Thread: Tires for the Defender

Originally Posted by DeanoH

Tombie, Tombie, Tombie..............................sigh.


Ron, Ron, RON. Where are you when we need you ?


Deano

I don't know what you are talking about

Ok so today I went to grab the set of tyres from the rack and noticed they are actually 285/75R-16 am I pushing my luck? Will they fit under the guards or will they rub on articulation.

You may get some rubbing at full lock and on the rear spring towers..

Just note that 285's on 7" rims isnt "technically" a legal fitment...

There is a lot to be said for 235-85-16 (stock size) for performance and economy benefits...

Originally Posted by Tombie

You may get some rubbing at full lock and on the rear spring towers..

Just note that 285's on 7" rims isnt "technically" a legal fitment...

There is a lot to be said for 235-85-16 (stock size) for performance and economy benefits...

Yeah it’s not legal, but what normally is when we start modding, I have them sitting there just thought I may as well use them when the Defender is ready. I guess I’ll just chuck them on flea bay.

On another note regarding a 2” lift is there anything else that needs doing, e.g.: brake lines, control arms,panhard rod length?

You know Dockstrada, for a bloke who owns several cars and had motorbikes it sounds like you did 0 homework on a defender before you bought it.

The AULRO search facility can be tricky but works well if you persist. If that is no good try google.

But to answer your idea in short on lifting a tdci 40 to 50mm, you will need a front double cardan prop shaft. Tom Wood's are the go, or try a wide angle from Les Richmond, or something from Gwen Lewis. You will need to extend the brake lines the same amount as the lift to be safe.
255/85 will rub on the control arms slightly with 0 offset rims. Alloy rims ? offset wont rub but may hang outside the guards a little bit.

Perhaps go get it dirty first before blinging it up, you may have to do nothing in the end.

Originally Posted by Tombie

You may get some rubbing at full lock and on the rear spring towers..

Just note that 285's on 7" rims isnt "technically" a legal fitment...

There is a lot to be said for 235-85-16 (stock size) for performance and economy benefits...

I've got a set of 255/86-16 BFG Muddies for the Defender and whilst they give a good 1" lift and are great off road they don't 'feel' as good as the 235/85-16 AT's. The smaller tyres feel a better match for the mighty 300 Tdi. They also rub on full lock which is a nuisance, makes a hell of a racket and feels pretty bad, especially in reverse. I'll probably replace them with 235/85 muddys.

Deano

I've got 255/85/R16s KM2S on my td5 but they definately don't rub at the front end.
I've been told I need offset rims as apparently they will rub on rear spring supports (don't know what they are actually called) but they haven't yet.

I'm not gonna bother.
I love the tyres, fantastic grip and I find them fine on the road.
Running 40psi as advised by tyre dealer and it's a great ride.

I really like the extra little bit of clearance and footprint the 255/85 garners you, and with a few tweaks of the pump the 300Tdi pulls them fine, and IMO highway gearing is improved.

The reduced turning circle does suck, particularly with a 130.

Oh, and the speedo correction is a bonus