275/65R17's for my 120

[noddy7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close noddy7]

After finally wearing out the Grandcraps I am looking for some new rubber for my 120. Most of my driving is on the black stuff but I will require my tyres to have a reasonable level of performance off the road so I am looking for an AT tread pattern. Being a QLD resident, and for reasons previously covered in other threads, I have steered away from 265/70R17 and decided on 275/65R17. The range in this size is fairly limited but I have the following 6 options. I am interested in hearing about experiences with the tyres and sizes listed below:
[attachment=2:uly2viam]Yokohama Geolander AT-S (G012).JPG[/attachment:uly2viam]
[attachment=1:uly2viam]Bridgestone Dueler D694 & D694LT.JPG[/attachment:uly2viam]
[attachment=0:uly2viam]Dunlop Grandtrek AT3.JPG[/attachment:uly2viam]

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

[attachment=2:3fhplbot]Bridgestone Dueler D693.JPG[/attachment:3fhplbot]
[attachment=1:3fhplbot]Michelin Latitude Cross.JPG[/attachment:3fhplbot]
[attachment=0:3fhplbot]Pirelli Scorpion STR.JPG[/attachment:3fhplbot]

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

I'd go the D694's over the D693's for a start.
The D693's in that size are imported anyway, so I would say they will cost more than the normal aussie made D694's.

The Yokohama geolander A/T-S' seem to get a good wrap, from the limited info available on them.

I wouldn't get the pirelli's if you want to go offroad. However, they the best on road tyres there.

I'm going the D694LT's simply for the huge wrap they are getting, both on and off road.

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

what about BFG AT's in that size?

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

+]what about BFG AT's in that size?

Yes, Toyotaman has got them on his Prado.

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

I understand BFG's only come in 265/65R17's or 265/70R17's unfortunately!

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

Tyreplus certainly do have the 275/65R17 even though it's not listed on the BFG website. They rung the Melbourne warehouse and there's plenty in stock.

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=7155&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p102707

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

Great news! That's made my mind up. BFG it is!

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

Must admit I've only recently become aware of the 275 /65R17 size option. I'm also waiting for the 265/65R17 Grand Treks to wear out & have been tempted by the extra profile advantage of the 265/70R17 size (some good manufacture options there too) but knowing full well it's not "legal" in Qld.

I assume there's still some height advantage to be gained with the 275/65R17s? If so, how much and are they definately ok from a road-legal / insurance perspective?

Sunday

PS: I'd also find it hard to choose between the D694s and the BFGs. Seem to be six of one, half a dozen of the other when weighing up all-round off/on road ability, endurance etc.

[PradoBoy72 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoBoy72]

Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

Must admit I've only recently become aware of the 275 /65R17 size option. I'm also waiting for the 265/65R17 Grand Treks to wear out & have been tempted by the extra profile advantage of the 265/70R17 size (some good manufacture options there too) but knowing full well it's not "legal" in Qld.

I assume there's still some height advantage to be gained with the 275/65R17s? If so, how much and are they definately ok from a road-legal / insurance perspective?

Sunday

PS: I'd also find it hard to choose between the D694s and the BFGs. Seem to be six of one, half a dozen of the other when weighing up all-round off/on road ability, endurance etc.

They will give you a total rolling diameter change of 14mm (there abouts) over a 265/65/17; so a small lift and still legal

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

i replaced my cooper atr's with the 275/65 yoko GO12 and haven't looked back. excellent on and off road in the 5000 odd k's i've done so far. biggest improvement was on wet bitumen, the coopers were a little hard (which did help me get 100000 k's out of them) but could be a bit slippery around corners in the wet.

good offroad too, they're no mud tyre but they clean out quite well once you get moving.

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

Any new stories or updates to share on experiences with this size tyre? (Getting close to having to replace the Dunlops). Right now I'm leaning towards the BFGs but always willing to hear others experiences of this & other brands!

Sunday

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

I have the BFG A/Ts in 275/65 17LT. Fitted these just before Christmas last year. I can only compare these with the 265/65 17 Cooper ATRs that were on it from new.

