necessarily off-roading.

I’ll wait until I least get a chance to test out the stock tires in winter conditions, but having confidence in adverse winter weather is a priority for me.

I believe the Toyos have 3-peak mountain snowflake. Having said that, there have been more than a few forum members who live in snowy climates reporting good performance from the stock tires on plowed roads. They are M+S rated which is pretty good. But I also switched partially to get the 3PMS performance because we have a trip planned to the mountains

 

[PDPete]

I believe the Toyos have 3-peak mountain snowflake. Having said that, there have been more than a few forum members who live in snowy climates reporting good performance from the stock tires on plowed roads. They are M+S rated which is pretty good. But I also switched partially to get the 3PMS performance because we have a trip planned to the mountains

Except the 1958 comes standard with these in 245/70R18:

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