33.5" Toyo M/Ts on O.R. rims - PRG 4" Performance Pkg.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-09-2007, 12:42 AM

A few pics of my new LT295/70/17 Toyo Open Country M/Ts on the Off Road Pkg. 17x7.5" rims.

Titan has a PRG 4" Performance Package lift with the DRE coilovers, Total Chaos upper A-Arms, PRG custom 1" spacer, DRE rear shocks, 1" Deavers, and Total Chaos shackles. Plan to lower it about 3/4" overall soon. Currently set for about 3" of lift.

yscty · 12-09-2007, 01:22 AM

Nicely Done!!! Those tires are looking mean......

I'm debating that same size, but just don't wanna regret it later as I really want a 315/70/17.

*UDMTITAN* · 12-09-2007, 03:00 AM

could you post some more pics, just bought the dre's and was considering going the same route with a 33" tire for the stock 18" wheels. Great looking set up imho.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-09-2007, 03:17 AM

There are a couple pics with my old BFG 33s in my gallery ... just dbl. click on the pic in my sig in the previous post. The one next to the red truck, and blue recycle bin is when I was just leveled with DREs, and the one by the wall, and the one at the beach, are with the 4" Performance Package at about 3". All three are with 32.8" dia. BFG AT KOs. The new one is with 33.5" Toyo M/Ts and the 3" lift.

06_SMOKE_SE_CC · 12-09-2007, 03:38 AM

looks good norcal, wish i could've afforded some toyo's....oh well, the nitto's will have to do...

NorCal 4x4 · 12-09-2007, 04:03 AM

Nitto TGs were on my list, but I really wanted a MT this time. The BFG MT KM2 would have been another potential purchase, but in the 17s the closest size was the 32.7" 305/65, and I wanted closer to a 34, but not over 34.

When I was still considering an AT, the 305/70/17 Nitto TG seemed a bit wide for a 7.5" rim especially being a 2-ply instead of a 3-ply, (sidewall). Their 295/70 would have been fine though.

Hope these last a long time.

hooligan · 12-10-2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal 4x4

Nitto TGs were on my list, but I really wanted a MT this time. The BFG MT KM2 would have been another potential purchase, but in the 17s the closest size was the 32.7" 305/65, and I wanted closer to a 34, but not over 34.

When I was still considering an AT, the 305/70/17 Nitto TG seemed a bit wide for a 7.5" rim especially being a 2-ply instead of a 3-ply, (sidewall). Their 295/70 would have been fine though.

Hope these last a long time.

NorCal, those look mean!!!! look good too!! i was thinking of going that route in the future but i'm a BFG believer after what my KM1s have been thru, that it only seems fitting the KM2s be my next tire, although i have had those Toyo MTs on my radar. congratulations, are you pleased with them thus far? i know how much of a stickler you are in getting top notch sh!t based on thorough research.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-10-2007, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooligan

NorCal, those look mean!!!! look good too!! i was thinking of going that route in the future but i'm a BFG believer after what my KM1s have been thru, that it only seems fitting the KM2s be my next tire, although i have had those Toyo MTs on my radar. congratulations, are you pleased with them thus far? i know how much of a stickler you are in getting top notch sh!t based on thorough research.

The KM2 would have been a definite contender if they offered them in a 295/70/17 or a 305/70/17, (33.5" to a 34").

KM2s look like a great tire and if I was lifted enough that I wanted 35s, (and had wide enough, aftermarket rims), there's a good chance I would have gotten them. They are also lighter than the Toyo M/T ... the KM2 35s are 5 pounds lighter than my 33.5s. I can feel their 73 lbs. compared to the 58 lbs. BFG ATs. It will be interesting when I calculate the gas mileage.

But I like the M/Ts so far, a bit of a howl, but I think that's because I paid an extra $60 to have them siped, and because they're brand new. I've asked a couple of other owners, and their's were pretty quite, like a "hum".

Drove them on the twisty roads in the rain the other night, and at a fairly good clip, and they gripped great. My BFG ATs were getting very slick even though they have a fair amount of tread left.

hooligan · 12-10-2007, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal 4x4

But I like the M/Ts so far, a bit of a howl, but I think that's because I paid an extra $60 to have them siped, and because they're brand new. I've asked a couple of other owners, and their's were pretty quite, like a "hum".

ooooooo, can you snap a photo of the siping? and where did you end up going to have them siped? and siping would actually quiet the tire a bit.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-10-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooligan

ooooooo, can you snap a photo of the siping? and where did you end up going to have them siped? and siping would actually quiet the tire a bit.

