[theirishscion]

That is just fantastically cool. I think if you are serious about adding a snail or a kompressor, you'll quickly develop a very attentive following on the forum. There's been quite a bit of sad conversation around here recently about the lack of go-faster bits available for the Pilots.

Be very nice to have an actual certified Honda tech around as well. Welcome

 

[vadersi]

With theE load tires. They weight in at a 49lbs apiece making the pilot a little slower And not stop as fast. Haven't decided on the brakes yet. I'm looking into different calipers that may be close enough to modify. I highly recommend the lift kit. It is a little pricey but it took factory spec alignment just as Ready Lift said Good color directions. Some minor things aren't included in the directions. I'll have more pics when I put the PLOW on. Even only being AWD should make a great little plow vehicle with the tires. Tranmission will hold up great added 2010 Crv tranny filter with 2011 touring cooler.87,000 miles on her.

 

[Rower4VT]

Bit off topic, but what camera did you take the pics with? The color/clarity is great!

 

[vadersi]

Nikkon D90

 

[xGS]

On what basis did you choose the General Grabber AT2 tires?

 

[Rocky]

Those Generals are well liked in the Land Rover crowd as excellent AT tires.
Hats off to you from me as I work on a chassis up rebuild of my truck

 

[xGS]

Those Generals are well liked in the Land Rover crowd as excellent AT tires.

Yet those Generals received a last place rating from Consumer Reports relative to 13 other tires.

 

[vadersi]

I must be missing the bad reviews. Tirerack.com reviews seem to be the closest in real customer reviews on tires as the same as the customers i deal with. Everyone I know who as kumo , bf goodrige, Goodyears have all switched to the grabbers. I swapped the 05 pilot tires out for them at 15,000 miles put 245/70/16 on. And just took them off at 89,000 miles and still have 1/2 tread. Had them on the crv. For the money by far the best tire. I live in Ohio and they are assume in the snow and slush. The only down side is if you do not rotate and rotate them every 10,000 miles they will get choppy and not last. They are a little noisy but not bad, but what you expect from a knobby tire. This is all my experience and opinion.

 

[xGS]

I must be missing the bad reviews. Tirerack.com reviews seem to be the closest in real customer reviews on tires as the same as the customers i deal with.

Currently #7 in the Tire Rack customer opinion survey.
Consumer Survey Results By Category

Dead last in the Consumer Reports 2008 tests (posted on landroverworld.org):

 

[vadersi]

Your consumer report survey is from 2008 first year they were really introduced. Like any company they make changes and updates. I know back then they had a huge problem with balancing them and keeping them balanced. I Never said they were the best for everyone and like I said like the survey says Noisy was one of the complaints and cornering. I don't think I'm looking for a well cornering tire in the size 235/85/16 weighing in at 51lbs. each even though if I put the 80psi of air in them they would be hard as a rock. I'm not here for a pissing match over whats the best or worse. Just what works best for my specific needs.

 

[xGS]

Your consumer report survey is from 2008 first year they were really introduced.

Tire Rack customer reviews for the Grabber AT2 go back as far as early 2006.

I know back then they had a huge problem with balancing them and keeping them balanced.

Balancing problems are a result of either poor quality control by the tire manufacturer or inadequate equipment and/or operator error on the installation end.
A (properly used) Hunter GSP9700 takes all the guesswork out of optimally mounting and balancing a tire/wheel assembly.
If the resultant road force is still too high, then there is a lack of uniformity in the tire (or wheel) due to insufficently tight quality control limits during production.
Tire traction is largely a function of tread pattern and compound, not balance.

I don't think I'm looking for a well cornering tire in the size 235/85/16 weighing in at 51lbs. Just what works best for my specific needs.

So, why do you want such big, heavy tires on a Pilot?

 

[dustino8]

Tire Rack customer reviews for the Grabber AT2 go back as far as early 2006.


Balancing problems are a result of either poor quality control by the tire manufacturer or inadequate equipment and/or operator error on the installation end.
A (properly used) Hunter GSP9700 takes all the guesswork out of optimally mounting and balancing a tire/wheel assembly.
If the resultant road force is still too high, then there is a lack of uniformity in the tire (or wheel) due to insufficently tight quality control limits during production.
Tire traction is largely a function of tread pattern and compound, not balance.



So, why do you want such big, heavy tires on a Pilot?

:1pat: XGS, before anyone buys tires they should consult with you. You seem to be the tire expert. He's done something different with his Pilot. Instead of giving the guy a hard time, how 'bout a :29:.

Back on topic. Vadersi, how do you find the ride with the E load tires? I have E loads (Toyo Open Country AT) on my Tundra, and the ride is a bit punishing. I'd like to stay with the E load rating because they are good for towing, but maybe another brand is in order.

Looking forward to pics (and maybe a video ) of your Pilot with the plow!

 

[vadersi]

I'm no tire expert but what I can tell you is I had grabber 245/70/16 on before and now have e load 235/85/16. Between the 245 and 235 the 235 has less road noise and goes through the standing water alot better. Sure it's do to the smaller contact area. This is my first E load tire and when I first put them on I had 60psi and the were brutal. Now I am running 36psi and they seem normal. I may drop them down to 30psi this week. With the thicker sidewall I think they will be fine. You can also feel the thicker sidewall in cornering and that they do not role. I did have these tires on for a week before I put the lift on and the rubbed a little past 1 turn on the steering wheel. You could get away with just pulling the front splashield forward if one did not want the lift but wanted the bigger tire.

 

[TheMuffinMan]

I'm still undecided on the lower trim....I've got a silver Pilot myself and can't decide if I like it or not. Interesting on the good review from the lift kit, everything seems like good quality?

 

[Nickp]

Are you going to use the WARN front receiver for the home plow? I have a snowsport that I used on a 02 Grand Cherokee the last few years and plan on putting it on the Pilot. I purchased the Curt receiver but haven’t put it on yet. I was wondering how it will hold up.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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[vadersi]

I use the Curt front hitch. $150 shipped of eBay. Easy to install

 

[TheMuffinMan]

vader - how's the quality on that lift kit? I was a little uneasy seeing how the OEM tophats were bolted to it - didn't look like the most secure thing ever?

And what additional parts were required?

 

[vadersi]

I wouldn't worry about them. They are a great design and put together very well. It jump some rail road tracks with it if I was 10 yrs younger.

 

[vadersi]

Here is the plow pics. front sags 1/2" and lifting the rear 1/2". Feels the same on the freeway. Cruise control on and doesn't down shift. Hopefully we will have snow in the next couple weeks. See how it works. Picked up a Honda HS520 snow blower also just in case. Its nice and quite.