Are these Isuzu MUX 20" rims OK for outback travelling?

Thanks Rob... my feel is that 17" and 18" offer more scope for tyre deflation than 20", but all I know about is my Landcruisers 16" and before that 15" on an 80 series

Hi Rob,

The 200 Series Landcruisers have 17” & 18” rims, either alloy or steel depending on the model. Not sure about the 300 Series.

My choice would be 17” or 18”. More flexibility with tyre selection, particularly if going off road of even on gravel roads.

As far as overall wheel & tyre size goes, you will probably be able to get a 17” wheel and tyre combination that has the same overall diameter as the 20” wheel and tyre combination.

Macca.

Macca whilst it's correct that the 200 series model family has rim and tyre sizes from 17-18 inch they are NOT interchangeable on some models without modification to key safety items such as brake calibers.

There's heaps of information on the LCOOL 200 site around this and has been since LC200 was introduced.

For example the VX range moved from 17 to 18 at a point I can't establish but, at that point and due to the increased brake system size that model and Sahara are not backward compatible to 17" without modification. I would question any need to move from 18 back to 17 based on using the 18 rims on our D4 and now 200 towing and travelling around our outback for the last 10 years with those setups. There is no problem with finding an 18" rim even Over the Range on the GRR stocks a few. The homily in that statement is my view that there is no such thing as a puncture proof tyre. Unless you are driving a piece of agricultural or defence equipment. As a personal example, this year we had our first puncture since around 2008. We had just turned off the PDR on Cape Yorke after travelling from the NT via the Savannah Way and Gulf Country. So about 9000km of bitumen. Fully loaded and towing 2600kg. The TPMS picked up a drop in pressure and sure enough when we could safely pull over I found a large bolt/pin in the LHR of the 200. As they say merde happens>

As usual, tyre pressure in relation to speed and load against track conditions remains a key to tyre survival and my go to tool in managing that is a decent tyre pressure monitoring system and knowing how to use it properly

Rob


We run a 2020 VX with matching 18" rims on the AOR Matrix. That way with a second spare on the roof of the 200 I can share across both vehicles.

Hi Rob,

I don’t think I suggested that you could interchange different size rims across the Landcruiser range, just that they come with two different size wheels, depending on the model. I am fully aware of this discussion on Lcool.

As far as Isuzu is concerned, I know some people have swapped between wheel sizes. Of course it all comes down to the size of the brake discs & calliper, and the clearance under the guards.

Macca.

So you have 20" rims with those tyres?

No thank goodness, they are 18”, going the standard size 265/60R18 in LT construction, with the new Toyo Open Country AT 3

Got any prices for that tyre yet Stephen?

Like all things, they have gone up and $290 per tyre

Thanks Stephen. That's VERY cheap for an 18" AT LT

Was that the exchange price?

No, the price of the new tyres, as they said they do not trade in even new tyres.

A number of people running Pajeros with 18" rims have gone to a slightly higher profile of 265/65R18 to give a bit more sidewall for more confidence when deflating to pressures <18psi. On the Pajero front end this maintains clearance and the tyre still fits the carrier.

.
Stephen, what's this about an "new X Terrain"? Will that take you where the Prado went?
If you wanted a really competent 4WD you should have done as I and bought a Mercedes 4WD Sprinter. See action pic below....

Wow that’s very impressive Allan, was that on your last trip.

It was a very sad day when we parted company with the Prado, and up until now was the best car we have ever owned, it just went everywhere in comfort.

The main thing we will miss is the standard 180 litre fuel tank. We hopefully will be picking up the D Max on Monday, so we only hope it’s as good as the Prado.


Warren, we are keeping the new X Terrain stock standard and wanted the security of LT tyres for our outback trips.

We have been running Toyo tyres for some time now, they performed faultlessly and was a little concerned that the Toyo Open Country AT 2 was not LT construction.

We could not believe that Topo have just released the new AT 3 in my stock standard size of 265/60R18 with LT construction.

So Monday when we get the new car, straight to the tyre dealer for the new tyre so they should be great. Was told the new ones have a stronger sidewall and are quieter on the bitumen and best of all still quality tyres still made in Japan.

Stephen in 2018 when I purchased the Pajero and ditched the HT tyres there was a very limited choice in true LT 18" tyres. I ended up going with BFG KO2s, earlier this year I was gratified to find that Toyo had expanded it range. BFG KO2s are now in excess of of $400 so it will be interesting to see what the Toyos go for. I will probably go with a 65 profile when it is time to reshoe the vehicle.

.
No, not mine Stephen. It was a video from the Sprinter forum.
That vehicle, although a 4WD model, was running in 2WD with a rear diff lock.
Pretty capable eh?
I wouldn't try it. I mean, I don't have a diff lock, do I?

One of the important jobs of a vehicle suspension is to keep the wheels on the ground. If a wheel is off the ground, It is not supporting any weight and can not provide traction.
When I see a wheel off the ground, I interpret it as " suspension failure".
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Yeah Nick, I am with you on that I think

There is much misinformation about insurance and modifications. An insurer can only avoid a claim if the vehicle's unroadworthiness contributed to the loss. It is very rarely used contrary to popular opinion.

