Originally Posted by GoHuskers (Post 10436684)

I also have 265.65.18 Defender LTX and it fits perfec, no rubbing whatsoever. I didn't replace the spare so I can comment.

I have no plan on getting anything bigger than this size. Quick questions:

1. Does it rub at extreme steering angles? And when fully compress?

2. Does it fit under in the spare tire area?

I understand that it will slightly affect the speedometer and mileage.

Originally Posted by Airpirate (Post 10437638)

My KO2's in that size don't rub. My guess is that these would fit in the spare location, but I can't confirm.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...be2e30a296.jpg

Anyone have Continental TerrainContact AT?? I know that these are “mild” AT tires but from TireRack reviews, they are excellent dual purpose tires. I spend most of my time on-road/highway.

Originally Posted by MCDavis (Post 10437727)

No experience with that specific tire, but I've not been overly impressed with the Conti's I've had on other vehicles...usually the OEM offering.

The best highway tire with some offroad use is hands down the Michelin Defender LTX (previously the LTX M/S2)

Are the Defenders quiet??

Very nice looking!! I would love KO2 but i am afraid of its Load Range E...and 51 lbs per tire. How’s the ride compare to stock? Gas mileage?

Are the Defenders quiet??

Originally Posted by situman (Post 10437907)

They are also heavy too! 40 something pounds each per Tirerack! I may go for the Premier LTX, but apparently they wear terribly.

My ONLY complaint about Michelin tires is that they are boring looking!! No fancy treads. No fancy sidewall. I kinda like Michelin AT2 but i had them long time ago and they were somewhat noisy...and also does not come in any good sizes for GX. But at least AT2 looks somewhat interesting next to Defender. Yes, i am superficial. :D

My ONLY complaint about Michelin tires is that they are boring looking!! No fancy treads. No fancy sidewall. I kinda like Michelin AT2 but i had them long time ago and they were somewhat noisy...and also does not come in any good sizes for GX. But at least AT2 looks somewhat interesting next to Defender. Yes, i am superficial. :D

The weirdest thing about you guys (me being new member)...none of you guys replaced the spare??? So, no one here has used upsized tire in the spare location?

Originally Posted by ASE (Post 10438298)

+1 ... in 35-years, I have never had a spare touch the earth ... so for a 1/2" difference, why spend the money when airing-down the taller tire and airing-up the shorter tire is perfectly acceptable to get home.

Originally Posted by Madtiger (Post 10438649)

What if it fails at the worst time...in the middle of nowhere or off-road field where you need CRAWL to get out? Or what if it fails the beginning of the trip? You have to then limp home and the fun is ruined for you (and maybe your group).

I am just very cautious...overly cautious! :D FYI, i do have some off-roading experience (rock crawling, etc.). This is why i am so anal with spare tires! LOL

Originally Posted by caesosa (Post 10438724)

Originally Posted by 2012GX460 (Post 10439090)

What am I missing?
What's the difference if you go to the 265/65/18 BFG and if you have to use the spare that came with the truck?
You're not changing wheels.
Wouldn't that be the same, as a passenger car using those little donut spare tires?

Your rims are the same but your tire diameter changed.

265/60/18 = 30.5”

265/65/18 = 31.5”

See: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...0r18-265-65r18

VSC, ATRAC, and CRAWL works by comparing wheel speed differences among the wheels. So, if one wheel is smaller (spare tire for instance) than the other 3, then that creates speed differences with the smaller tire spinning faster than the others. VSC/ATRAC/CRAWL programming will think that the smaller faster spinning tire is “slipping” and will use brakes to slow down that “slipping” wheel. In the case of VSC/ATRAC, this can create instability on the highway as one tire is being braked for no reason. At low speeds, it is probably OK with VSC and ATRAC. But higher speeds (highway), it may become an issue.

With CRAWL, even at low speeds, it may affect. CRAWL is a super aggressive traction control that basically stops any spinning tire to push torque as fast as possible to the tire with traction...to create as close to an axle locker effect as possible. Because it is so sensitive to speed differences b/w the tires, this can create a situation where one tire will be braked and torque being sent to the other wheel (on same axle) unexpectedly, which then leads to your vehicle being forced to one side (like off a cliff! LOL).

Remember, rim size does NOT mean tire size.

As for donuts...all donuts have the SAME diameter as the OEM tires. It is just skinny. But diameter is same on all modern vehicles with stability and traction control. Tire width is NOT an issue with these electronic nannies. It is the DIAMETER of the whole tire that is important.

Originally Posted by ASE (Post 10440061)

Good information ... but how sensitive are these interventions with 1/2" difference in rolling radius ? ... and if this difference is "adjusted" by going (as an example) 5-psi down on the 265-65 and 5-psi up on the 265-60 tire(s) ? ... again, just to "get home" and not for distance ?

My question back to you is.......why risk it? Why guess it? Are you sure 5-psi is all you need?

What if you cannot go to tire shop that same day? What if you have to drive a long way back that night? What if you want to continue on your trip instead of killing off your vacation?

Just buy a cheap ass spare in the same size as your other tires and put it down there. Of course, this does require that the size that you pick fit under your GX in the spare compartment, which is why i ask this question at the beginning.

I am 90% sure that i will go with 265/65/18 but i will only go to this size IF the spare tire compartment allows it.

Originally Posted by ASE (Post 10440103)

My operative point is "to get home" ... if you are otherwise motivated, I agree with your argument. The 265/60 spare is TIGHT ... so 265-65 is probably a no-go in my opinion, but have not tired. I do know that my GX470 would not take a 265/70-17 in the spare location.

Originally Posted by Madtiger (Post 10440108)

Madriger, do you have a trailer hitch? If so, which one?

when I installed the curt (with stock size tire) it took about an inch of usable spare tire size. There is still some room left for a slightly bigger tire (1” max!!).

if you don’t have a hitch you can probably upgrade the size with no issue.

This is may not be relevant, however, on my 100 series land cruiser I went from the stock 275/70R16 to a 275/65R18 (which is a full inch taller) with no issues. I think it’s worth a try on the GX.

Originally Posted by Acrad35751 (Post 10440590)