Everything about tires for LR4/ LR3 with 18" wheels

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mm3846

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Here's something I couldn't figure out. The tire I ultimately was most interested in was the Falken Wildpeak AT4W, however I determined the LT size was going to be too large physically to work without modification. However what I thought was strange was that the 265/60 is XL rated, while the 265/65 is SL rated, yet if you compare their load indexes, they're identical. Why would one be XL and the other SL?

You need to check max pressures. Load index is based on MAX inflated pressure. A SL rated tire may only be rated for 30 psi, whereas XL is rated for 45.

XL tires behave like floatation tires in that load rating increases with pressure. So you can safely ride on lower pressures for less load, and inflate for higher load. SL tires need to be at the correct pressure or will be damaged and can blow out.. or just wear like **** because they’ll be under inflated.

SL rated tires cannot meet the pressure required, and therefore the OEM load rating.
 

tpat

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You need to check max pressures. Load index is based on MAX inflated pressure. A SL rated tire may only be rated for 30 psi, whereas XL is rated for 45.

XL tires behave like floatation tires in that load rating increases with pressure. So you can safely ride on lower pressures for less load, and inflate for higher load. SL tires need to be at the correct pressure or will be damaged and can blow out.. or just wear like **** because they’ll be under inflated.

SL rated tires cannot meet the pressure required, and therefore the OEM load rating.
If you look at the image he posted, the XL is rated for 50 and the SL is rated for 51
 

mm3846

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If you look at the image he posted, the XL is rated for 50 and the SL is rated for 51

Try it. When the tire wears out after 20k miles and handles like doodoo the whole time, let us know.
 

powershift

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Hey guys, I read through most of this thread, but I'm still struggling to choose tires. I have an '06 LR3 with the 18" wheels. I don't want to stress the suspension with rods or SYA lift. I also want to maintain full articulation. I think that leaves me at 31" diameter or less for tire size. That brings me to pick 265/60R18 at 30.5" OD. However, I'm stuck on choice of load rating and tire weight.

Should I go with D or E tires? I imagine XL and C is too lightweight for this truck. I'm using this as my daily driver so I care about fuel economy, but I live in Utah and really want it to be capable on snow, ice, dirt trails, and rocky trails in Moab and the mountains. I don't plan on towing, but I do care about sidewall strength.

These are the tires I'm considering(all 265/60R18):
- Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT - E-rated - 57 lb - 119Q - 18.5/32" tread
- BFG KO3 - D-rated - 51 lb - 114S - 15/32" tread
- Toyo Open Country AT3 - E-rated - 50 lb - 119S - 16/32" tread

The Baja Boss seems like the most capable, and it is a touch bigger at 30.8" diameter plus it has more tread. I'm leaning towards that the most, but will I regret the extra 6-7 lb weight? The KO3 is the only D-rated one at this size, but it doesn't release until August this year. There is also the Cooper Discoverer Stronghold and Yokohama Geolander that are E-rated and 48lb, but the Toyo looks better on paper.

Any advice is appreciated!
The load range depends on the cargo and/or tongue weight and the axle capacity and you might have a stiffer ride than needed. I would go with the BFG KO2's for Utah. The Toyo and MT's would be good for Nevada but in Utah the terrain is much more rocky.
 

bbyer

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Ice and snow plus potholes are my main concern re my grocery getter. Many years back, it switched out the factory 19" HSE rims for factory 18" Cromodora rims. I then installed 235 65 R18 tyres which gives me a narrower tread but taller rubber between the road and the rim.

Other than stocking availability concerns, I have had what I call good luck with Toyo Celsius CUV (Cute Utility Vehicle) rubber.

For me, the tread seems to work. It is quiet on pavement and ice and snow traction seems OK. My view is that no tyre tread is really any good relative to running on dry pavement, but I regard the narrow tread as sticking better in ice and snow, and that includes wet pavement. For me, up here, what I regard as the wide sand tyres are not the best.

I now have about 290,000 miles (470,000 km) on my LR3.
 

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Abram

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You need to check max pressures. Load index is based on MAX inflated pressure. A SL rated tire may only be rated for 30 psi, whereas XL is rated for 45.

XL tires behave like floatation tires in that load rating increases with pressure. So you can safely ride on lower pressures for less load, and inflate for higher load. SL tires need to be at the correct pressure or will be damaged and can blow out.. or just wear like **** because they’ll be under inflated.

SL rated tires cannot meet the pressure required, and therefore the OEM load rating.
AH thank you! That makes sense regarding the differences. I'd been trying in vain to truly understand the variations in tires but my previous mindset to most things was just "throw LTs at it", which isn't "wrong" but may not always be the best solution. I love learning new things so I appreciate the explanation.
 

itsaguything

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IMHO, The issue with LTs are the stiff sidewalls. You will have better grip at many different air pressures and certainly a better ride by staying with XLs
 
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Abram

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Well the wheels and tires went on this morning and I'm pretty happy with my choice based on initial impressions. I chose the Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek in 265/65 XL rated. The wheels are the Nomad Sahara in the Copperhead color way, 18x8 ET44.

Edit: I did some more testing and I do notice some rubbing in both normal and access heights when doing a full lock turn. Interestingly it's not rubbing on the frame horns, but rather the wheel well liner. It seems to only barely be making contact in a tight turn. I suppose I should decide what's the best course, try to modify the liners to accommodate, try a different tire, or go back down to the 265/60 size (which would be a shame because I love how it looks right now with the 31.5" tire)

Edit 2: I'm going to start by getting a proper alignment done now that they're installed and see if that addresses it. All the measurements I did suggest it should have fit without trouble so I'm assuming something is slightly off on my truck.
 

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