KO3's!!!

[ultane]

Thankyou, Heard a lot abt the KO3s. And thats on my Bucket list next rig change. Having said the OEM delivered for FE here at Middle East was Toyo A/T 18s . They have good grip Offroad and Onroad, except urban I find the breaking bit tad. I do know know if it is the tires or the pads. But surely both dont do well. Will have the upgrade to Akebono Ceramics and see how it goes.
But how is the Cabin Sound on the highway with BFs KO3s

I don’t know. I still have the stock Michelins on Miss Daisy.

 

[Electr0]

Thankyou, Heard a lot abt the KO3s. And thats on my Bucket list next rig change. Having said the OEM delivered for FE here at Middle East was Toyo A/T 18s . They have good grip Offroad and Onroad, except urban I find the breaking bit tad. I do know know if it is the tires or the pads. But surely both dont do well. Will have the upgrade to Akebono Ceramics and see how it goes.
But how is the Cabin Sound on the highway with BFs KO3s

Cabin noise from the tyres are minimal - i have the KO3s in 285/70/17, and i only hear them slightly when i've driven for a while and the temps and pressure increased to 36psi. i usually inflate to 33, knowing that its hot in the region and they will increase in pressure on the road.

 

[ramoftherose]

I have also been running the KO3s (265/70 R18 124S RWL) in the original OEM size and am averaging approximately 20mpg. I never ran the stock tires so I can’t speak to the relative difference in fuel economy but at least you can use this as an absolute number for a First Edition with no other modifications from stock. I have 1170 miles on the vehicle at this time.

Any yellowing or browning in the white letters? Considering getting BFG with the white lettering like yours!

 

[pnwlc250]

Any yellowing or browning in the white letters? Considering getting BFG with the white lettering like yours!

I have just over 14,000 miles on my KO3s and I haven't noticed any yellowing/browning of the raised white lettering up to this point in time. They can get a bit dirty between washes, but they clean up extremely well and look nearly as good as new.

My only complaint, and it really isn't much of a complaint, is that the KO3s tend to kick up rocks that somehow get under/around the stock First Edition mud-flaps and rock rails (as opposed to the running boards on other trims). These rocks are striking the leading edge of the rear plastic fender flare trim pieces as well as the lower portion of the rear door immediately in front of the rear wheel arches. The plastic trim pieces and the ppf on the rear door are getting a bit dinged up, but that's the purpose of the trim pieces and the ppf, so I'm not very worried about it.

I would highly recommend the KO3s based on my experience.

 

[Buckfever]

18.2 mpg now. I had that check battery cooling fan maintenance message they found nothing did an inspection and the dealer seems to have lowered the psi to - 40. Seems good.

 

[Buckfever]

For sure been a cluster with the KO3's and the right PSI. Last time I took it in to the dealer because a warning light came on which was nothing, they set the PSI to 40 so go figure. AND it is sooo much better at 40.

 

[Buckfever]

Bumped up to 18.3 mpg here recently. I imagine that will be it with the temps turning colder.

With the ambient temp at 68 the PSI is ~ 39-40 cold.

 

[pnwlc250]

Although I traded the Land Cruiser First Edition in for a 2025 GX550 Overtrail+ recently, I wanted to let the forum know that during the summer months in eastern Washington / northern Idaho I consistently averaged 22mpg +\- in mixed driving. The KO3s were the only modification from stock that I made to the vehicle. I was very pleased with the mileage given that this vehicle had the First Edition roof rack and the significantly heavier tires. I ran the KO3s at a cold tire pressure of 45psi.

 

[Nago Curtis]

Although I traded the Land Cruiser First Edition in for a 2025 GX550 Overtrail+ recently, I wanted to let the forum know that during the summer months in eastern Washington / northern Idaho I consistently averaged 22mpg +\- in mixed driving. The KO3s were the only modification from stock that I made to the vehicle. I was very pleased with the mileage given that this vehicle had the First Edition roof rack and the significantly heavier tires. I ran the KO3s at a cold tire pressure of 45psi.

What size KO3s?

I just purchased a 2025 LC 1958 in Anchorage. Still have the stock 18" wheel tire set up. I am new to Alaska from Texas and need some good tires for winter. Somehow but reading this thread, I came up with the idea that BFG AT KO3s 265/70/18 would get me through my first winter here and then I could keep them on year round.

