Widest yet safest Tire size?

[CoPiChE]

Hi there,

What is the widest and safest tire size I can fit on my 18" stock rims ?

Is there a place to buy online besides tirerack.com?

[Tone]

275 or 285 - lots of places online - Discount comes to mind..

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

http://www.ntwonline.com/

[CoPiChE]

Hey Jolly Roger VX'er, what size did you get in http://www.ntwonline.com/? b/c I called them up and they told me they dont have anything in 18" size.

Thanks

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by CoPiChE
Hey Jolly Roger VX'er, what size did you get in http://www.ntwonline.com/? b/c I called them up and they told me they dont have anything in 18" size.

Thanks
Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60/18 to the stock 18" rims:
http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&Product_ID=1372&CATID=10
http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&CATID=10&Product_ID=1372&count=1&Pcount=1&DETAIL=1

Nitto Terra Grapplers on Coachreed's VX:
http://www.geocities.com/ironmanvx2000/

I didn't go with these Coachreed did. He trimmed a small piece of cladding off the front of the front wheel-well as the only modification necessary for tire clearance...only took a few minutes. See his gallery here on Vehicross.info as well:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=406&thumb=1
He did add a 2.5" lift a while later after fitting these tires...it's not necessary for them to work..just need to trim a little plastic cladding. He even commented how small the tires look after the lift.

Also, some VX'ers have gone with the Yoko's on 18" rims:
http://wormgod.8m.com/Images/Ebony/vx_yokos.jpg

I'm gonna go with Baxman's setup:
BF Goodrich TA KO's 265/70R/16's on American Racing Nitro Wheel
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=679&papass=&sort=4

[CoPiChE]

Yeah, Baxman's setup looks good. Makes the tire look thicker. I am looking to keep my stock rims though. Can you get this size of tire with your stock 18" rims? Is there any mods needed for it?

In that other link, what kind of yoko's are those?

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by CoPiChE
Yeah, Baxman's setup looks good. Makes the tire look thicker. I am looking to keep my stock rims though. Can you get this size of tire with your stock 18" rims? Is there any mods needed for it?

In that other link, what kind of yoko's are those?

basically you have to look at a tire's circumference...anything over 31" and your looking at front-end height adjustments via torson bars cranked up. Bigger yet basically puts you into lifting territory via OME rear spring/front torson bar cranked up/ball-joint flip or Calimini's Isuzu VehiCross lift kit. largest width is as Tone mentioned above..275/285. The Nitto Terra Grapplers to my knowledge are the biggest AT tires that fit the stock 18"rims with only a little cutting from the front of the front wheel-wells. The Yokohamas are 285/60/18 AVS tires and are meant to provide mainly Sports-car-like handling on the road with some off-road capability but are not really good for snowy conditions. The Yoko's seem to fit with no modifications according to those that have used them. Do a search on tires here and on VMAG and you will see a wealth of tire info! I learned from all that is there!

VMAG:
http://club.vmag.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Isuzu+Vehicross+2&number=39&DaysPrune=

[CoPiChE]

I found some Michelin Pilot LTX @ $77.00 ea with size 275/65 18.
Will these fit?

Thanks.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by CoPiChE
I found some Michelin Pilot LTX @ $77.00 ea with size 275/65 18.
Will these fit?

Thanks.

275/65HR18
114H
SL
400 A A
2601lbs.
35psi
11/32nds
7.5-9.5"
8"
11"
NA
32.1"<--------------seems too big without lifting.
646

The Yokohama AVS ST is 31.5" and is barely able to fit without any mods using stock wheels. Most tires over 31" require fender trimming and torson bar adj. to increase height. Tires approaching 33" require lifting. Tire Tread also affects what modding is necessary. The Yokohama AVS ST has a much less pronounced tread on sidewall radius so it just fits without trimming. A common All terrain tire has a much more pronounced tread on sidewall radius usually interfering with cladding. Alot of VX'ers have braved trying tires that were pushing the envelope on what was thought to fit. Also going to aftermarket rims with different offsets will change how tires fit. Wormgod was running the Yoko's with stock wheels and I believe no trimming..but, when he changed to aftermarket wheels with the same Yoko's he had to trim due to a change in offset. Coachreed showed that the Nitto Terra Grapplers fit with very little trimming. I would welcome others to chime in here as I'm pretty new to the tire fitting game myself and certainly don't want to be your only input for choosing a tire.

