Another tyre question !

[matthew2]

HI GUYS !
Its time for me to put new rubber on my Defer ! At the moment I have got 7.50-16 tyre on it and I want to up grade rims and tires . The rims will be 7x16 black sunrasia and the tyre will be maybe 235/85/16 , 245/75/16 or 265/75/16 . Which one of those tyre sizes is best for the Defer which wont rub while turning or touch anything under the guard and break something because of its size . Also my Defer has a small lift and I tour a lot .

[GuyG]

235/85/16 is the standard size for the defender - these shouldn't rub depending of course on the offset of the rims. I believe that 265/75/16 is a similar rolling diameter but wider than the standard and the other size is closer to a 31" ie smaller

[goingbush]

If you do a lot of touring I'd try to get a set of 130 rims (aka wolf rims) instead of the craprasias , 235/85 16 is the metric equiv of 750-16 , maybe 1/2" to 1" wider depending on brand but same dia.

Stronger rims than standard & much stronger than sun raisers but still genuine LR rims so look right & better offset than 110 rims so better turning circle if you screw your steering stops in.

[pm80]

Don't go with the 245's.

As said before, the 235/85's are the standard size on wagons, same rolling distance as the 7.50's. Your speedo will still be spot on and they will fit perfectly. They will be much nicer on the highway than the 7.50's. I run these on my D1. There are more brands and types than you can poke a stick at.

Your speedo will still be spot on with the 265/75 and I'm sure they wont rub.

I would stick with the 235's.

[Hymie]

I just forked out for a set of 235/85-16 Maxxis Bighorn 762's and I am really happy with them.
So far I've given them Highway, Mud, Gravel Road, Ice and Snow.

[boofdtl]

When you work out what you want give me a ring and i will see what i can do for you mate...

[ugu80]

Don't go with the 245's.

As said before, the 235/85's are the standard size on wagons, same rolling distance as the 7.50's. Your speedo will still be spot on and they will fit perfectly.

Your speedo will still be spot on with the 265/75 and I'm sure they wont rub.

Says a man with no Defender experience. Most defers need a 255/85 to get their speedo working spot on, or a trip to an instrument fitter.

The 130 rims have a slightly wider offset which will increase your track little bit. As said, they are stronger than cheap steels, 2350kgs rating -v- 1200kgs, however, you will still need tubes. It has been said that they will take tubeless but the seal with the bead is weak compared to a tubeless wheel.

If you do a lot of touring, the advantage with the 235/85/16 is that they are fairly common throughout the country, next up being the 265/75. You will be lucky to find the other sizes outside of a big city or in a 10 ply rating. Also, with a 265 there might be legal/insurance issues with being overwidth. Also, the wider you go above design the more stress there is on standard steering/suspension components shortening service life and increasing the risk of breakage.

[flagg]

The 130 rims have a slightly wider offset which will increase your track little bit. As said, they are stronger than cheap steels, 2350kgs rating -v- 1200kgs, however, you will still need tubes. It has been said that they will take tubeless but the seal with the bead is weak compared to a tubeless wheel.


I had to do to 255/85 to get my speedo accurate. (that is 33"). I have Disco 1 steel rims as they are tubeless. Running tubes is a PITA and I had a lot of flats when I ran them. To make matters worse, when they go flat, they do so very quickly.

There are a lot of stories about the lack of quality in sunraysia rims (or maybe copies of them, I don't know) but there are so many good second hand deefer alloys, or if you are going new have a look at the ZU alloys.

My Disco rims were $50 each. (I also had them modded (offset out 20mm) and powercoated, but that is of course optional)

There may be some 130 rims which are tubeless.. maybe the wolf type? I'm sure someone will know.

[goingbush]

yes you can get Wolf tubeless rims
ANR4583PM | 16x6.5 Wolf Rim - tubeless black primer coated (http://www.paddockspares.com/anr4583pm-16x6-5-wolf-rim-tubeless-black-primer-coated.html)

I run the tubed type wolf rim, but without tubes, never had an issue except for a tubeless valve breaking off - but nothing to do with the rim / or type of rim.

When I wanted 2x new BFG 235/85 AT's swapped from my standard 110 rims (which were fitted tubeless) onto the wolf rims the local tyre bloke would no do it without fitting tubes because it says "tubed type" on the rim, even tho he fitted them tubeless to the 110 rims which are also tube type, it just dosent say it. I pulled the tubes out when I got home & put in some tubeless valves & took them to another place to get balanced. no dramas.

Agree with other comments, the Defer speedo is wrong with 750's and 235/85's at 100k on the GPS the speedo is about 106

[ugu80]

I will stand by my comment that you can run tubeless on the Wolf rims but the seating between the bead and the rim is not as strong as dedicated tubeless wheels (place them side by side and you can see the shallower lip).

