Nitto Ridge Grapplers or BFG KO3s?

Hey All!
Looking to change out tires and wheels on my 2017 crew max. The picture of the truck attached is my current set up (Toyo Open country 285s with 20” KMC Boneyard) … I’ve decided to go with the 17” Fuel Vector for my wheels but I’m trying to decide between 285 Nitto Ridge Grapplers or the BFG KO3s … the truck is leveled with Bilstein suspension but no lift. I’m afraid to go bigger than 285s because I already had to trim the plastic on the fender with my current tires due to rubbing. I like the way Nittos look on tundras but have also had KO2s in the past that I’ve liked… ride quality and low road noise is important to me. Let me know what you think!

 

I have run both of these tires, although on different heavy duty trucks.

Had the Ridge Grapplers in a 35 on my F350 Tremor. They were fine. A little loud on the highway.

I have the KO3 currently on my Sierra 2500. Absolutely love them. Great performance in snow and water. Quiet and well mannered. Perform flawlessly when towing. They also are the best looking tire out there.

 

Thanks! Yea I like the BFGoods .. I think they look more Baha style

 

I went from Ridge Grapplers to K02 a couple of years ago. Also had toyos. The K02 are by far my favorite tire from the three. Way more durable and a lot less road noise. My only complaint on the K02 is the grip in rain. Not the best, but I would buy them again.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback … a quiet ride is important to me .. does seem like the BFgoods are winning in the quiet area

 

I’ve also been seeing that some people have issues getting the BFGoods to balance… anyone had that issue? I currently have issues with that on my truck which is why I’m going down to a smaller hub centric wheel as well

 

I have seen this complaint. I ran 3 different sets of K02s on other vehicles, including my 4runner that I still own, and never had balancing issues.

My KO3s have not needed a rebalance after install either.

 

Ok that’s good. I can never get a perfect balance on my truck currently … I think it’s because I have 20s that are lug centric instead of hub centric which I hear is better for yotas

 

If you are running a non-hub-centric wheel, you can buy hub spacers that will completely solve the problem. If you are experiencing balancing issues, it's likely either your tires or your wheels, but not both. You might get hub rings and see if it helps before dropping a wad of cash.

You have a 110.1mm hub on that truck. I believe your current KMC Boneyards have a 106.1mm hub bore. A 2mm spacer all around would at least eliminate the wheels as the issue and let you focus on tires. If you're buying wheels due to hub-centricness, I don't think the ones you've posted are any different and almost certainly ALSO have a 106.1mm hub bore.

I've run a lot of different wheels on various vehicles because I have a sickness and a forgiving wife. Hub rings will 100% allow you to run a larger bore wheel without concern and will absolutely eliminate any possibility of misalignment.

$11.49 here: https://lugnutguys.com/collections/hub-rings/products/hub-centric-rings-110mm-to-106-1mm-set-of-4

 

It says the center bore on the vectors is 108 .. would that help? I also want to go down in wheel size for the look of a beefier tire

 

Actually it says 110.1 for the 17 wheel on one place a looked which would be perfect

 

It's either hub-centric or it's not. Get the spacers for $12 and see what it does for you.

 

Verify your wheel bore before doing so - I'm just going off what most KMC wheels seem to be. Cannot find your specific wheel.

 

Ok got it

 

I’m in the same boat. Ran the grapplers but really liking the KO3s. Currently have copper xlts which look meh and are at the end of their life. Think I’m going to go KO3!

 

not an apples to apples comparison Lol

 

man it’s such a hard decision.. why would you pick the KO3 over the grapplers?

 

Which would you go with ?

 

Running n.r g since 2020 on my 19. More that pleased with them.

 

Awesome! Pretty quiet still?

 

Same combo Im running...

They were on the truck when I bought it. I likely would be gone Method or Raceline, but I haven't had any issues to mention with the wheels or tires.

The tires will likely get replaced this spring and I'm leaning towards Yokohamas right now. Truck is a weekend warrior and tow vehicle so I'll be going to a less aggressive tread pattern. That's really the only reason. The Nittos have done well.

The KO2's on our 4R have to get balanced every 6 mos so I'm avoiding the KO3s for that reason at this point although I could be persuaded if I catch them on sale...?

 

Nice!!! Yea I’ve been hearing about the balancing issues with the KOs I definitely don’t want any issues with that … I’m already having that issue

 

If you’re having balancing issues with the KO’s (or any other large heavy tire) find a shop or dealership that can do a road force balance on them, it should smooth things right out. I’m running the KO3’s in a 285/70/18 load range E. They were not balanced properly when I bought them at Discount Tire so I took it to the dealership and they did the roadforce balance on them now they are the smoothest riding tire I’ve had yet. No problems with them in rain, snow or ice and do great towing our 29’ travel trailer. I’ve never run the Ridge Grapplers but they are a popular choice and have a good look to them. The geometry of each of these tires is very different so somewhat difficult to compare, mostly depends on how you are using your truck/tire. BFG just put a lot of research into the design for the new KO3’s with different rubber compound, molding process and tread pattern for water/mud channeling and 3D full tread depth siping. To me these are the latest and greatest for an all around A/T tire performance for dry,wet,ice,snow and everyday driving and towing.

 

For me yes they quite. Last road trip was only 15,000 miles to Alaska. In Iowa road noise all depends on what hiway I'm on .an yes the some hiways here can be noisey. But wife never has complained about it

 

That’s interesting I’m pretty sure our discount tire uses the hunter machine that does do the road force balance

 

Good to know!

 

Another vote for the KO3. They balanced great on my 25 Tundra, are quiet and handle rain better than the KO2 I ran on our Sequoia and Land Cruiser. They also look fantastic.

 

Looks good! Thanks

 

KO3's here, love them.

 

I've only had my KO3's around a month but I really like them. Great in rain and snow.