A brief update on the tyres.
Generally I take tyre reviews with a grain of salt. What I like most people don't notice, etc etc.
This is the third set I've used in the last couple of months ranging from the original size 235/70R16 in GT Radial HT's, Pirelli Verde in 255/55R18 and now the Falken's in 265/60R18.
The GT's were about twelve months old, maybe not even that when I picked the car up in April 2017. As Richie from Hume 4WD in Canberra said at the time, they wear like iron.
Fun in the wet though


The Pirellis have that much more grip it isn't funny, even in the wet when they are down near the tread wear indicators.
The Pirellis tramline a little, or more a slight weave of the wheel with a little torque steer evident (almost nothing) and can still induce the ABS coming into corners hard in the dry.
At recommended pressures I didn't find the ride that bad, even on dirt, contrary to what most report.
I generally hate new tyres of any description, but particularly 4wd tyres.
Too much tread squirm in cornering, braking and turn in for this little black duck. Off road and heavy dirt/gravel is different, but on the highways and byways I don't think I've fitted a set I actually liked.
There's a reason we used to have treaded race tyres buffed (actually cut) to 1.5mm tread depth back when I raced.
The new tyres are a bloody revelation.
They track dead straight.
No tramlining on any surface in the 300km I've driven on so far.
Anyone that has driven on Byron Shire maintained roads knows they aren't the best either. Easily the worst in the state.
Turn in is bloody good, better than the Pirelli's??!! I'm actually using less lock at initial turn in, which means less scrub angle? How, I have no idea......
I'm already matching the Pirelli's for corner speed. How, with those big, blocky tread blocks I'm not sure.
Ride for an AT is ok. These are an XL tyre, so 114H load/speed rating. Not a full LT construction but much higher load rating than the original rubber (107!!)
A little rumble, but not objectionable. I really have to listen, but I do have tinnitus, probably from driving a Defender for over 15 years!

Dirt turn in and grip is nice and controllable, slides are easy to hold/correct, and the ride over crap, washedout and pot holed dirt is fine. I'm running out of suspension travel before the I'm noticing a firmer ride with the higher load rating, and lets face it I've got much more air spring than either of the two previously used tyres.
Emergency braking to miss a massive gutter running across a track west of Minyon Falls was fine, braking and control in the dirt very good.
I'm sure the ABS triggered on that stop but I don't recall as I was talking to the two pretty back packers I'd picked up.

No wet bitumen in the last three days, but that will happen, this is the NSW North Coast!
The rest of the state is parched and struggling and we continue to get soaked.
All in all I'm bloody impressed so far.
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