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Thoughts on Michelin Defender LTX All Season?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by harrisdoggy, Sep 9, 2016.

  1. Sep 9, 2016 at 8:40 AM
    #1
    harrisdoggy

    harrisdoggy [OP] New Member

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    Thinking of doing a level (Bilstein 5100 in the front only) and adding some custom wheels and larger tires to my 2016 CM SR5. Any thoughts on the Michelin Defender LTX All Season? Likely go with size 295/70R18 and add some custom wheels. Costco is running a deal right now and the wheels/tires would be about $1650. 99.99% of my driving is on the road to work and hauling the kids around. Occasionally hit a dirt road when camping or hiking, but I do my best to avoid any mud so I don't have to wash it. :) Will that size of tire be alright with about a 1.5" level? Just don't wanna do any trimming if I don't have to. Thanks!
     
  2. Sep 9, 2016 at 9:17 AM
    #2
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    Toytec BOSS suspension lift @ 3" (front) Toytec BOSS remote resi's (back) 1" Toytec block (rear) 275/70r18 Toyo AT2 Info system mod 3D MAXpider Kagu floor mats LED interior lights 50% ceramic tint front windows 35% ceramic tint windshield brow Bed mounted YETI bottle opener Paracord wrapped oh Sh!t bars 3" stubby antennae TRD sway bar Upcoming: LED backup lights OEM Backup camera Iron Cross Patriot step bars Trifold or roll up tonneau cover
    That's a 34 inch tire. You'd be better off running a 3/1. For a 2.5 inch lift, I'd say a 275/70 would be better.
     
    harrisdoggy[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 9, 2016 at 9:48 AM
    #3
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

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    I have 285/65r18 BFG KO2s with a 2.5" leveling kit installed and I get minor rubbing when I crank the wheel to either extreme (think parking) in the front. This is with the front mud guards removed.

    I agree with Law that you are going to need a bigger lift for those tires.
     
    harrisdoggy[OP] and Law323 like this.
  4. Sep 9, 2016 at 10:23 AM
    #4
    JMB

    JMB Not new, just a little old.

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    5100s all around, 295-70-18 Defenders, 1.25 Spidertrax spacers, BD reverse lights, de-badged, interior LEDs, footwell LEDs, reverse LEDs, ARE cap, front receiver hitch for cooler holder, cooler holder/rod rack, backup camera, Kenwood HU, Westin nerf bars, Husky floor liners, folding rear seats, remote battery posts, plastidip grill chrome, Powder coat bumpers.
    Don't know how much difference there is with the 16, but on my 13 I have 295-70-18 on the stock steel rims with 1.25 spacers and 5100s on the top setting. Nary a rub.
    The Defenders are great tires, on my fifth or sixth set, had them on both of my Troopers from 1988-2013, at least the equivalent, I think the Defender version is fairly new. I do mostly beach driving offroad, they're perfect for that.

    DSC_2496.jpg
    DSC_2493.jpg
     
  5. Sep 9, 2016 at 10:26 AM
    #5
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    The wheel well on the 3rd gens are half an inch or an inch smaller than the 2nd gens. Not just that but wheel offset plays a huge role in rubbing. Your spacers are the equivalent of a 25 or 35 mm offset that falls in the sweet spot for tundras.

    By the way, nice product placement LOL
     
  6. Sep 9, 2016 at 12:44 PM
    #6
    JMB

    JMB Not new, just a little old.

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    Didn't know that they were smaller. That would make the same set up on a 3rd gen pretty close to the plastic liner, if they're a full inch smaller it would rub pretty hard. For the offset, that's why I went with the spacers, four spacers < one new wheel.

