Hi All!

[AlDuss]

I just got my first Land Cruiser yesterday (First Toyota). I have been a jeep guy for years, traded my Rubicon JL for the Land Cruiser. Always wanted to rebuild an old LC and this one has some (just a little) of that look yet has some "old man" stuff for me. Very excited to get to know and new platform and see what it can do. My jeep was not used for mall crawling ;-) I do have a lot of questions though, and i am hoping you all are willing to get me situated. First, the tiers got to go! It came with the YOKOHAMA 20 in. I have look thru a lot if the treads on here and got a lot of good info, but still have some questions, so I will get started here I guess. I was very surprised that my Rubicon with 33 KO2s, road better then the LC. I am sure it is becouse it had a lot more side wall. if i could have found an LC with 18' and a more aggressive tire I would have gotten that. Imposable to find! SO now after reading the blogs here it sees many are keeping the 20's and upping the size slightly. I do not see a lot of talk about ride improvement however. Also I don't see anyone talking about spacers. (I know I know they are controversial but they did a lot for me , make huge difference when i added them even when my Rubicon was stock for road manners). I was think of adding 1 in spacers and going up a size on the tire, mostly to get more sidewall for the suspension ride. I want to do it very very soon, like today! Any input would be great. Looking to smooth the ride a bit and a more off road capabiltiy and look.
Hope one day to be a contributor here, but i am definitely a newbee for now! Thanks in advance.

 

[TimHerald]

Congrats and welcome from KY!!

 

[RideWithYanu]

I just got my first Land Cruiser yesterday (First Toyota). I have been a jeep guy for years, traded my Rubicon JL for the Land Cruiser. Always wanted to rebuild an old LC and this one has some (just a little) of that look yet has some "old man" stuff for me. Very excited to get to know and new platform and see what it can do. My jeep was not used for mall crawling ;-) I do have a lot of questions though, and i am hoping you all are willing to get me situated. First, the tiers got to go! It came with the YOKOHAMA 20 in. I have look thru a lot if the treads on here and got a lot of good info, but still have some questions, so I will get started here I guess. I was very surprised that my Rubicon with 33 KO2s, road better then the LC. I am sure it is becouse it had a lot more side wall. if i could have found an LC with 18' and a more aggressive tire I would have gotten that. Imposable to find! SO now after reading the blogs here it sees many are keeping the 20's and upping the size slightly. I do not see a lot of talk about ride improvement however. Also I don't see anyone talking about spacers. (I know I know they are controversial but they did a lot for me , make huge difference when i added them even when my Rubicon was stock for road manners). I was think of adding 1 in spacers and going up a size on the tire, mostly to get more sidewall for the suspension ride. I want to do it very very soon, like today! Any input would be great. Looking to smooth the ride a bit and a more off road capabiltiy and look.
Hope one day to be a contributor here, but i am definitely a newbee for now! Thanks in advance.

Welcome! I’d love to see a pic of the truck! Did you purchase the new (2024-2027 Prado version) Land Cruiser or a prior model? Wasn’t sure when you said you always wanted to rebuild an old Land Cruiser, but assume you mean the new one because you’re referring to 20” wheels.

Anyway - there is a TON of existing discussion on improving/worsening ride quality with 20” vs 18” vs 17” wheels, the various tire options for each of those wheels sizes and how they affect ride quality, and again a ton of conversation already happening on the use of wheel spacers. If you make the effort to use the search bar you’ll find those conversations, and likely find answers to exactly what you’re asking here. At the end of the day you’ll have to filter a lot of opinion and then make your own. None of the questions you’ve asked here are remotely bespoke, so that’s working in your favor.

Welcome!

 

[AlDuss]

Welcome! I’d love to see a pic of the truck! Did you purchase the new (2024-2026 Prado version) Land Cruiser or a prior model? Wasn’t sure when you said you always wanted to rebuild an old Land Cruiser, but assume you mean the new one because you’re referring to 20” wheels.

Anywhere - there is a TON of existing discussion on improving/worsening ride quality with 20” vs 18” vs 17” wheels, the various tire options for each of those wheels sizes and how they affect ride quality, and again a ton of conversation already happening on the use of wheel spacers. If you make the effort to use the search bar you’ll find those conversations, and likely find answers to exactly what you’re asking here. At the end of the day you’ll have to filter a lot of opinion and then make your own. None of the questions you’ve asked here are remotely bespoke, so that’s working in your favor.