For the record, I don't think sweating for a couple hours changing a tubed tyre is a great trip. I'd rather just plug or change and go so I have tubeless Kings wheels (16x7) and 235/85 tyres (Hankook Dynapro MT - love 'em, but that's another story). I go on some very challenging fire trails and have no issue with the cheapie steels. The Wolfs might be stronger and nothing but LR stuff is good enough for the purests, but unless you are regularly carting loads over a ton, the cheap steels are plenty strong enough.

I had four flats with the standard wheels and tubes and since changing I have run Maxxis Buckshots and now Hankooks (about 60 000kms in total) without a single flat/puncture.

[Sith]

Running 255x85 against the 235 or 7.50 , corrects the speedo .. I understand.
How much economy do you lose going to a 255 from a 2235/7.50 ?
I get about 660km to a tank now.

[ugu80]

Running 255x85 against the 235 or 7.50 , corrects the speedo .. I understand.
How much economy do you lose going to a 255 from a 2235/7.50 ?
I get about 660km to a tank now.
You will raise your gearing so you will be doing less revs for any given speed (10% less), however, the greater contact patch of the larger tyre will create more rolling resistance. Also, you will have to use more accelerator to get off the line due to the higher gearing, both of which would use more fuel, ergo, any fuel saving will be minimal (maybe 5% better if you are cautious with the right foot).

[noogie]

HI GUYS !
Its time for me to put new rubber on my Defer ! At the moment I have got 7.50-16 tyre on it and I want to up grade rims and tires . The rims will be 7x16 black sunrasia and the tyre will be maybe 235/85/16 , 245/75/16 or 265/75/16 . Which one of those tyre sizes is best for the Defer which wont rub while turning or touch anything under the guard and break something because of its size . Also my Defer has a small lift and I tour a lot .

Hi Matthew

I highly recommend BF Goodrich Mud Terrains
Super quiet on the blacktop.
255/85/R16
Awesome grip.
I've been told to offset my steelies to accomodate them as they apparently rub on the rear spring towers.
I haven't bothered and they appear to be fine.
I also have a mild lift only 1.5 inch.
They don't rub anywhere at the front either.
They are also a true 33 inch tyre and will give you an accurate speedo reading.
They won't have any adverse affect on drivetrain either.

Excellent tyres.
Just bought my set a couple of weeks ago.
Shopped around and picked them up for $335 each which I reckon is a pretty good price.

If you are after a set of 235/85/16 I have a full set on original boost alloys on ebay at the momment. Tread is still really good as I rarely used them on account of having the muddies on all the time.
Taking up space at home so I want to offload them.

Noogie

:D

[3 Lions]

Hi Matthew

I highly recommend BF Goodrich Mud Terrains
Super quiet on the blacktop.
255/85/R16
Awesome grip.
I've been told to offset my steelies to accomodate them as they apparently rub on the rear spring towers.
I haven't bothered and they appear to be fine.
I also have a mild lift only 1.5 inch.
They don't rub anywhere at the front either.
They are also a true 33 inch tyre and will give you an accurate speedo reading.
They won't have any adverse affect on drivetrain either.

Excellent tyres.
Just bought my set a couple of weeks ago.
Shopped around and picked them up for $335 each which I reckon is a pretty good price.

Noogie

:D

X2

I run 235/85/16 General Grabbers on Boost alloys on the road.

Off road I run 255/85/16's BF Muddies (KM2's) on Dynamic 'D' shape steel rims, Excellent tyres on the road and off.As has been said 255's correct your speedo, are not too wide too efect your fuel or gearing and they give you a nice little lift if no lift fitted as thay are a 33.

The Dynamics have been good (they look like a Sunraysia, but have D shapes instead) and have a 1400kg rating, they are approx $100 new each.

Col.:)

[barney]

of course there is the issue that if you run tubeless tyres on a tube rim and something goes wrong, resulting in an accident, your beloved insurance company may have grounds to void your insurance claim.
I have modified steel disco rims on my 110 with BFG 265/75 muddies. I went to these after my usual 255/85 were difficult to get in the time frame i had before a trip in 2010.
the tyre diameter went from roughly 33 in to 32 in. as stated before, with the 255/85s, my speedo was spot on, with the 265/75s, my speedo reads about 5km/h over at 100km/h - but most of the time I drive with the speed displayed in big black numbers on my GPS, so it's not an issue.
a 20-30 mm offset on a standard disco rim will allow full suspension travel on full lock without any tyre rubbing with 33s on.

[Moon.dog62]

I just got 255/85 maxis bighorns on 7 inch king wheels ( look like sunrasias) and am loving them. Big improvement on 235s, in saying that if your doing a lot of touring around the country you may be better not to go for 255s as they are not a common size.

[akelly]

of course there is the issue that if you run tubeless tyres on a tube rim and something goes wrong, resulting in an accident, your beloved insurance company may have grounds to void your insurance claim.

Would you not have the same issue with wheels that have been modified from standard, like offset changed etc...?

