E load LT tires

Here’s why I run E load LT tires. Imbedded sharp basalt rocks on the trails. Truck does much better off road without the spacer lift. Yes I lost some ground clearance, but I can drive faster over rough terrain without the shocks topping out.

 

Very little pavement where I live so the majority of my time is spent on dirt roads. All my rigs wear LT-E tires even though they cost me 1-2 mpg and ride a bit rougher. But that beats having flat tires which is what happens when P rated tires travel rocky roads.

 

Which type of spacer lift was it? I could see the type that preloads the spring leading to a lousy ride.

Definitely agree on LT/E for sharp rocks.

 

I use nothing but LT/E as well. Had them on our GX and the same for our 4R.
Nice pics.

 

Most uninformed people running LT's need to RAISE their air pressure because they are running what is on the door sticker when, at the same size as stock, an LT needs more pressure to be rated to carry the same weight.

And a chalk test should come out close to what the TRA chart says but either way, the TRA chart is the correct way to do it.

Edit: I've got 30 years of running LT's on trucks that came with passenger tires and going by the TRA chart, they've all worn evenly.

 

I thought you traded the 4R for a Ford recently?

 

I traded an F150 for a 4Runner almost a month ago...

 

It was a Readylift kit. Ride was unaffected by lift. The problem was that the rear shocks were overextended because of the 1” rear spring spacer’s leading to top out when going over bumps.

I haven’t played with chalk since grade school. But I agree, that would be a good idea.

 

That makes sense on the rear shocks if you kept the stock ones.

I don't have a lot of faith in the so-called chalk test, but I do tend to run my LT tires a bit lower than what it calculates out to. I believe stock size LT 's calculate out to 44 PSI, which feels too high to me. Obviously if you're loaded to the max, that is probably the safest pressure to run. But, I ran my stock size LT KO2s at 35 or 36 and had good wear and ride comfort.

 

Seems high, but yeah, 44psi is what any LT in that size needs to be rated to carry the same weight as the OE tires at 32 (or whatever is on the door sticker). So the question becomes, would you run OE tires at 26 just because you're not loaded? I run mine at 44, I think it rides fine (but that is gonna be different for everyone)...then again, I also don't have miles on the OE tires to compare the ride since I they were swapped out before I bought it.

 

I think my tire pressures are around 36-37. No complaints thus far. Ride is very good too.

 

Of course I wouldn't lower the pressure on SL tires. I would never go below 32 except off-road.

I always refer people to the pressure calculator on tiresize.com for any tire other than the stock size and load range. But, I know that most people run a lower pressure, at least with stock size LT tires.

FWIW, I did specify that I don't have much faith in the chalk test. I would never recommend anyone using that to figure out their proper tire pressure because I don't think it's very scientific.

 

Exact same experience with me with the same lift.

Its a 2in spring spacer right? Not 1in? (I had 1.5in spacer in front giving 3in lift and 2in spacer in back giving 2in lift.)
Same experience in rear as well.
Its interesting stock shocks and Bilstien5100 visually extend the same amount but with Bilstien5100 I did not feel topping out. I wonder if its because stock shocks extend more freely vs Bilstien5100 extend in a very controlled manner when I compress and let it go by hand.

 

I just put a Westcott preload collar lift on and it actually improved the ride quite a bit on my '23 ORP. No more nose dive under braking and the vehicle just feels more planted in every situation. I did a whole bunch of off road trails while in Arizona and then drove it back home to Chicagoland (1800 miles) and love it. It's all personal preference and I can see how someone who is more accustom to a plush, pillowy ride might not like (not saying that's you, just in general). I think the stock springs are bit soft and needed a bit to firm them up.

 

Totally agree that it is personal preference. I went with medium load springs in front and heavy load springs in the back and think mine rides fine. But, I carry a lot of extra weight.

 

Maybe it was a 2” spacer in the back and 1.5” in the front.
It’s all in my thread below.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/shock’ing-discovery.26659/

 

I do like the pillowy stock ride

 

Oh not you, the OP. I could have sworn @Slopemaster posted about trading for an Expedition recently.

Must have been someone else with a similar name.

 

Nope, wasn’t me. I sold my last Ford in 97’ when I bought my first Toyota. Never again!

 

Thanks for pointing to the site. I've been using the charts for years and its pretty quick but that's quicker so...

 

my 2000 Silverado 4X4 truck I was using the mich LT tires ... I was working good but I was not using the beach ....
the 4runner is the AT tires and the beach is very good running that sand on the beach very soft sand ...
also the snow was the 4runner excellent ,,, then the Silverado was running good in the snow but the 4runner is not slipping it ... great

 

Thanks @j cat this is good info. Do you have experience with AT tires in kind-of muddy situations?

 

well that 4runner was using now the ice in my area ..running good ....
the 2000 Silverado is the LT tires and the tires are a little bit of the slipping ..I took out my drive way and cleaned up the ice .... steel shovels ,,,,,.
I was not using the muddy soil in my area .. the glacial rocks around my area ...