I been planning a wheel and tire upgrade, and I had it narrowed down to Method 703 with Open Country A/T III tires, in standard load rating. Seeing this thread has me rethinking my choice. Now I'm leaning towards the 275/60/20 tires instead. I like the idea of the 65s, but that pushes me into LT tires in instead, and while I want to do some off-roading, I'm mostly on pavement. The LT tires weigh significantly more, which then will affect my mileage. It also cuts my cost in about half staying with the stock wheels. Decisions decisions.
Pic request of 20” wheels with AT’s?
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I honestly think the stock 20’s look great. They are teflon coated and easy to clean. The Bridgestone Dueler Ascent’s will work fine for my limited off-road use and mild winters. 99% of my mileage will be on pavement with the occasional trails and camping. I just haven’t had the time to make the tire switch. Will likely put some more miles on the stock tires over the summer and swap as the weather turns cooler.
What Google AI told me. I'm running Falken Wildpeak AT4 275/60R20 on the OEM rims. I'm trying to maintain a budget and not go super crazy with all the aftermarket stuff. With the current gas prices and the LC 250 using super unleaded, fuel efficiency was another concern.
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Either size will look great. Weight & price would be the biggest detriment.
Disagree completely w/ Googlers opinion on ride. The slightly larger sidewall won’t overcome the stiff & heavier constructed tire of a LT.
275/65R20 is a LT 125S & weighs 65# @ $430
275/60R20 is a SL 115T @ 50# @ $340
LT will be harder on your MPG due to the weight & it’s not just the static weight. Takes more gas to get the heavier tire rolling, and more brakes to get heavier rotational weight stopped. Lots of folks use the LT for serious off-road as the supplemental belts are a must have for tire protection. Primarily street use & occasional off-road you’ll be fine w/ SL tires.
Disagree completely w/ Googlers opinion on ride. The slightly larger sidewall won’t overcome the stiff & heavier constructed tire of a LT.
275/65R20 is a LT 125S & weighs 65# @ $430
275/60R20 is a SL 115T @ 50# @ $340
LT will be harder on your MPG due to the weight & it’s not just the static weight. Takes more gas to get the heavier tire rolling, and more brakes to get heavier rotational weight stopped. Lots of folks use the LT for serious off-road as the supplemental belts are a must have for tire protection. Primarily street use & occasional off-road you’ll be fine w/ SL tires.
With 1" spacers?
If you downsize to 17 or 18" wheels there are LT tires that are C or D range that weigh less than the E range LTs, but have deeper tread and thicker construction than SLs.
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What lift is that? And any rubbing? I'm thinking of doing the same tire setup. Did you also have to put spacers? Thanks!
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These look so so much better with even 276 vs 265's Thanks to those who took the time to share. All of these look excellent.
How was the transition to a noisier tire? I've only run the KO2's so I cant speak for your KO3's, but on my other ride they are plenty loud. They do work excellent off road and in the snow in my experience. Would be nice to find one a bit quieter.
On your TP comment and cupping, I run a bit softer for smoother ride, but you are 100% correct the cupping happens quickly. I found frequent X rotations can keep it in check for the higher mileages it is rated at.
We have the white one as well. Yours looks like money shot!
That's interesting. Thanks for sharing. I think the KO3's were supposed to be a bit quieter than the KO2's. I had not heard of any comments (I stopped looking because they hadn't shown up in stores at the time).
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I have had quite a few sets of KO2’s, and now a set of KO3’s with about 7K on them. I never thought the 2’s were all that noisy, until they get some wear, or uneven wear, which I never had as I am very careful on rotation.
I think the KO3 is a more improved tire in about every respect so far. It isn’t a perfect tire, but works for me, and it isn’t a noisy tire, heavy, yes. I am still averaging about 20mpg, not that I care that much overall.
Tires are like a lot of things, required of course, but highly personal as to what is best. What works for you is what matters!
I think the KO3 is a more improved tire in about every respect so far. It isn’t a perfect tire, but works for me, and it isn’t a noisy tire, heavy, yes. I am still averaging about 20mpg, not that I care that much overall.
Tires are like a lot of things, required of course, but highly personal as to what is best. What works for you is what matters!
Good to hear a real world comparison by a KO2 veteran. My opinion of the KO2's is they are fantastic brand new, but like you said can get really noisy if not maintained. I believe it's like the rubber is harder at about 1/3rd of the wear and if you let it get cupped they are hell. My current KO2 set has really surprised me in the longevity on our Revel (sprinter van built out). On this example I went roughly 1" wider than stock and it was louder for sure. I was in the middle of sound deadening so I netted as bit quieter fortunately. I have to really assume going from geolanders to these will be a significant increase in tire noise, but the look and feel should really improve the overall quality of the drive.
I think everyone’s mileage on the KO will vary, quite considerably at times, as I know there are many who hate them. I always got plenty of mileage out of mine, typically 50k plus, with good tread still left overall. I agree though, after a certain period/miles, they do seem to get a bit harder and a bit more noisy. My main uses have come from a couple of Jeep Wranglers, a Cherokee and three Tacomas, and now, my 1958 LC. Will see how they pan out on the LC, so far so good.
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