So far we have put about 5,000km on the tyres and I am very happy. Mostly driving around town and highway but a few journeys on muddy and rocky back roads and compared to the Coopers they are way in front. Feel on the road has improved especially wet bitumen. Road noise is about the same and the BFGs are definately not a noisy tyre. Grip on wet mud/dirt feels 1000% better. The sharper side walls cut in and the traction control doesn't seem to be as active in these conditions. Early days I know but very happy. Haven't ventured onto the beach yet but my past experience with BFG A/Ts is that they will be fine. Especially aired down because the sidewalls bulge nicely and give a very progressive profile. The longer foot print with the 275s is welcome as is the small lift of 7mm. Add to that the peace of mind with the LT construction and I am happy to stick with the BFGs.

I expected an increase in fuel consumption over the Coopers but so far nothing measurable. The car went to and from Sydney in January and returned below 10 l/100km which is about the same as before. I know others get better consumption than this but my car weighs in at 2600kg with full tanks and is lifted 50mm. Definately recommend these tyres.

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

I have the BFG A/Ts in 275/65 17LT. Fitted these just before Christmas last year. I can only compare these with the 265/65 17 Cooper ATRs that were on it from new.

So far we have put about 5,000km on the tyres and I am very happy. Mostly driving around town and highway but a few journeys on muddy and rocky back roads and compared to the Coopers they are way in front. Feel on the road has improved especially wet bitumen. Road noise is about the same and the BFGs are definately not a noisy tyre. Grip on wet mud/dirt feels 1000% better. The sharper side walls cut in and the traction control doesn't seem to be as active in these conditions. Early days I know but very happy. Haven't ventured onto the beach yet but my past experience with BFG A/Ts is that they will be fine. Especially aired down because the sidewalls bulge nicely and give a very progressive profile. The longer foot print with the 275s is welcome as is the small lift of 7mm. Add to that the peace of mind with the LT construction and I am happy to stick with the BFGs.

I expected an increase in fuel consumption over the Coopers but so far nothing measurable. The car went to and from Sydney in January and returned below 10 l/100km which is about the same as before. I know others get better consumption than this but my car weighs in at 2600kg with full tanks and is lifted 50mm. Definately recommend these tyres.

Mjrandom: appreciate the update. You're fast reinforcing my belief these just may be my best choice for replacing the Dunlops. My only lingering concern is further compromise in ride quality. I've previously reported on my experiences of deteriorated ride quality with a recent OME suspension upgrade (still under further investigation...). Given my Wife has a medical condition that means too much ride compromise is a real issue: can you comment on ride comparison with the standard Grand Treks at all? Even a comparison with the Coopers would be useful. Lets face it: while we all want to set up our vehicles with Cape York / red centre trips in mind, we spend 90% on our time running around the burbs. Just trying to get the (inevitable) compromise right for my circumstances...

Sunday

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Re: 275/65R17's for my 120

Sunday,

When I got my AT20a swapped out to the Wrangler MTRs, I had the opportunity to assist with the tyre change. With the tyres off the wheel, I noticed that the AT20's sidewall was very compliant, ie, it flexes easily compared to the stiffer sidewalls of the MTRs which is a LT construction.

When pumped to the same pressure and mounted on the car, you can push the AT20s more with your foot than the MTRs.

However, the measure of ride quality is quite complex.

If you went with a 70 profile tyre, you get a taller sidewall which would have more flex than the same tyre with 65 profile.

If you went with 275 wide tyres, it would also have more flex than the same tyre in 265 width.

In both situations, you lose a bit of handling when cornering, not much though. But the suspension has more bearing on the ride quality, and then air pressure, and then tyre construction - up to a certain extent. (That is just my opinion that is not backed up by scientific proof but sounds logical to me)

If possible, perhaps there is a PP'er close to you who can swap tyres with you for the weekend. Or if that is not possible, then a compromise is to get the passenger construction version of the BFG and try that. And perhaps lower the air pressure to the Toyota spec (~30psi) which is usually well below what PP members run their tyres at (36-40psi).