Thread: Defender 110 suspension and tyre recommendations

I reckon a 3-inch lift alone is going to take you into non-legal territory. Not to mention cause all sorts of problems with steering geometry.. If you are going to fit 35s they will need an offset rim which will affect track width and also affect the legality of your car. I can tell you that in Tas (I live here) a 35 inch tyre and 3 inch lift will make your car illegal without appropriate modification plate/ engineer’s report etc.

I’d stick with as is but run the 255’s and spend the money on a locker(s) instead. Probably more useful in the terrain and better bang for buck. Then drive in the middle of the group and make sure you have solid recovery points front and rear! Because you will be recovering Toyotas all over the place.

What time of year are you planning on coming? Balfour especially, gets pretty wet/deep!

Originally Posted by Landy Red

I reckon a 3-inch lift alone is going to take you into non-legal territory. Not to mention cause all sorts of problems with steering geometry.. If you are going to fit 35s they will need an offset rim which will affect track width and also affect the legality of your car. I can tell you that in Tas (I live here) a 35 inch tyre and 3 inch lift will make your car illegal without appropriate modification plate/ engineer’s report etc.

I’d stick with as is but run the 255’s and spend the money on a locker(s) instead. Probably more useful in the terrain and better bang for buck. Then drive in the middle of the group and make sure you have solid recovery points front and rear! Because you will be recovering Toyotas all over the place.

What time of year are you planning on coming? Balfour especially, gets pretty wet/deep!

Hey Landy Red. Thanks for the reply and advice. I was initially planning for a 3" lift but found out recently the law in NSW has been changed to allow 3" lifts.

"Modifications to the ride height up to 75mm that incorporate a maximum change in the suspension of 50mm, and/or an increase in the diameter of the wheel and tyre combination of up to 50mm. "

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/get-nsw-registration/standards/raising-lowering-vehicles.html

Planning to do Balfour around early January and will have a snorkel for that! Going for around three weeks, got any recommendations on nice tracks?

Oh there are soo many! Depends what you like and where in the state you are going. If you are on west coast for the balfour track and climies track then there is mt huxley and mt mcall tracks near Queenstown for scenic mountains rainforest etc.. there is Montazuma falls too. There is ocean beach and sandy cape and tarkine and arthur river regions for coastal sruff. So, so much! But there is other great stuff in every part of the state. Get this book and you can't go wrong Off-road Tasmania Guidebook

Simply. Biggest tyres with lowest lift...

255/85-16 on between stock and 2” would be the best all round performer.

Wider and taller has more downside than benefit. Been there and done that!

Originally Posted by crispy scapes

Hey Landy Red. Thanks for the reply and advice. I was initially planning for a 3" lift but found out recently the law in NSW has been changed to allow 3" lifts.

"Modifications to the ride height up to 75mm that incorporate a maximum change in the suspension of 50mm, and/or an increase in the diameter of the wheel and tyre combination of up to 50mm. "

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/get-nsw-registration/standards/raising-lowering-vehicles.html

Planning to do Balfour around early January and will have a snorkel for that! Going for around three weeks, got any recommendations on nice tracks?

That lift is only 2” + tyres.

Reading on here pumas don’t like big lifts.....front prop shaft will become the weak link.

255/85’s are a nice size.....

Add rear locker would be nice but upgraded axles should be on the list if you’re going to run bigger tyres.

A standard Defender is already one of the most capable vehicles money can buy, so don't sweat about mods too much.
Defenders don't need lifting as they are already quite high. Lifting can also cause vibrations in the propshafts.
I suggest it's better to fit HD axles and flanges, particularly to the rear. Also get good tyres. A rear locker would do a lot, although if you have a Puma Defender their TC is already very good.
Underbody armour including the steering, diffs, under the engine and the fuel tank would also be a good idea.
Make sure you have a towbar fitted with tow points front and rear. You might need them to tow Toyotas.

Originally Posted by Landy Red

Oh there are soo many! Depends what you like and where in the state you are going. If you are on west coast for the balfour track and climies track then there is mt huxley and mt mcall tracks near Queenstown for scenic mountains rainforest etc.. there is Montazuma falls too. There is ocean beach and sandy cape and tarkine and arthur river regions for coastal sruff. So, so much! But there is other great stuff in every part of the state. Get this book and you can't go wrong Off-road Tasmania Guidebook

We will start off at Cradle, head west, then down to Hobart and up the east coast. Yeah we've got that guidebook already. Thanks for the advice Landy Red.