Need specs and advice re wheels.

[charliebrisbane]

What are the standard wheels and tyre sizes for a td5 extreme 2001 model? My mate is changing tyres and wants to know what works if he goes a bit taller or wider on the standard wheels. He'll probably go an all terrain or similar. He lives in QLD so we can only go 50mm taller by law. What are your personal experiences.

Cheers

[Scouse]

Xtremes came with 16x7" alloys with 235/85/16 tyres.

[DeeJay]

If you go to 255x85x16, there will be ( minor) scrubbing on the rear spring brackets on full articulation & on the front on full lock, so offset rims -25mm would be needed.

[spudboy]

I've had 265/75s on my Defender and never noticed any rubbing etc. They are quite a bit wider and heavier than the stock tyres.

Steering feel was pretty average, and now I have gone back to 235/85s and it feels a lot better.

[charliebrisbane]

Thanks guys that helps. I can have a bit of a look around now.

[frantic]

Ive got a 02 def 110 wagon with 255/85 r16 maxi bighorns and they did not rub (before I put a 40mm lift on) with the original alloy wheels.

[2stroke]

I'd like to put 255/85s on my Tdi 130 dualcab, happy with the scrubbing issue, just worried about the gearing effects, it isn't exactly great at takeoff as it is, hate to spend all that money and find the little thing struggling. Any info appreciated as I'm cashed up and ready to shop!

[Naks]

I've had 265/75s on my Defender and never noticed any rubbing etc. They are quite a bit wider and heavier than the stock tyres. Steering feel was pretty average, and now I have gone back to 235/85s and it feels a lot better.


IME, bang for buck, 265's are the best option on a Defender. It offers good flotation on sand and good grip on rocks.

I have BFG AT's in that size - works like a bomb :)

[Allan]

IME, bang for buck, 265's are the best option on a Defender. It offers good flotation on sand and good grip on rocks.

I have BFG AT's in that size - works like a bomb :)

265's on eight inch performance, fantastic on the td5.

[rick130]

I'd like to put 255/85s on my Tdi 130 dualcab, happy with the scrubbing issue, just worried about the gearing effects, it isn't exactly great at takeoff as it is, hate to spend all that money and find the little thing struggling. Any info appreciated as I'm cashed up and ready to shop!

Just do it, plenty of us here run that size :D
Best compromise size for a 'fender IMO.

Yes, first will be a little tardy, but IMO the rest of the gearing on the open road is better.

If first becomes a real issue adjust the starwheel on the fuel pump, that will help a lot on starts ;) (I can dig up the instructions, they are on here in PDF)

[samuelclarke]

I'd like to put 255/85s on my Tdi 130 dualcab, happy with the scrubbing issue, just worried about the gearing effects, it isn't exactly great at takeoff as it is, hate to spend all that money and find the little thing struggling. Any info appreciated as I'm cashed up and ready to shop!

I'm running BFG MT KM2's in 255/85/R16's...takeoff was a bit slow, then I fitted a 3" exhaust and it's a big improvement. I love this tyre size and, as others have said, I reckon it's the perfect size for a Defender that's used off road but still is a daily driver. Hope that helps! :cool:

[spudboy]

Hey SamuelClarke - have you got any photos of your Defender with the 255/85's on it? I have always been a skinny tyre bloke, and kept to the 235/85's for my defenders, but am interested to see if these look much bigger at all. Any idea what the change in rolling diameter is from the 235's?

I only hear good things about these KM2's. Might even sway me from being an all Michelin man....

Thanks
David

[2stroke]

The different manufacturers have slightly different sizing but Maxxis for instance have 235/85.R16 at 806mm and 255/85.R16 at 845mm.

[samuelclarke]

Hey SamuelClarke - have you got any photos of your Defender with the 255/85's on it? I have always been a skinny tyre bloke, and kept to the 235/85's for my defenders, but am interested to see if these look much bigger at all. Any idea what the change in rolling diameter is from the 235's?

I only hear good things about these KM2's. Might even sway me from being an all Michelin man....

Thanks
David

I've got photos of it in the project thread on my Defender (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/60090-my-first-defender-1992-200tdi-2.html).


I was running 235/85's before getting the 255/85's. In heaver stuff off road the KM2's in 255/85 make a huge difference with a bit more ground clearance - they eat just about all track conditions. On road the KM2's are awesome with great holding on cornering even in the wet (much better than my AT's I was running before). I'll be definitely replacing these with another set of the same. Only problems is supply...Michelin are currently completely out of most sizes in the KM2's - I'm waiting or a spare tyre and they've told me they should have them by end of November - that's 3 months since I ordered it! :o

[spudboy]

OK - thanks. This is the sort of picture I was looking for.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

They don't look too much bigger than the 235/85's, and still nice and skinny.

Did you notice much drop off in acceleration away from stop lights etc? I put some 7.50R16's on my Disco for a month or so (which are considerably bigger than the standard tyres), and the bigger tyres made it take off like a slug.

[isuzurover]

OK - thanks. This is the sort of picture I was looking for.

http://www.samuelclarke.com/media/misc/my110/rocksliders-bfgmt.jpg

They don't look too much bigger than the 235/85's, and still nice and skinny.

Did you notice much drop off in acceleration away from stop lights etc? I put some 7.50R16's on my Disco for a month or so (which are considerably bigger than the standard tyres), and the bigger tyres made it take off like a slug.

Here is mine on 255/85-16 Maxxis Bighorns.

Barely notice the difference from 235s. Speedo is MORE accurate (now 100% spot on). Fuel consumption slightly higher - but that is likely due to correction of speedo error.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/406.jpg

Acceleration is great! But then I have a 3.9Tdi :p