So, I pulled the trigger and ordered my 3.5" Clayton suspension kit. Now I need to make a decision on tires...quick. I like my 18" factory Sahara wheels. I am fairly certain that I want the 285x75x18 (35x11x18) Toyo all terrains. I would like to hear from people who are running this tire. Pics also appreciated.
My JK is an 08 Sahara Unlimited.

1. this is a load range E tire 10 ply. Is the ride stiff on the high way?
2. my wheeling is done mostly in deep sand and hard packed dirt.
3. will these tires air down and flex well?
4. are wheel spacers necessary?
5. how much weight will be needed to balance?
6. I know I will have to regear, I will make a ratio decision after tires and lift are installed.

7. How do these tires compare to 35x13x18 Toyo ATs? only difference width?

Anyway thanks in advance, answer whatever you can from experience.

TROUBLESHOOTER.

 

Well i am not running a 3.5" lift nor am I sporting the TOYO's how ever I can give you my two cents.

1. With 3.5" lift I think you might be happier in the long run with 35" tires. I have a 2.5" with 33's and there is definately room for more well at least 35's. I have a feeling that with 33's and a 3.5" lift you might be a little top heavy and not to mention you will probaly have more floatation with the wider foot print of the 35's. I am sure somebody will chime in if I am wrong. If I am correct the 285 is only 11 or 11.5 inches wide fully inflated. I have not spent alot of time in the sand so not sure if you would air down for a wider stance.

Well there you have it the world according to Rod sombody else can tag in now and tell me I have no idea as to what I am talking about.

 

I'm in the same boat. I'm looking for a set of great tires that will fit the 18" rim. Its hard to find some but what is the max width I can go for this rim size?

 

I saw a FORD F250 with Mickey Thompson MTZ 37x15.50x18 on the factory 7.5 inch wide rim. The tire had a lot of bulge, but appeared to be wearing evenly. I'm sure 35x13x18 toyos would fit and wear fine. However, I don't want an overly wide tire. I really need some input on the 35x11x18 toyos so bumpity.

 

max pressure for the AT 285/75R17E is 80 psi. Min pressure will probably be in the 50 psi range. They are going to be stiff as a brick on the road.

 

Yes there are members of this forum running 35" tires on a stock wheel. Check under the thread sitiled show me your 35's or something similar. You might even find some in a thread for Powder Coated stock wheels aor somthing similar in the show and tell section.

I have mine at 50# per tire and you are right they are STIFF. At first I thought I over inflated them but I did not, I think I may try 40-45" range. But then again I am driving a jeep not a BMW X5

 

I just put new rubber on my 18" rims. I investigated and there are not too many choices. I was about to pull the trigger on Toyo LT275/70R18 MT's but was shown some Cooper's. The Cooper STT LT275/70R18's were a little cheaper, 6 lb's lighter per tire, had an aggressive pattern that I liked better and did not look as square as the Toyo's. They are supposed to last longer. Saw another guy and he said he has 70k on his set!
Now for the skinny. I installed the Coopers and really like them. There is a little vibration from the treads at very low speed but goes away afer 8-10mph. Can't even hear them at cruisin speed. Have gotten boo-koo comments since. Everyone loves em.

Troubleshooter... Why AT's? Seems like you would benefit more with MT's.

Tire pressure is dictated by your vehicle. The door on the Unlimited says run 35psi for loading on a JK. It has been recommended to me from some experienced jeeper's to run 30psi. My tires are rated at 80 psi. no way would I run that.

 

I would love to run MT/s. They look awesome. I just don't wheel in the mud. My wheeling consists primarily of DEEP, THICK sand.
A friend runs 35x13.50x15 Toyo MTs on his yj and they seem do dig down really quickly, even at 10 psi. He has to go to 7 psi to get good flotation. (he
even has Front and Rear Detroit Lockers and 4.56 gears) When the air pressure gets to low, the tire seems to slip on the rim and then its re-balance time, and 7 oz of weight in the wrong place shows up.(low pressure and rebalacing was an issue on my previous 05 rubicon LJ with 33x12.50x15 D C Fun Countrys)
I run TOYO AT's on my work truck and they have given me great service, figured I would try a set on the JK. Hopefully I won't have to air down too low. However, I am concerened about the 10 plys side wall flex.

Thanks for the reply. The Coopers look similar to the Toyos, but there doesn't seem to be a connection.

How drastic did your gas mileage change with the MT's?

 

You know Nitto Grapplers might be a decent choice. I know they have a few differnt sizes for an 18" wheel. They even have the "DUNE GRAPPLER" that is suppose to excel in the sand hence the word "DUNE"

 

That is 100% wrong. The door tag is for the OE size and TYPE only.

3w.toyo.com/tire_safety/ReplacingTires%20on%20LT.pdf