Something we are missing: Thread for lifted or stock Tundra's with milder tires

Many of us lift our trucks and install more aggressive tires. Lots of great info here and pictures galore of different setups, lifts, AT, MTs.

What I don't see much of are details and pictures of Tundras, lifted or not, running more mild AT or AS tires like Michelin Defender or some of the more mild all terrain tires. And there are some excellent choices available.

So starting this thread for folks to post their experiences, pictures, details of more road friendly tire options. Not everyone wheels every weekend, some just want a safe road tire or something for towing and travel. With $costs for tires and everything else up 30%+, many may be considering more mild tires for the weight, MPG, performance and cost benefits.

Calling @Sundog if you are still around, thought you were lifted and running tires that fit in this thread.

Web searching has few appropriate images, so let's see your setup and hear your thoughts and reviews!

 

Yep, my summer setup is Michelin Defender M/S, on SCS Ray 10s.




I have 2.4 lift in the front and 1.5 in lift the back. The tires are 295/70R18. Really like them. I have towed quite a bit them at pretty fast speeds across Montana, etc. They handle all weather really well and are not wearing quickly. They are the best handling quietest tire that I know of. When I get into my dad's jeep in Utah (with AT tires) I always think holy crap, the road noise from the tires is massive. My last set I got >65K miles out of them and could have gone longer. I ran the stock size of these on my last Tundra and could not be more happy with them.

IIRC @JMB has also run these tires for quite a while.

 

Interested in this too. Running all stock. Will likely upgrade suspension so will add slight lift. Would love larger tires. I don't off road. It's a family truck, used for all things truck.

 

This is the thread I've been looking to see! I just recently got a used 2021 SR5. I want to upgrade from the steelies and make it look a little cleaner in general. But since the truck will be used for the family I want to keep it modest and not jack it up too crazy or throw 35's on there like most people seem to default to.

Looking for inspiration from others to find that sweet spot of "looks good, but my wife doesn't think I'm crazy and going overboard". I had been looking at some local TRD Pro 18" wheels or something like that, but that's just because I'm not really sure what all is out there. Looking to run the stock tires a little longer too but would love to find some mild ATs kind of like you described when its time to replace them. I also would like to eventually get the truck level, was looking at bilstein 5100s to accomplish that, but open to other ideas as well.

 

We run Michelin Defenders on the 2WD Sequoia. They're the smoothest tire and feel like we ride on clouds everytime we go somewhere. Recently I went out to Port Aransas and the beach was crowded but still had plenty of places where sand was loose. We never came close to getting stuck.

 

The Defender M/S is probably the best truck tire on the market. They are quiet, smooth, last forever and have excellent dry/wet/ice/snow traction. They just look like old man tires

 

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 in 295/70/18. About 50lbs a corner and pretty comfortable on the highway despite being LT rated. I think they are in the same segment as Terra Grapplers and Michelin AT2

 

TOYO A/T WAS A GREAT ALL AROUND TIRE, QUITE ON HIGHWAY AND SMOOTH RIDE.

 

Nitto Dura Grappler. I've never seen these on a Tundra, but I'll definitely be considering them when my current tires wear out. Reviews are great, and they come in a "big 35" size, 305/70r18 which is actually 35.3x12.8.

 

Continental Terrain Contact’s in factory 275/65/18. Very quiet and smooth. Haven’t tested their off-road prowess, but they are great in the snow. Came with the truck when I bought it.

 

Agreed this thread is needed. I'm looking to downsize slightly, currently on 275/60r20 wildpeaks and looking to move to 265/70r18 Defenders plus lighter wheels. Will post pics when completed.

 

I am on Bilstien 5100s front at top setting. I downsized from a 20” wheel to the TRD Pro BBS wheels sitting on 275/70/18 General Grabber APT tire. No lift on the back. I shed something like 20lbs a corner but still kept a 33” tall tire with the SL load rating. I do beach driving and some mild gravel.

These are smooth and quiet when cursing and no real impact at all on MPG. If I remember right, this tire weighs in at roughly the same or less than stock Michelin’s but 1” taller.

Edit: They come in at 42lbs a tire. Plus the BBS wheels weight something like 27-28lbs from my research.

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires....3!537118804928!!!u!293946777986!&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Are you noticing any better mileage with the michelins, I had them on a 2500 Dodge and got a few mpgs better.

 

On the stock size, maybe. On the current setup, no. I went to E rates (heavier) tires and went up 2 sizes (even heavier).

