Another question re alloys and tyres

**jc109** · 8th September 2010, 11:44 PM

I posted this in another thread recently but it was a bit off topic I guess and it may have looked like I was trying to hijack things. It's a serious question though, so any advice you may have would be appreciated.

"I'm about to order my first Defender after several years playing around with my SIII.

I've been wondering what the best option is re tyres, and am no clearer now after reading all this!

I intend ordering the dual finish alloy wheels with standard tyres as I have Wolf wheels on my 109" with Cooper STs that I've been thinking would make a good swap when I take the 110" out bush.

The Coopers (which I think are great BTW) are 265/75/16s.

How would I find these tyres on the Defender? I'm happy to consider all options. ie:

1) Full swap of wheels and tyres
2) Coopers to alloys on 110" and Grabbers over to 109"
3) Leave Coopers where they are and order 110" with factory MTs of a size TBD
4) Leave 109" alone, order 110" in standard rubber, and buy a whole new set of wheels and tyres in an appropriate size as off-road set

If the Wolf wheels come off the 109" I can either leave her on workshop stands or buy a cheap set of original wheels (I ditched the old set long ago...) with cheap rubber.

Any suggestions?"

Most of my driving will be on tarmac simply because of where I live and the amount of time my other half will be using it in my absence.

When I do go offroad I'll be doing a bit of everything. I love pushing things, and will probably get more adventurous as things progress. I'll no doubt do a lot of time on the sand too. My intention is to set her up as a full touring rig in due course.

I really want the best of everything but I don't want to have to modify the vehicle in any way (for the first few years anyway).

So, any recommendations?

James

**land864** · 9th September 2010, 12:15 PM

Been thinking about the same thing myself.

I'd be going option 4 if you can afford it.

Then it's only 4 wheels off one at a time and refit spare offroad wheel when you have it raised in that corner.

Otherwise it's swappies which would be a pain if you ask me.

If you're pressed for time you can trundle dow to your local Bob Jane and get them to do the swap while you go do something else productive.

Apparently a set of Series One Disco steel rims are a good cheap spare set and can be offfset if you want to go bigger than 235/85R16.

Go steel for your spare set.

Not sure now about alloys off road. I know GQ Patrols have a problem with alloy wheels falling off after a long run on corrugations. Apparently that has something to do with the alloy wheel nuts binding and not seating properly when torqued up. That may be overcome by applying some grease to the face of the nut maybe but I'd be going steel as a spare set.

Just my thoughts

Pete

**scrambler** · 9th September 2010, 03:08 PM

I'd be thinking that you will get the best on-road performance with narrow tyres (less rolling resistance) so perhaps consider getting standard wheels and 7.50 's for the 109 and keeping the Wolf rims for the play tyres? Also keeps the pretty alloys from getting scuffed.

**KarlB** · 9th September 2010, 05:57 PM

What ever you do be careful because if you change your tyre size, you could well lose the warranty on your drive train and to my mind that is a very expensive way to gain very little. The factory Goodyear MTRs are 235/85/R16s and they are the old pattern not the newer asymmetrical kevlar reinforced ones. Still good tyres though, if you want a more aggressive tread. The Grabbers would be better for touring. The 2011 plated Defenders should come with Continental Conti Cross Contact AT tyres, not General Grabbers. They should also be good for touring.

Cheers
KarlB

**jc109** · 9th September 2010, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by KarlB

The 2011 plated Defenders should come with Continental Conti Cross Contact AT tyres, not General Grabbers. They should also be good for touring.

Cheers
KarlB

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks Karl.

**jc109** · 9th September 2010, 09:58 PM

Sounds like you're confirming what I suspected anyway. Get the stock tyres from LR and do a swap if and when I need to for the more aggressive rubber on the Series.

I guess I should tread carefully for the first three years anyway in case I void my warranty by getting carried away.

Thanks for your advice guys.

**fishobob** · 10th September 2010, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by KarlB

What ever you do be careful because if you change your tyre size, you could well lose the warranty on your drive train and to my mind that is a very expensive way to gain very little. The factory Goodyear MTRs are 235/85/R16s and they are the old pattern not the newer asymmetrical kevlar reinforced ones. Cheers
KarlB

Thanks for the info Karl. I hadn't really considered the issue of warranty in regards to upsizing tyres. Mind you I was only thinking of upsizing to 265's so it's not really a huge change. Do you think those would still create warranty issues?

For those of you with new Defenders and bigger tyres, have your dealers said anything to you on this issue?

Cheers and all the best,
Rob

**Scallops** · 10th September 2010, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by fishobob

Thanks for the info Karl. I hadn't really considered the issue of warranty in regards to upsizing tyres. Mind you I was only thinking of upsizing to 265's so it's not really a huge change. Do you think those would still create warranty issues?

For those of you with new Defenders and bigger tyres, have your dealers said anything to you on this issue?

Cheers and all the best,
Rob

265 / 75 muds don't cause any warranty issues.

**fishobob** · 10th September 2010, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Scallops

265 / 75 muds don't cause any warranty issues.

Thanks mate

**Tusker** · 10th September 2010, 07:56 AM

If you swap from time to time, would the SIII take alloys? As mentioned in here not long ago, the hubs that accept alloys for coil sprung vehicles have a slash across the stud endface. Try fitting an alloy to an early Rangie & it will just jam.

I stick to vanilla 235/85/16s for touring. Taller profile for sand etc, readily available in the bush, & a very high load rating. Check your 265/75s, I suspect the load rating is lower. I'd go 255/85s, but they just aren't common enough in the bush.

For touring get some disco steelies if you can. Easier to swap/change (normal nuts instead of the self centering jobbies that the alloys have) & a ham fisted bush tyre fitter will butcher the alloys.

If sticking with alloys, chuck the locking nuts before they fail.

For play wheels/tyres, there are so many options that its another thread.

Regards
Max P

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