I bought some through Costo online even though the website warned me before hand they didn't fit and the shop might not install them. This is in spite of the fact that 265/70/18 is listed as the "Type B" tire option in the owner's manual.

I spoke with the technicians at Costco before the tires arrived in Anchorage and they said don't worry about the warning. The tires arrived and during the install they got my stock wheels off and then refused to install the 265/70/18 KO3 because they were "too big". The claimed they would rub plus they were over the 3% size difference threshold. They said they would install 255/70/18 though.
They told the 265/70/18s back and I ordered the 255s and now I am waiting for those.

So obviously the 265s would have been perfectly fine!! Now looking for some suggestions.....

1. Should I go back and get the 265s and have them installed elsewhere?
2. Just go with the 255s when they arrive?
3. Will the BFG AT KO3 be a good enough winter tire for an inexperience snow and ice driver? Some people "in the know" here in Anchorage seem to think yes
4. Should I get a Snow/Ice tire like the BLIZZAK DM-V2 255/70R18 112S BW WINTER TIRE and then get the KO3s later for the rest of the year?

Thanks for reading and input!

 

[Little T]

What size KO3s?

I just purchased a 2025 LC 1958 in Anchorage. Still have the stock 18" wheel tire set up. I am new to Alaska from Texas and need some good tires for winter. Somehow but reading this thread, I came up with the idea that BFG AT KO3s 265/70/18 would get me through my first winter here and then I could keep them on year round.

I bought some through Costo online even though the website warned me before hand they didn't fit and the shop might not install them. This is in spite of the fact that 265/70/18 is listed as the "Type B" tire option in the owner's manual.

I spoke with the technicians at Costco before the tires arrived in Anchorage and they said don't worry about the warning. The tires arrived and during the install they got my stock wheels off and then refused to install the 265/70/18 KO3 because they were "too big". The claimed they would rub plus they were over the 3% size difference threshold. They said they would install 255/70/18 though.
They told the 265/70/18s back and I ordered the 255s and now I am waiting for those.

So obviously the 265s would have been perfectly fine!! Now looking for some suggestions.....

1. Should I go back and get the 265s and have them installed elsewhere?
2. Just go with the 255s when they arrive?
3. Will the BFG AT KO3 be a good enough winter tire for an inexperience snow and ice driver? Some people "in the know" here in Anchorage seem to think yes
4. Should I get a Snow/Ice tire like the BLIZZAK DM-V2 255/70R18 112S BW WINTER TIRE and then get the KO3s later for the rest of the year?

Thanks for reading and input!

Buy a true snow tire with lots of siping for Alaska. The KO3 is a good tire for snow and ice but you will want a great snow and ice tire up there. I went a couple of times last year to visit my son who just finished three years up there in Fairbanks as an Infantry Officer. Road conditions are worst in the late fall and spring with the constant thawing and freezing on the roads. Get a dedicated snow tire.

 

[Buckfever]

18.4 mpg now I would think that should be. It should be getting cooler from here and thinking it should drift down from here. I’m at 24k doesn’t look like the tread isn’t worn much.

 

[BMFS33]

The test right now is Floyd Hill westbound. All the construction has the road completely torn up, then at the bottom there’s a pothole field all around the hard left turn.

I had a TPM come off of the rear left of my F-150 with KO3's on them at the bottom of the hill and had to have a new one put on. Indicator light came on fast, I thought I blew it out.

 

[BMFS33]

I put K03's on 9/30, have put over 3k miles on them. Went from Santa Fe to Montrose via 285 to 114 and the switchbacks to Gunnison and then to Montrose when all the bad weather came through in November, we got 16" at our house outside of SF. I ran the tires at 36 psi on that trip with zero issues and it went like a goat through all those snow/ice switchbacks. I saw at least 6 wrecks from Antonito, CO to Gunnison, some people are really poor drivers and visibility was pretty crappy in some stretches. The fenders/wheel wells are bad about accumulating ice/snow, as well as the running boards, had to stop in Gunnison and break the ice out because the tires were rubbing against the ice. I currently have them at 39 lbs in SF and will likely go to 42 in warmer weather. I like they way they drive and corner, overall traction has been excellent.

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I'm really torn about running these in the winter, as I've read that they're not the best even with the snow peak on the side wall. I have them on my truck but swap out for snows in the winter. I take delivery of my ride mid-October and was planning on swapping out the tires immediately for some KO's but I wonder if I should run the stock for a while and get some winters and KO's in the Spring.

