Nitto recon 35x12.5 r18 versus Nitto Recon 325/65 r18

[Dan Houle]

Hello,

Got a 2022 Rebel leveled a few weeks back & looking at getting some Nitto Recon 35's. Spoke to the local dealer & there are no Recon 35's to be found. But he said there are Nitto Recon 325/65/ r18. When I asked him the difference he said really none, just a metric version. He gave me the specs & my research showed the 325's are actually a tad wider, but not as tall. Kinda new at this tire stuff. Curious of anyones input on this? The 325's are also $200 cheaper. Here are the different specs of the tires for those that don't know (like I didn't). TIA:

325's

325/65R18​

Tire Diameter:	34.6″
Tire Section Width:	12.8″
Rim Width Range:	18″ x 9-12″
Sidewall Height:	8.3″
Circumference:	108.8″
Revs/Mile:	583

35's:

35X12.5R18​

Tire Diameter:	35.0″
Tire Section Width:	12.5″
Rim Width Range:	18″ x 8.5-11″
Sidewall Height:	8.5″
Circumference:	109.9″
Revs/Mile:	577

 

[Finn5033]

I don't know how it is with Nitto tires but most of the time a 35" tire is not close to 35" tall. So the 325/65/18 may actually end up being a taller tire. For example a guy I work with has 35/12.5/20 K02's and they measure under 34" on his truck. I'm sure somebody familiar with Nitto's will chime in.

 

[jimothy]

The info I see on Nitto’s site is different than what you posted.

Nitto lists the 325/65R18 as 34.61 x 13.03”, and approved rim width of 9.5-11.5.

The 35 is 34.53 x 12.52, so both narrower and very slightly shorter than the 325. Approved rim width is 8.5-11.0.

 

[Dan Houle]

The info I see on Nitto’s site is different than what you posted.

Nitto lists the 325/65R18 as 34.61 x 13.03”, and approved rim width of 9.5-11.5.

The 35 is 34.53 x 12.52, so both narrower and very slightly shorter than the 325. Approved rim width is 8.5-11.0.

I will definitely check it out, thanks.

 

[Dan Houle]

The info I see on Nitto’s site is different than what you posted.

Nitto lists the 325/65R18 as 34.61 x 13.03”, and approved rim width of 9.5-11.5.

The 35 is 34.53 x 12.52, so both narrower and very slightly shorter than the 325. Approved rim width is 8.5-11.0.

Awesome info, so it appears that overall the 325 is a bigger tire but the tread is a 1/2 inch deeper on the 35's.

 

[jimothy]

Awesome info, so it appears that overall the 325 is a bigger tire but the tread is a 1/2 inch deeper on the 35's.

Tread depth is given in 32nds of an inch, so that’s 1/64th of an inch difference. That’s about four sheets of paper.

 

[Dan Houle]

Tread depth is given in 32nds of an inch, so that’s 1/64th of an inch difference. That’s about four sheets of paper.

Gotcha, super appreciate the info.

 

[Dan Houle]

Tread depth is given in 32nds of an inch, so that’s 1/64th of an inch difference. That’s about four sheets of paper.

Would I notice any difference between the 2 tires. A $200 gap between 325 & 35 is a pretty good savings if there is no real difference.

 

[jimothy]

Would I notice any difference between the 2 tires. A $200 gap between 325 & 35 is a pretty good savings if there is no real difference.

I’m far from an expert, but I don’t think you’ll notice much of a difference based on these specs. Weight, height, tread depth are virtually identical. The most significant difference in dimensions is width, with the 325 being half an inch wider. I suspect it’s the only dimension you’re likely to notice.

What I don’t know is if there’s a difference in the tire compound or tread pattern between the tires, which could make a difference in traction, longevity, road noise, etc. Nitto or a tire shop might provide that sort of information



What width are your wheels? If you’re running a 9” wide, your choice is easier: go with the 35, as the 325 is approved for 9.5” wide up.