Welcome!

Thanks, new 27, when i say old, i am going way back, but it would never be a daily driver. As for the info I know, almost to much ;-0. It is great that there is a community here! Thought I might miss that from the Jeep world, but looks alive and well!

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Welcome. I wouldn’t believe everything on the internet. Many people spending thousands of dollars on modifications have to justify the cost so of course their E rated mud terrain tires ride better and are quieter than stock.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Thanks, new 27, when i say old, i am going way back, but it would never be a daily driver. As for the info I know, almost to much ;-0. It is great that there is a community here! Thought I might miss that from the Jeep world, but looks alive and well!

Got it that makes sense! I also long for an older Land Cruiser, but the 250 makes an excellent daily driver compromise for where I’m currently at in life. There are a few members here with older Land Cruisers as well, so there’s great content coming from them on keeping the older baddies cranking. See posts by Tim (above) and Bad1975, great stuff on what they’re doing both with their 80s and 250s. Also, you’re in good company here with many owners who once (or still) enjoyed their Jeeps. I look forward to you sharing your experience here over time and learning from it!

Welcome. I wouldn’t believe everything on the internet. Many people spending thousands of dollars on modifications have to justify the cost so of course their E rated mud terrain tires ride better and are quieter than stock.

Yup - confirmation bias runs strong.

 

[wpage]

Welcome new folk...
You will discover all things on the search bar.
Enjoy !

 

[DubDub]

Fellow Jeeper here (TJs, and still own a TJR shorty). I am tracking the spacer discussion as it relates to Wranglers, and agree it was a simple fix for the tracking issues Wranglers, especially beefy Rubis are prone too. I doubt you’ll find the gains comparable to that of the Jeeps, and I also would recommend digging into the older threads since you are now competing with actual wheel wells. 20” wheels are fine, and 18” OE takeoffs are available, albeit not as prevalent as is with Wranglers. Just went up to 275/60-20 XL Terra Grap G3s on the wife’s Sequoia and they are amazing. At least on her BOF, those seem to really provide footing it was missing on the factory 265/65-20 wildpeaks.

If you ever want to flirt Jeeps just let me know. There are a few of us on here w/ feet in both worlds! In fact, I think @MSINAL is a JK’r

 

[ultane]

Welcome to the asylum @AlDuss

Check the air pressure in your tires.

I was so excited to drive Miss Daisy home with my Daughter (who will inherit Miss Daisy when I pass) and her three kids. After that 90 minute drive, my daughter commented that for an $80K SUV, it sure rode ruff.. I agreed. I could feel every pebble we ran over on the way to her house.

Then I checked the tires, and they were inflated to ~49 PSI, instead of 33 PSI.

All was good on the 2 hour drive home to NC, once I deflated them to ~36 since they were still warm from the drive. The next morning, I deflated them to 34. A few mornings later, 33 PSI. The B pillar placard says to inflate to 33 PSI. Miss Daisy does have the best ride at 33 PSI.

 

[AlDuss]

Welcome to the asylum @AlDuss

Check the air pressure in your tires.

I was so excited to drive Miss Daisy home with my Daughter (who will inherit Miss Daisy when I pass) and her three kids. After that 90 minute drive, my daughter commented that for an $80K SUV, it sure rode ruff.. I agreed. I could feel every pebble we ran over on the way to her house.

Then I checked the tires, and they were inflated to ~49 PSI, instead of 33 PSI.

All was good on the 2 hour drive home to NC, once I deflated them to ~36 since they were still warm from the drive. The next morning, I deflated them to 34. A few mornings later, 33 PSI. The B pillar placard says to inflate to 33 PSI. Miss Daisy does have the best ride at 33 PSI.

Good info. Funny when I test drove it, it was awful, so I check the tire pressure and they were at 55. We took them down to 36 and it was much better. I will be going to 33 tomorrow! Thanks!

