[kenvanwingerden]

Has anyone done this with good results? Hoping to soften and smooth out the ride some more and thought this would work pretty decent.

 

[Bronie]

Will a difference in the size of your rims really do that much to smooth out the ride? I would think that your tires and suspension would have a far greater affect. Plus, 22" wheels look better on the QX80 IMO.

 

[Luxurious]

Is it really that bad?
What vehicles have you owned in the past?
20's on a thicker profile tire will help.

 

[Helios]

Never really thought about changing tire size in order to smooth out the ride. I agree with @Luxurious in asking "Is it really that bad?"

Have you been overly disappointed in the ride quality with the QX80?

 

[Luxurious]

Yup, I doubt it could be that bad. When i test drive a 2013 and 2014 model, they didn't feel that bad at all. The ride quality was enough that i didn't need to question it.

 

[fleetwood]

thats fine if you don't question it, but someone else is questioning.

I've not done it but it will definitely smooth out your ride, as a side effect tires for a 20" rim are much cheaper than tires for 22"s

 

[1nfinatt1]

I wonder if other long term owners have been experience this with their QX80's and if Infiniti needs to work on this

 

[snowplow]

Adding more tire should make the ride a bit softer

Choosing the right kind of tire can be important too. If you choose a tire with a strong sidewall it will be just as rough.

 

[Luxurious]

yeah this is where doing your research will pay off big time.
a softer compound tire will likely do the job, absorbing more from the road

 

[legrillenoir]

Love those 20" wheels

I recently bought the 2014 QX80. After test driving both the base model with the 20" wheels and the high-end model with 22's, I asked my dealer to switch out the 22's for the 20's mainly because my wife, who has a chronic back problem, couldn't tolerate the ride with the 22's. The dealer changed the wheels to the 20's, we test drove the vehicle twice, and my wife loved it both times. I also noticed a big difference in "smoothness," which I expected because the metal-to-rubber ratio drops with the wheel size. Anyway, it rides like a dream now and we are very happy (but still in the honeymoon period).

 

[Luxurious]

I recently bought the 2014 QX80. After test driving both the base model with the 20" wheels and the high-end model with 22's, I asked my dealer to switch out the 22's for the 20's mainly because my wife, who has a chronic back problem, couldn't tolerate the ride with the 22's. The dealer changed the wheels to the 20's, we test drove the vehicle twice, and my wife loved it both times. I also noticed a big difference in "smoothness," which I expected because the metal-to-rubber ratio drops with the wheel size. Anyway, it rides like a dream now and we are very happy (but still in the honeymoon period).

thanks for that review, amazing. good to know it makes that much of a difference. i can imagine how sensitive her back is to the rougher ride of the 22's. I take it that 20's make a big difference.

 

[maxpain]

even smaller?

Hello all
I just purchased a 2014 QX80 and am looking into getting a second set of wheels(rims & tires) I want to smooth out the ride but i also want to improve traction in off-road applications and snow. my used ride had the 22's on it and thus far I have not been able to find any options that will keep the total circumference of the OEM tires but diminish the rims size to say 16 or 18" has anyone on the forum done this or can some one direct me a thread I should be reading. thanks in advance

 

[SDQX80]

I have the 22' wheels that came standard on the car but I wanted more capable 4x4 tires for weekends in the desert and I got the stock 20' wheels and put on the Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires. I now use the Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires with the 20' wheels as they eat up every little pot hole in San Diego like nothing. The ride has become incredibly smooth and amazing. The 22's look really cool don't get me wrong and are super quite and fast but if you want an aggressive looking 4x4 with soft supple ride the 20's are where its at.

 

[familytruckster]

22's with AT tires ride smooth, no twitch

I have the 22' wheels that came standard on the car but I wanted more capable 4x4 tires for weekends in the desert and I got the stock 20' wheels and put on the Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires. I now use the Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires with the 20' wheels as they eat up every little pot hole in San Diego like nothing. The ride has become incredibly smooth and amazing. The 22's look really cool don't get me wrong and are super quite and fast but if you want an aggressive looking 4x4 with soft supple ride the 20's are where its at.