What’s your wheel offset? 325 will be 1/4” closer to your UCA; with a positive offset, you might be more likely to run the sidewall on the UCA.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to make your tire buying decision any more complicated. I agonized over my decision (I just ordered Yokohama Geolandar X-AT in LT295/70R18) for a while, too. Ultimately I just decided to decide something, and figured there are a lot of good tires out there, so I’m unlikely to get something terrible, even if I don’t find absolute tire nirvana.

BTW, if you want yet another thing to consider: a 295/70R18 tire would normally be 34.25x11.6”, but this Yokohama is a little oversized, at 34.6x12”. About the same height as the two you’re looking at, and 0.5-1” narrower. 18/32 tread depth. I won’t have my tires until Tuesday, so I can’t give a review.

 

[Jake103]

I've noticed Nittos run close to true size or a little bigger. I had some 285/70r17 ko2s on a 06 chevy 1500 and they looked small, I then got some 285/70r17 Nitto ridge grapplers, they look quite a bit wider and taller also they look better size wise then the ko2s. At least from my experiance Nitto runs close to size, BFG has always run small.

 

[SKT Customs]

I would absolutely get the 325/65r18 if I were you simply because they are E load whereas the 35s are F load. Everything else being constant the E load should ride smoother. You don’t need an 80psi max F load tire on your 1500. That’s not even recommended for 3500 trucks if you want good ride quality! Frankly even the E load is overkill, but if you decided these are the tires that you want then at least get the E loads that are also a bit wider.

 

[Dan Houle]

I’m far from an expert, but I don’t think you’ll notice much of a difference based on these specs. Weight, height, tread depth are virtually identical. The most significant difference in dimensions is width, with the 325 being half an inch wider. I suspect it’s the only dimension you’re likely to notice.

What I don’t know is if there’s a difference in the tire compound or tread pattern between the tires, which could make a difference in traction, longevity, road noise, etc. Nitto or a tire shop might provide that sort of information



What width are your wheels? If you’re running a 9” wide, your choice is easier: go with the 35, as the 325 is approved for 9.5” wide up.

What’s your wheel offset? 325 will be 1/4” closer to your UCA; with a positive offset, you might be more likely to run the sidewall on the UCA.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to make your tire buying decision any more complicated. I agonized over my decision (I just ordered Yokohama Geolandar X-AT in LT295/70R18) for a while, too. Ultimately I just decided to decide something, and figured there are a lot of good tires out there, so I’m unlikely to get something terrible, even if I don’t find absolute tire nirvana.

BTW, if you want yet another thing to consider: a 295/70R18 tire would normally be 34.25x11.6”, but this Yokohama is a little oversized, at 34.6x12”. About the same height as the two you’re looking at, and 0.5-1” narrower. 18/32 tread depth. I won’t have my tires until Tuesday, so I can’t give a review.

I’m far from an expert, but I don’t think you’ll notice much of a difference based on these specs. Weight, height, tread depth are virtually identical. The most significant difference in dimensions is width, with the 325 being half an inch wider. I suspect it’s the only dimension you’re likely to notice.

What I don’t know is if there’s a difference in the tire compound or tread pattern between the tires, which could make a difference in traction, longevity, road noise, etc. Nitto or a tire shop might provide that sort of information



What width are your wheels? If you’re running a 9” wide, your choice is easier: go with the 35, as the 325 is approved for 9.5” wide up.

What’s your wheel offset? 325 will be 1/4” closer to your UCA; with a positive offset, you might be more likely to run the sidewall on the UCA.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to make your tire buying decision any more complicated. I agonized over my decision (I just ordered Yokohama Geolandar X-AT in LT295/70R18) for a while, too. Ultimately I just decided to decide something, and figured there are a lot of good tires out there, so I’m unlikely to get something terrible, even if I don’t find absolute tire nirvana.

