calling all wheel experts....

[ScottinMA]

Ordered up a set of Rickster's wheels (KMC XD Monsters) 18 X 9. Can anyone offer up a recommendation for a tire for these wheels on a non lifted VX? I will temporarily run my Nitto Terras 255/55/18s but the rubber is running thin and will need to replace them in a couple thousand miles. I would've wanted to pick up the Nitto Terras in 285s but I suspect that they won't work due to their height (60s). So ideally something like a 285/50/18 with aggressive tread to accommodate the New England winters would be best. At one point I had Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 285/55/18 on my OEMs and no cladding required cutting. They were great for three seasons but terrible in snow (kinda like driving with skis). So folks, any thoughts (besides doing a lift)?

[rowhard]

what is the offset? The oem was a +38 mm

[Riff Raff]

SCOTT--- Ok; since you have a wide 9" rim and you want a low profile with great winter traction, it really limited your choices. Here are your best choices listed by size:


285/50R18 (29.2" O.D.)

PIRELLI - Snow & Ice (This tire is "Snowflake/Mountain" rated)
MAXXIS - MA-S1 Marauder (This tire is a uni-directional M&S)


285/55R18 (30.2" O.D.)

MAXXIS - MA-S1 Marauder (This tire is a uni-directional M&S) #1 Choice.


285/60R18 (31.4" O.D.)

PRO-COMP - ALL TERRAIN (Although a taller 60 series tire, the PRO-COMP - ALL TERRAIN is extremely lightweight at only 44 lbs per tire which greatly helps reduce unsprung weight and is also "Snowflake/Mountain" rated for superior winter traction. The PRO-COMP - ALL TERRAIN is a much wiser choice over the same size NITTO - Terra Grappler which is much heavier at 55 lbs (E load) and is not "Snowflake/Mountain" rated).

MAXXIS - MA-S1 Marauder (This tire is a uni-directional M&S).


What's my recommendation??? The MAXXIS - MA-S1 Marauder in 285/55R18 (30.2" O.D.) because your OEM tires were 29.5" O.D. and it's not recommended to go any smaller in overall diameter. Since the Pirelli's are a true "winter" tire, the tread compound is going to be a bit softer and the tires will wear-out quicker, plus they don't have a really aggressive look that you desire. The MAXXIS - MA-S1 Marauder is an all-year-round M&S tire with an aggressive uni-directional tread specifically made for SUV's with a long tread life. The MAXXIS - MA-S1 Marauder will give you the very best in performance, looks, traction, and wear; while offering the low profile you desire. Riff Raff

[MSHardeman]

The 285/60/18 Terra Grapplers will fit just fine without doing a lift. You will need to trim a small triangle of the front cladding in front of the tires, but that should be about it. I ran the 60's for three years in Moab at stock height and never had a rubbing problem.

[etlsport]

i think nitto makes a 285/55/18 dune grappler

[Riff Raff]

i think nitto makes a 285/55/18 dune grappler

Negative, they do not.

[LittleBeast]

The 285/60/18 Terra Grapplers will fit just fine without doing a lift. You will need to trim a small triangle of the front cladding in front of the tires, but that should be about it. I ran the 60's for three years in Moab at stock height and never had a rubbing problem.

I 2nd this opinion from personal experience 285 60 18 Grappler = awesome choice

[ScottinMA]

Thanks everyone! I'm running the Nitto terras now (255/55/18) and would ultimately like to get the 285s since they have worked out so well here. Just wasn't sure they would fit. Rickshaw pointed out that he made a two inch lift to accommodate the Nitto terra 285s so I was a bit skiddish. Rowhard, as for the offset, I went to Town Fair tire with an advertisement and they matched the price. I told them that I desired an offset that would prevent the tire from sticking outside of the cladding (illegal in MA) and my sales guy called their "wheel specialist" and assured me that they would not stick out. So if I have a problem then they are going to replace my $. When I asked about the offset my sales guy didn't know citing the "experts" had made the decision and placed the order : )

[ScottinMA]

The 285/60/18 Terra Grapplers will fit just fine without doing a lift. You will need to trim a small triangle of the front cladding in front of the tires, but that should be about it. I ran the 60's for three years in Moab at stock height and never had a rubbing problem.

MSHardeman,

Do you recall the offset on your wheels running the Terras? My new wheels have a +18 offset

[LittleBeast]

MSHardeman,

Do you recall the offset on your wheels running the Terras? My new wheels have a +18 offset

Mark and I both had them on stock rims, so i think stock offset is +38 on those 18" Isuzu rims so you will be further out slightly. You might be a tad bit outside the wheel arcs with the included wider 285's, and by tad bit I mean a few mm. Like maybe 5mm outside cladding at the most, no biggie hardly dedtectable by the naked eye. You WILL have to shave a small triangle out of the front of the front wheel well cladding, you may or may not have to shave a little bit off the rear of the front wheel well, this is NO BIG deal really. If you do have to shape the metal slightly just make sure to use some touch up paint to eliminate any future rusting and don't worry about how pretty it looks it is all covered by plastic anyways. You will not have to do anything at all to the rear wheel wells ever unless you want to run some 36" tires or something Go with the 285 60 18 and you will be so happy you did, you might not ever change it again.