Tone was running some Interco STS tires and started with 15" wheels and 29.1" diameter tires with no mods necessary.
He then went up to 31.1" diameter tires on same size&style rims and now had to crank up torson bars to fit.

Baxman's BF Goodrich TA KO's are 265/70R/16's and run a diameter of 30.7"and a width of 10.7" mounted on 8"wide/zero offset American racing Wheels. The 30.7" fits without needing to adjust height of front end and the 10.7" requires some fender trimming due to the increased width over stock tires and change in offset from the stock wheels.


Hope this helps!

[joesvx]

I just bought some Michelin Cross Terrains that are 255/70/18 I havent mounted them yet. They appear to be about 31 5/8" I hope they fit. I got the tires for $90 a tire.

[CoPiChE]

Well I guess I am going with 265/60-18
specs:
sidewall: 6.3 in
radius: 15.3 in
diameter: 30.5 in
circumf: 95.9 in

I found some
Kumho Ecsta STX for about $100.00 ea.

the thing is that i am getting them online and I will hate to return them b/c of sizing issues so we'll see.

Wish me luck

[WormGod]

There was very minimal trimming done on the front cladding with my stock wheels and Yokos. And true, when I got an aftermarket wheel, there was a considerble amount of trimming to do. Unnoticable unless I pointed it out to you though.

Jolly is correct in the performance of the Yokos too. They are GREAT for normal driving conditions, including rain. However, once you add some snow, you may as well just put your VX in the garage and call it a day. I am currently in the process of getting some 31x11.5 Mickey Thompson Baja HPs for winter use on some old wheels I bought off the late SCUDD. I'll be damned if I'm gonna let another winter pass me by.

The link above that Jolly posted is of the Yokos on stock rims. THIS PIC (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1539&papass=&sort=4) is of the same tires on the aftermarket wheels.

[CrzyFool]

I have 20'' Enkei RT6 Rims on my Vehicross with
Goodyear Eagle GTII Tires and sure they are wide and my turning radius has been cut down to **** . . but who CARES!!! I look BADASS :-p

[autox-racer]

I got the Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/60/18 and love them. i swear they change the look of the stock VX. Only required a small piece to be trimmed.

here are some pics

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/116nittos_002-med.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/116vx2-med.jpg

[- s a i n t -]

Hey autox-racer -

I really like your front VX badge! How about sharing the love and making me one?

What would it cost me?

I would love that on my VX!

- s a i n t -

[autox-racer]

Thanks, the VX turned out better than what I expected when I made it.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/116grill2.jpg

You are the 3rd person to ask me for one and I dont have a problem making a kit to share with the VX world.

Kit would inlude:

- Titanium VX punched out
- badge adhesive
- scotchbrite to keep it brushed (although it seems to hold up well - our winter will be the test)
- instructions based on my install experience
- & shipping included to USA

Does 40 bucks sound reasonable?

[mrtew]

I am gettiing REAL close to getting those Nitto's now that the snow is becoming a better possibility. They look sooooo cool and my two and a half year old Yoko summer tires are getting a little slippery even in the rain. What I'd like to know is what the *asterisk means next to the 285/60/18s in the chart and why is the tread depth so much less that for most of the other sizes? Is it specially made for the VX or what?

http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&CATID=10&Product_ID=1372&count=1&Pcount=1&DETAIL=1

http://209.240.4.82/natltire/images/TGrappler.gif

[- s a i n t -]

Originally posted by autox-racer
Thanks, the VX turned out better than what I expected when I made it.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/116grill2.jpg

You are the 3rd person to ask me for one and I dont have a problem making a kit to share with the VX world.

Kit would inlude:

- Titanium VX punched out
- badge adhesive
- scotchbrite to keep it brushed (although it seems to hold up well - our winter will be the test)
- instructions based on my install experience
- & shipping included to USA

Does 40 bucks sound reasonable?

Yeah, I think $40 is fine. PM me so we can work out the details (my shipping address, how to pay you, etc.).

That's awful nice of you - thanks!

- s a i n t -

[VehiSHARK]

i would like the front badge too please.

thanks

[Medman]

Ok, sorry for the ignorance beforehand, but when everybody says: "I trimmed the cladding a little"; Who trims the cladding? And, more importantly, Using what?! Is it something that a Tire Shop can do, or will I have to do it myself using a Saws-all or something. How is this minor surgery done?

[VX crazy]

I trimmed my cladding, and offered to trim everyone elses also with my Sawzall! Cuts like butter, but you can easily get carried away, even cut metal like butter, I used the metal blade for a cleaner cut. When they lift trucks at the shops they do the same thing! Dont be scared, it looks so much better with the bigger tires.

