Will 18's look too small on my Lariat PB??

[dew.man]

Do you take the defenders in the dirt at all? I know they are a highway tire but I’m curious if anyone takes them off-road at all. I drive a fair number of unmaintained fire roads (Colorado high mountain passes mostly) so nothing too gnarly but definitely a fair amount of steep loose stuff. I drive about 90% highway so don’t need them most of the time but just something that can be competent when getting to a trailhead. I currently have Wrangler Duratracs and they have eaten up everything I’ve thrown at them but honestly feel like overkill.

Nothing serious but plenty of two tracks and seasonal fire roads. Had the duratracs on my last truck (2nd gen raptor) and they ate everything I threw at them, but in all honesty, were overkill for my mile long stretch of dirt road and little bit of off roading I do in northern Michigan. So far, these defenders have been very capable and have not shown any sign of trouble getting me in and out of the same trails. Just got our first snow and they were fine in the slush but I did not have a chance to test in a couple feet of fluff (which the duratracs were incredible in). Time will tell but these Michelins seem like a great match for 45% freeway 45% rural and 10% dirt/seasonal/trails

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[gtotco]

I have had defenders in two 2WD F-150s and they have always done well on dirt and gravel. Best all around tire that I have personally used. One of the best things about them is their life. My last pair ran 75k miles and I have 50k on my current set and they have a lot of life left.

Thanks! I am definitely going to take a look at these after this winter. I’m planning to switch to summer/winter tires rather than just using a 3PMSF year round and have heard great things about the defenders.

 

[gtotco]

Nothing serious but plenty of two tracks and seasonal fire roads. Had the duratracs on my last truck (2nd gen raptor) and they ate everything I threw at them, but in all honesty, were overkill for my mile long stretch of dirt road and little bit of off roading I do in northern Michigan. So far, these defenders have been very capable and have not shown any sign of trouble getting me in and out of the same trails. Just got our first snow and they were fine in the slush but I did not have a chance to test in a couple feet of fluff (which the duratracs were incredible in). Time will tell but these Michelins seem like a great match for 45% freeway 45% rural and 10% dirt/seasonal/trails

Thanks! This is really helpful / I’m definitely going to take a look at these. I agree that the Duratracs are great but also feel like overkill. Doing mostly highway I just think there is too much trade off with such an aggressive tire. They also do fairly well in the snow but I still don’t trust them nearly as much as the Blizzaks we put in every other car so I am planning to keep using those as a winter tire and then go with a dedicated summer tire as well. Defenders sound like they might be a great option!

 

[sbi]

I have to get my truck ordered today..

So stuck on whether to get the MTP which requires 20's or the standard tow package that has 18's. It essentially makes the MTP a $2200 option for me. (ugh)

Anyway, during the course of my research, I've seen tons of pics of the Lariat 502a and probably 90% of them have 20's (stock).

I promise I'm usually a utility over looks kind of guy, but after seeing so many pics with 20's, when I run across one with 18's, they almost appear to comically small.

I love that the ride would be better with 18's (although not sure how much tbh). I love that tires would be cheaper. I love that there is less chance of curb rash (multiple drivers in my house). I would love an extra 2g's in my pocket. I like the fact that (I think) the 18's have Michelin (sp) tires.

BUT

I don't want to spend 70 freaking thousand dollars on a truck that kinf of ....well....looks almost silly (or cheap) because of 18's..

Am I being reasonable? I

What do you guys think? Is the ride much better on 18's (whole post refers to stock wheels and tires only). WWYD?

TIA
Aaron

IMO - Yes, that's the main reason why I upgraded to 20". I did not like the gap between the wheel and the body in the 18".

EDIT: BTW - 20" tires are cheaper than 18" ?

