I'm adding Nitto Ridge Grapplers to my new build that is scheduled to arrive end of March. I noticed the 275/55/20's come in an XL and LT version. The LT has about 20% more tread depth but is in an E rating. Do you think I will notice a difference in ride quality by going with the LT? I noticed people on this forum with both versions. See factory specs attached.

 

The LT version is built much stronger, less flexible and quite a bit heavier. If you will be carrying lots of weight and cargo in your Defender (including adding hundreds of pounds of rock sliders, winches, etc.) and spend a lot of time on 2 or 3 wheels off-road, the LTs may be a good idea. Their multi-ply construction also make them less susceptible to cuts and gashes in the sidewalls. The disadvantage will be a harsher ride and less precise handling on pavement (due to the harder and thicker compound, higher inflation figures and heavier unsprung weight) and perhaps a bit more road noise as well. Your gas mileage may also worsen a little versus using the lighter P(assenger) version, and LT tires normally tend to wear out faster, often manufacturers don't offer a treadwear warranty at all, or offer a more limited one vs. the passenger version of the same tire. Finally, LT tires normally have lower speed ratings than regular tires, such as the above example - Q means you need to keep it at or under 99 mph to be safe, with the XL version you can sustain speeds up to 118 mph. And you need to inflate the LTs quite a bit more than regular passenger tires to maintain the same load capacity. So, if the passenger (XL - extra load) tires of our Defender say 36 PSI for example, a Light Truck tire will need 45 - 50 PSI to achieve a matching load. The tire manufacturer can calculate those figures quite precisely.

I had several sets of Nitto Ridge Grapplers in my bloated LR4, LT285/60R18. Wonderful hybrids, virtually indestructible off-road (more aggressive than A/Ts but not as obnoxiously chunky and noisy as full M/Ts), and they were very quiet on the road despite their fairly aggressive tread design - at least for a few thousand miles. They'll get noisier over time, no ways around that, but it helps if you rotate them regularly. If they made them in a 19" size to fit my Defender, I'd pick them in a heartbeat over any Goodyears. Unless you are in need of good traction over snow, ice, or deep mud (they aren't very good at any of that stuff), I would highly recommend either flavor of Ridge Grapplers. Whether you go for LT or not is really up to your setup and type of off-roading you do, and how much you are willing to sacrifice your on-road comfort and handling. There is always a compromise with tires.

 

What an awesome response. I am in The same boat with this decision. I will be pulling a 7500 LB trailer on weekends sometimes so it appears the LT would be the better choice.

 

Really appreciated the detail response Umbertob. I really like the extra size and tread depth of the LT but understand the trade offs. I have a few weeks to make the call. Thanks again!

 

Great response and I also which we had more choices with the 19’s.

 

So DallasBBQ, I know you went with the Nitto's and the Vossen wheels, but did you end up going with the XL or the LT version of the Nittos? Pleased with your decision?
I've run LT Ridge Grapplers on my 2500 Ram diesel towing my Jeep JKU with 40" Nitto Trail Grapplers - tough as nails tires for hauling and the trails, but I'm thinking I'll be going with the XL Ridge Grapplers on the Defender so as not to loose too much of the nice ride on tarmac.

 

I looked at both tires in person at a Discount Tire and ended up going with the LT’s. The additional tread depth is really noticeable and looks much more aggressive. I have no issue with the ridge quality.