    Had to have something for scale in the snapshot, right?
     
    harrisdoggy[OP] likes this.
  7. Sep 9, 2016 at 12:57 PM
    #7
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    Toytec BOSS suspension lift @ 3" (front) Toytec BOSS remote resi's (back) 1" Toytec block (rear) 275/70r18 Toyo AT2 Info system mod 3D MAXpider Kagu floor mats LED interior lights 50% ceramic tint front windows 35% ceramic tint windshield brow Bed mounted YETI bottle opener Paracord wrapped oh Sh!t bars 3" stubby antennae TRD sway bar Upcoming: LED backup lights OEM Backup camera Iron Cross Patriot step bars Trifold or roll up tonneau cover
    Yep. I can't remember whether it's a full inch or half an inch smaller :notsure:
    I do know even without a true 35 inch tire, it's almost a guarantee you'd have to get a CMC, not to mention the width plays a factor too.
    Yep, I almost got spacers and some 295's when time came for new tires (I have a 2nd gen myself) but I knew I was going to get some aftermarket wheels, so opted for a 275/70 on stockies until my bank account was more forgiving. Besides I'd rather not be out an extra 150+ ponies on something I'm going to change out anyways.
     
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  8. Sep 9, 2016 at 10:50 PM
    #8
    harrisdoggy

    harrisdoggy [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the input, helps a lot. Found a guy on Craig's selling a like new set of 285/65/18 on custom XD wheels (said he pulled them off his 2012 Tundra). They are Cooper Discoverer tires and the wheels have a 0 mm offset as best as I can tell. How do you think those would ride? Would they stick out and/or rub since the offset measurement is 0 mm? Again, planning to raise the front an inch or two to get near level. Thanks again for your help, new to this custom wheel and level kit thing.......
     
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  9. Sep 10, 2016 at 2:16 AM
    #9
    CMB

    CMB New Member

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    Not nearly enough room here!
    I have 285/65-18 Michelin LTX AT2's on my 2010.I went with 'em for the added tread-depth and longer wear than stock size. They're heavy but I knew that from my research. Ride is stiffer and mileage dropped by 1. I keep 50 lbs in 'em,they max at 80.

    0830151049.jpg
     
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  10. Sep 10, 2016 at 7:33 AM
    #10
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    Those wheels are going to stick out about 2 inches from the fender. If that's what blows your skirt up, by all means go for it brother!!
     
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  11. Sep 10, 2016 at 3:30 PM
    #11
    harrisdoggy

    harrisdoggy [OP] New Member

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    Thanks guys. Glad I didn't pull the trigger and buy them - don't want anything that sticks out beyond the fender very much. @CMB - truck looks good!
     
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  12. Sep 10, 2016 at 3:39 PM
    #12
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    I would go for wheels that have an offset of 25-35 mm. Those sit pretty flush (35) to sticking out about half an inch (25) on tundras if I'm not mistaken. Those are pretty much the sweet spots for tundras.
     
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  13. Sep 10, 2016 at 4:07 PM
    #13
    CMB

    CMB New Member

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    Not nearly enough room here!
    Thanks harrisdoggy,I like rubbin' on it:D
     
  14. Sep 12, 2016 at 1:13 PM
    #14
    harrisdoggy

    harrisdoggy [OP] New Member

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    @CMB @Law323 - one last question about this (I hope). If I get custom wheels and sell my stock wheels/tires, is it a big deal to get new TPMS or do I have that stuff switched over from the existing/original wheels at the tire shop when they install the new setup? Thx again.
     
  15. Sep 12, 2016 at 1:35 PM
    #15
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    I'm a little anal about my tire PSI. I check it monthly and bimonthly when it gets cold. When you do that, I don't see the point in TPMS.

    But if you're dead set on it, usually they'll give you an option. At discount tire it's an extra 40 bucks or so.
     
  16. Sep 12, 2016 at 1:40 PM
    #16
    harrisdoggy

    harrisdoggy [OP] New Member

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    Gotcha. I check regularly as well, usually just do it at Discount on the way home every few weeks since it's on the way. Do you get an error/light on the dash if you don't install the TPMS?
     
  17. Sep 12, 2016 at 1:51 PM
    #17
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    I have TPMS and I've never messed with it, but I'll probably find out when I get some new wheels LOL

    I think there's some kind of fuse or wire you can disconnect but not sure
     
  18. Sep 12, 2016 at 2:08 PM
    #18
    harrisdoggy

    harrisdoggy [OP] New Member

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    Gotcha - thanks!
     
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  19. Sep 12, 2016 at 2:33 PM
    #19
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    De nada brother!
     

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