Zed 71
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Just had the Nitto Trail Grappler MTs (285/65/18) installed. Even with the level kit, there was some trimming involved.
Nitto Trail Grapplers Installed
- Thread starter Zed 71
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Conor
"Bob's your Uncle"
Looks good Zed. I love Nittos
InTruckDesign
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Looks good..may be the next tires I get.
Here's some bigger pics:
Here's some bigger pics:
jdix
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Those give a nice rugged look
Coolade07
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how would these par up to BFG all terrain ko's? these are the two choices on my mind cuz i might have to get new tires this summer. i like the tread on both..
i have to drive thru chicago weather....im pretty shur the are both on point.
i have to drive thru chicago weather....im pretty shur the are both on point.
InTruckDesign
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The only issue that I see with the TrailGrappler is the lack of siping which may not make it idea for winter conditions.
OP
OP
Zed 71
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Intruck how did you resize the pics? When I made the link they were made smaller for some reason. Thanks for helping out.
As far as winter conditions, not sure. Only seen one review for winter use and it did well compared to traditional MTs. Yeah, there isn't as much siping as BFG ATs, but the siping on these run deep and go across the entire lug. Supposidly that is key to help disperse water pressure under the lug. Some siping designs do not go to an edge and do not effectively reduce these pressures. I guess I will provide another update in the snow.
As far as winter conditions, not sure. Only seen one review for winter use and it did well compared to traditional MTs. Yeah, there isn't as much siping as BFG ATs, but the siping on these run deep and go across the entire lug. Supposidly that is key to help disperse water pressure under the lug. Some siping designs do not go to an edge and do not effectively reduce these pressures. I guess I will provide another update in the snow.
turboeclips
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Looks good! Those actually look a little beefier than I was thinking the would look. Can we get a larger of the size view? Was there alot of trimming or just minimal. I am considering going from dropped to lifted. I was thinking about leveling it out with some 33's til I can save up for a real lift.
Dylan
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I envy you! Those tires really set it off man
What kinda trimming did you have to do with these?
What kinda trimming did you have to do with these?
emann_01
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Zed,
anyway you can show some pics of the trimming that you had to do?
I didnt think you would have to trim with this size of tires....makes me rethink the 295/65/18 Goodyear Duratracs that I was looking at!!!!!
---------- Post added at 11:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 PM ----------
Also, how is the road noise on the highway with those?
anyway you can show some pics of the trimming that you had to do?
I didnt think you would have to trim with this size of tires....makes me rethink the 295/65/18 Goodyear Duratracs that I was looking at!!!!!
---------- Post added at 11:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 PM ----------
Also, how is the road noise on the highway with those?
OP
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Zed 71
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There was more trimming than I anticipated. Others have installed 285/65/18 BFG ATs with no trimming - actual size varies with each manufacturer. The Nittos were ~32.5 inches in diameter which is close to theoretical 32.59". I had the installer trim, but I should have done it myself (cleaner and they cut the wheel well liner).
The Z71 has different front air dam/bumper. The two black bottom brackets (see picture above) had to be trimmed ~2 inches from the wheel well towards the front. I do take the truck off-road and did not want any rubbing when flexing the suspension. As I mentioned, they trimmed the actual wheel well liner and if I did it myself I would not trim that liner and would have just used zip ties to secure it back to the trimmed brackets (drill holes in the trimmed brackets).
As far as noise, it is pretty quiet for a mud terrain - comparable to BFG ATs. Of course it is louder than the OEM. It has 3-ply sidewalls so they are heavy and you can notice it driving away. Once under way, it is ok. Having thick sidewalls also stiffens up the ride, in a good way IMO. You will notice this right away, I did not realize how soft the OEMs were.
I know someone will ask, the mpg went down of course. I was getting ~16 to 17 mpg in the city, now I am getting ~14 to 15 mpg. No highway use yet. Looking into the BB tune next.
The Z71 has different front air dam/bumper. The two black bottom brackets (see picture above) had to be trimmed ~2 inches from the wheel well towards the front. I do take the truck off-road and did not want any rubbing when flexing the suspension. As I mentioned, they trimmed the actual wheel well liner and if I did it myself I would not trim that liner and would have just used zip ties to secure it back to the trimmed brackets (drill holes in the trimmed brackets).
As far as noise, it is pretty quiet for a mud terrain - comparable to BFG ATs. Of course it is louder than the OEM. It has 3-ply sidewalls so they are heavy and you can notice it driving away. Once under way, it is ok. Having thick sidewalls also stiffens up the ride, in a good way IMO. You will notice this right away, I did not realize how soft the OEMs were.
I know someone will ask, the mpg went down of course. I was getting ~16 to 17 mpg in the city, now I am getting ~14 to 15 mpg. No highway use yet. Looking into the BB tune next.
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UofMZ71
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wow you were getting 16/17 in the city! with my BFGs before the tune i was getting 11! now after the tune im close to 14, makes me happy!
i really like those tires! i waiting to run my BFGs out then get new rims and M/Ts
emann_01
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I have a BB tune and I currently get about 17.5 to 18 mpg with mixed highway and in town driving and a pretty heavy foot (BB tune will do that to you)
Thats good to know about the plastic piece on the front that you had to trim.... i plan to remove all of that anyway....even that plastic crap inside of the running boards.
thanks Zed
Thats good to know about the plastic piece on the front that you had to trim.... i plan to remove all of that anyway....even that plastic crap inside of the running boards.
thanks Zed
Arctic-Rodz
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Great tire! I just put those on my 98 yukon 4x4. 295/70R17 with Eagle 140 series.
They did a good job on the sand, i also had to do some trimming. Its a beefy tire.
They did a good job on the sand, i also had to do some trimming. Its a beefy tire.
OP
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Zed 71
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I wonder if the 4.10 final drive makes a difference in mpg. You would think the increase in rpm at crusing speed would use more gas, but it seems like V4 mode was used more often (compared with <4.10s).
Emann I hope to have results like yours!
TX nice looking rig. Those are huge tires!
OP
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Zed 71
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^ Thanks! BTW how do you like your Hypertech?
Meh....it's ok.
I like it because I can change the shift points and "slightly" change the shifting firmness. As far as engine performance and mileage, I can't really tell much of a difference between stock, the regular Hypertech tune, and the high octane Hypertech tune. I leave it set on the regular tune so I can use the cheaper, lower octane fuel. I get around 12-14mpg around town and 16-19mpg on the interstate.It will also be nice that I'll be able to adjust the tire size when I put on the new (larger than stock) Duratracs so my speedo/odometer are correct without having to send anything in and waiting a couple/few weeks.
I was interested in the BB tune but I just don't think it fits my needs very well. I am also interested to see how all these peoples' rides are holding up in a few years with all the TM removed. I plan on driving this Tahoe until it's dead, so unnecessary premature wear is not really my thing.
emann_01
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what size Duratracs are you going with?
I have been looking at the 295/65/18.....
but I just ordered a trans for the truck I am building so I have to wait a little while
I have been looking at the 295/65/18.....
but I just ordered a trans for the truck I am building so I have to wait a little while
I'm selling my stock 18" Z71 wheels and going with the 17" steel Police Tahoe wheels. The Duratracs I ordered are 285/70-17. Just a hair under 33" diameter...
You'll definitely need a leveling kit and some trimming to fit the 285/65-18s....
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