18x9 Rims. 275/60R18 Geolanders only tire?

[RallyDude]

So I got some Ultra-Wheels Magnus rims in a 18x9 size to replace the 16" aftermarkets with the Procomp extreme dirt tires that came with my ride. I'm looking for a all terrain tire to fit on these wide rims, and it seems like the concensous is the 275/60R18 Geolanders is the only option to keep it under 31"? If so, why am I wasting all this time researching tires? I probably wouldn't have gotten these rims if I knew they would limit my choices so severely though. However the Geo's were in the runnings anyway...

Riff Raff?

[Mile High VX]

and they are an awesome tire choice...

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0022.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0026.JPG

[etlsport]

you try anything in a 265/60/18? iirc there were a few options in that size, and i think they should be ok on a 9" rim... i think i looked at the goodyear wrangler silent armor in that size as well as the bridgestone dueler APT (not as agressive as an A/T but still deep tread and fairly large voids)

why not go just a hair bigger to a 285/60/18 nitto terra grappler or cooper zeon LTZ... both have great reviews here

[Mile High VX]

I mounted a Terra of that size for a "test fit" and it was more trimming than I wanted, but I know many have them and love them.

[ScottinMA]

you try anything in a 265/60/18? iirc there were a few options in that size, and i think they should be ok on a 9" rim... i think i looked at the goodyear wrangler silent armor in that size as well as the bridgestone dueler APT (not as agressive as an A/T but still deep tread and fairly large voids)

why not go just a hair bigger to a 285/60/18 nitto terra grappler or cooper zeon LTZ... both have great reviews here

Because they will NOT fit. I tried on my cladding trimmed VX and severe rubbing was noted. However, I have no regrets about my Geos. They look great on the VX and ripped up my winter mountain pass in Vermont better than any tire I've owned to date. Buy them and you'll be a happy camper unless you wanted a wide street tire.

[vt_maverick]

FWIW, I can't imagine going bigger than 265-60-18 after installing the Borbet's and Yokohama's. The tires stick just far enough outside the wheel wells to give it that aggressive look, and any wider would have almost certainly required more significant trimming and probably beating the back of the wheel well with a BFH. What's odd is that they appear to stick out just as much as the 285's that others here run, which leads me to believe that maybe the Borbet rims have a larger backspacing/offset? I dunno...

I imagine you'd be happy with anything 265 or larger.

[RallyDude]

I really like the Cooper LTZ, looks like it would be a good ice tire too. Anyone mount a LTZ on a 18x9 rim?

[RallyDude]

I got the 285/60r18 Cooper Zeon LTZ. Can't recall who's red VX that's posted here with them on, but that sold me. They look badass, and a off-road tire that's a on-road performance tire. Sound familiar to VX theory?

I think the VX is raised high enough to clear the tires. Although I may lower it to fit the tires appropriately. Thanks for all your help

And here's a pdf sell sheet for the LTZ.
http://www.coopertire.com/FI_Uploads/Document/Cooper%20Zeon%20LTZ.pdf

[RallyDude]

Oh, it was VX Kat; that rubber looks great on the VX, shattered glass tread they call it:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15787&highlight=Cooper+LTZ

I'll give a review once I've had them for a while.

[Riff Raff]

RallyDude--- The VX has very cramped front wheel-wells and having the wider aftermarket 18x9 rims will create any mounted tire to fit "fatter" on the rim and cause excessive rubbing due to the resulting wider "swing arc" when the tire is turned L&R.

Fellow member "ScottinMA" and I spent countless time (via E-Mail) in trial-n-error trying to fit various aftermarket tires on his wide 18x9 rims. In the end, we discovered that the only tire that would fit without excessive rubbing was the Yokohama Geolandar in 275/60R18. The Yoko is unique in that it is the only true "A/T" made in that specific size.

Fellow member "VX-KAT" has the now famous Cooper "Shattered Glass" LTZ in 285/60R18. They fit perfect on her non-lifted (100% OEM Stock) VX only because she mounted them on her OEM 18x7 stock rims which have the correct offset and backspacing to keep everything neatly tucked in the severly cramped front wheel-wells.

If you mount any 285/60R18 tire on your wide 18x9 aftermarket rims you will encounter severe rubbing issues when the tire is turned L&R.

Your solution may include one or more of the following options:

o Re-install OEM 18x7 rims and mount 285/60R18 tires.
o Use your new aftermarket 18x9 rims and mount the Geolandar 275/60R18 just like "ScottinMA".
o Throw all caution to the wind-- use your new aftermarket 18x9 rims with 285/60R18 tires and extensively utilize your cladding trimming tool with a BFH and keep hacking/cutting until they frickin' fit within the tightly cramped front wheel-wells.

Please let us know how things work-out.:bgwb:

[RallyDude]

I'm not 100% sure they are going to fit, and as a bonus, turn. I have only seen pictures of my ride as I just bought it out-of-state. The car presently has pro-comp 285/75/16 on the vehicle, (unknown rim width). The current set-up is 32.8"x11.3". Whereas the new ZTZ set up will be 31.48"x11.43". For these tires, I at least have to try it, it looks like there's room as the vehicle looks lifted. I'll email to Riff Raff and see if he can post it.

[RallyDude]

285/75r16

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I think it's lifted enough to accept the Cooper Zeon LTZ in a 285/60r18. Show and tell is later, but I think it will work without too much trimming.

[Riff Raff]

RallyDude--- Your E-Mail has been received, and my reply has been sent. Cheers!!!:bgwb: