dfcc

Hello, I'm new here, but spent a lot of time browsing the forums when deciding what to do as far as larger tires/levelling kit. This forum has been extremely helpful for which I am very grateful. I have a 2014 Fx4 supercrew 157" wheelbase and recently installed the Bilstein 5100's at the highest setting in the front. A week later I had a local tire shop install 295/60r20 Ridge Grapplers on my stock FX4 20" wheels. I drove the truck for a week or so with the Bilsteins on my old pirellis and everything seemed fine/normal (other than the truck sitting higher and riding/handling WAY better). I did the install myself and was extremely careful with the IWE's. Made sure the axle teeth meshed up, measured the axle bolt protrusion, and did not overtighten the axle nut. Tested 4wd etc. and everything was fine/normal.

Got the new tires and immediately noticed they seemed noisy. I was surprised at this since all I've heard is how quiet these tires are. I've driven trucks with ko2's and at2's and these things were WAY louder. Starting at 40 kmh (25 mph) they begin to hum and seem noisiest around 40 mph. Seem a little quieter at higher speeds. Even more troubling is that they seem to be getting louder. I only have about 500 km on them (300 miles). It seems to be all 4 tires, with the window down it sounds loud front and rear. I thought maybe I was rubbing but the only place I am close is on the UCA and even at full lock backing up in reverse I haven't felt/heard anything. When tracking straight I can fit my pinky finger between the UCA and the tire. I have searched the internet extensively and haven't found any complaints about noise with these tires. I also have a cousin who put the same tires on his truck the same week and he can't even tell the difference from his stock hankooks. I've heard the same from others that have these tires. I went back to the tire shop and the installer told me he drove the truck before and after and that he was surprised how noisy they are. Unfortunately the tire shop does not carry the Nitto brand....I had called them last minute because I had success with them in the past and they said they could get the Nittos. They gave me the best price around so I went with them. Now they are telling me 'that's why we only sell Toyos' and that 'Nittos are a lesser quality brand' which I believe is nonsense. They were not at all helpful with warranty claim other than giving me the phone # and telling me to deal with it myself. They said if they were Toyos they would replace them no problem. I don't get what the difference is.

Anyway, I am pretty convinced there is something wrong with these tires and wondered if anyone else has had a similar issue with brand new tires? The date stamp on all 4 is from July 2017. If anyone has any insight I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Did you have an Alignment done after all the work... ? The Nittos are a cheaper version of the open country.. and all off road tires do make some noise..

dfcc

gatorblue92

Noise is subjective but I can say mine do have a audible hum over stock however they are still very quiet compared with anything else that has an aggressive tread design.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Why not buy the open country then.. no brainer .. what PSI are you running in them ?

dfcc

Because the Open Country R/T (comparable tire) is not available in my size. Tire shop had it at 35 psi, I'm running 40 psi now but no difference in noise.

Annapolis

Man, Sorry to hear your luck. I think any tire that look as aggressive as ours are going to have some added noise over stock. I have the same size as you on Bilsteins set on 1.75. I've recently started rubbing in reverse at full lock, but that wouldn't be road noise.

I considered the R/T's and the Nitto Exo's but went with the Ridge Grapplers because of the size and look.

I personally don't think they are that loud. I've passed multiple other trucks and jeeps with similar looking tires and I can hear those over mine easy. I would say they are only slightly louder then stock. No one has ever rode in my truck and mentioned the noise.

dfcc

Thanks. Yes I also went with these because of the size and look and the glowing reviews. I researched for a year before I pulled the trigger. They look amazing on the truck. I fully expected them to be louder than stock but not like this.

Update: The tire shop has agreed to replace all 4 tires. The owner and installer both agreed something is not right as they are way too loud. The local Nitto rep said he's never had a noise complaint with these and he runs them on his own truck. Interestingly enough, my new set is on back order and I won't have them for a couple of weeks. I wonder if the set I have was the last set at the local warehouse and were not stored properly or something (ozone or UV damage)? Who knows. I'll report back once I have the new set on.

mandrew13

I don't know what to tell you- sorry for the noise. I've had Nitto Ridge Grapplers for a while and am exceptionally happy with them.
I hope the replacement set works out for you.

passtim

I run the same tire/size but at 52 psi and they are as quiet as the Hancooks that came with the truck. Also with the Bilsteins on top perch.