 

[TRACKTOY]

hi
Me i use my truck for forest road, gravel and rock road. never 20 inch wheels because it's for mall crawler. for me it's 18 inch wheels with BF KO2 3 PEAKS, TIRE LOAD RANGE E ONLY. I just ajust my inflate air on the truck after a chalk test and if i tow much or not. That's the only tire who offer the best durability for rock road i have use some other like load range C AND after 2 years it's no good at al to soft..... MY AVATAR IS XLT 2017 WITH 18 INCH WHEELS AND BF LR E for me they look good
TRACKTOY
i have a VIN for my LARIAT 502 PACK. 2022 WITH A BUILT DATE FEBUARY 2022.
TRACKTOY

 

[OnceAnEagle]

Personal choice. I have optional 20" Ford rims on my Lariat 502A FX4 Sport. To me the 18" look small. The ride on Hankook tires is soft but would have preferred Goodyear from the factory. I get just over 20 mpg combined (my calculations) with the 3.5L Ecoboost @2500 miles.

 

[F150SWPlat]

To everyone here who say 18” looks small: get taller tires to fill the wheel well. Problem solved. You get a cushier ride, can actually go off road when needed. And your truck looks like a truck after all, not a european sport car looking silly gliding on those 22s.

 

[guppydriver]

same objectives so I went with the 265/70r18 michelins. Within 3 revs per mile of the stock hankooks and the combo is still almost 10 lbs per corner lighter ;-)

You are talking about Defenders right?

 

[dew.man]

You are talking about Defenders right?

Yes

 

[bubbadam]

I had the same hesitation when I bought mine and I personally have really grown to like my 18" wheels. See attached.

 

[guppydriver]

So I'm going to bite the bullet and ask a dumb question since it seems I'm going with the 18's. I know nothing about tires...

I don't want to raise or do a leveling kit or anything.

If I decide to replace my 275/65/18 with a taller (and more aggressive) 275/70/18 E rated tire so as to have it fill more of my wheel well like many of you suggest, will that require spacers or any other modifications that I continually read about?

 

[ib_jigged]

So I'm going to bite the bullet and ask a dumb question since it seems I'm going with the 18's. I know nothing about tires...

I don't want to raise or do a leveling kit or anything.

If I decide to replace my 275/65/18 with a taller (and more aggressive) 275/70/18 E rated tire so as to have it fill more of my wheel well like many of you suggest, will that require spacers or any other modifications that I continually read about?

No it shouldn't. The overall diameter of the 275/70/18's is approx. 33", close to the same size tire that comes on the 20" wheel.

 

[guppydriver]

No it shouldn't. The overall diameter of the 275/70/18's is approx. 33", close to the same size tire that comes on the 20" wheel.

Thanks so much!

Looks like it's time to login to discount tires site and start looking at options!

 

[additionsola]

These are 18 inch methods with 275/70/R18. No lift/level or trimming required!

 

[SPARKY150]

I have to get my truck ordered today..

So stuck on whether to get the MTP which requires 20's or the standard tow package that has 18's. It essentially makes the MTP a $2200 option for me. (ugh)

Anyway, during the course of my research, I've seen tons of pics of the Lariat 502a and probably 90% of them have 20's (stock).

I promise I'm usually a utility over looks kind of guy, but after seeing so many pics with 20's, when I run across one with 18's, they almost appear to comically small.

I love that the ride would be better with 18's (although not sure how much tbh). I love that tires would be cheaper. I love that there is less chance of curb rash (multiple drivers in my house). I would love an extra 2g's in my pocket. I like the fact that (I think) the 18's have Michelin (sp) tires.

BUT

I don't want to spend 70 freaking thousand dollars on a truck that kinf of ....well....looks almost silly (or cheap) because of 18's..

Am I being reasonable? I

What do you guys think? Is the ride much better on 18's (whole post refers to stock wheels and tires only). WWYD?

TIA
Aaron

I custom ordered my truck with the 18s. I’m not a huge fan of how the 20s look and I’m going to be going aftermarket anyways so didn’t make sense to pay more for the 20s. Ride and mpg is good. And the 18s actually look pretty good imo.

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