Experience going from Nitto Ridge Grapplers to LTX AT2 or Defender

Question for you all! I have a 2021 TRD Pro that came with the "all terrain upgrade" to Nitto Ridge Grapplers (stock size).

My MPGs have been in the 15s on highway, a decent amount of road noise and a little stiff ride at times.

I wanted to ask if I go from the RG to LTX AT2 or Defender should these help with the above issues? How much smoother of a ride will I get?

Caveat...my truck will be a pavement princess with off roading to be a future hobby. I am looking for the smoothest road tire.


I do love how the ridge grapplers look though!!!

 

Ive gone from LT rated BFG to the OE michelin lt2.

mpg is exact same, ride is a tiny bit better, road noise is far better.

My guess is that the mpg gain will never offset the cost of the tires

 

Smoothest road tire and least noise is the Michelin Defender IMO. The smoothest Defender would be the P rated tire (vs. the E rated tire).

 

Im getting 16.2mpg and no road noise with stock LTX AT2. Theyre a great tire, just not what alot of people want in the looks department.

 

I would choose the Defender LTX over the AT2 based on what your looking for. The AT2’s are good but the Defenders are better in the rain, ice, and snow. They are much quieter/smoother and you will get better mpg’s. Either tire will do mostly everything better except for off-roading and deep snow. In all honesty as boring looking as they are the Defenders are the pinnacle for road performance and everyday driving. IMHO I have never used any AT tire that is as any where as good as the Defenders are in so many categories. I don’t know if you will really see enough of a performance upgrade to warrant the AT2.

 

Another vote for the Defenders for primarily pavement use. They last longer than rated, and the only issue I've ever had is a couple of 3" screws I picked up on industrial sites, which were remedied by a patch.

 

anyone have a picture of a TRD pro with defenders on?

 

Thanks for the awesome feedback! Looking to see if I can grab a pic of a TRD pro with defenders. If they look close to AT2s on the truck I am good with that. I actually like the way the AT2s look too.

RG are still the best looking though

 

Mine is not a Pro but I just recently changed from Cooper STT pro to Michelin defender LTX 295/70/18 and I love it so far. It’s has been night and day different in road noise and ride very smoothly. Picture below for reference.

 

In all honesty the Defender is really not a looker at all…. But when your behind the driver’s seat and you hit some inclement weather your not going to be thinking about how they look. But I get the want for a good looking tires. They are well worth the boring look because the stick like glue where other tires would have given up.

 

Michelin DEFENDER® LTX® M/S2 TIRES You can't go wrong other then looks. My truck lift/level with 20"s