Which Carli suspension and toyo tire?

[Bob4x4]

I just completed my Carli 2. 0 installation on Sunday and sprung for the Toyos while I was at Les Schwab getting the alighment checked on Monday. I just completed a 500 mile road trip on the new set up last night.

I will say that I'm surpised that the ride is every bit a stiff as the stock set up was. I had a levelling kit already so the change in stance wasn't as dramatic as if it were done to a bone stilck truck, but it does look good. After all the glowing praise and the "level 10" rating for road manners I expected the resultant to be a bit smoother ride than stock. I ceratinly can't say that.

:-laf You went from a D rated tire to an E. It is always best to do one change at a time if you want to see results fron a particular change.

 

[twmcneilly]

Didn't mean to hijack this thread - but hopefully this is of use to you as you begin the fine-tuning of your new suspension.

Yeah, doing the 2. 0 (and longer control arms) and upping from D-rated to E-rated tires is a bit of a jump.



Thanks for the input of tire pressure. LS set 'em up at max pressure (65 psi) and that was a significant contributor to the somewhat bone-jarring ride to Boise. I reduced the fronts to about 47 and rear to about 42 for the return trip yesterday. Night and day difference in harshness. The tire nose increased ever so slightly due to more rubber on the road the but the ride is greatly improved. Also the squirrely-ness that I was feeling in the rears when doing relatively quick maneuvers (lane change, etc) is improved as well. I think I was riding on a narrow band of rubber which did not provide a very secure footprint. (I'm unloaded except for a canopy - the high tire pressure won't be needed unless towing). I'll continue fine-tuning the tire pressures in pursuit of nirvana.



A word of advice on the AT vs. MT choice. I'll admit I wanted the aggressive looking of sidewall of the MT to help fill out the fenders. If you are really doing 95% paved road driving, as I do, you may want to give serious consideration to how much you are willing to sacrifice for looks. An AT tread really is more appropriate for pavement with occasional forays into the snow or mud. I've pretty much decided that I'll go back to an AT in 15000-40000 miles (no idea how long these puppies will last but I sure see a lot of worn Toyo MT on others trucks).

I'm interested to hear how you experimentation progresses - good luck!

 

[JCockerill]

I have the same set-up w/ Toyo AT's and I noticed a night and day difference in handling. I'm very happy w/ it so far. I have to say I wish I got the 2. 0 set-up. When the cash allows for it I'll up-grade.



Good luck and enjoy.

i couldn't find the at's in the e rated 35X 12. 5 17 only mt's... i do 99% street driving, and want the best tire for that. . I really like the look of the mt's but i have to be realistic. i don't need them. what is the best size e rated toyo at to go with?

 

[Regcabguy]

i couldn't find the at's in the e rated 35X 12. 5 17 only mt's... i do 99% street driving, and want the best tire for that. . I really like the look of the mt's but i have to be realistic. i don't need them. what is the best size e rated toyo at to go with?

Toyo offers a 285-75-18. It's 35" tall and skinny. Problem is new rims.

 

[31b]

i couldn't find the at's in the e rated 35X 12. 5 17 only mt's... i do 99% street driving, and want the best tire for that. . I really like the look of the mt's but i have to be realistic. i don't need them. what is the best size e rated toyo at to go with?

I was in a similar situation when I bought my tires. I went w/ the 285/75R17 AT's E rated and at the end of the day I think that was a better choice for me over the MT's 'cuz 95% of my driving is on the pavement. The AT's handle nicely in wet weather and very light/wet snow. I have not taken the AT's up to Tahoe yet so I can't say how they do in heavy dry snow. I have about 25K miles on them so we'll see how long they last. So far my AT's do not look like they will wear as long as the Michelins that were OEM, but I'll see. There is always a trade off somewhere.

 

[AWise]

i couldn't find the at's in the e rated 35X 12. 5 17 only mt's... i do 99% street driving, and want the best tire for that. . I really like the look of the mt's but i have to be realistic. i don't need them. what is the best size e rated toyo at to go with?

Whats not realistic about running the MTs? I do 99% street driving as well. My only concern was the MTs wearing out faster than a street/highway tire, but after reading the post of others here it seems the MTs tend to wear better than the ATs. I got 48k out of my crappy OEM BFGs, but hated every mile of having them on my truck. I dont expect to get 48k from these MTs, but they are a great tire and look good.

 

[twmcneilly]

Is there any way you can drive a truck with a set to experience the compromises you'll be making. I have to admit I'm in love with BFG AT. I've run them on everything form Jeep to Scout to Chevy PU to my 3500, from 1976 till my last set of tires. I just got 47000 mi out of a set on my 3500l. I think that's pretty darned good for a traction tire. I decided I should do the E rated tire this time around since I have a 3500. In reality though I have a canopy that limits loading up much in the way of dead weight. and my towing is limited to a 23 foot boat or a 4-place Snowmobile trailer, so I really didn't need the E rating.



I can assure you that you will definitely notice a handling and noise difference; but you will get a gorgeous sidewall. On the other hand if aesthetics are a priority and are more important than crisp handling and quiet ride then go for the MTs Only you can make that call. I'm now second guessing my decision. Like you I'm 95% pavement, and I feel everything on the road.



It must just be me, but I can't see how anyone could say the Carli 2. 0 is an ride improvement over the stock suspension. I swear I can feel the paint on the road when I run over a cross walk or a centerline. I might be a ride improvement over some of the other suspension lift kits on the market but not over stock (at least so far).



I still can't get the suspension to ride as well as the stock set up. I have been playing with the gas pressure. Three hours total drive and forty bucks to have Four Wheel Parts check my nitrogen pressure and set them to 200 psi, and they still ride like I-beams. I'm going to have to investigate a change in the valving or something to get some travel out of them.



Good luck

 

[twmcneilly]

One more thing to consider. Might as well go in to the decision 'eyes wide open'.



It should be common knowledge that the higher the vehicle the lower that fuel mileage. Given that I already had the leveling kit and was used to getting better than 18 mpg for hiway driving (cruise set at no more than 65 mph). I was really disappointed my my max range with the new tires (plu the additional one inch of lift). I lost 1 - 1. 5 miles per gallon on my first trip the day after I installed the tires. You can definitely feel the difference when you let off the throttle. It slows much quicker than with the AT tires. And that was with 65 psi in the tires and a really rough ride. I didn't even bother check mileage on the return trip with 47 front and 42 in the rears, but I certainly had to stop for fuel earlier than I'm used to.



Hate to be such a nay-sayer, but the full cost or the MT tires is more than just the initial acquisition cost.



But damn, she does look good.