Thread: Legal way to run 285s on a Defender in NSW?

Originally Posted by Vern

Is it 25mm per side? Or overall?

25mm overall so only 12.5mm a side from a factory spec.

If i can prove somehow via a manufacturers manual the wolfs at 20.6 are a stock item on the td5 this should let me get to about +8 offset. But i need to somehow find a manual that states that.

The manual i have only states the wheel track which is based on the +33 of the boost alloys

This is an area which has been totally messed up by the various registration authorities. In Victoria VSi 08 says the front track can be increased by 25mm but the rear track by 50mm (for our style vehicles). This is meant to be in line with the National Code of Practise for vehicle modifications. However the general code VSB 14 sub-section LS which relates to Tyres, Rims, Steering and Suspension states that track increase can be up to 25 mm for general light vehicles but 50 mm for vehicle category MC. The ADR category for MC is described below.

MC - OFF-ROAD PASSENGER VEHICLE - A passenger vehicle having up to 9 seating positions, including that of the driver and being designed with special features for off-road operation.

I believe the Defender fits into this MC category.

VicRoads VSI 08 states that vehicle modification complying with the National Code of Practise is acceptable (even though their own information is not correct). Check to see if NSW bulletins state that vehicle modifications are acceptable if they comply with the national code. If they do, then you might be able to argue a track increase up to 50mm is acceptable allowing ET 10 wheels to be fitted. Not sure about the 285 size as I'm not sure what the overall diameter increase is as I have not checked. In Victoria, up to 50mm diameter increase from standard is acceptable (from memory), which equates to 25mm height increase.

VSI 06 on the RMS website mentions NCOP bulletin 14 as a reference standard for vehicle modification so that might give you a point to argue.

I am looking at fitting Zu rims or Bowler 16 inch rims but these are ET 11 and ET 10 so am trying to find out myself if this is legal in Victoria.

You can see if Land Rover Special Vehicles (or whatever they later came to be called) made any custom applications which would match your criteria.

For example, the Stage 1 V8s in the 1980 came with 7.50x16 tyres, but there was a variant with 9.00x16 tyres.

Does the variant need to be one released in Australia? or one factory approved internationally?

Just beware that many tyre fitters seem to be unable to properly balance larger tyres. You'll have more sluggish take off, but better cruising with the larger tyres, but if the balance is out and you get vibration at speed, even that won't be worth it.

Congratulations on getting a Defender.

VSi 09 is here for NSW

[ame]http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/standards/vsi-09-rev4.pdf[/ame]

DiscoMick i do stand corrected it is 15mm but you can engineer around this. Probably something the guys running 255/85s should bear in mind.

With offset it seems to be a dead end, tried four engineers all with the same story. They have said best bet is to like you say find a model providing you can link it back to your vehicle that the manufacturer support. or the other alternative is to find some testing schemes that might hold ground.

All the td5 owners manuals i find its a track of 1461mm

Not so worried about the police etc i don't think they would know enough to be an issue but its more if there was an accident insurance as they do will try wipe there hands clean with every possible out.

4wheeler if your allowed a 50mm track increase you should be ok with an ET of 10 or 11, Stock defender is ET33 so this would be 46mm in track change. just make sure you got the positive negatives correct as i found some places refer to +ve as out and some refer to it as in.

This Brochure "http://www.barbagallo.com.au/downloads/brochures/defender_brochure.pdf"
Makes a reference to models other than the 130 having a track of 1511mm vs standard 1486mm when optional wolf rims are fitted (page 53)

Were the wolf rims an option on TD5 110s?

Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by iminchin

VSi 09 is here for NSW

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/...si-09-rev4.pdf

DiscoMick i do stand corrected it is 15mm but you can engineer around this. Probably something the guys running 255/85s should bear in mind.

With offset it seems to be a dead end, tried four engineers all with the same story. They have said best bet is to like you say find a model providing you can link it back to your vehicle that the manufacturer support. or the other alternative is to find some testing schemes that might hold ground.

All the td5 owners manuals i find its a track of 1461mm

Not so worried about the police etc i don't think they would know enough to be an issue but its more if there was an accident insurance as they do will try wipe there hands clean with every possible out.

4wheeler if your allowed a 50mm track increase you should be ok with an ET of 10 or 11, Stock defender is ET33 so this would be 46mm in track change. just make sure you got the positive negatives correct as i found some places refer to +ve as out and some refer to it as in.

No worries, I was unsure myself. I thought the 50mm limit was for vehicle suspension lifts. I certainly could be very wrong about all this.

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I came to what I think is a good compromise , 20MM Offsets , I've got a feeling there Dynamics ? Fitted with 265X75X16 Tyres they just keep within the flares , Plus don't hit the spring towers , and increase my turning circle after adjusting the swivel housing stops . If you go any wider you would have to put extension flares on . Like you not sure how this is on the legal or insurance side ? Good luck , let us know how you go !!.. Jim

Originally Posted by jimr1

I came to what I think is a good compromise , 20MM Offsets , I've got a feeling there Dynamics ? Fitted with 265X75X16 Tyres they just keep within the flares , Plus don't hit the spring towers , and increase my turning circle after adjusting the swivel housing stops . If you go any wider you would have to put extension flares on . Like you not sure how this is on the legal or insurance side ? Good luck , let us know how you go !!.. Jim

Good call, It is exzactly the conclusion i just came to so looking into it myself, i found the Dynamics do it in a D pattern.

Technically it is 26mm widening of the wheel track so 1mm "illegal" but i think im going to go with this set up its close enough!