BTW, if you want yet another thing to consider: a 295/70R18 tire would normally be 34.25x11.6”, but this Yokohama is a little oversized, at 34.6x12”. About the same height as the two you’re looking at, and 0.5-1” narrower. 18/32 tread depth. I won’t have my tires until Tuesday, so I can’t give a review.

I plan on using the stock Rebel rim. Another good thing is the tires I have been speaking about are coming from the Dodge dealer. He seems to be on top of it as far as the fit goes, he's aware of me running a 2" level kit & the stock Rebel rim & he's the one that recommended the 325. It did seem like I got a little bit more space between the UCA & the tire after the level kit was put on. Curious how your tires turn out, keep us posted. Thanks for the input.

 

[Dan Houle]

Also, after reading more of these posts, according to the Nitto chart, the 8" stock Rebel rim are too small for the 35's or the 325's. The 295 Nitto would work. Gonna do more investigation, thanks guys.

 

[SKT Customs]

Also, after reading more of these posts, according to the Nitto chart, the 8" stock Rebel rim are too small for the 35's or the 325's. The 295 Nitto would work. Gonna do more investigation, thanks guys.

I promise you, that doesn’t matter at all. An 8” wide wheel is perfectly fine for either of those tires and people do it all the time. People run 12.5 wides on 6” wide dually wheels. People run 13.5 wides on 8.5” wide off-road wheels all the time. People even run 15.5” wide tires on 8” wide dually wheels. You’ll be fine.

 

[Dan Houle]

I promise you, that doesn’t matter at all. An 8” wide wheel is perfectly fine for either of those tires and people do it all the time. People run 12.5 wides on 6” wide dually wheels. People run 13.5 wides on 8.5” wide off-road wheels all the time. People even run 15.5” wide tires on 8” wide dually wheels. You’ll be fine.

Thanks buddy. I'll post up some pics when I pull the trigger, mucho appreciate the response.

 

[SKT Customs]

Thanks buddy. I'll post up some pics when I pull the trigger, mucho appreciate the response.

Sounds good! Congrats!

 

[Dan Houle]

Talked with the dealer & they are cool with the 8.5 rim for the 35's, but not going to the 9.5 the 325 recommends. He then said they can get the BFG AT KO2 35x12.5 r18 right now. Gonna do more research.

 

[SKT Customs]

Talked with the dealer & they are cool with the 8.5 rim for the 35's, but not going to the 9.5 the 325 recommends. He then said they can get the BFG AT KO2 35x12.5 r18 right now. Gonna do more research.

I’m not saying that’s a bad tire but BFGs notoriously run very small which kinda sucks. And I’ve only been in a Tacoma that had BFG K02s but they seemed much louder than the Toyo RTs I had. Have you looked at the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT? Looks like an aggressive all terrain tire, has a 50k mile warranty, and best of all it’s one of very few 35x12.50r18s that come in a D Load rating so your ride “should” be substantially better than an E load or F load tire.

Edit:: I just noticed the Toyo ATIII also comes in that size with D load. Kinda heavy though. But I’m a Toyo guy personally lol my RTs and MTs have been great.

 

[Dan Houle]

I’m not saying that’s a bad tire but BFGs notoriously run very small which kinda sucks. And I’ve only been in a Tacoma that had BFG K02s but they seemed much louder than the Toyo RTs I had. Have you looked at the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT? Looks like an aggressive all terrain tire, has a 50k mile warranty, and best of all it’s one of very few 35x12.50r18s that come in a D Load rating so your ride “should” be substantially better than an E load or F load tire.

Edit:: I just noticed the Toyo ATIII also comes in that size with D load. Kinda heavy though. But I’m a Toyo guy personally lol my RTs and MTs have been great.

Too late, lol, pulled the trigger today on the KO2’s! Good thing is the KO2’s are E rated, the same as the GY Wranglers that are on it now.

I’ll post up some pics when done.