New tires on my LR4

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
So... I will derail.

What is largest 20" to run without rubbing?

rubbing when? when turning? when fully stuffed? when the air bags completely deflate?

255/50-20 is only a smidge over stock 31x10
285/50-20 is a bit more wide, still safe, looks great on L322s 31.2x11, probably the biggest "safe" size if you lose airbags
275/55-20 is just under a 32x11
255/60-20 is the same height but thinner at 32x10

for even more fun, remember that some tires just run bigger than others. when we're trying to squeeze half-inches out of tire sizes that can make things less/more "safe" or right to "looks too small."
 

ryanjl

Member
May 25, 2014
11
5
KCMO
When I finally moved to 18" wheels a year ago, I was surprised at the limited options available for either a 265/65/18 or 285/60/18 tire with a load range E.

At Discount Tire, those options were:

BFG All Terrain
Cooper Discoverer AT3 and Discoverer Maxx
Nitto Exo Grappler, Terra Grappler, Ridge Grappler

I personally wanted to go with a load range E tires for a few reasons. First, the Land Rover is heavy, even when stock. Second, and more importantly, I think there's a general equivocation between load range and sidewall strength, with the higher load rating generally meaning the sidewalls are stronger, too. Not always, but if you dig through the manufacturers' websites it normally goes that the higher load ratings have more plies. I'm aware that a "ply" can be a nebulous term. But, while an 8-ply BFG might not be stronger than a 6-ply Nitto, I think it's safe to say that an 8-ply BFG is stronger than a 6-ply BFG.

Other all-terrain tires that get good reviews are the Falken Wildpeak A/T3 or the Toyo Open County A/T III. But both of those tires (at least a year ago) were only SL load rated at the size I wanted, which is a lower load rating than came stock on the LR4. (For the Toyo, you get a better load and ply rating sticking with the stock 19" wheels and going with the 255/60/19 tires.)

I wound up just going with the BFG ATs. They've been pretty great on road and off for me.
 
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DiscoHasBeen

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Aug 7, 2016
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Indy
Does hard be difficult or "firm"
Firm. If I had a rig for rock crawling that I transported to the site on a trailer I'd choose a narrower slick (without tread) tire. If it's sand dunes or mud with no bottom wide with paddles/lugs. Those are extremes. Everything in between is a matter of compromise. IMO if you are on more firm trails with rock type obstacles you'd want a narrower tire with a tread that allows for a lot of surface area contact.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
So a 1" wide tire with 1 sq in contact is better/best?

All depends on conditions.

Its contact area not ppsi, and its all compromise with your vehicle on size.

I have Always liked skinny tho.

Does hard be difficult or "firm"
I think in some cases the narrow tire and increased pressure on the smaller contact area helps. But then in sand a narrow tire would just sink the truck down to the axles. I don't think there's a perfect tire for all conditions.
 

bri

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
6,178
152
US
I think in some cases the narrow tire and increased pressure on the smaller contact area helps. But then in sand a narrow tire would just sink the truck down to the axles. I don't think there's a perfect tire for all conditions.
I consider 235/85R16 and 255/85R16 skinny and sand never gave me an issue. Prolonged sand and incline is a problem for any tire.
 
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Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
I think I'll order up some 265/65/18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers and see if I can get them installed this week. Going on a 100+ mile off road trip next weekend so would be fun to try new tires.
 
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bri

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Apr 20, 2004
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Firm. If I had a rig for rock crawling that I transported to the site on a trailer I'd choose a narrower slick (without tread) tire. If it's sand dunes or mud with no bottom wide with paddles/lugs. Those are extremes. Everything in between is a matter of compromise. IMO if you are on more firm trails with rock type obstacles you'd want a narrower tire with a tread that allows for a lot of surface area contact.
A slick for "rock crawling"? Good luck with that.
 

bri

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Apr 20, 2004
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What could you compare rock too, asphalt? What do most nascar tracks use for a surface? What is the tread on nascar tires?
So you think rock crawling is one single flat rock? You might run into this in Moab in certain places for limited amount of time, but when wet, you will quickly learn why it's called slick rock. Slick tire for any offroad vehicle is silly talk. Even on perfect rock like Moab it will be a huge failure. Best bet would be siped MT, if it's wet, AT might be better.
 