I tried a few macro mode photos tonight but they didn't come out. I'm taking Friday off so I'll give it another shot and use a tripod. They look like razor knife cuts, (but are actually U-shaped ... deeper in the middle), about 1/2" long, and about 3/16" apart, perpendicular to the tire, (from sidewall to sidewall), but only on the two middle rows of lugs ... probably to avoid chunking.

Siped at Les Schwab where I purchased them. Cost more than some of the on-line places, but I wanted to purchase at a brick and mortar tire store, so I wouldn't have to deal with any issues ... paying for re-mounting the old tires, and having to ship new ones back, and then paying for mounting again. Heard of too many issues with out of round tires not balancing properly, etc. And originally was looking at their AT with their 30-day/500 mile trial.

One thing I noticed with the M/Ts today is the are smooth. My impression is they are rounder BFG AT KO's ever were, or maybe it's the additional weight. Also, the rear seems less bouncy.

I know you can't judge gas mileage on one tank, but 11.5 mpg calculated at the fill-up today. Usually above 13 mpg with the BFG AT KO, and just above 14 mpg Rugged Trails.

SDTitan1 · 12-11-2007, 12:20 AM

NICE norcal!! like hoolie said, I know plenty of research went into getting new tires, glad to see you finally got 'em! good idea getting them siped as well.....you'll have to post a pic

Delta15 · 12-11-2007, 11:33 PM

I have these tires in 275/70/18 and I love them!

*UDMTITAN* · 12-11-2007, 11:40 PM

Are the shackles you installed the ones that drop the back end back down some? Also wanted to know how the ride is as far as handling goes, I am nervous about a lift because I spend most of my time on freeways at 75+ and still want to be able to maneuver. I know you will loose some cornering with a lift just am spooked. First time I have ever come close to lifting one.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-12-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UDMTITAN

Are the shackles you installed the ones that drop the back end back down some? Also wanted to know how the ride is as far as handling goes, I am nervous about a lift because I spend most of my time on freeways at 75+ and still want to be able to maneuver. I know you will loose some cornering with a lift just am spooked. First time I have ever come close to lifting one.

Mine are the Total Chaos Heavy-Duty Shackles, from PRGroducts.com. They lower the rear 3/4", and won't unroll like the stock ones do occasionally when people are off roading. I think they are especially recommended for those that have the larger Deaver 2.5" mini-pak, (mine are the 1.5" Deavers).

With a coilover lift, I think the handling is better. The springs on the coils are stiff enough, that many even remove their sway bar ... gives more independent wheel articulation in the front. I have yet to try this, but with the bars on, it handles great. I drive almost exclusively country roads, with some very curvy sections.

I believe it might have handled the curvy roads a little better when I was just running the DRE coilovers, set to 2", and the PRG modified Bilsteins in the rear, but with the additional component of the PRG 4" Performance Pkg. and the additional inch of lift I wanted it set for, any difference is very slight.

So, I'd recommend at least getting the DRE or SAW stock application versions of the coilovers from PRG, (he specs the SAW's valving. and selects the springs), and the DRE or Bilstein rear shocks. Your truck will handle like a sports car, well at least like a good sedan. This would get your truck level. The Performance Pkg. is good for almost 4" with a 4x4 or 4" for a 2wd, although most 2wds also get a 4" spindle too, (allowing the coilovers to be set without very much preload/lift, since when they are at maximum they are not as smooth). Give Greg a call and he can explain your best options for a given budget.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-18-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDTitan1

NICE norcal!! like hoolie said, I know plenty of research went into getting new tires, glad to see you finally got 'em! good idea getting them siped as well.....you'll have to post a pic

Thanks everyone, and SDTitan1 and hooligan ... I finally got some pics that show the siping.

Btw, I was thinking the BFG AT KO I had before these Toyo MTs, handled the curves better, but I added some more air, up from 35 psi to 47/45 (f/r), and they are in the same league now.

Got bad gas mileage again at the last fill-up, 11.85 mpg. Hope the added air pressure helps a little.