Too much tire on my LC100?
- Thread starter bunduguy
- Start date
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
I must be crazy...Kurt just put my lift on...He suggested 864s in the back because of the extra weight. I have drawers, camping gear, water, etc...I also tow a e1 trailer at times...However, I love the ride without all that stuff. I guess it is stiff...hmmm...I guess I like a stiff ride but love it so far. Just got back from the desert and did 300 miles of dirt and gravel roads...loved the ride...What am I missing? I am curious
There in lies the issue, different strokes for different folks. I actually have quite a few 100 Series customers running the 864 rear coil, all are building 'heavier' than average trucks but as I recall discussing your build plans, you intend to land well within this range. As we discussed you have the option to buy a suspension for your current needs (which wouldn't dictate the 864's) or buy with your incoming additions. If those additions are further off, you might consider swapping the coils for a lighter set and planning to add the heavier spring later. It will soften the ride in the rear (will not help the front).
Roualeyn, I'm not at my work computer so I'll have to check your axle build sheet on Monday but I do recall your plans for a heavy truck (in fact I think we discussed Paul May's rig whom is running the 864's as well). If they are too much for you we can discuss a solution. If you will have bumpers and your other added gear by summers end I would wait it out as planned however you could do a swap if its going to be longer. I'll tell you have have more call back for 864's then want to go the opposite direction later
ShottsCruisers brought up a good point earlier in the thread about the amount of rake you have. With an unloaded 100 (particularly without your future build additions and the 864's) you should have a fair amount of rake to the front. Some want their truck level when unloaded, more prefer it level when loaded, unfortunately without additional changes (airbags for instance) you can't really have both in the case of the 100. If your torsion bars are adjusted too tall your ride will absolutely suffer. OME has a very defined max lift height they specify with the front torsion adjustment, guys cheat that but really your sacrificing ride and potential suspension travel.
Brock63
Observer
I ran Nitto Terra Grapplers on my FJC...on highway ran at 42psi...offroad ran at 18psi...the E rated sidewall is very stiff and heavy but they are bullet proof on trails with rocks and sharp staubs that love to puncture lesser tires. I gladly gave up a little softness of ride to keep from having to replace tires on the trail.
Wareagle
Observer
I think you need to drop the air pressure quite a bit. There's a formula for determining air pressure based on GVWR and tire rating. My bet is that a 100 series would need to be in the mid 30PSI range. I would drop to 32# and do a chalk test to make sure that you have good contact patch.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Lost of good responses, and I agree with most of them. A few points in agreement with the above:
Everything in the suspension system affects ride, Tires and Springs together for sure. Firmer springs with high tire PSI makes for a stiff ride, and sometimes poor traction. I prefer to have softer springs and tires if they will work for the application. Adjust both for ride quality as needed. Lowering tire pressure to a reasonable PSI for the load is the easiest, least expensive, and fastest option.
The LT265/75R16 size is designed to carry 1,910-pounds per tire at 35-psi cold per the load inflation charts. That is a sizable load, even for what most consider 'heavy' rigs. (Weigh your vehicle to know the 'facts', there is another active thread on weighing your rig.) I have a very heavy outfit but rarely pump 265/75s above 35-psi (when pulling heavy trailers/lots of tongue weight), and often run them at 30-32-psi, just enough to keep the TPMS light from coming on.
Personally I do prefer the ride & flex of a load range D tire over most "E"s, but many tires are only available as a LR E, and I believe this is the future, more "E"s and less "D"s. As someone noted, a LR E is better for most of the heavy-duty pickup users who buy more off-highway/truck tires than the SUV crowd (my guess). As LR D tires get updated into LR E designs we will likely have mostly LR E and some LR C tires to choose from in the most popular sizes.
My preference for load-range D tires aside, I'm currently running a 265/75R16 LR E tire because that is what's offered in the tread I wanted. I wouldn't sell your tires unless you really hate them. I would weigh your rig to insure you can safely run the lower PSI some are suggesting, then experiment with 30-35 PSI. If that doesn't do the trick, then play with springs.
$0.03
Everything in the suspension system affects ride, Tires and Springs together for sure. Firmer springs with high tire PSI makes for a stiff ride, and sometimes poor traction. I prefer to have softer springs and tires if they will work for the application. Adjust both for ride quality as needed. Lowering tire pressure to a reasonable PSI for the load is the easiest, least expensive, and fastest option.
The LT265/75R16 size is designed to carry 1,910-pounds per tire at 35-psi cold per the load inflation charts. That is a sizable load, even for what most consider 'heavy' rigs. (Weigh your vehicle to know the 'facts', there is another active thread on weighing your rig.) I have a very heavy outfit but rarely pump 265/75s above 35-psi (when pulling heavy trailers/lots of tongue weight), and often run them at 30-32-psi, just enough to keep the TPMS light from coming on.
Personally I do prefer the ride & flex of a load range D tire over most "E"s, but many tires are only available as a LR E, and I believe this is the future, more "E"s and less "D"s. As someone noted, a LR E is better for most of the heavy-duty pickup users who buy more off-highway/truck tires than the SUV crowd (my guess). As LR D tires get updated into LR E designs we will likely have mostly LR E and some LR C tires to choose from in the most popular sizes.
My preference for load-range D tires aside, I'm currently running a 265/75R16 LR E tire because that is what's offered in the tread I wanted. I wouldn't sell your tires unless you really hate them. I would weigh your rig to insure you can safely run the lower PSI some are suggesting, then experiment with 30-35 PSI. If that doesn't do the trick, then play with springs.
$0.03
So here is the latest update; I just drove the car from Santa Fe to Charleston SC, 1,800miles along I-40. But before I left, the good guys at Discount Tires actually swapped my tires for me! They took the Nitto's back, and put on the Hankook Dynapro AT-M I'd originally expressed an interest in. No doubt about it, the guys at Discount Tires did me a solid. We definitely had too much tire on, and they were real gentlemen to switch them out. And I got a $100 back!
What a huge difference! The LC drives great, feels softer and i love the suspension all over again. Thought the Nitto's do have a strong sidewall, the reality is that I'm not too concerned with my preferred style of driving and terrain. When I need a tougher tire, I may end up some day going back to the Nitto's but for the next few years, and a toddler on every trip, I won't be missing them.The truth is, the unloaded 864's just don't play nice with E-rated tires (especially over-inflated ones!). Thanks all for the advice and input. And thanks, Paul. The shocks feel now as I wanted them to! And looking forward to putting on some heavier toys in the future.
What a huge difference! The LC drives great, feels softer and i love the suspension all over again. Thought the Nitto's do have a strong sidewall, the reality is that I'm not too concerned with my preferred style of driving and terrain. When I need a tougher tire, I may end up some day going back to the Nitto's but for the next few years, and a toddler on every trip, I won't be missing them.The truth is, the unloaded 864's just don't play nice with E-rated tires (especially over-inflated ones!). Thanks all for the advice and input. And thanks, Paul. The shocks feel now as I wanted them to! And looking forward to putting on some heavier toys in the future.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
That is great to hear. I'll definitely have to bring this up with customers in the future
And I meant to say, "Thanks, KURT!" I'd just been emailing Paul May, so please forgive my blunder. Kurt, you definitely steered me right with the shocks. I really like the stiffer highway ride, and they feel so much better with the Hankooks. I think if I had a 10,000lb rig, the E-rated would be fine, but with no heavy-metal currently, the Hankooks are a gem!