Changing to 18" rims

[Steve86]

Hi all,

Finally getting round to switching over to a set of ATs. As the current tyres are 20" my preference is to change over to steel tuffants & run 265/60R18s.

Before pulling the trigger I had a couple of questions:

As I wouldn't be swapping between sets I would be only using the 18s if fitted, so plenty of highway/long distance use - anyone running tuffants had any issue with brakes overheating due to the smaller gap between rim & brakes?

I'll be primarily using on sand, so my thinking is 18s better to run lower tyre pressures - would be good to hear how 20s with ATs perform in the sand? Really to confirm if it's worth the outlay for the tuffants or just change the rubber on the current rims.

Thinking I'd go for the scorpion AT+, either 265/50R20 or 265/60R18. Is 3cm of extra sidewall worth the changeover to 18s?

Cheers,
Steve

[SimmAus]

Depends what you are doing with the tyres.

I run 20” with an LT tyre for normal day to day / general touring.

I also have 18”steel Tuffants
- used to run these all the time on the D4 with some LT tyres…never had issues or “overheating” (that’s a new one!)

Changed 18” to Mud Tyres (mainly for VHC trips and more serious stuff)

Imho….yes the extra rubber is worth it…even for piece of mind

I switch my rims over as needed…it’s a small pita…but I find I get the best of both worlds out of the car then.

Good luck

[discomatt69]

I have done about 50,000 km of touring and 4wding on the 18 inch tuffant rims , no brake issues, they are way better than my 19s for what I use the car for

[Steve86]

Thanks guys.

Potential for overheating came up in conversation with on of the local tyre fitters. Searching through the forum I'd found no mention of any issues, thought to ask the question just in case.

My preference is to go to 18s, but I wouldn't be swapping between sets - hence looking at less aggressive ATs that would do 90% blacktop, 10% gravel & sand.

Now to find the right tyres - was told the scorpions are out of stock in aus so would have a few weeks wait to arrive. Was recommended the geolander G015s as an available alternate, will have to review how they compare.

[letherm]

I bought 18" Compomotive Rims and fitted Michelin LTX Force 110T 265/60/18 tyres in April 2018.

My situation was different to most in that I wanted a comfortable, good highway with offroad capability. My main driver for the change to 18" rims was to make the ride more comfortable for my late wife who suffered from severe pain. The 18" add a bit of extra air to help and the Michelin's had a comfort strip integrated into the tyre. I have been very happy with dry and wet weather handling. They are wearing well but I do not rack up high mileage so can't really comment about longevity of the tyres. Not for everyone and not one usually mentioned here but possibly worth a look.

Martin

[Steve86]

Thanks again for comments & advice.

So have decided to try the geolander G015s as they look to meet my requirements.

Next question will be load rating - the 265/60 R18 comes as either a P 110H or LT 119S. Hard to find info on ride difference but sounds like the LT are more off-road biased.
Yokohama Geolandar A/T GO15 (https://www.whichcar.com.au/gear/4x4-garage/4x4-garage-yokohama-geolandar-at-go15)

Quote from Yokohama rep:
“The Passenger Tyre construction is made forthose all-wheel drives and SUVs that spend most of their time on the bitumen,but still like to go off-road on the weekends and have some fun,” ... “It’s quieter and has much better road-handling characteristics. It’sjust a much better road-handling tyre.”

I assume the 110 load rating is within the approved limit for the D4? Couldn't find an answer on the LR owners info site & not at home to check manual. Not towing anything heavy or planning on rock crawling so thinking lower rated tyres would be more comfortable for daily driving & still ok for sand/gravel.

[goldey]

As much as I would love to go to 18s, we have been using the 20's that came with the car when we bought it. I've been running Falken Wildpeak ATs and have loved them. Mostly road, but some offroad (maybe 90/10) and the offroad has been mostly sand (Stockton, Belmont beaches and 5 day trip on Fraser earlier this year). The tyres have been dropped to 18 psi each time it's on the beach and never had any troubles with them.