I couldn't give up on the 22's...

Just installed the Nitto Ridge Grapplers in the 285/55/22 form for a little extra height and width. I must say I am impressed, I had the Pirelli Scorpion’s on the QX with sidewall wear that was inconsistent with the middle of the tire like they were under inflated by the previous owner. They were the 275/50/22 size and I ran them at 35PSI but they felt really twitchy. I have put 10k miles on this car in the last 6 months and was starting to regret the purchase. Anytime the road was uneven the steering wheel would pull like crazy and throw around all the passengers unless I was death gripping the steering wheel. I went to the local Nissan dealer and got an alignment and discussed the issue, but they found nothing and the alignment did not help. After the new tires I still need to get another alignment but it is a night and day difference in steering feel, turns out the Infiniti is nice to drive. I was really thinking there were major suspension issues with the HBMC or something. I have only had them on for the weekend but I am so glad I gave myself that extra 1 1/2” of sidewall for these 10ply tires.

Here are some pics of how they look on the rig I was unable to upload here but I posted them on the other site..... last post in the thread:
https://infinitiforum.net/infiniti-forum/showthread.php?t=12674&page=9

It's been a month now and I still love them...

 

[SDQX80]

285/55/r22

This is great to hear that the 285/55/R22 size fits without any needed tweaking on the vehicle. I have heard death stories about the ABS system engaging on the freeway when people went to 305/45/R22. I can't wait to try out the 285/55/R22. Does it handle better in the turns as well with more grip?

 

[QX8E]

These are all valid and well thought out responses. But, if you really want 20's, you could have saved a lot of money and just purchased a Nissan Armada or the base QX80. Basically the same vehicles, with 20 inch wheels/tires.

As for ride comfort, ditto for the Nissan Armada or base QX. But, just think about 22 inch wheels, tires and what translates to a beefy, huge land yacht the top INFINITI QX80 is. It makes such a statement, that what you see is what you get.

If you want to float, get a Lexus LS.

 

[familytruckster]

This is great to hear that the 285/55/R22 size fits without any needed tweaking on the vehicle. I have heard death stories about the ABS system engaging on the freeway when people went to 305/45/R22. I can't wait to try out the 285/55/R22. Does it handle better in the turns as well with more grip?

It handles amazing! These tires are way ahead of the K02’s in my opinion. I put these on my Armada and my work truck 2500 RAM Diesel, they slip and slide all over when it gets slick out. We had freezing rain here last night and the QX kept it’s composure like it was riding on an ice tire. In the dry these tires stay firm and keep the HBMC doing what it’s supposed to, keep it level and tight in the corners. The more I drive on these it reinforces the price I paid for them, totally worth it!

 

[familytruckster]

These are all valid and well thought out responses. But, if you really want 20's, you could have saved a lot of money and just purchased a Nissan Armada or the base QX80. Basically the same vehicles, with 20 inch wheels/tires.

As for ride comfort, ditto for the Nissan Armada or base QX. But, just think about 22 inch wheels, tires and what translates to a beefy, huge land yacht the top INFINITI QX80 is. It makes such a statement, that what you see is what you get.

If you want to float, get a Lexus LS.

I personally bought the Infiniti because I love the comfort, reliability, size, towing capacity, and captains chairs for the kids. Other important factors were the cooled/heated seats and interior layout. This is where the Lexus looses me, the interior is clunky, not refined like the Infiniti. The resale on those are also redick, putting it out of my $35k price point for a used rig with 60k miles.

Now that I own it, after previously having a 2013 Armada, I LOVE the HBMC and am glad I splurged for it. I can’t wait to take her off road and really put the hydrolic suspension without sway bars to work! It is an Articulation Badass.