offroad on 18" wheels

[freedriver]

I'm finding that with the stock rubber on the 18's i'm having to take it really easy over the rocks after being on the sand.So, i want to change it but i'm not sure if it would be better to get smaller rims or if posible get taller tires on the 18's .
Can any one tell me what is the biggest size i could put on the 18's without major mods.
I'm wanting to give her a suspension lift too ,not sure how high yet .
Any info would be a big help .Cheers

[jakeslouw]

Buy some 16-inch rims for off-highway stuff and keep them in the shed.

Steel rims are probably better, as rock dings don't break the rim and any dents can be beaten back into rough shape on the trail: dents in alloy rims need specialist work to refurb.

Then run the appropriate rubber to match the standard D2 suspension: probably 245/75-16 will be fine and are available cheaper than the 18-inch rubber anyway.

[TD5WA]

hi. i would also recommend keeping the 18's on the car for looking nice in the city, but get a spare set of 16's and a slighly more aggressive (suitable) tread pattern tyre for playing off-bitumen. Replacement rubber for 16's is more likely to be cheaper. Tyre wall height on your 18's could well limit your off-road use. If you felt that two sets of wheels was a little extravagent, then on sell the 18's to offset purchase price of the 16's. Anyhow, just a thought.

[jakeslouw]

The worst part of buying 16-inch rims is the D2 PCD offset. Otherwise you'd have much more options.

[freedriver]

cheers for the advise. AS im not too keen to be changing rims over for the weekends and was hoping to get some more ground clearance what would be the best size on 16 or 18 rims to fit under, say, a 50mm lift?
Also im not overly bothered about the extra cost of tyres for 18's just thinking if i could get away with a taller wall on 18's it would save getting new rims and would get me the extra clearence im after.
I'm sure someone out there has done it.Would like to hear how it could be done .Thanks

[njz]

I agree with the other posters about having a 2nd set of 16" rims for offroad. I run two sets of rims for my D1.

But, if you want to stay with the the 18's you could look at the General Grabber AT2 or Michelin Latitude Cross.

I recently put the Latitude Cross on my D2a and have been impressed with them. The tread is pretty deep and a fairly unique design and the side walls look much more solid than stock rubber too.

[Tombie]

A second set of wheels is great IF you plan to wear them out inside 4-5 years...
After that the tyres arent particularly safe...


These work a treat, no cutting, decent lift.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/1104.jpg
275-75-18 LT - Mickey Thompson MTZ

[freedriver]

That looks awesome ! how do i get my stock as 2001 td5 looking like that?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

paint it green?:p

[chuck]

Les Richmond Automotive have an engineered 4" lift available that is a combination of a 2" suspension lift & altering the suspension mounts by effectively lowering the mounts by 2 inches.

This would then easily allow you to run 275 x 70 x 18 tyres.

If you got their engineer to then certify the tyre size increase you would then be legal as I understand it.

Regards

Chuck

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The worst part of buying 16-inch rims is the D2 PCD offset. Otherwise you'd have much more options.

not really,, comodedoors and BMW make the same PCD,,
but its the load rating that makes the choice limited.

[Tombie]

paint it green?:p

Except its niagara grey

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Except its niagara grey

:eek::Rolling::Rolling:

[freedriver]

Was going to say "Looks grey to me " I had a look at the Les Richmond Automotive website and they have some good info. there.Cheers this should keep me bussy for a while.