 

[AlDuss]

Fellow Jeeper here (TJs, and still own a TJR shorty). I am tracking the spacer discussion as it relates to Wranglers, and agree it was a simple fix for the tracking issues Wranglers, especially beefy Rubis are prone too. I doubt you’ll find the gains comparable to that of the Jeeps, and I also would recommend digging into the older threads since you are now competing with actual wheel wells. 20” wheels are fine, and 18” OE takeoffs are available, albeit not as prevalent as is with Wranglers. Just went up to 275/60-20 XL Terra Grap G3s on the wife’s Sequoia and they are amazing. At least on her BOF, those seem to really provide footing it was missing on the factory 265/65-20 wildpeaks.

If you ever want to flirt Jeeps just let me know. There are a few of us on here w/ feet in both worlds! In fact, I think @MSINAL is a JK’r

Good point on the wells! Was thinking it would look better with a wider stance but now you are going to make me do the geometry math

 

[basicxj]

Congrats on the Land Cruiser and welcome to the forum

Former Jeep owner here, my last being a JK Hard Rock Rubicon unlimited. I was on wranglerforum.com for nine years. I think you will find similarly good people here too.

Now post a pic of your new baby

 

[AlDuss]

Congrats on the Land Cruiser and welcome to the forum

Former Jeep owner here, my last being a JK Hard Rock Rubicon unlimited. I was on wranglerforum.com for nine years. I think you will find similarly good people here too.

Now post a pic of your new baby

Not till I change the tires!! I have been staring at 275 specs night

 

[AlDuss]

Ok, I guess this will be the before, it’s beautiful isn’t it

 

[JasonMiller]

Welcome aboard, and nice score on the 250. One thing worth flagging before you pull the trigger on the spacers, they won't actually give you more sidewall. The sidewall comes from the tire's aspect ratio and the wheel diameter, not from spacing the wheel out. So if ride is the goal, the sidewall you're after comes from dropping to an 18 with a taller tire, not from the 1 inch spacer.

The spacer mostly just pushes the stance out, which on the 250 is a tighter fit than your old Rubicon since the wheel wells aren't as forgiving. A 1 inch spacer plus a bigger tire is where you start chasing rub, so measure twice.

For the ride win, I'd do tire pressure first, sounds like you're already on it and 33 is the sweet spot, and then look at 18 inch takeoffs with a taller sidewall. That'll smooth it more than spacers ever will.

What size are you leaning toward, staying on 20s with a 275/60 or dropping to 18s?

 

[AlDuss]

For now I was going to go up to the 275 60 on the 20’s. Once I beat up those I may go down to an 18, I am cross eyed look at tire specs all night! I ordered 1 1/4 spacers. Do you think that is too much for 275’s?

 

[ultane]

Good info. Funny when I test drove it, it was awful, so I check the tire pressure and they were at 55. We took them down to 36 and it was much better. I will be going to 33 tomorrow! Thanks!

Going from 36 to 33 might not help much. But it’s worth a try.

 

[ultane]

Not till I change the tires!! I have been staring at 275 specs night

@Markarian421 has a great spread sheet on tires somewhere on here.

 

[JasonMiller]

For now I was going to go up to the 275 60 on the 20’s. Once I beat up those I may go down to an 18, I am cross eyed look at tire specs all night! I ordered 1 1/4 spacers. Do you think that is too much for 275’s?

1 1/4 is on the aggressive side for 275s on the 250, but you're probably fine, you'll just be closer to the edge than most. Most guys run 1 inch and call it a day. At 1.25 the front will likely kiss the liner at full lock, and the rear bumper corners are the usual spot that gets friendly with the tire when you're loaded or hit a dip. Worth a test fit before you torque anything down, turn the wheel lock to lock and check both sides, then bounce the rear a little.

One real thing since you already ordered, make sure they're hub centric and the right bolt pattern, and decide bolt on versus slip on. Slip on needs longer studs, bolt on carries its own. Either way torque the spacer to the hub properly, that's the part people rush and then post a horror story about.

You'll be fine, just don't be surprised if you end up trimming a tiny bit of liner. What brand did you go with?

 

[basicxj]

@Markarian421 has a great spread sheet on tires somewhere on here.

Tire (and a few wheel) options spreadsheet

I've updated the spreadsheet with info from Ed Martin Toyota. See Eric's video and their table for all Toyota options that will fit the Land Cruiser, my spreadsheet mostly only covers 18" wheels and tires. Eric's video: Ed Martin Toyota table with Toyota wheels and caps...

www.landcruiserforum.com

^^ yes, lots of good info in there