Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice from fellow LR4 owners who actually get their rigs dirty. I’ve recently started taking my 2013 LR4 out on more technical trails, but I’m still running on some fairly standard highway-terrain tires that just aren’t cutting it anymore. Last weekend, I struggled for traction on a muddy incline that a Jeep just cruised right up, and it was a bit of a wake-up call that I need better rubber.
Since the LR4 is my daily driver, I’m trying to find that perfect balance between aggressive off-road performance and decent on-road manners. My biggest hurdle is the limited clearance around the suspension components and the brake calipers—I’m currently on the stock 19-inch wheels, which I know is a notoriously difficult size to find good off-road tires for. I’ve been considering a few brands like BFGoodrich and Goodyear, but I’m open to anything that has proven durability on sharp rocks and good self-cleaning properties in the mud.
I’m also debating whether it’s worth the investment to downsize to 18-inch Compomotive wheels just to open up more tire options, or if there’s a solid 19-inch All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain tire that you guys swear by. I’m mostly hitting trails in the Pacific Northwest, so I deal with a lot of wet roots, deep slush, and sharp gravel. I’m hoping to keep the budget around $1,200 to $1,500 for the set if possible.
For those of you who have put your LR4 through the wringer, what tire brands and specific models have given you the best tread life and grip without making the highway hum unbearable? Also, did you have to deal with any rubbing issues at full lock or when the air suspension is in access mode?
For your situation, I’d seriously consider biting the bullet on those 18-inch wheels. Honestly, trying to find decent 19s for the PNW is a nightmare and you’ll just end up spending more on replacements anyway when they fail u on a trail. I spent a chunk of change on a set for my 19s back in the day and they were basically useless once things got muddy... total waste of cash.
If u can swing the budget, definitely get the Compomotives and look at brands like Falken or Nitto. Basically any of their all-terrains with an aggressive sidewall is gonna save ur life on those wet roots. They’re super durable against sharp gravel too. Ngl, the highway hum is there but it’s totally worth it for the peace of mind. Plus, downsizing gives u way more cushion so u dont crack a rim. It’s a huge investment but it’s the only way to get real performance without constant rubbing issues in access mode tbh. Good luck!
For your situation, I’d seriously consider biting the bullet on those 18-inch wheels. Honestly, trying to find decent 19s for the PNW is a nightmare and you’ll just end up spending more on replacements anyway when they fail u on a trail. I spent a chunk of change on a set for my 19s back in the day and they were basically useless once things got muddy... total waste of cash.
If u can swing the budget, definitely get the Compomotives and look at brands like Falken or Nitto. Basically any of their all-terrains with an aggressive sidewall is gonna save ur life on those wet roots. They’re super durable against sharp gravel too. Ngl, the highway hum is there but it’s totally worth it for the peace of mind. Plus, downsizing gives u way more cushion so u dont crack a rim. It’s a huge investment but it’s the only way to get real performance without constant rubbing issues in access mode tbh. Good luck!
Ok so, i totally feel u on the safety aspect because sliding backwards on a muddy trail in a 6,000lb rig is LITERALLY the scariest thing ever. Since you're in the PNW, safety on those wet roots and sharp gravel is priority #1. If you're staying on 19s for now, honestly the best balance for safety and grip is the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus 255/55R19. They have the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating which is a HUGE deal for our slushy winters!
But tbh, if you're hitting technical trails, the limited sidewall on 19s makes me nervous about pinch flats. I eventually switched to 18s for the peace of mind. I'm currently running Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/60R18 and they're AMAZING. The sidewall protection is so much better for sharp rocks, and they're super quiet on the highway! I did have a tiny bit of rubbing at full lock in access mode, but nothing serious. Safety-wise, having that extra rubber between your rim and a rock is a game changer. Good luck!!
In my experience, you're hitting the classic LR4 wall with those 19-inch wheels. Honestly, the selection for 19s is basically non-existent if you want real mud performance in the PNW. I tried to stick with the stock size for a year, but after sliding around on wet roots, I realized the 18-inch swap is *actually* the best move for your sanity and safety.
But yeah, if you're not ready to drop $2k on wheels right now, here's what I recommend for the 19s:
* Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 255/55R19: This is pretty much the gold standard for a 19-inch aggressive tire. It has decent self-cleaning for mud, though it gets a bit noisy as it wears.
* Continental TerrainContact A/T 255/55R19: Great daily driver manners and surprisingly good on gravel, but maybe a bit weak for deep PNW slush.
I mean, if you can swing the Compomotive PD1881 18-inch wheels, do it. It opens up the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT265/60R18 which is bulletproof on sharp rocks. I run those and only get a tiny bit of rub at full lock in access mode. gl!
Dude, I totally get where youre coming from. I spent like six months trying to find a decent 19-inch setup cuz I didn't wanna drop the cash on new wheels. One weekend up near Mt. Hood I literally spent two hours winching my rig out of a mud hole while my buddy in a cheap truck just drove around me lol. It was sooo embarrassing and a total wake-up call about my tires.
For your situation, I would suggest just going with a set from BFGoodrich or even Cooper. Honestly, you can't go wrong with those brands for the PNW terrain and they usually fit the budget better than some boutique options.
Here's what I learned about the cost side:
- Trying to find "cheap" 19-inch off-road tires is basically impossible.
- Investing in 18-inch wheels actually saves money long-term cuz the tires are way cheaper and easier to find if you blow a sidewall.
- Any All-Terrain from a big name brand will be quiet enough for ur daily drive.
I ended up biting the bullet on smaller wheels and I've been super happy ever since... haven't had a single issue with rubbing or road noise tho! Good luck!
Ok so, I went through this exact same dilemma last year with my 2013 rig. Honestly, I spent months obsessing over market data and tire specs because I didn't wanna drop $3k on Compomotive PD1881 18-inch wheels right away. I ended up doing a deep dive into what's actually available for our funky 19-inch setup versus the 18s, and the market research is... well, it's pretty grim for the stock size.
Just sharing my experience: I eventually tried the Continental TerrainContact A/T 255/55R19 because they had great reviews for on-road manners. They were decent on gravel, but the second I hit that sticky PNW mud near Olympic National Forest? Total slicks. I realized that most 19-inch options are built for crossovers, not 6,000lb beasts. I ended up biting the bullet on the 18s and went with Cooper Discoverer STT Pro 275/65R18 mud-terrains.
Here is what I learned from comparing the brands:
* **BFGoodrich**: The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the gold standard for durability on sharp rocks, but they can sometimes struggle to self-clean in the thick clay we get up here.
* **Toyo**: I've seen guys run the Toyo Open Country M/T and they are LITERALLY tanks, but you'll definitely hear that highway hum.
* **Nitto**: The Nitto Ridge Grappler is a solid hybrid if you're worried about road noise but need more bite than a standard A/T.
I did have some rubbing at full lock in access mode with the 18s, but a quick heater gun mod to the wheel liners fixed it. If you're staying on 19s, your options are basically limited to the Atturo Trail Blade X/T if you want something aggressive, but I haven't tracked their long-term tread life yet. It's a tough call, but man, those 18s really changed the game for me. gl!