Although if I could afford 18's then I would definitely go 18's for the same reasons as provided above.

Cheers

Goldey

[Steve86]

As much as I would love to go to 18s, we have been using the 20's that came with the car when we bought it. I've been running Falken Wildpeak ATs and have loved them. Mostly road, but some offroad (maybe 90/10) and the offroad has been mostly sand (Stockton, Belmont beaches and 5 day trip on Fraser earlier this year). The tyres have been dropped to 18 psi each time it's on the beach and never had any troubles with them.

Although if I could afford 18's then I would definitely go 18's for the same reasons as provided above.

Cheers

Goldey

Good to hear 20s are doing the job.

When costing out the change I was surprised at the price difference between 18 & 20 inch tyres - over $100 a tyre.

Compared to buying 5 x 20 inch ATs the additional cost to change to 18s works out to be just under $1000. Not planning on keeping the 20s so may get close to break even selling them.

[goldey]

Keep in mind that fitting a 20 inch AT type tyre up under the rear is close to impossible, which is further support to go to 18s. I elected to take the risk and not have a full size spare and pack the tyre string repair kit and the NRMA card just in case. Not ideal I know.

[ledgewalker]

I have 18" Tuffant steelies on my 2012 D4 SDV6 and run 265/65/R18 Scorpion AT+ tyres and I find the setup fantastic.

I’ve just returned from Fraser where the D4 put lots of other vehicles to shame, particularly at Ngkala Rocks (much to the delight of my 13yo son). Generally ran with 19psi but 16psi for Ngkala.

Just note that with the additional sidewall, the spare must be deflated to fit under the car, so it means having a compressor handy if/when the spare is required.

[Steve86]

Keep in mind that fitting a 20 inch AT type tyre up under the rear is close to impossible, which is further support to go to 18s. I elected to take the risk and not have a full size spare and pack the tyre string repair kit and the NRMA card just in case. Not ideal I know.

Are you running a 255/50 profile?

This is why I have had wheel carriers or door mounted spares on previous 4WDs - easier to access & no worries on tyre size.


I have 18" Tuffant steelies on my 2012 D4 SDV6 and run 265/65/R18 Scorpion AT+ tyres and I find the setup fantastic.

I’ve just returned from Fraser where the D4 put lots of other vehicles to shame, particularly at Ngkala Rocks (much to the delight of my 13yo son). Generally ran with 19psi but 16psi for Ngkala.

Just note that with the additional sidewall, the spare must be deflated to fit under the car, so it means having a compressor handy if/when the spare is required.

The scorpions were my original choice, but not readily available so will give the geolander G015s a go - meant to be a similar on-road focused AT.

Had read up that the 65 profile was a little too large to fit inflated & may also cause some rubbing? Hoping 265/60s will be the right fit - 0.5 inch larger than original tyres.

Have you noticed any change in handling / acceleration going to a heavier rim and tyre setup? With the steelies and LT tyres I'll be adding a few extra kg per wheel.

[letherm]

Had read up that the 65 profile was a little too large to fit inflated & may also cause some rubbing? Hoping 265/60s will be the right fit - 0.5 inch larger than original tyres.



That's what I have and the spare fits in fine fully inflated.

Martin

[ledgewalker]

>may also cause some rubbing?

No rubbing. I do have LLAMS and my normal ride height is a bit higher than standard height.

>Have you noticed any change in handling / acceleration going to a heavier rim and tyre setup? With the steelies and LT tyres I'll be adding a few extra kg per wheel.

I recall being concerned about acceleration when I made the switch from the stock 19" rims and perhaps there is a very slight difference but honestly, the D4 has so much torque it’s not an issue. I certainly don’t think about it now. With the setup including LLAMS my car is higher off the ground so body roll only gets worse but it’s not too bad and worth the trade off imo.