Maxing Out Off-Road Ability on 19" Wheels (yep, tires again)

[Brizzity]

Hi all, new 2012 LR4 owner here. I've spent plenty of time researching the boards before my purchase and have continued since, and have appreciated all the insight I've found. I hate to start a new tire thread here, the equivalent of another oil thread over in the Porsche world, but I haven't quite found what I'm looking for and hope to get some additional insight.

My truck has black 20's that I want to keep in their current good condition so I've been planning out a second set up for off-roading. My underlying goal, max out tire size without altering the car (much at least). The Comp 18's were more than I wanted to spend so I've picked up a set of stock 19's for off-road tires. It seems like the two best options for the 19's are the Cooper Zeon LTZ's and the Duratracs according to what everyone says here.

So, to try and be real specific, here's what I'm hoping to find some help with:

- What is the largest tire we can fit on stock 19's, with stock ride height?

- A fellow LR4 owner said he's got "clips" or something on his that allow him to keep his truck raised in the off-road height full-time, even above 30 mph (or whatever the stock threshold is for height automatically dropping down). Is that a thing? And if so, that seems like it would allow a larger tire on the 19's?

- Can we fit that largest size tire I'm looking to put on the 19's as a spare under the car? If not, how large can we get under there?

My ideal situation goes something like this: I'm able to put the truck in the high position and keep it there
while i've got the 19's on the truck, with tires maxed out. I have a large enough spare under the car that I don't have to load up another full size off-road spare in the boot when I go off-road.

Many thanks in advance for any insight. I know we all like to see pics, though i'm not sure how much they really mean in this instance. Anyway, here is the truck, my current wheel, the 19's I picked up, and my current spare.

 

[jmars]

"clips or something"....this screams a lack of search (on this forum or any other)...Rods (Johnson & Proud Rhino) are discussed at length in every LR3 & LR4 discussion.

This thread seems like a troll thread and if not then don't let the internet spoon feed you b/c you will be advised incorrectly at some point.

I'm new to the LR4 game too but there are some basics you should research and come to bat with.

Good luck

 

[Brizzity]

"clips or something"....this screams a lack of search (on this forum or any other)...Rods (Johnson & Proud Rhino) are discussed at length in every LR3 & LR4 discussion.

This thread seems like a troll thread and if not then don't let the internet spoon feed you b/c you will be advised incorrectly at some point.

I'm new to the LR4 game too but there are some basics you should research and come to bat with.

Good luck

First off, thanks for the warm welcome and my apologies for offending your delicate internet sensibilities. Yes, my thread is totally a "troll thread." I took the time to compose that post and include images in an effort to trigger a ****** with so much time on his hands, he couldn't resist posting a gruff reply instead of just moving on. Success!

Maybe get yourself an avatar and a little more seniority before taking on the role of forum police. Good luck.

Back to the topic...
My experience elsewhere has been that those with knowledge, are happy to share. We'll see if that's the case here
after that unfortunate start.

I'm aware of the Johnson and Proud Rhino options, which give you a CONSTANT lift in all positions. That's not what
I said I was looking to achieve. I was told there was an option that doesn't lift the truck in all positions,
it was something that allowed you to ride in the high position full-time or go back to regular ride height at your discretion.
Seems like that option doesn't exist and someone got confused about the Johnson rods.

Anyway, this post was more about 19" tire sizes so experiences there still appreciated.

 

[RBA]

Since you've been doing some research, I'm assuming you're familiar with the GAP IDtool. That can achieve what you want. There is another another (although my memory is failing me) that has a dial in the cabin where you can dial in the height and leave it there. The Gap tool is more expensive but gives you other features that the other option doesn't. I'd have to do a little research to find the name. Regardless both options would work. Switch tire/wheel combo and just make the height change through software. Easy peazy...

I have the GAP tool because I like all the other features. Reading codes, clearing codes, changing options in the menu, etc.

 

[iSurfvilano]

I use the duratracs and think they're great. The best off-road option on the 19" rim in my opinion.

 

[RBA]

Yes, I have the Duratracs too and they're probably the most aggressive tires in the stock size. If you're going bigger you'll have other options. My only complaint after 27K miles is that they very loud for my taste. They were only slightly louder than the Cooper's I had previously but now with the mileage they are noticeably louder.

 

[Brizzity]

Thanks for that feedback. The GAP tool could be a good option it seems, especially with the added functionality. It looks like perhaps the Green Oval rods do what I was thinking lift wise. From what I can tell, you flip them into position manually at each corner and it stays in the position you want. With that option or the GAP tool, it looks like I can get it locked in the raised position so it then just becomes a question of what's the biggest 19" tire I can fit/find.

Ideally the more sidewall the better so the options I'm finding thus far are the Duratracs mentioned or the Cooper Zeon, in 255/55/19, or the Goodyear Wrangler AT in 255/60/19, though the wranglers look like you're giving up some of the aggressive tread for a little more sidewall.

 

[mks_95]

For the FIXED Hight options you have alot of choices:

Johnson Rods
Rhino
Britpart
and the list goes on


For the Hacking into your car system to the ultimate fully extended hight ( w/o or w the milage limit control ) the options for example are:

IID Tool
MudTech4x4 Anitas
Land Rover Passion high lift
LLAMS


#Let the search guide you to your decision.



For the rims+tyres am no expert but as for the guys previously mentioned 20" vs 18" is not that ideal ultimately outstanding big huge difference, more likely in such as lr4 vehicle which 32" tyres are almost the limit in most cases ( w/o extreme modification ). I picture you got what i am implementing to your 20 vs 19. Especially all i consider is very important is the tyre hight ( 60 is far better than 50) where as 285 vs 275 width we can debate all night in here.

therefore the basic principles here is to go for the perfect package that suits your case very well.


Which has the lower cost keeping 20s or getting new 19s set?

Varaioty of tyres option available.

Local dealer nearby

Good bargain

etc..

 

[Brizzity]

For the FIXED Hight options you have alot of choices:

Johnson Rods
Rhino
Britpart
and the list goes on


For the Hacking into your car system to the ultimate fully extended hight ( w/o or w the milage limit control ) the options for example are:

IID Tool
MudTech4x4 Anitas
Land Rover Passion high lift
LLAMS


#Let the search guide you to your decision.



For the rims+tyres am no expert but as for the guys previously mentioned 20" vs 18" is not that ideal ultimately outstanding big huge difference, more likely in such as lr4 vehicle which 32" tyres are almost the limit in most cases ( w/o extreme modification ). I picture you got what i am implementing to your 20 vs 19. Especially all i consider is very important is the tyre hight ( 60 is far better than 50) where as 285 vs 275 width we can debate all night in here.

therefore the basic principles here is to go for the perfect package that suits your case very well.


Which has the lower cost keeping 20s or getting new 19s set?

Varaioty of tyres option available.

Local dealer nearby

Good bargain

etc..

Thanks for those additional options for hacking into the system, I'll do my homework on each.

Regarding wheels, I'm keeping my 20's as daily drivers and have picked up a set of 19's already
to run off-road. So, it's all about max tire size that can fit on the 19's while the car is in the fully
extended height full-time.

 

[ryanjl]

For an off-road-oriented tire, there really is no "biggest" tire option in a 19" wheel other than the stock size as the only options are 255/55/19.