In the case in point it would be a disclosure issue when taking out the insurance or advising the insurer of a change of vehicle under an existing policy. They will ask if the car has been modified in any way. When you tell them that the wheel/tyre size has been changed I think their interest would be limited to the roadworthiness ie things such as is the tyre size appropriate to the rim size, is the vehicle braking affected and what is the impact on the speedometer/odometer.

In a nutshell if the car's roadworthiness isn't affected by the variation your insurer is unlikely to turn their nose up.

Ken

That is something that I would never of thought of myself. Thank you GarryR

Tom I don't know about the Isuzu but the Ford Everest rim size varies across some of the different models from 16 to 20"

Gary the rule says that you can only have tyre sizes stated on the tyre placard or in the manual. I have a 200 that came with 18's and fitted 17's. It's there in the manual. But your point about insurance is worth considering.

Thanks for that Boobook. I was only stating the conversation I had with my son in law. As you have staed that the manual comes out with both sizes, it is what is stamped on the placard that counts. If the placard states 18" then you cannot go back but, if the placard is stamped 17", then you can go up by 2 sizes but not back. eg 16" This is what my son in law has stated to me, so please don't shoot the messenger. I have had many a discussion with him over various changes that I personally have done, but he is a stickler for the rules. Thanks for your input.

There may be more specific references around but this seems as good a summary as you'll get. It still doesn't guarantee anything wrt insurance OR warranty but it would seem to be a good starting point if issues arise.

Can I fit bigger wheels and tyres to my car?

Can't vouch for the accuracy or currency of this (it's dated 2015) but it mentions placard specs AND says that you can go 1" max under placard wheel sizes to fit bigger tyres without certification.

VSB 14 Tyre & Suspension - Modifications acceptable without certification

They will if there was no alteration to calipers etc from the base model up to the top of the line model.
I don’t believe the MUX has any differences in driveline at all between models ! Not the 4x4 models anyway !

Something to check, certainly, thanks QldCamper

I have been previously been running the LT Toto AT 2 in 17” but with the new D Max and the 18” standard rims the AT 2 does not have LT construction and was luck to see the new AT 3 has my standard size of 265/60R18 in LT construction, so there was no question as what I am fitting.

The new AT 3 has a different tread pattern and when I asked what the different was, was told by the tyre dealer the new AT 3 have a stronger sidewall and are supposed to be quieter on the blacktop, what was never an issue with my old AT 2.

And even better, they are still made in Japan.

This might interest you Stephen.TIRERACK RATINGS

Click on the Toyo AT III and you will find a teview against the Falken and another tyre I cant recall.

Good tyre utility that one, Bazooka. The 265/50 R20 does 663 revs per mile, while the 265/60 R18 does 601 revs per mile, so fractionally higher geared. Essentially identical sizing overall, and if tyre pressures were being dropped, the effective diameter would drop slightly as well anyway.

661 and 663 is what I saw Tom. Virtually a cigarette paper's difference.

Sorry Bazooka, was a typo on my part!

Just for information.

Was quoted $435!! for the 265/60R18 Toyo OPAT3 LT by Tyrepower. Despite Stephen's excellent deal I wasn't shocked because it appears there aren't many around atm. I took Darryl Kerrigan's advice and am still looking. Plenty of tread left on the original Prado Dunlops, so no hurry.

That price is in the same ballpark as BFG KO2s. There's still more variety in 17" where you can get some LTs for a little less.

Wow that’s ridiculous Bazooka, can not understand why so dear.

Are there any other stores near you, or are they all working together?

From the same store I also got 3 new AT 3 for my camper, but we’re slightly dearer at $320 per tyre. One thing the dealer did say way he tipped they will be going up in price, by how much he did not say.

It's worth a trip to Clare then to get tyres! Toyo OC AT3s and BFG KO2s are $435 here in Canberra as well

Thanks Dave.... My thoughts on that are to keep the Toyota for the extended inland trips where I carry camp oven, camp fire stuff, solar panel, and other extras.

But for tripping in civilised and busier areas, eg Gippsland, Eastern NSW and QLD, Adelaide hills, I would not need lots of that stuff, but would really appreciate the auto and extra grunt of the Isuzu.

So that means hanging on to Tojo and letting go Subaru!

Good stuff there Dunc, and interesting on the bull bar. I was going to get the steel Isuzu bull bar. 60 something kg, compared with 75kg for the ARB one. The ARB one has the winch capability which Isuzu does not offer, but I have never had electric winch so that bit did not bother me. But recovery points are a bit more fundamental.

I am concious of weight these days, but I am a bit leery of alloy, although it comes in around 40kg. The car will not arrive for nearly a year (!) so I have time to mull over these things. But recovery points are fairly fundamental I reckon, even for pulling someone else out.

Thanks Gbc... I could check with the insurance company what is ok with them as regards changing wheel size.
I'm thinking at the moment 265/60 R18 LT. They have same rolling circumference as the 265/50 R20 so they are fine. Do those Dmaxes have 18" rims getting turfed out like you mentioned above I wonder?

Yes, 17/18/19 are all standard sizes on the utes. Check your door placard. You can get another placard from Isuzu for the relevant size you want assuming it is on other models (cheaper mux will have smaller rims). There is zero mechanical difference between models so there is no legal implication.
I have replacarded cars before for similar reasons and had to check the legal ramifications.