What tyres ?

[Bundy]

Hi all

I am about to begin the restoration of an 86 inch, not to perfect condition but good useable.
What can I get in tyres that suits the vehicle?
At the moment it is running a very worn, hard old set of bar treads in 6.00 x 16 and they suit it but look small these days. The wheels are standard.

Thanks.

[JDNSW]

Standard tyres on it would have been 6.00x16, optional 6.50 or 7.00x16 cross plies.

This is the largest you can fit on the standard wheels, and you should note that those wheels do not have the safety ribs normally expected for tubeless tyres, although in fact tubeless tyres have been used on them without problems.

The Series 1 had a relatively low powered engine by current standards, and increasing the overall diameter of the tyres will not help acceleration, although it will be a bit quieter at higher speeds - if you ever get there. Larger diameter tyres will generally help offroad capability, but with the standard tyres it will be right up with anything you can buy today, and ahead of a lot because of the light weight.

In my view, for this vehicle, wider tyres are not an advantage in any respect, particularly since any significant increase in width means new wheels. You can fit the wheels off the lwb Landrovers from Series 1 until Defender, and these will allow wider tyres, but bear in mind your state's limits on tyre size increases, and the fact that there is no power steering. Wider and larger tyres will also make more evident any shortcomings in the steering and suspension. I would probably fit 7.00x16 if I could get them at a reasonable price.

Radial tyres were never fitted to Series 1 Landrovers, but were available on Series 2a. They generally improve driveability, and probably most non-purists fit them.

Type of tread - up to you, depends on what you are using it for.

I can't help with what is available, partly because there are tyres that you can get from your local supplier, and then you can get tyres from specialist suppliers (usually very expensively!), so there is in fact a very wide range available.

John

[Landy Smurf]

good to see another restoration, i am just going to get the bar treads 6 x 16 you cant go biger then 7 as it will rub

[Larry]

Good to see another restoration. I am just going to get the bar treads 6 x 16, you can't go bigger than 7 as it will rub.

Rub where? I run 7.50x16 on the 80" with no rubbing.:angel:

[JDNSW]

Rub where? I run 7.50x16 on the 80" with no rubbing.:angel:

The only place large tyres will rub is against the chassis or spring. This can be prevented by adjusting the steering stop, at the expense of turning circle. Not too much of a problem for swb Series 1, particularly the 80", but really bad with a 107 or 109. Series 2/2a/3 have wider track with the same chassis width, so less of a problem, and coil sprung landrovers even less. But no Series Landrover has a really good turning circle, so I would think twice about fitting tyres that would reduce it more than necessary.

John

[Landy Smurf]

my 86 inch has 7.5 x 16 and they rub on the tub when going over big bumps

[Larry]

my 86 inch has 7.5 x 16 and they rub on the tub when going over big bumps

Sounds more like worn bump stops and/or sagging springs is the problem more than the tyres to me.:rolleyes:

[Bundy]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Can you really still get bartreads?

I think something around the size of a 7.00 x 16 sounds about right but what manufacturer would make something like this?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Yes you can still get bar treads. MRF an Indian company do 6.00 16 and are available through Moree Ag Tyres or local agents. Antique Tyres do a range of Firestone and Avon "military" type patterns and sizes. Firestone, Avon Veteran, Vintage & Classic Military Tyres | Antique Tyres (http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/tyre-brands/military-tyres)

[mildred]

my 86 inch has 7.5 x 16 and they rub on the tub when going over big bumps

As long as "You" dont rub on the bumps stops or the tub going over bumps, you are set,
remember, "dont forget the fruit gums Mum"......
saggy springs wont get you anywhere ? :angel:

[Landy Smurf]

lol,i will check the springs then

[Tote]

Found tese guys in a random web search. They seem to have some good traditional patterns.
http://www.tyretraders.com.au/docs/att_productcatalogue_email.pdf