LR3 owners sound off, which tires?

[DiscoDavis]

I think YOU are the "someone" and YOU should try them and let us know how it goes !

All the weights add up but I found with mine that it runs almost sporty with the lighter wheels and lighter tires. The heaviest wheels I have are the factory 5 spoke from 2005 v6 and the lightest are the 18" grooved/fluted 10 spoke, the flat 10 spoke are in the middle. I have an E load range Michelin M/S2 on the light wheel and BFG AT KO2 on the heavier wheel. The combination is very noticeable but so is when the sliders are off which weigh 100 lbs per side. Even more the rack and RTT make a huge difference on top of the lower stuff.

Touché

Unfortunately need to wear out these toyos first, only about ~20k into them... So I'll let y'all know how the 255/70 goes mmm say middle of 2017?
Good to know re: weight vs height.

 

[Victory_Overland]

I'm running the STT Pro in 275/70-18; I didn't do any extra trimming beyond what I had already done when running 275/65s.

I haven't had a chance to run them in the rocks yet since I just put them on this winter. In the snow they've been so-so; my Duratracs were better in the snow, but that's pretty much to be expected as MTs never do all that well in ice and snow.

I wouldn't recommend them, at least in this size, for anything but dedicated trail trucks. They really take the fun (if you can call it that) out of highway driving. They are heavier and louder than the DTs and with the taller size I really wish I could re-gear to get my cruise RPM back where it belongs. As it is I get a downshift if a sparrow bats it's wings in my direction even when running on level ground. I'm just working the truck harder with the extra size, weight, and rolling resistance. Mileage is down as well. Again, predictable but annoying. I'm getting about 13 avg. This is not entirely due to the tires of course, but it's down about 1-1.5 mpg from where I was.

They are also just generally less enjoyable on the highway. The steering feel is noticeably worse.

My rig is a dedicated trail truck, but I still pound out highway miles getting to the trail. Assuming I ever get my RRC built, I'll 'downgrade' the LR3 to more moderate use and likely move back to an AT tire; likely the KO2 or ST-Maxx. I've just been trying to make the LR3 do things it simply won't do. Here in June I'll take her back to the Rubicon, but that may be the end of the hard trails for the LR3.

Don,

Great feedback on the STT Pro, exactly what I needed to hear and reinforces my wanting for a narrower MT tire and not too much bigger than stock but a bit more sidewall. The traction is the key ticket I need, but added sidewall is also preferred.

Can you send me some pics of those Coopers on your rig?

Victory.overland@gmail.com

 

[Victory_Overland]

I think YOU are the "someone" and YOU should try them and let us know how it goes !

All the weights add up but I found with mine that it runs almost sporty with the lighter wheels and lighter tires. The heaviest wheels I have are the factory 5 spoke from 2005 v6 and the lightest are the 18" grooved/fluted 10 spoke, the flat 10 spoke are in the middle. I have an E load range Michelin M/S2 on the light wheel and BFG AT KO2 on the heavier wheel. The combination is very noticeable but so is when the sliders are off which weigh 100 lbs per side. Even more the rack and RTT make a huge difference on top of the lower stuff.

Agreed, my baby is getting a bit porky around the waist as I keep adding stuff. Aerodynamics play a huge factor in higher speed driving too with lift, bigger tires, racks, awnings and surely the RTT. I took my awning off and I got 1mpg back overnight.

I watched this show on aerodynamics and it talked about how the lift on vehicles creates huge vortices under the truck and behind it creating a vacuum which increases drag. So not only do you get lower cg by dumping the suspension to improve handling but you create a smaller package to reduce airflow vortexes and drag. The smooth airflow under a vehicle is one of the biggest factors in aerodynamics in automobiles. The parasitic drag and weight of all the crap we put on for overlanding just kills the economy all around.........but it sure makes the ladies look when they see a kitted out Landy cruise by and they know we are heading to get our man on in the outback! :smiley_drive:

Never sacrifice looking good for comfort and gas mileage! :victory:

 

[zelatore]

I can't say specifically if it's the weight, rolling resistance, or height that is causing the added load but I suspect it's just the combination of all three since no single issue is that much more than my previous 275/65 Duratracs.

Here's a shot of it with the Coopers installed at off-road height w/johnson rods. (ignore that noise in the background, it's just Jwestpro's head exploding)



And regular height



And here's what it looks like stuck in a hole. That's what 'road hugging weight' will do for 'ya!

 

[nwoods]

And here's what it looks like stuck in a hole.

So...were you ice fishing out the tailgate? LOL
Your truck looks awesome.

 

[zelatore]

Someone please try fitting 255/70/r18's and let me know how that goes...

Otherwise slated for BFG AT's in 265/65/r18

Don would you say the weight is what strains your driveline or moreso the height?

Though I haven't tried them, 255/70-18s should fit easily. Maybe a little trimming at the frame horns but nothing crazy. That's basically a 32x10 tire

You buy 'em and we'll make 'em fit!

 

[zelatore]

So...were you ice fishing out the tailgate? LOL
Your truck looks awesome.

That's not the best (worst?) that happened on that trip...here's my buddy's RRC in a similar hole.



It was a fairly warm day and there was basically a stream running under about 2' of snow on the trail. In some places it had softened and collapsed so you ended up with these holes to deal with. No LR3s were harmed in the making of these photos, though the RRC did get a minor dent in the hood and tweeked the roof rack a bit. No big deal - he pounded it out as soon as he got home.

 

[Victory_Overland]

That's not the best (worst?) that happened on that trip...here's my buddy's RRC in a similar hole.



It was a fairly warm day and there was basically a stream running under about 2' of snow on the trail. In some places it had softened and collapsed so you ended up with these holes to deal with. No LR3s were harmed in the making of these photos, though the RRC did get a minor dent in the hood and tweeked the roof rack a bit. No big deal - he pounded it out as soon as he got home.

Ahahaha. Those pics are absolutely epic. You're not stuck, you're just confirming your recovery methods are solid! :victory:

 

[Evomike]

im running a set pf 275-65-18 stt pros and i love em, i have only had them in the mud and sand so far and i have no complaints and they are a lot quieter than i had anticipated.

 

[jerdog53]

(ignore that noise in the background, it's just Jwestpro's head exploding)

:coffeedrink:I thought it was just me that heard that...

 

[ColoDisco]

Just tested out my 275/65/18 duratracs in Moab and they performed flawlessly.

 

[Victory_Overland]

im running a set pf 275-65-18 stt pros and i love em, i have only had them in the mud and sand so far and i have no complaints and they are a lot quieter than i had anticipated.

Anyway you can post some picts of your ride with the STT Pros installed? Are you running IID Tool lift? If so, what heights, etc.... Very interested as these are the tires I am looking to purchase.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Evomike]

Anyway you can post some picts of your ride with the STT Pros installed? Are you running IID Tool lift? If so, what heights, etc.... Very interested as these are the tires I am looking to purchase.

Thanks in advance!

i have johnson rods and heres the only photo i have on this computer.

 

[Victory_Overland]

i have johnson rods and heres the only photo i have on this computer.

Very nice, Rover looks great. I appreciate the posts and the initial reviews of the Coopers. I like the exposed white lettering too!

 

[Victory_Overland]

Normal Ride Height

For those of you running rods, do you know what the height difference is compared to normal mode OEM?

I'm planning to run at offroad height for normal, or a bit lower to give me some extension when needed off-road. If I can see what everyone else is looking at for the sweet spot on ride height that would be awesome to build from.

I am running IID Tool configurations, no rods.......

Thanks,