 

[jpto]

I'm really torn about running these in the winter, as I've read that they're not the best even with the snow peak on the side wall. I have them on my truck but swap out for snows in the winter. I take delivery of my ride mid-October and was planning on swapping out the tires immediately for some KO's but I wonder if I should run the stock for a while and get some winters and KO's in the Spring.

I posted this video a while back in the thread, it's in Quebecois French so it may be hard to understand.

TLDW - K03's on a Ranger Raptor weren't great in winter conditions when the temperatures fell well below freezing. The tread turned really hard and lost grip on both snow and ice. The K03 didn't perform as well as a Duratrac in similar conditions.

K03's are still in considerations for the spring but I'm definitely getting winter tires.

 

[BMFS33]

I posted this video a while back in the thread, it's in Quebecois French so it may be hard to understand.

TLDW - K03's on a Ranger Raptor weren't great in winter conditions when the temperatures fell well below freezing. The tread turned really hard and lost grip on both snow and ice. The K03 didn't perform as well as a Duratrac in similar conditions.

K03's are still in considerations for the spring but I'm definitely getting winter tires.

Ya I’m gonna keep the stock tires. Buy some winter tires like I’ve always done and get an A/T for non-winter driving. I’ve always run BFG A/T but I’ve had em break lose on me in the rain too. Maybe I’ll try the Toyos.

 

[Buckfever]

18.5 mpg now I'm at 25K still liking the drive characteristics.

 

[HAshcraft05]

Just got a new LC 250 - really appreciate the insight from this thread - thanks all. I love the KOs (had them on my high school Yukon so am nostalgically biased to that brand / make). I put on the KO3s (265/60/20) today and will never look back to the factory Dunlops.

 

[Buckfever]

So now down to 18.3. We've had some cold days and I've been running out to LaSalle on the highway ~ 110 miles one way and a lot of time at 84mph which kills mpgs.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

What size KO3s?

I just purchased a 2025 LC 1958 in Anchorage. Still have the stock 18" wheel tire set up. I am new to Alaska from Texas and need some good tires for winter. Somehow but reading this thread, I came up with the idea that BFG AT KO3s 265/70/18 would get me through my first winter here and then I could keep them on year round.

I bought some through Costo online even though the website warned me before hand they didn't fit and the shop might not install them. This is in spite of the fact that 265/70/18 is listed as the "Type B" tire option in the owner's manual.

I spoke with the technicians at Costco before the tires arrived in Anchorage and they said don't worry about the warning. The tires arrived and during the install they got my stock wheels off and then refused to install the 265/70/18 KO3 because they were "too big". The claimed they would rub plus they were over the 3% size difference threshold. They said they would install 255/70/18 though.
They told the 265/70/18s back and I ordered the 255s and now I am waiting for those.

So obviously the 265s would have been perfectly fine!! Now looking for some suggestions.....

1. Should I go back and get the 265s and have them installed elsewhere?
2. Just go with the 255s when they arrive?
3. Will the BFG AT KO3 be a good enough winter tire for an inexperience snow and ice driver? Some people "in the know" here in Anchorage seem to think yes
4. Should I get a Snow/Ice tire like the BLIZZAK DM-V2 255/70R18 112S BW WINTER TIRE and then get the KO3s later for the rest of the year?

Thanks for reading and input!

Based upon information on this forum, I put KO3s on my LC in 275/70-18, which was listed as the largest possible on stock wheels without suspension modification. No rubbing at all and they've been great so far. The 265's should be just fine. Not sure what Costco's problem is because some LCs come with 265s.

Keep in mind that I had to buy a fifth tire for the spare position because the spare should be the same diameter as the rest of the tires if you have to drive any distance with it. I just rotate the spare into the mix when rotating tires for equal wear.

As for Alaska and winter weather... I haven't been through a winter yet with the KO3s, but I ran KO2s year around on my last vehicle and they performed just fine in winter weather. Wyoming winters aren't all that different from Alaska winters, just windier.

If you do want a good snow/winter tire, you can't any better than a set of Hakkas (the official name is longer but I can never spell it properly) from Nokian. Blizzaks are the second choice.

 

[SACTOWN]

Thanks for the info.. i am leaning towards the KO3 since i am. Fanboy of BFG