DiscoHasBeen

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Aug 7, 2016
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Indy
Best bet would be siped MT, if it's wet, AT might be better.
I said slicks on rock, wide with lugs and paddles for sand/mud with little to no bottom were extremes, every thing in between is a compromise. So you threw in wet rock, so now we start compromising. Blue said he ran mostly sand, gravel, and rock. Finding a tire that does well in sand and on rock is a tall order.

Many, many years ago when I had my CJ a buddy (in his Scout) and I would go out and see who would get stuck first. On one occasion we were on an old mining road that had become somewhat mud covered but still had a hard base. Upon coming to the crest of a hill we stopped to burn a couple of phattys and bullshit. We had come up the hill with little effort. After a while a lifted Power Wagon with probably 35x14" plus tires came up the same hill. That dude came up that hill pedal to the metal. He covered every inch of that road side to side throwing mud everywhere. That was an in your face lesson on how big of a difference tires can make.

Here's what I was running. 33x10.5
5333-sidetread.jpg
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
Well it looks like the Nitto Ridge Grappler in 265/65/18 isn't going to happen. There are only 13 left in the US right now and it will take a couple weeks to get a hold of 5. Then if I ever need to replace one I'll probably be SOL. There's about 35 tires in the 285/60/18 size but I don't really want to go with the 285 again. So I think I'll install a set of 275/65/18s. Going to be close with a full 32.09" in height.
 
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DiscoHasBeen

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I love it when you mansplain stuff to us like that.
man·splain
/ˈmanˌsplān/


Learn to pronounce


verb
informal
verb: mansplain; 3rd person present: mansplains; past tense: mansplained; past participle: mansplained; gerund or present participle: mansplaining

  1. (of a man) explain (something) to someone, typically a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing.

Is there something you haven't told us? Did you transition? Because if you did I totally support you.
 
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bri

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Apr 20, 2004
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Those swampers would suck for more than an hour on road.

Crazy what limited options there are for stock LR4.

I will say I have a smooth ride on 265/50R20. Cooper Discover AT3.

I do want something much more aggressive.

@Blue I want to know about access height with your choice

Are there not steering stops to prevent rubbing?
 
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Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
Had the new tires installed yesterday.

Old tires were 285/60/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers with 30,000 miles on them. Nitto lists the diameter for these tires as 31.46 inches. After 30,000 miles these tires were sitting at 29.5 to 30 inches in diameter when mounted with the weight of truck on them at standard recommended pressure.

New tires are 275/65/18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Nitto lists the diameter for these tires as 32.09 inches. When mounted with the weight of truck on them at standard pressure these tires are sitting at about 31 inches in diameter.

At standard ride height the truck is now riding about 1.5 inches higher when measured from ground to wheel well fender.

At standard ride height I've noticed definite rubbing on front frame horns while slowly turning forward with steering turned to lock and a lot of rubbing on horns while reversing with steering turned to lock. Previously I only had a bit of rubbing on the horns turning forward when the 285/60/18s were brand new and they always rubbed a bit on the horns in reverse full lock. I also noticed some rubbing on the passenger rear inner fender liner forward of the tire at standard ride height upon hard acceleration.

I have the X-Lifter module and I usually ride around town in +25 mm mode so that takes care of the rear fender liner rubbing. I'll have to drive some more to see if I rub anywhere while driving normally at +25. On the highways I drive in standard height mode and I'll have to see if it rubs at all while on the highway. The tires are pretty stuffed in there at access height but it looks like it'll still roll. I think I'll be rubbing if I drop to the bumps. Just got my GAP IID Tool in the mail from Lucky 8. Will have to play with it some more.

I'll attach some pics.

1 front driver.jpg

2 front driver.jpg

3 rear driver.jpg

X-Lifter on standard (+0 mm) and OEM dashboard setting at Access Height:
1--+0 access.JPG

X-Lifter and OEM at standard height:
2--+0 OEM standard.JPG

X-Lifter at +25 mm and OEM standard:
3--+25 OEM standard.JPG

X-Lifter at +55 mm and OEM standard:
4--+55 OEM standard.JPG

X-Lifter at +75 and OEM standard:
5--+75 OEM standard.JPG

X-Lifter at +75 and OEM at Off Road Height (this usually triggers the obstacle warning saying return to normal after you clear obstacle):
6--+75 OEM offroad.JPG
 
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