Thread: Changing to 18" rims

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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.