I have standard 130 rims (stamped tubed) but every time I take one for a repair the tyre shops tell me to get rid of the tubes. I cant because there are so many holes in the current cases! When I get new rubber I'll be mounting them tubless, as advised by multiple tyre fitting companies.

[PAT303]

I've ran tubeless tyres on LR tubed rims for 15 years and have never had an issue,if the tyre goes flat it'll peal off the rim regardless on wether it's tubed or tubeless. Pat

[jerryd]

I've just purchased 235/85 x 16 "General Grabber AT2" tyres and put them on wolf rims with tubes.
I was told that they are better than the BF Goodrich AT's as they are american and the BF's are now indonesian :confused:

However, they've transformed the ride and handling :) and I'm pleased with them, although I preferred the look of the BF Goodrich tyres.

[pm80]

Says a man with no Defender experience. Most defers need a 255/85 to get their speedo working spot on, or a trip to an instrument fitter.

Sorry, I got stung telling fibs. Yes, most cars speedo's read over and a bigger tyre can fix the 3 to 5% that it is out. What I meant was that it would be unchanged from original. Some people dont want to change their factory gearing etc.

Sorry about the bum steer.

I would still go the 235 just the same. I had them on my last two Defenders and that is why I run them on my D1 now. They are very common. I think they are the standard tyre on a Crusier Ute. I hope I'm right about that, pull me up if I'm not!!

[barney]

mine were offset by a wheel manufacturer, so i have their manufacturing expertise to fall back on. they are the same offset as wolf rims, which are fitted to defenders as standard (130's).
tyre fitters are not the law. they will tell you what you want to hear to sell tyres or make their job easier. with the vehicle compliance laws changing since VSB14 and VSI50 were raised, insurance companies will be looking to use these laws as loopholes to reject insurance claims.

[goingbush]

I would still go the 235 just the same. I had them on my last two Defenders and that is why I run them on my D1 now. They are very common. I think they are the standard tyre on a Crusier Ute. I hope I'm right about that, pull me up if I'm not!!

Nope, Landcruisers with split rims standard fitment is still 750R16 ,
Alloy Rim utes use 265/70 R16
but 235/85 r16 are the typical replacement tyre when the 750-16 Road Grtippers get changed and are the easiest to get tyre size just about anywhere

[PAT303]

7.50x16's,235/85's are the only two 16'' sizes you can get out here no question,I have 255/85's on my Tdi but the TDCi will stay on 235's. Pat

[uninformed]

what brand/type do you run Pat? also check your pms mate, cheers

[KarlB]

I put new tyres on just a month ago. I decided to stay with the standard 235/85R16s because of their wide availability, to avoid any possible warranty or insurance issues, and because I have found that size to work very well on the D90 for the sorts of driving I do ( I have had other sizes on other vehicles). I thought long and hard about make and tread patterns. In the end I opted for Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlars. The Kevlar strengthened side walls, and the fairly 'aggressive' mud tread with road oriented asymmetrical band were the selling points in the end. I have done close to 6,000 on them now. They are brilliant on dirt roads and more rough stuff. Quite good on the tar but not as good as the General Grabbers (original tyres) that they replaced nor as quiet (as expected). I'm happy with them.
Cheers
KarlB
:)

[matthew2]

HI GUYS
Thanks for all the info , I picked up a set of rimms and tyres yesterday , I settled on 235/85-16 Goodyear duro track and black sunsarasia type rims !

I will post up some pics soon !! Any can anyone tell me where I can get those checkered plate wing protectors I live in Melbourne ? At a good price ???

[KarlB]

HI GUYS
Thanks for all the info , I picked up a set of rimms and tyres yesterday , I settled on 235/85-16 Goodyear duro track and black sunsarasia type rims !

I will post up some pics soon !! Any can anyone tell me where I can get those checkered plate wing protectors I live in Melbourne ? At a good price ???

Opposite Lock handles the South African ones (imported by Dolium). They seem to be of reasonable quality and price.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[PAT303]

what brand/type do you run Pat? also check your pms mate, cheers

Sorry Serg,been up north.I run wrangler MTR's and when new I did not like them,very noisey but now after 30K+ doing lots of outback Pilbara/Kimberly roads I really like them,they have lots of chunks out of them but I don't look after them,I don't dawdle or pussy foot around,I want things tough and the MTR's are up to the challenge no problems. Pat

[akelly]

mine were offset by a wheel manufacturer, so i have their manufacturing expertise to fall back on. they are the same offset as wolf rims, which are fitted to defenders as standard (130's).
tyre fitters are not the law. they will tell you what you want to hear to sell tyres or make their job easier. with the vehicle compliance laws changing since VSB14 and VSI50 were raised, insurance companies will be looking to use these laws as loopholes to reject insurance claims.

I understand your point, but wheel manufacturers are not the law either!

I've had a handful of insurance claims over the years, never once had the car inspected by an insurance company. Saying that, I've never had a write-off, so that may be a different kettle of fish.

Anyone out there had experience with insurance companies rejecting claims based on veh mods?

Cheers,

Adam