[VX crazy]

Well Spazz, depends on what the @$$ looks like..... :)

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I haven't done mine yet, but plan on using my carbide cutter. I also have a dremel tool in case I can't get the much bulkier carbide cutter into any confined space @ any desired angle. I figure I'll do the bulk of the cutting with the wheel/tire off so I have an empty wheel-well to manipulate the carbide cutter in. Than, after re-installing the wheel and checking clearance if any light cutting/grinding still needs done to use the dremel; or get off my lazy ***** and remove the tire again!

I figure with Baxman's excellant pictorial, I already have my VX surgery planned out...."Nurse, the carbide cutter if you will....prep the dremel....scalpel please....We have a heartbeat! Prepare to close!"

Eighth post on first page:

http://club.vmag.com/ubb/Forum39/HTML/001927.html

[mrtew]

Originally posted by autox-racer
I got the Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/60/18 and love them. i swear they change the look of the stock VX. Only required a small piece to be trimmed.


Well, I finally ordered the Nitto's from Discount tires because your pictures look so hot! Please tell me if there is any reason that you wouldn't recommend them before I pay for them! I am pretty sure I am going to love them though!

[autox-racer]

hey sorry i could never find a time to meet up with you at the tech center... i tried a few times but i have just not been over there in awhile.

you will love the tires. there is no real drawback. other than for me, going from a stock diameter to these made the acceleration a little slower. the looks offset the lose in acceleration. (if it would just snow so i can play)

trim the small piece off your cladding before you go in and you will not have any problems.

[Teckhardt]

What pressure are people running in the 285/60's for the best wear & performance?

[Tone]

Max air as stated on the tire sidewall.

[-x-]

Seeing as to how the speedo and odometer go down with an increase of tire/wheel diameter, what - if any, would be tha best way to keep track of mpg...

Im off like 11.3% from the tire calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) :

From: 245/70-16 (Stock?)

To: 285/75-16 (Current

[MrCrowley]

285/75/16? are you running with a lift or no. I would love to know if they fit stock. Any rubbing issues? I already trimmed a little to fit 265/75/16 and wouldnt mind trimming a little more if they will fit. I know these will fit on a Trooper but the VX of course has a little less room in the wheel well department.

[-x-]

No lift and no problems* ;) , of course i had to do a bit of trimming to the cladding but in my opinion very much worth it :D

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/204dsc00134-med.jpg

(Sorry not that great time to update tha cam...x)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/204dsc00148-med.jpg

*Except the speedo being off (im always over the limit anyway)
*And not being able to keep good track of my miles per gallon
maybe?

[mrtew]

Originally posted by autox-racer
hey sorry i could never find a time to meet up with you at the tech center...
you will love the tires. there is no real drawback. other than for me, going from a stock diameter to these made the acceleration a little slower. the looks offset the loss in acceleration.

Now I have a new problem. Discount tires and Bell Tires say they can't get the tires for a month or two. Is there a place that can get these very popular, very cool, out of stock Nitto 285/60/18's? Where did you get yours?

[AK VX Lvr]

I'm running with the 285/60R Sumitomo HTRs on my 18"rims...work & look great tho they look so huge I feel it needs a lift kit now!! They did require minimal trimming on the front edge of the cladding to keep from rubbing on sharp turns...
:cool!:
Here's a link for a look:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR+Sport+A%2FT&sidewall=Outlined+White+Letters

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by mrtew
Now I have a new problem. Discount tires and Bell Tires say they can't get the tires for a month or two. Is there a place that can get these very popular, very cool, out of stock Nitto 285/60/18's? Where did you get yours?

Did you try: http://www.ntwonline.com/

Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60/18 to the stock 18" rims:
http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&Product_ID=1372&CATID=10
http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&CATID=10&Product_ID=1372&count=1&Pcount=1&DETAIL=1

[Freon VX]

bump

[mrtew]

Originally posted by Jolly Roger VX'er
Did you try: http://www.ntwonline.com/

Nitto Terra Grappler 285/60/18 to the stock 18" rims:
http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&Product_ID=1372&CATID=10
http://209.240.4.82/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=48&CATID=10&Product_ID=1372&count=1&Pcount=1&DETAIL=1


Thanks. Yeah, I tried them today. They said there is a 4-6 week wait. Winter will be half over by then. I'm thinking I am going to have to find some other tires. Soooooo depressing. If anyone has any idea where I can get some Nittos please tell me!