Anybody with Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 265/70R17

I’m getting a new set of tires and am looking at upsizing 1 size to 265/70 R17 over stock. Have TRD Pro Wheels and they are 7” wide. Specs show the 265/70 R17 is fine on 7”. Just wondering what it looks like in the wheel well. Please I don’t need Falken or BFG pics. Looking for Highway all season pics in 265/70 R17 on stock setup. Thanks!

 

I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but Michelin input on the M/S2 is pretty lacking and so I am commenting. I can help with the bulge appearance of a 265/70 profile on a 7” wheel. Just got the 265/70R16 M/S2 for my truck about a week ago. They have been a breath of fresh air from all terrains. Good mpg, super smooth and so quiet. Lame looking, but so far I recommend them. The XL rating makes them handle really well in turns and such too. I’m happy.

Yours will stick out about 21mm further. +25mm offset in mine vs +4mm on yours.

 

Costco has a Michelin sale through 1/20/2025.

 

I see that. I’ve been told they may not install 1 size up. Who knows.

 

Tell Costco they should be able to go one size up because your wheels are not stock for the Sport trim. Worth a try.

 

Costco will install one size up. Had them done on my Tacoma and on my Subaru. They just give you a small written notice that you acknowledged the up size.

 

I called and talked to the Costco tire center and they did say no problem as the stock size on the TRD Pro Wheels is the size I am after.

 

Got them installed today. 265/70 R17. Used a ton of weight so going to get that looked at. For a highway tire on a factory wheel I would not expect the eights to go up one whole half of wheel. I’ve had much more aggressive AT tires take less. Overall I like the sidewall change on the MS2 over the previous generation.

 

They look good. Probably a poorly done install for the weights to be like that. Annoying.

And I agree, they still look mild but the new sidewall is much less boring looking. The LT model actually looks quite sharp I think, although the LTs make little sense for most of us when XLs are the standard.

 

Agree on the install. I have a friend that has worked at Les Schwab for 25 years. He said he would re-balance them which will probably require dismount and rotate 180° and then rebalance. No biggie.

 

Could we get some side pixs, been running Michelin’s for a few years on other vehicles. thanks

 

I have them on my Pilot. Solid tire, great wet and snow traction.

 

I am also super keen to see the pics from the side - I had 265/65 R17 defenders on my 2017, I want to put the 70 R17 on my 2023 with the TRD Offroad Rims in the spring.

 

You looking for a full side view vs shot at an angle? I can provide whatever you like. I’ll take some in the morning when it’s not crammed in the garage. It drives amazing and is very quiet. We have snow in Colorado and they have WAY more grip than the Terra Grappler G2 I took off.

 

best tire to have if you are not posing at the mall ....

they are smooth riding, long lasting and grab in the snow......only cry once when you pay for them

 

Thanks for the post. This is exactly what I'm planning to do. Currently have 265/65/17 with stock wheels on my 2020 TRD Sport. Moving up to 265/70/17 in a couple of months. I ran two sets on Michelins on my 1994 SR5 V6 4x4. Approximately 275,000 miles between the two sets. Michelin rocks!

 

75K mile tire

 

Going on 4 years with mine at 73,000 km. Still lots of treads left. I will probably get another 25,000. Very good on highway, noise very low,smooth ride and good in snow ice etc. I will definatly get them again, they are not rugged looking but that is ok with me.

 

Side view shots.

 

Thanks for posting!

Verifying that these are mounted on OEM TRD Wheels (7” Wide) and no rubbing at full turn - looks like it in the picture but there are some pretty good replicas out there.

I have Michelin X-ICE on the truck for the winter, it is -6F here in Ottawa, Ontario right now and I can skate down my street…. the Defenders don’t offer much at that temp since the get pretty stiff.

I had a set of first gen Defenders on my 17 and I put 80,000 km on them and they were still good when I traded the truck so no doubt about replacing the firestones with the Defenders in spring, they are smooth and quiet and efficient.

I am leaning toward upsizing to the 265/70R17 to fill the wheel well a bit more on the black truck.

Can anyone offer experience they have about how much fuel economy is impacted going to the bigger tire… each one is 3lbs heavier. I can’t imagine it has much effect but who knows….