Thread: Defender tyres for WA conditions

Hi Sam,

Yes the 255/8516 will fit fine on your alloys, they might just touch the radius arms on full lock as the alloys' off-set is pretty modest. I ran them in the older BFG Mud pattern on my last 90 in the UK (OME alloys) and I absolutely loved them. I must however warn that the larger diameter does put more strain on the wheel bearings and they might have contributed to needing to change my bearings quicker than expected. There are however chaps on here who've run them for years without hassle.

Personally I would, for the application you plan, stick to a good all-terrain tyre. You can either stay with the 235/85/16 or go to 265/75/16 as they are exactly the same rolling diameter. The 265/75/16 was in fact a dealer option in the past.

As you know my 90 has the BFG KM2 muddies on ZU alloys which are great for playing, but it is pure bliss in blacktop road noise reduction and handling when I put my OME alloys and GG's back on for long road trips.

So standard size (235 or 265) in BFG A/T or the Toyo M55 as Justin suggested (more economical option) would be my honest advice. Both will meet all the requirement you listed in your OP without the "negatives" on the muddies.

Cheers,

Lou

Hi Samblers

When I ditched the GGs after 85,000kms, I replaced them with a wider tyre - the BFG AT 265/75/16. I also replaced the alloys with steel wheels (King Wheels Terra) - a 7" wide wheel with 0 offset. I'm not sure what the size of the stock alloy is - suspect a 6" so it's worth checking what size tyre you can get away with.

The fit (265/85 on a 7" wheel) is splendid, the wheels have performed admirably off-road in all manner of conditions and surfaces, including gravel, rocks and that sand-gravel mix that you get in sandstone areas.
Sure, in the thick clay mud I want more grip but everyone does unless they're in a tractor.

When I let the pressure down, it makes a noticeable difference in grip and footprint so I'm happy with this too.

On-road they are quieter than I expected for an AT tyre and they seem to grip wonderfully in the wet.

I'm not sure if they're perfect for WA conditions as I've not driven over there. Yet!

Worth asking around if anyone in your area has a set.....as it is with all different tyre types. What you will find is that almost everyone will say theirs are the best....so proceed with caution.

Best of luck mate.

Bobby

Thanks Lou/ Bobby – great info… learning all the time.

Lou I take your point on the second set of wheels – there’s meat left on the GG’s as I said. However I don’t do a huge amount of km’s in the defender anyway so I think I could get away with one set of tyres for everything.

I’ve seen that LR also fit the Goodyear Wrangler MTR onto other sets of optional defender rims – these look good up to the job too. Has anyone got any experiences of these?

Sam

Hi Sam,

The second set of tyres is not an option for the vast majority of people and spending money on a set of tyres is very much a long term option and choice.

The reason I mentioned it though is the very apparent HUGE difference in road noise and vibration when I do switch back to the GG's, something very few people actually do.

IMO muddies or MTR's are really only a permanent option when you properly utilize their ability. If you don't use the car much and its only for play and travel (hence proportionally increasing the utilization) they might be a feasible option.

I've in the past used Goodyear and I wasn't overly impressed by the mileage life. The guys on here have also reported that they are pretty noisy (but it might just be the new Defender :D)

You are welcome to take my 90 for a run on the black top in a couple weeks time at the W4 Challenge (the BFG KM2's will be fitted) if you want a comparison to your GG's (M/T vs A/T).

Cheers,

Lou

Thanks Lou - not sure whether i'll make the W4 event as a spectator yet ...

In terms of on-road suitability of BFG KM2's - my intent is not necessarily to get a 'mud' tyre (or MTR)... just something more aggressive than the GG's that i can use for touring and off-road and that wont be too tortuous on-road. So if there is an in-between option this would be a ....? (what?)

I consider the GG's to be pretty much a road tyre

Originally Posted by Loubrey

The reason I mentioned it though is the very apparent HUGE difference in road noise and vibration when I do switch back to the GG's, something very few people actually do.

IMO muddies or MTR's are really only a permanent option when you properly utilize their ability. If you don't use the car much and its only for play and travel (hence proportionally increasing the utilization) they might be a feasible option.

Originally Posted by Samblers

Thanks Lou - not sure whether i'll make the W4 event as a spectator yet ...

In terms of on-road suitability of BFG KM2's - my intent is not necessarily to get a 'mud' tyre (or MTR)... just something more aggressive than the GG's that i can use for touring and off-road and that wont be too tortuous on-road. So if there is an in-between option this would be a ....? (what?)

I consider the GG's to be pretty much a road tyre

There are some in-between options - such as Cooper STs if they are still made:


But seriously, I as many kms from a set of MTRs/Bighorns as from a set of AT or HT tyres, no worse traction on road or in the wet... It seems the only downside is the increase in noise.

Originally Posted by Loubrey

So standard size (235 or 265) in BFG A/T or the Toyo M55 as Justin suggested (more economical option) would be my honest advice. Both will meet all the requirement you listed in your OP without the "negatives" on the muddies.

Cheers,

Lou

Any views on the longevity of BFG A/Ts? They may have changed the compound but a few years back they were a bit soft and definitely didn't wear well on dirt e.g. the Gibb River Road.

For the life of me, I can't work out what Land Rover have in mind persisting with the alloy rims. The're not a soccer mum car and easily damaged, have you blokes tried breaking the bead on them in the bush? I would swap mine in a heart beat. If I hadn't been so hasty when I drove past the local dealer and saw one in the yard I would have ordered one with steel rims.