Nitto Recons 295/70R18 116S for Trailhunter?

[myhikingboots]

While looking for a SL rated tire for the stock Trailhunter wheels I came across these Nitto Recons 295/70R18 116S. It's a 34.29" tire and only 52.48lbs. and seems almost perfect for the TH but honestly, I don't really have much experience with off road tires. Most of my driving is to work and back but I do like to camp, and I bought the TH to do real overlanding for weeks at a time. I went on a trail ride a couple of weeks ago with an off-road group and the sliders and skids got a lot of action. My long bed hurt me in a couple of scenarios, but I avoided the winch when a Bronco on 37's and big lift had to be pulled up over the same obstacle. I don't plan on doing a bunch rock crawling, but I would like a little more clearance with tires and a modest lift.

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[bemmster]

I just swapped the trailhunter wheels for 17" Method 703s and did Toyo Open Country AT3s in 35x12.5. They are 60lbs each in C load, couldn't be happier with the results. They are super quiet, i can't hear them at all and no vibration at all. So far I'm noticing about 1 MPG dip after a few days of driving - could end up being more but i'm not noticing much a difference at all.

At the same time I changed the springs to Dobinsons. C59-819VB rear springs and C59-820B front springs. Very mild lift overall, maybe about an inch in the front and like 1.75" in the rear (with my leitner bedrack). Rides MUCH better now and handled the trails perfectly. Highly recommend them.

I would say it's the perfect setup without going too crazy.

 

[myhikingboots]

I just swapped the trailhunter wheels for 17" Method 703s and did Toyo Open Country AT3s in 35x12.5. They are 60lbs each in C load, couldn't be happier with the results. They are super quiet, i can't hear them at all and no vibration at all. So far I'm noticing about 1 MPG dip after a few days of driving - could end up being more but i'm not noticing much a difference at all.

At the same time I changed the springs to Dobinsons. C59-819VB rear springs and C59-820B front springs. Very mild lift overall, maybe about an inch in the front and like 1.75" in the rear (with my leitner bedrack). Rides MUCH better now and handled the trails perfectly. Highly recommend them.

I would say it's the perfect setup without going too crazy.

Thanks for responding. That sounds like a great setup. I'm definitely considering the Dobinson's for the lift. Future plans include a Lone Peak Topper which will add at least 500lbs to the back when it's built out.
I'm still considering the Nitto's; I want to keep the factory wheels. It's one of the things that make this trim unique for me. I wish there were more options in a SL tire for the 18" wheels. The Nitto's maybe to wide but someone else on the forum put some 295/70-18s E-rated Ridge Grapplers on their TH and they looked pretty good and according to him, no rubbing. I don't remember if he had any lift.
I would love to see some pics of your ride height and tires, poke, etc. and thanks again.

 

[bemmster]

I'll get some better pics, I was in the same boat where I felt like the trialhunter wheels were sort of what set it apart and didn't want to get rid of them. There are definitely limited options for 18" wheels when it comes to load rating and that's what made me finally switch over to the methods - plus the added benefit of bead grip. I went with a +35mm offset and with the 12.5" width of the 35" it's the exact same tire poke as factory. Perfectly lines up with the fenders. Had to remove the crash bracket as well.

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