 

As promised, SCS Ray10s with 265/70r18 Defenders. Haven't driven highway yet but just around town the truck handles better, stops quicker, and (maybe my imagination) seems to shift better. Dropped 16-20lbs per corner. Definitely in the minority for downsizing. No lift required, 100% stock suspension.

EDIT: Finally did some highway driving, went from 14.5mpg average to 17.75 highway with a light foot.

 

Looks great!

 

Guess I should have seen this post before I posted something similar here.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...t-tires-need-to-get-a-set-to-save-gas.108925/

So currently have 315/70r17 ko2 load range E, weighs in around 67lbs for tire and 30lbs for icon wheels, so total 100lbs per corner.

I am looking to get another set of tires/wheels for my daily commute, and was thinking stock size 32s (255/70r18) or one size up (265/70r18). they will both be around 40lbs per tire and assuming the stock 18inch alloy wheel is also 30lbs, totaling 70lbs per corner.

On that post I created, someones say that it won't dramatically provide me with more mpg, with my current setup I get around 10-12mpg mixed. So for whoever that may have a better idea than me here, will saving 30lbs per corner and 2inch of tire height, saving me at least some mpg? I was hoping switching will save me around 3-4mpg.

Thanks guys!

 

It makes a difference. I lost 1-2 mpg, depending, moving from stock size SL tires to 275/70-18 E load, with more aggressive tread. The weight and tread design definitely impact performance and MPG, as does the larger circumference which reduces the mechanical leverage.

How you drive has a big impact too. I will get 1mpg better tank average if I keep speeds in the 70ish range vs 75-80mph. Same goes for around town, take it easy and it is worth same MPG impact.

Overall that is not a huge impact on MPG but the little bits do add up $. It is certainly feasible for you to gain 3-4 MPG with lighter, less aggressive tires and taking it a bit easier when driving. If I am mindful I can easily achieve or beat EPA estimates even with 2 inch lift, some heavier accessories and aggressive E load 33s.

One other thing, Tundras SUCK fuel at idle like it is their only job. If you idle to warm up or cool the truck several minutes that alone will bring down the tank average 1-2 mpg, I know that from experience, Ive never owned a vehicle where idling made such a difference.

 

You are correct. I've got 60k miles on this set and they look fairly new. I also put the P rated ones on my wife's Grand Marquis.

I don't know whyi didn't get a notification when you tagged me???

 

Bilstein 5100 on the top setting, tires are 295/70/18.

 

I didn't even thinking about idling, because I do idle for a good 30-45mins for lunch every day, I wondering what is the gallons/minute during idle? But then my idling pattern didn't change even when I was on stock tires and I still got better MPGs, will report back once I downsize

 

wow, yes there is a post around here where someone posted the idle fuel consumption. If you are idling that much it is having a significant impact on your tank averages. I bet you are closer to 13/14 mpg in reality vs 10-12.

found it https://www.tundras.com/threads/5-7-idle-fuel-consumption-per-hour.102579/

 

So when I was on stock tires, I was closer to say 18-20mpg? wow

 

stock sr5 (black shocks)
TRD off-road socks and shoes. (Michelin AT2 something’s at 275/65 r18).

Easy highway driving gets me about 18-19mpg range which I’m happy with.

 

No way are your mods responsible for a drop from 15-17 to 10-12 mpg. There is something else going on... I average better than 16 with ATs that are bigger than yours.

Why are you idling so much?
What do you get on the highway?
Are you adjusting mpg based on tire size?

If we go with Jeff_5_7's data, idling is ~.8 gal/hr. If the commute isn't very long, that could be a big hit.

 

See response above.
I also have full skids that are extremely heavy lol

 

It is the 30 minutes of idle time each day dropping his MPG AVG.

 

I was getting 16.5 when I was completely stock. I switched to 275/70/18 with stock suspension a few years ago and have got 14.5 mpg ever since. I never recalibrated the speedo so the numbers are based on the trip computer

 

I’m running Patagonia ATRs. Have no complaints so far. Granted only put about 1,500 miles on them so far but they are pretty quiet. Quieter than my previous duratracs. They are listed as all season/all terrain. Running 35x12.50R17 on a 2.5” lif/level in the front, toytec add a leaf pack and +1 CB shackles in the rear. No BMC, no rub. Zone UCAs.

Edit*- they balanced well too. 2 of the wheels didn’t even need weights.

 

I hope I don't get flamed for saying this, but I really like the stock Michelins on my 2021 Tundra TRD Pro. If I were to replace them, I would probably replace with the same tire TBH.